Coburg - East
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Coburg - East's population was approximately 14,717 as of November 2025. This figure represents a 17.4% increase since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 12,535 people. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates and new address validations between June 2024 (population of 13,966) and the Census date. This results in a high population density ratio of 3,924 persons per square kilometer, ranking Coburg - East in the top 10% nationally for land desirability. The area's growth exceeded both national (8.9%) and state averages since the 2021 Census. Overseas migration contributed approximately 83.4% of overall 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 employs VIC 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. Future population dynamics predict exceptional growth for Coburg - East, with an expected increase of 8,504 persons by 2041 based on the latest numbers, marking a total increase of 52.7% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Coburg - East among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Coburg - East has recorded approximately 258 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, a total of 1,294 homes were approved, with an additional 5 approved in FY-26 so far. On average, over these five years, 0.4 new residents arrived per new home constructed.

This suggests that new construction is meeting or exceeding demand, providing more options for buyers and enabling population growth. The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings during this period was $398,000. In FY-26, $5.3 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting the area's primarily residential nature. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Coburg - East has 76.0% more new home approvals per person, indicating strong developer confidence and offering buyers greater choice nationally. New development in Coburg - East consists of 4.0% detached dwellings and 96.0% medium and high-density housing. This shift from the current pattern of 54.0% houses suggests diminishing developable land availability and responds to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. With approximately 117 people per approval, Coburg - East reflects a developing area with a projected population growth of 7,753 residents by 2041.

Current development appears well-matched to future needs, supporting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 30 projects likely affecting this region. Notable initiatives include Coburg Health and Community Services Precinct, Sydney Road Coburg BTR (511-537), The Avenue, Coburg, and Holstep Health Community Hub (Coburg). The following list outlines 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 Coburg - East remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Coburg - East has a highly educated workforce with significant representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate was 8.0% as of an unspecified past year.

Employment growth over that year was estimated at 5.9%. As of June 2025, 8,407 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 3.4% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation in Coburg - East is 67.9%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Key industries employing residents include health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services.

Education & training has a particularly strong share at 1.4 times the regional level. However, construction is under-represented with only 5.7% of Coburg - East's workforce compared to Greater Melbourne's 9.7%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data analysis. Over the year to June 2025, employment in Coburg - East increased by 5.9%, while labour force grew by 7.1%, leading to a rise in unemployment of 1.0 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 3.5%, labour force growth of 4.0%, and an unemployment increase of 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Coburg - East's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.9% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, though these are simple weighted extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for localized population projections.

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

AreaSearch aggregated latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022. Coburg - East had a median income among taxpayers of $58,593 and an average level of $73,532. Nationally, the averages were $54,892 (median) and $73,761 (average). By September 2025, estimates based on a 12.16% Wage Price Index growth would be approximately $65,718 (median) and $82,473 (average). The 2021 Census showed household, family, and personal incomes in Coburg - East clustered around the 63rd percentile nationally. Distribution data indicated that 32.4% of locals (4,768 people) fell into the $1,500 - 2,999 income category, similar to regional levels at 32.8%. High housing costs consumed 15.9% of income, but strong earnings placed disposable income at the 62nd percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 8th decile.

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

Coburg - East's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, comprised 53.6% houses and 46.5% other dwellings. In contrast, Melbourne metro had 46.2% houses and 53.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Coburg - East was at 30.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.4% and rented ones at 39.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,100, lower than Melbourne metro's $2,149. Median weekly rent in Coburg - East was $416, slightly higher than Melbourne metro's $418. Nationally, mortgage repayments were higher at $1,863 and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Coburg - East features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 61.8% of all households, including 25.0% couples with children, 26.3% couples without children, and 8.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 38.2%, with lone person households at 28.5% and group households comprising 9.6%. The median household size is 2.4 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.3.

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

Educational attainment in Coburg - East is notably higher than broader benchmarks. 46.5% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 33.4% in Victoria. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 27.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 14.1% and graduate diplomas at 4.9%. Vocational pathways account for 22.1% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 10.4% and certificates at 11.7%.

Educational participation is high, with 28.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.2% in tertiary education, 6.4% in primary education, and 5.2% pursuing secondary education. There are 11 schools serving 4,568 students in the area, which demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions with an ICSEA score of 1077. The educational mix includes 4 primary, 4 secondary, and 3 K-12 schools. Coburg - East functions as an education hub with 31 school places per 100 residents, significantly above the regional average of 10.4, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Coburg - East has 83 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These include train, light rail, and bus services. There are 16 individual routes serving these stops, collectively providing 11,771 weekly passenger trips.

Residents have excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 165 meters to the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 1,681 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 141 weekly trips per individual stop.

Coburg - East's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Coburg - East residents show relatively positive health outcomes, with common conditions seen across young and old age cohorts. Private health cover stands at approximately 56% of the total population (~8,241 people), compared to 58.3% in Greater Melbourne.

Mental health issues impact 12.6% of residents, while asthma affects 8.2%. A total of 66.8% report no medical ailments, compared to 68.5% across Greater Melbourne. The area has 13.3% of residents aged 65 and over (1,954 people), higher than the 12.1% in Greater Melbourne. This aligns with general population health profiles.

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

Coburg-East has notable cultural diversity, with 33.5% of its population born overseas and 34.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Coburg-East, comprising 35.1% of the population. Islam is overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, making up 8.2% of Coburg-East's population.

The top three ancestry groups are English (18.6%), Australian (16.0%), and Other (13.2%). Italian, Lebanese, and Greek ethnicities are notably divergent in their representation: Italians comprise 11.9%, Lebanese 3.4%, and Greeks 4.4% of Coburg-East's population compared to regional percentages.

Coburg - East's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Coburg-East has a median age of 37, matching Greater Melbourne's figure and remaining close to Australia's median age of 38 years. The 25-34 age group is strongly represented at 21.9%, compared to Greater Melbourne, while the 5-14 cohort is less prevalent at 7.9%. This 25-34 concentration is significantly higher than the national average of 14.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 25-34 age group has increased from 21.3% to 21.9% of the population. Conversely, the 65-74 cohort has decreased from 7.1% to 6.6%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Coburg-East's age structure, with the 45-54 group expected to grow by 75%, reaching 3,344 people from its current figure of 1,910.