Caulfield - South
Statistical Area - sa2

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 is 19,357 as of August 2025. This figure represents an increase of 1,282 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 18,075. The growth was inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 18,975 in June 2024 and an additional 300 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 4,083 persons per square kilometer, placing Caulfield - South among the top 10% of locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's 7.1% growth since the 2021 census is higher than the SA4 region's 7.0%, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on the latest population numbers, Caulfield - South is projected to grow by 3,101 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 14.1% over the 17-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. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 666 approvals across the past five financial years from FY21 to FY25, with 11 approvals so far in FY26. On average, over these five years, 0.3 new residents per year arrived for each new home approved, indicating that supply is meeting or exceeding demand. This has provided greater buyer choice and supported potential population growth above projections.

The average construction value of new homes was $784,000, suggesting developers are focusing on the premium market with high-end developments. In FY26 alone, $109.5 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Caulfield - South shows moderately higher building activity, at 11.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period from FY21 to FY25, balancing buyer choice with support for current property values. However, development activity has moderated in recent periods. New development consists of 17.0% standalone homes and 83.0% townhouses or apartments, reflecting a notable shift from the area's existing housing composition, which is currently 50.0% houses.

This focus on higher-density living creates more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers, indicating decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles. The location has approximately 178 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an expanding market. Future projections show Caulfield - South adding 2,719 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 16 projects potentially impacting the region. Notable ones include Fabric Residential Development, Former ABC Elsternwick Studio Site (8 Gordon Street), Olive Green, and Elsternwick Cultural Precinct. Below is a list detailing those likely most relevant.

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

Caulfield - South has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Caulfield - South has a highly educated workforce with strong professional services representation. Its unemployment rate was 4.0% as of June 2025.

This rate is 0.6% lower than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation in Caulfield - South is at par with Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Leading employment industries among residents include professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Professional & technical services have a notable concentration, being 1.6 times the regional average.

However, construction is under-represented at 5.9%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 9.7%. Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 0.2% while labour force grew by 1.4%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.2 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 3.5% and unemployment rise by 0.5 percentage points. State-level data to Sep-25 shows Victoria's employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%. National forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Caulfield - South's industry mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.3% over five years and 14.6% over ten years.

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

Caulfield - South's income level is among the top percentile nationally according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. Caulfield - South's median income among taxpayers is $63,596 and the average income stands at $101,539, which compares to figures for Greater Melbourne of $54,892 and $73,761 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.11% from financial year 2022 to March 2025, current estimates would be approximately $70,026 (median) and $111,805 (average). Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes all rank highly in Caulfield - South, between the 82nd and 83rd percentiles nationally. Distribution data shows the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 27.0% of the community (5,226 individuals), mirroring regional levels where 32.8% occupy this bracket. Higher earners represent a substantial presence with 38.9% exceeding $3,000 weekly, indicating strong purchasing power within the community. High housing costs consume 15.5% of income, though strong earnings still place disposable income at the 82nd percentile and 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

Caulfield-South's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census evaluation, consisted of 50.0% houses and 50.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 47.8% houses and 52.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Caulfield-South stood at 38.0%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (33.6%) or rented (28.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,798, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,396. Meanwhile, the median weekly rent figure for Caulfield-South was recorded at $483, compared to Melbourne metro's $435. Nationally, Caulfield-South's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, with rents substantially above the national figure of $375.

Caulfield - South features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 71.2% of all households, composed of 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 aligns with the Greater Melbourne average.

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

Caulfield-South's residents aged 15+ have a higher university qualification rate of 52.3% compared to Australia's 30.4% and Victoria's 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 35.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.6%) and graduate diplomas (4.7%). Vocational qualifications account for 21.2%, including advanced diplomas (10.9%) and certificates (10.3%). Educational participation is high, with 29.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: primary (9.0%), secondary (8.0%), and tertiary (7.2%).

Caulfield-South's five schools have a combined enrollment of 1,137 students. The area has socio-educational advantages and academic achievement (ICSEA: 1131), with two primary and three K-12 schools. However, limited local school capacity (5.9 places per 100 residents vs regional average of 14.2) means many families seek schooling in nearby areas.

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

The analysis shows 84 active transport stops operating in Caulfield - South. These include a mix of lightrail and bus services. There are 8 individual routes serving these stops, collectively providing 4,229 weekly passenger trips.

The report rates transport accessibility as excellent, with residents typically located 183 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 604 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 50 weekly trips per stop.

Caulfield - South's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Caulfield - South residents show positive health outcomes, with low prevalence of common conditions across all ages. Private health cover stands at 72%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 65.2% and Australia's 55.3%. Mental health issues affect 8.0% and arthritis impacts 6.4% of residents.

71.1% report no medical ailments, compared to 74.0% in Greater Melbourne. The area has 21.2% seniors (4,099 people), higher than Greater Melbourne's 16.8%. Senior health outcomes align with the general population profile.

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

Caulfield-South has a high level of cultural diversity, with 27.8% of its residents speaking a language other than English at home and 39.3% born overseas. The predominant religion in Caulfield-South is Judaism, comprising 40.8% of the population, compared to 17.5% across Greater Melbourne. In terms of ancestry, the top three 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 3.1%. Similarly, Russian (4.0%) and South African (3.7%) groups are also more prevalent than their respective regional averages of 2.2% and 1.4%.

Caulfield - South's median age exceeds the national pattern

Caulfield - South's median age is 41 years, higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and Australia's median of 38. Locally, the 75-84 cohort is over-represented at 7.8%, compared to Greater Melbourne's average, while those aged 25-34 are under-represented at 12.6%. According to the 2021 Census, Caulfield - South's population has shifted since the previous census: the 15-24 age group grew from 11.1% to 13.0%, and the 75-84 cohort increased from 6.0% to 7.8%. Meanwhile, the 65-74 cohort declined from 11.5% to 10.4%, and the 45-54 group decreased from 13.5% to 12.4%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Caulfield - South's age profile. The 75-84 cohort is expected to grow by 49%, adding 734 residents for a total of 2,244. Residents aged 65 and older are projected to represent 56% of the population growth. The 0-4 age group is anticipated to grow at a more modest rate of 2%, adding only 20 residents.