Caulfield - South

Caulfield - South has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Caulfield - South's population was approximately 19,386 as of May 2026. This figure reflects a growth of 1,311 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 18,075. The increase is inferred from ABS' estimated resident population of 19,226 in June 2025 and an additional 380 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 4,089 persons per square kilometer, placing Caulfield - South among the top 10% of locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's 7.3% growth since the census is within 0.7 percentage points of its SA4 region (8.0%), indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth in recent periods.

AreaSearch uses 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 employs VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusting using 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. According to these projections, Caulfield - South is expected to grow by 2,887 persons to 2041, reflecting a total gain of 14.1% over the 16-year period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Caulfield - South when compared nationally

Caulfield - South has seen approximately 133 new homes approved annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 666 homes were approved, with another 30 approved so far in FY26. On average, about 0.3 people have moved to the area per dwelling built each year over these five years, indicating that supply is meeting or exceeding demand and providing greater buyer choice while supporting potential population growth above projections.

The average construction value of new properties has been around $514,000, suggesting a focus on the premium market with high-end developments. This financial year alone, $109.5 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Caulfield - South has seen slightly more development, approximately 13.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years, maintaining good buyer choice while supporting existing property values. However, development activity has moderated in recent periods. Recent construction comprises about 17.0% detached dwellings and 83.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a significant shift from the current housing pattern of 50.0% houses.

This trend towards denser development provides accessible entry options for downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers, potentially driven by diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. With around 178 people per dwelling approval, Caulfield - South exhibits characteristics of a growth area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, population forecasts indicate that Caulfield - South will gain approximately 2,727 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 16 projects likely affecting this region. Notable ones include Former ABC Elsternwick Studio Site (8 Gordon Street), Olive Green, Elsternwick Cultural Precinct, and Fabric Residential Development. The following list details those expected to have the most relevance.

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

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Despite maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.8%, Caulfield - South has experienced recent job losses, resulting in a below average employment performance ranking when compared nationally

Caulfield - South has a highly educated workforce with professional services well represented. Its unemployment rate is 3.8%. Over the past year, it maintained relative employment stability.

As of December 2025, 10,462 residents are employed at an unemployment rate of 0.9% below Greater Melbourne's 4.8%. Workforce participation stands at 67.4%, slightly lower than Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. According to Census responses, 45.9% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries include professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training.

The area has a notable concentration in professional & technical services with employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average. Construction, however, has limited presence at 5.9%, compared to the regional average of 9.7%. Over the year to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.3% and employment declined by 0.2%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 2.4%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Caulfield - South's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.3% over five years and 14.6% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

The Caulfield - South SA2 has one of the highest income levels nationally according to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest ATO data for financial year ended June 30th, 2023. Its median income among taxpayers is $65,561 and average income stands at $101,861, compared to Greater Melbourne's figures of $57,688 and $75,164 respectively. By March 20th, 2026, estimated median and average incomes are approximately $71,868 and $111,660 based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since June 30th, 2023. From the Australian Bureau of Statistics Census conducted on August 10th, 2021, household, family, and personal incomes in Caulfield - South rank highly nationally, between the 82nd and 83rd percentiles. Income analysis shows that 27.0% of the population (5,234 individuals) fall within the $1,500 to $2,999 income range, consistent with broader regional trends where 32.8% are in the same category. Notably, 38.9% earn above $3,000 weekly, indicating prosperity that fuels local economic activity. High housing costs consume 15.5% of income, yet strong earnings place disposable income at the 82nd percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Caulfield - South displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Caulfield - South, as per the latest Census, houses constituted 50.0% of dwellings, with other types (semi-detached, apartments, 'other') making up 50.1%. This contrasts with Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Caulfield - South stood at 38.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 33.6% and rented ones at 28.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,798, higher than Melbourne metro's $2,000. Median weekly rent in Caulfield - South was $483, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Caulfield - South's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,798 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Caulfield - South features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 71.2% of all households, including 34.8% couples with children, 27.2% couples without children, and 8.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 28.8%, with lone person households at 24.8% and group households comprising 4.0%. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Caulfield - South demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Educational attainment in Caulfield - South is significantly higher than broader benchmarks. As of 2016, 52.3% of residents aged 15+ had university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 33.4% statewide (Victoria). Bachelor degrees were the most common at 35.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.6%) and graduate diplomas (4.7%). Vocational pathways accounted for 21.2% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 10.9% and certificates at 10.3%.

Educational participation was notably high, with 29.5% of residents enrolled in formal education as of 2016. This included 9.0% in primary education, 8.0% in secondary education, and 7.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Caulfield - South has 84 active public transport stops offering a mix of light rail and bus services. These are served by 8 routes, collectively facilitating 4585 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent with residents typically located 183 meters from the nearest stop. Primarily residential, most commuters travel outward; cars dominate at 80%, while trains account for 9%. Average vehicle ownership is 1.3 per dwelling. According to the 2021 Census, 45.9% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.

Service frequency averages 655 trips daily across all routes, equating to about 54 weekly trips per stop.

Caulfield - South's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Caulfield South's health metrics closely align with national benchmarks. This assessment by AreaSearch considered mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence, revealing a standard level of common health conditions across both young and old age groups. The rate of private health cover was exceptionally high at approximately 71% of the total population (13,841 people), compared to 56.7% in Greater Melbourne and 55.7% nationally.

The most prevalent medical conditions were mental health issues affecting 8.0% of residents and arthritis impacting 6.4%. Notably, 71.1% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Working-age residents exhibited low chronic condition prevalence. As of the latest data (2021), the area had 20.7% of residents aged 65 and over (4,018 people), higher than Greater Melbourne's 15.0%. Health outcomes among seniors were above average, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Caulfield - South was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Caulfield-South scores highly in cultural diversity, with 27.8% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 39.3% born overseas. The dominant religion is Judaism, comprising 40.8% of Caulfield-South's population, compared to 1.0% across Greater Melbourne. In terms of ancestry, the top groups are Other (20.7%), Australian (18.6%), and English (16.0%).

Notably, Polish (6.1%) is overrepresented in Caulfield-South compared to the regional average of 0.8%. Similarly, Russian (4.0%) and South Australian (3.7%) groups are also notably higher than their respective regional averages of 0.4% each.

Caulfield - South's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Caulfield - South's median age is 41 years, which is significantly higher than the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and somewhat older than the Australian median of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Caulfield - South has an over-representation of the 75-84 cohort at 8.1% locally, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 13.2%. Post-2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group grew from 6.0% to 8.1%, and the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 11.1% to 13.0%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 cohort declined from 11.5% to 10.0%, and the 45 to 54 group dropped from 13.5% to 12.3%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Caulfield - South's age profile. The 75 to 84 cohort is projected to grow by 38%, adding 593 residents to reach 2,162. The 15 to 24 group shows modest growth at 0%, with an addition of only 8 residents.