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

Campbellfield-Coolaroo's population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, is approximately 16,396 as of May 2026. This marks an increase of 339 people, a rise of 2.1%, since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 16,057. The change is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 16,387 in June 2025 and an additional 343 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 901 persons per square kilometer, comparable to averages seen across locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 78.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth for the area.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering these projected demographic shifts, Campbellfield-Coolaroo is forecasted to experience significant population increase, with an expected rise of 5,644 persons by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total gain of 34.4% over the 16 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 approximately 35 new home approvals annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25179 homes were approved, with an additional 27 approved in FY26 so far. Despite a decrease in population during this period, development activity has been relatively adequate, benefiting buyers due to more affordable housing options, with new properties constructed at an average expected construction cost of $248,000, below the regional average.

This financial year has seen $89.1 million in commercial approvals registered, indicating strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Campbellfield-Coolaroo records significantly lower building activity, with 82.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new properties typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties, which is also under the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and 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. This shows a considerable change from the current housing mix, which is currently 86.0% houses, reflecting reduced availability of development sites and addressing shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. The estimated population per dwelling approval in the area is 681 people, indicating its quiet, low activity development environment.

Population forecasts indicate Campbellfield-Coolaroo will gain approximately 5,634 residents by 2041, according to 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

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 43 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Time & Place Campbellfield Industrial Development, Upfield Line Duplication and Extension to Roxburgh Park, Assembly Broadmeadows, and North Melbourne Logistics Hub. The following list details those most relevant.

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 has a skilled workforce with the construction sector being prominent. The unemployment rate was 14.2% in December 2025, which is 9.4% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 3.7%.

As of December 2025, 5,264 residents were employed. Workforce participation lagged significantly at 47.3%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. Only 12.3% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Dominant employment sectors include construction, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.

The area has a notable concentration in transport, postal & warehousing, with employment levels at 2.0 times the regional average. However, professional & technical services are under-represented, with only 3.8% of Campbellfield-Coolaroo's workforce compared to Greater Melbourne's 10.1%. There were 1.6 workers for every resident as at the Census, indicating the area functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. Over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 3.7% while labour force decreased by 0.6%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 3.6 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia suggest local employment should increase by 5.8% over five years and 12.3% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

The Campbellfield-Coolaroo SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $43,143 and an average income of $50,341 in the financial year 2023. This was lower than the national averages of $57,688 for median income and $75,164 for average income in Greater Melbourne. By March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $47,293 (median) and $55,184 (average), based on a 9.62% increase from the financial year 2023 Wage Price Index growth. According to the 2021 Census, income levels in Campbellfield-Coolaroo fell between the 1st and 7th percentiles nationally for household, family, and personal incomes. The $800-$1,499 earnings band captured 30.1% of the community (4,935 individuals), differing from regional patterns where the $1,500-$2,999 band dominated at 32.8%. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 80.4% of income remaining, ranking at the 6th percentile nationally.

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

Campbellfield-Coolaroo's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 85.7% houses and 14.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Campbellfield-Coolaroo stood at 36.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.0% and rented ones at 31.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,500, below Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in the area was $330, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Campbellfield-Coolaroo's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 73.6% of all households, including 38.1% couples with children, 16.4% couples without children, and 17.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 26.4%, with lone person households at 23.3% and group households making up 3.0%. The median household size is 3.0 people, 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's university qualification rate is 17.3%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.3%). Vocational credentials are held by 26.0% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 9.5% and certificates at 16.5%. Educational participation is high, with 35.1% 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

Campbellfield-Coolaroo has 106 active public transport stops, all buses. Fourteen routes serve these stops, offering 6,729 weekly passenger trips. Residents' average distance to the nearest stop is 258 meters, indicating good accessibility. Most residents commute outward from this residential area. Cars are the primary mode of transport at 84%, with trains used by 9%. The average vehicle ownership per dwelling is 1.3.

According to the 2021 Census, 12.3% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. On average, there are 961 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 63 weekly trips per stop. The map provided shows the 100 nearest stops to the location's 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 somewhat prevalent across all age groups but more so among older cohorts. The rate of private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~7,525 people), compared to 56.7% in Greater Melbourne and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis and diabetes, affecting 7.8 and 7.1% of residents respectively. However, 70.9% of residents claim to be completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 16.4% of residents aged 65 and over (2,697 people), higher than Greater Melbourne's 15.0%. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges but 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 Australia, with 49.7% of its population born overseas and 72.5% speaking a language other than English at home. The dominant religion in Campbellfield-Coolaroo is Islam, comprising 49.7% of the population, compared to 5.6% across Greater Melbourne. In terms of ancestry, the top three represented groups are Other (43.8%), Australian (12.7%), and Lebanese (11.5%).

These figures differ significantly from regional averages: Other is substantially higher at 43.8% vs 14.6%, Australian is notably lower at 12.7% vs 18.4%, and Lebanese is substantially higher at 11.5% vs 0.8%. Notably, Samoan (1.0%), Vietnamese (1.9%), and Maltese (1.3%) groups are also overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.3%, 1.9%, and 1.1% respectively.

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

Campbellfield-Coolaroo's median age is 34 years, which is lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Campbellfield-Coolaroo has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (14.5%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (13.4%). Between the 2021 Census and present, the population aged 15-24 has increased from 13.6% to 14.9%, while the proportion of residents aged 25-34 has decreased from 14.8% to 13.4%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant changes in Campbellfield-Coolaroo's population structure, with the strongest growth expected in the 45-54 age group (49%), which is projected to add 885 residents, reaching a total of 2,696.