Campbellfield - Coolaroo

An assessment of population growth drivers in Campbellfield - Coolaroo reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Campbellfield - Coolaroo's population is around 16,819 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 762 people (4.7%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 16,057 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 16,438 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 281 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 924 persons per square kilometer, which is relatively in line with averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, which contributed approximately 76.5% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering the projected demographic shifts, a significant population increase in the top quartile of Australian statistical areas is forecast, with the area expected to increase by 5,692 persons by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 31.6% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Campbellfield - Coolaroo, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Campbellfield - Coolaroo has seen around 35 new homes approved each year, with 179 homes approved over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 22 so far in FY-26. Given population has fallen over the past period, development activity has been adequate in relative terms, which is a positive for buyers, while new properties are constructed at an average value of $248,000‚—below the regional average—suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. Additionally, $89.1 million in commercial approvals have been registered this financial year, indicating strong commercial development momentum.

Relative to Greater Melbourne, Campbellfield - Coolaroo records markedly lower building activity (83.0% below regional average per person). This scarcity of new properties typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. This is similarly below the national average, indicating the area's established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations. New development consists of 52.0% detached dwellings and 48.0% attached dwellings, with a growing mix of townhouses and apartments providing options across different price points, from family homes to more affordable compact living. This shows a considerable change from the current housing mix (currently 86.0% houses), reflecting reduced availability of development sites and addressing shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. The estimated count of 681 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment.

Population forecasts indicate Campbellfield - Coolaroo will gain 5,311 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Campbellfield - Coolaroo has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total 44 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include Time & Place Campbellfield Industrial Development, Assembly Broadmeadows, and North Melbourne Logistics Hub, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment conditions in Campbellfield - Coolaroo face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Campbellfield - Coolaroo possesses a skilled workforce, with the construction sector a particular standout in terms of representation, an unemployment rate of 14.2%, and 3.7% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 5,264 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 9.4% above Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%, showing room for improvement, and workforce participation lags significantly (47.2% compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.3%). Based on Census responses, a low 12.3% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

The dominant employment sectors among residents include construction, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. The area demonstrates a particularly notable concentration in transport, postal & warehousing, with employment levels at 2.0 times the regional average. On the other hand, professional & technical services are under-represented, with only 3.8% of Campbellfield - Coolaroo's workforce compared to 10.1% in Greater Melbourne. With 1.6 workers for every resident, as at the Census, the area functions as an employment hub, hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 3.7% while the labour force decreased by 0.6%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 3.6 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 2.4%, labour force growth of 2.8%, with unemployment rising 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Campbellfield - Coolaroo. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Campbellfield - Coolaroo's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.8% over five years and 12.3% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

The Campbellfield - Coolaroo SA2 shows a median taxpayer income of $43,143 and an average of $50,341 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for FY-23. This is below the national average, contrasting with Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $46,702 (median) and $54,494 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Campbellfield - Coolaroo all fall between the 1st and 7th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate the $800 - 1,499 earnings band captures 30.1% of the community (5,062 individuals), differing from patterns across regional levels where $1,500 - 2,999 dominates with 32.8%. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 80.4% of income remaining, ranking at the 6th percentile.

Campbellfield - Coolaroo is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure within Campbellfield - Coolaroo, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 85.7% houses and 14.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Campbellfield - Coolaroo was higher than that of Melbourne metro, at 36.0%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (33.0%) or rented (31.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was well below the Melbourne metro average at $1,500, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $330, compared to Melbourne metro's $2,000 and $390. Nationally, Campbellfield - Coolaroo's mortgage repayments are significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially below the national figure of $375.

Campbellfield - Coolaroo has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households dominate at 73.6% of all households, comprising 38.1% couples with children, 16.4% couples without children, and 17.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 26.4%, with lone person households at 23.3% and group households comprising 3.0% of the total. The median household size of 3.0 people is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Campbellfield - Coolaroo faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area faces educational challenges, with university qualification rates (17.3%) substantially below the Greater Melbourne average of 37.0%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees lead at 11.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 26.0% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (9.5%) and certificates (16.5%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 35.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 12.1% in primary education, 9.5% in secondary education, and 5.3% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is good compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Public transport analysis reveals 106 active transport stops operating within Campbellfield - Coolaroo, comprising a mix of buses. These stops are serviced by 14 individual routes, collectively providing 6,729 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 258 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 84%, with 9% by train. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling. A relatively low 12.3% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 961 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 63 weekly trips per individual stop. The accompanying map shows the 100 nearest stops to the location centrepoint.

Health performance in Campbellfield - Coolaroo is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Campbellfield - Coolaroo faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts, and the rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~7,719 people). This compares to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and diabetes, impacting 7.8 and 7.1% of residents, respectively, while 70.9% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 17.1% of residents aged 65 and over (2,872 people), which is higher than the 15.1% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, though they rank lower nationally than the broader population.

Campbellfield - Coolaroo is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Campbellfield - Coolaroo is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country, with 49.7% of its population born overseas and 72.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The main religion in Campbellfield - Coolaroo is Islam, which makes up 49.7% of people in the area, compared to 5.6% across Greater Melbourne.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Campbellfield - Coolaroo are Other, comprising 43.8% of the population, which is substantially higher than the regional average of 14.6%, Australian, comprising 12.7% of the population, which is notably lower than the regional average of 18.4%, and Lebanese, comprising 11.5% of the population, which is substantially higher than the regional average of 0.8%. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Samoan is notably overrepresented at 1.0% of Campbellfield - Coolaroo (vs 0.3% regionally), Vietnamese at 1.9% (vs 1.9%) and Maltese at 1.3% (vs 1.1%).

Campbellfield - Coolaroo hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

At 34 years, Campbellfield - Coolaroo's median age is somewhat lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and similarly considerably younger than Australia's 38 years. Relative to Greater Melbourne, Campbellfield - Coolaroo has a higher concentration of 5 - 14 residents (14.6%) but fewer 25 - 34 year-olds (12.9%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 13.6% to 14.7% of the population. Conversely, the 25 to 34 cohort has declined from 14.8% to 12.9%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Campbellfield - Coolaroo. The 45 to 54 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 45%, adding 844 residents to reach 2,701.