Clarinda - Oakleigh South

Clarinda - Oakleigh South has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Clarinda - Oakleigh South's population, according to AreaSearch's analysis, was around 11,803 as of May 2026. This figure shows an increase of 249 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,554. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 11,741 in June 2025 and an additional 156 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,867 persons per square kilometer, above the national average assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth in the area during 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 released in 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends suggest lower quartile growth, with an expected expansion of 382 persons by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 2.7% over the 16-year period.

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

Clarinda - Oakleigh South has received approximately 30 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling around 150 homes. As of FY26, 30 dwellings have been approved. Despite a decrease in population during this period, the development activity has been relatively adequate, which may benefit buyers. The average construction cost for new homes is $443,000, higher than regional norms but indicative of quality-focused development.

This financial year has seen around $13.1 million in commercial approvals registered, indicating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Clarinda - Oakleigh South has roughly two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 31st percentile nationally, resulting in relatively limited buyer choices and supporting interest in existing homes. Recent construction comprises approximately 58% standalone homes and 42% townhouses or apartments, reflecting a shift from the area's current housing composition (90% houses). This change may indicate decreasing availability of developable sites and evolving lifestyles requiring more diverse housing options. With around 543 people per dwelling approval, Clarinda - Oakleigh South exhibits signs of a developed market.

Future projections estimate an increase of approximately 320 residents by 2041, suggesting that current development patterns should meet demand and facilitate potential population growth beyond current estimates.

Clarinda - Oakleigh South has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 40thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 28 projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones include Canterbury Gardens Estate, Kingston Heath Residential Estate, Summerset Oakleigh South, and Talbot Village (Former Talbot Quarry). 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 performance in Clarinda - Oakleigh South has been broadly consistent with national averages

Clarinda-Oakleigh South has an educated workforce with professional services well-represented. The unemployment rate was 3.6% as of a certain period, with estimated employment growth at 3.9%. As of December 2025, 5,959 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.2% below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%.

Workforce participation was lower at 61.6%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. A significant 27.0% of residents worked from home based on Census responses. Leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing. The area had a high specialization in manufacturing, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, professional & technical services employed only 8.4% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 10.1%. Employment opportunities locally appeared limited based on Census data. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 3.9%, labour force grew by 4.6%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne had employment growth of 2.4% and labour force growth of 2.8%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 projected national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Clarinda-Oakleigh South's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, though this was a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes and did not account for localized population projections.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2023 indicates that Clarinda - Oakleigh South SA2 has incomes below the national average. The median income is $54,124 and the average income stands at $63,905. In contrast, Greater Melbourne's figures show a median income of $57,688 and an average income of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year ending June 2023, current estimates for March 2026 would be approximately $59,331 (median) and $70,053 (average). The 2021 Census reports individual incomes at the 20th percentile as $655 weekly, while household income is at the 45th percentile. Income brackets show that 30.8% of the community earns between $1,500 and $2,999 (3,635 individuals), consistent with broader trends across the area at 32.8%. After housing costs, 85.8% of income remains for other expenses. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

Clarinda - Oakleigh South is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Clarinda-Oakleigh South's dwellings, as per the latest Census, were 90.3% houses and 9.8% other types (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'). Melbourne metro had 67.9% houses and 32.1% others. Home ownership in Clarinda-Oakleigh South was 46.2%, with mortgages at 32.7% and rentals at 21.1%. Median monthly mortgage repayments were $2,010, above Melbourne's $2,000 average. Median weekly rents were $400, compared to Melbourne's $390. Nationally, mortgage repayments averaged $1,863 and rents were $375.

Clarinda - Oakleigh South features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 77.5% of all households, including 38.8% couples with children, 25.3% couples without children, and 12.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 22.5%, with lone person households at 19.8% and group households comprising 2.6%. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

The educational profile of Clarinda - Oakleigh South exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

In Clarinda-Oakleigh South, 31.6% of residents aged 15 and above hold university degrees, compared to Greater Melbourne's 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 21.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.4%) and graduate diplomas (2.1%). Vocational credentials are held by 26.3% of residents aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 10.2% and certificates at 16.1%. Educational participation is high, with 25.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 8.2% in primary, 6.1% in secondary, and 5.1% in tertiary education.

Educational participation is notably high, with 25.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.2% in primary education, 6.1% in secondary education, and 5.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis shows that there are currently 56 active public transport stops operating in the Clarinda - Oakleigh South area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 12 individual routes providing weekly passenger trips amounting to 1,796. The accessibility of transport is rated as good, with residents typically located an average of 216 meters from their nearest stop. As it is mainly residential, most commuters travel outward, with the car being the dominant mode at 87%. Train use stands at 8%, while vehicle ownership averages 1.5 per dwelling, above the regional norm. According to the 2021 Census data, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions, a high 27% of residents work from home.

The average service frequency across all routes is 256 trips daily, equating to approximately 32 weekly trips per individual stop.

Clarinda - Oakleigh South's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Oakleigh South's health metrics are close to national benchmarks, as assessed by AreaSearch using mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The level of common health conditions among residents is somewhat typical but higher than the national average for older cohorts. Approximately 50% (~5,960 people) have private health cover, compared to Greater Melbourne's 56.7% and the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (8.1%) and mental health issues (6.9%), with 69.6% of residents reporting no medical ailments. This compares to Greater Melbourne's 72.6%. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. Oakleigh South has 25.8% (3,041 people) aged 65 and over, higher than Greater Melbourne's 15.0%. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges but rank lower nationally compared to the broader population.

Clarinda - Oakleigh 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

Clarinda-Oakleigh South is among the most culturally diverse areas in Australia, with 56.3% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 52.1% born overseas as of the latest available data. The dominant religion in Clarinda-Oakleigh South is Christianity, comprising 57.9% of the population. However, Judaism is notably overrepresented, making up 1.7% compared to the regional average of 1.0%.

In terms of ancestry based on country of birth of parents, the top three groups are Other at 19.0%, Greek at 13.1% (significantly higher than the regional average of 2.7%), and Australian at 11.7% (notably lower than the regional average of 18.4%). There are also notable disparities in the representation of certain ethnic groups such as Russian at 1.0% compared to 0.4% regionally, Sri Lankan at 1.3% versus 0.8%, and Hungarian at 0.5% versus 0.3%.

Clarinda - Oakleigh South hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

Clarinda-Oakleigh South's median age is 44, which exceeds Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 and the national norm of 38. The 65-74 age group constitutes 12.6%, higher than Greater Melbourne's figure, while the 25-34 cohort stands at 12.2%. Post-2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group grew from 7.9% to 9.6%, and the 45 to 54 cohort declined from 12.2% to 11.2%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant shifts in Clarinda-Oakleigh South's age profile. The 75 to 84 group is expected to grow by 32%, reaching 1,489 from 1,130. Those aged 65 and above will comprise 75% of projected population growth. Meanwhile, the 0 to 4 and 55 to 64 cohorts are anticipated to experience population declines.