Chelsea - Bonbeach

Population growth drivers in Chelsea - Bonbeach are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Chelsea-Bonbeach's population was around 16,093 as of May 2026. This figure reflects an increase of 889 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 15,204. The change is inferred from ABS estimated resident population figures: 16,058 in June 2025 and an additional 160 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a population density ratio of 2,969 persons per square kilometer, placing Chelsea-Bonbeach in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch assessments. Over the past decade, ending in May 2026, Chelsea-Bonbeach demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration (68.5% of overall gains), although natural growth and interstate migration also contributed positively.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022; for areas not covered, it employs Victorian State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on these trends and latest ERP population numbers, Chelsea-Bonbeach is projected to expand by 2,637 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 16.2% over the 16-year period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Chelsea - Bonbeach when compared nationally

Chelsea-Bonbeach has recorded approximately 69 residential property approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 349 homes. As of FY26, 14 approvals have been granted. The average new resident count per year per dwelling constructed between FY21 and FY25 was 1.6, suggesting balanced supply and demand. However, this figure has increased to 4.3 over the past two financial years, indicating growing popularity and potential undersupply. New homes are being built at an average construction cost of $425,000, slightly above the regional average.

Commercial approvals totalled $19.1 million in FY26. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Chelsea-Bonbeach shows 17.0% lower construction activity per person and ranks among the 58th percentile nationally. Detached houses account for 38.0% of new building activity, with townhouses or apartments making up the remaining 62.0%. The area has approximately 263 people per dwelling approval, indicating a low-density market.

Population forecasts suggest Chelsea-Bonbeach will gain 2,602 residents by 2041. Construction pace is maintaining reasonable growth, but increasing population may lead to growing competition among buyers.

Chelsea - Bonbeach has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified five projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable among these are The Dell developed by Stockland, the Bonbeach Station Precinct Redevelopment & Level Crossing Removal project, the redevelopment of the Bonbeach Lifesaving Club, and the Rossdale Golf Course Redevelopment in Aspendale. Below is a list detailing those projects likely to be most relevant.

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

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Chelsea - Bonbeach shows employment indicators that trail behind approximately 70% of regions assessed across Australia

Chelsea - Bonbeach has a well-educated workforce with professional services showing strong representation. The unemployment rate was 6.1% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 0.8%. As of December 2025, 8,470 residents were employed, while the unemployment rate was 1.3% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%.

Workforce participation was somewhat lower at 67.3%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. According to Census responses, 34.4% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. The area shows strong specialization in construction with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level.

However, accommodation & food services are under-represented at 4.2%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 6.4%. The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities. Over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 0.8% while labour force decreased by 0.3%, causing a fall in unemployment rate of 1.0 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 2.4% and labour force growth of 2.8%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Chelsea - Bonbeach's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2023 shows Chelsea - Bonbeach SA2 has high incomes. The median is $66,832 and average is $80,482. This compares to Melbourne's median of $57,688 and average of $75,164. By March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $73,261 (median) and $88,224 (average), based on a 9.62% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. In 2021 Census figures, personal income ranks at the 74th percentile ($962 weekly) and household income at the 48th percentile. Distribution shows 31.5% of residents (5,069 people) earn between $1,500 - 2,999, similar to Melbourne's 32.8%. Income remaining after housing costs ranks at the 47th percentile with only 82.4%, and the area's SEIFA income ranking is in the 7th decile.

Chelsea - Bonbeach displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Chelsea-Bonbeach's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 36.5% houses and 63.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Melbourne metro had 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Chelsea-Bonbeach was 30.3%, similar to Melbourne metro's level. The remaining dwellings were either mortgaged (38.4%) or rented (31.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,065, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $381, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Chelsea-Bonbeach's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Chelsea - Bonbeach features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 62.1% of all households, including 25.7% couples with children, 25.1% couples without children, and 10.4% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 37.9%, with lone person households at 34.8% and group households comprising 3.0%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Chelsea - Bonbeach shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area's university qualification rate is 32.7%, significantly lower than the SA4 region average of 46.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common, with a rate of 22.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 6.9% and graduate diplomas at 3.8%. Vocational credentials are prevalent among residents aged 15 and above, with 34.4% holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (12.6%) and certificates (21.8%). Educational participation is high, with 25.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 8.9% in primary education, 5.9% in secondary education, and 4.0% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Chelsea-Bonbeach has 52 active public transport stops, all bus routes. These are served by 10 different routes offering 3,401 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is good, with residents typically 227 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily. Cars dominate at 87%, with trains at 7%. Average vehicle ownership per dwelling is 1.1, below the regional average.

In 2021 Census data, 34.4% of residents worked from home, possibly due to COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 485 trips daily across all routes, equating to about 65 weekly trips per stop.

Health performance in Chelsea - Bonbeach is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Chelsea-Bonbeach faces significant health challenges based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 60% of the total population (9,575 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne. The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, impacting 9.4 and 8.4% of residents respectively. Sixty-six point seven percent of residents declared themselves 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 20.1% of residents aged 65 and over (3,233 people), which is higher than the 15.0% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Chelsea - Bonbeach was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Chelsea-Bonbeach's cultural diversity is above average, with 13.8% of residents speaking a language other than English at home and 24.8% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Chelsea-Bonbeach, comprising 45.0%. Judaism is overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, making up 0.5% versus 1.0%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (28.4%), Australian (23.3%), and Irish (9.5%). Notably, Russian (1.0%), Polish (1.0%), and Hungarian (0.4%) ethnicities are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.4%, 0.8%, and 0.3% respectively.

Chelsea - Bonbeach's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Chelsea-Bonbeach's median age is 41 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and slightly older than Australia's median of 38. The 65-74 age cohort is notably over-represented in Chelsea-Bonbeach at 10.3%, while the 15-24 age group is under-represented at 8.8%. According to the 2021 Census, the 15-24 age group has increased from 7.8% to 8.8%, but the 25-34 cohort has declined from 14.2% to 12.8%. By 2041, Chelsea-Bonbeach's age profile is projected to change significantly. The 75-84 cohort is expected to grow by 60%, adding 673 residents to reach 1,790. Residents aged 65 and older are anticipated to represent 56% of the population growth, while declines are projected for the 0-4 and 35-44 age groups.