Collingwood

Collingwood lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Collingwood's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 11,293. This figure represents a growth of 2,114 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,179. The increase was inferred from the estimated resident population of 11,145 in June 2024 and an additional 122 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 8,892 persons per square kilometer, placing Collingwood in the top 10% of locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate of 23.0% since the 2021 Census exceeds both the national average (8.9%) and state averages, making it a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 75.3% of Collingwood's population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth were positive factors.

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 utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusted 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. Future projections indicate exceptional growth for Collingwood, with an expected increase of 6,881 persons by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 59.6% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Collingwood recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Collingwood has recorded approximately 41 residential properties granted approval each year. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, a total of 208 homes have been approved, with an additional one approved so far in FY26. On average, around 6.3 new residents arrive per dwelling constructed over these five years.

This indicates substantial lag between supply and demand, likely leading to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. The average construction cost for new homes is $360,000. In the current financial year, Collingwood has recorded $182.3 million in commercial development approvals, suggesting robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Collingwood records approximately 59% of building activity per person and ranks among the 8th percentile nationally in terms of available choices for buyers, which supports demand for existing properties.

The new building activity shows a skew towards compact living, with 5.0% standalone homes and 95.0% townhouses or apartments. This trend offers affordable entry pathways and attracts downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. Collingwood currently has around 3242 people per approval, indicating a mature, established area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Collingwood is forecasted to gain 6733 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Collingwood has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 45 such projects likely impacting the area. Notable ones include Cambridge Street Collingwood Development, Derby Street Apartment Development, 21 Northumberland Street Mixed-Use Development, and 240 Wellington Street Public Housing Renewal. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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Collingwood has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Collingwood has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. The unemployment rate was 9.0% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 4.6% over the past year.

As of this date, 7,443 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was higher than Greater Melbourne's at 4.4%. Workforce participation in Collingwood was 74.8%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Key industries of employment among residents include professional & technical services, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area has a particularly high specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share 2.1 times the regional level.

In contrast, construction employs only 4.0% of local workers, lower than Greater Melbourne's 9.7%. There were 1.5 workers for every resident as per the Census, indicating that Collingwood functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 4.6% while the labour force grew by 5.4%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.7 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 3.0%, the labour force increase by 3.3%, and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points during the same period. State-wide in Victoria, employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year as of 25-Nov, adding 41,950 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%. Nationally, employment growth was 0.14%, and the unemployment rate was 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% expansion over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Collingwood's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.4% over five years and 14.9% over ten years, though these are simple weighted extrapolations for illustrative purposes and do not account for localized population projections.

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

The Collingwood SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $70,312 and an average of $89,360 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is notably higher than the national figures, with Greater Melbourne's median income being $54,892 and average income $73,761 in the same period. By September 2025, estimates suggest a median income of approximately $78,862 and an average of $100,226, based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022. Census data shows individual earnings at the 95th percentile nationally were $1,338 weekly in Collingwood SA2. Income brackets indicate that 32.2% (3,636 individuals) fell within the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band, consistent with broader trends across the area showing 32.8% in the same category. Economic strength is evident with 33.1% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. Despite high housing costs consuming 18.6% of income, disposable income stands at the 69th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Collingwood features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Collingwood's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 5.8% houses and 94.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 12.8% houses and 87.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Collingwood was at 11.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.2% and rented ones at 65.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, below Melbourne metro's average of $2,326. Median weekly rent in Collingwood was $425, compared to Melbourne metro's $451. Nationally, Collingwood's mortgage repayments are higher at $2,167 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are substantially above the national figure of $375.

Collingwood features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 46.6% of all households, including 8.9% couples with children, 29.3% couples without children, and 7.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 53.4%, with lone person households at 42.6% and group households comprising 10.8%. The median household size is 1.9 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.0.

Collingwood shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

In Collingwood, educational attainment is notably high among residents aged fifteen and above, with sixty point two percent holding university qualifications. This figure exceeds the national average of thirty point four percent and the Victorian average of thirty three point four percent. The area's strong educational advantage is reflected in the types of qualifications held: bachelor degrees are most common at thirty eight percent, followed by postgraduate qualifications at seventeen point eight percent and graduate diplomas at four point four percent. Vocational pathways account for eighteen point five percent of qualifications among those aged fifteen and above, with advanced diplomas making up eight point seven percent and certificates nine point eight percent.

Educational participation is notably high in the area, with twenty six point three percent of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes twelve point one percent in tertiary education, four point seven percent in primary education, and three point one percent pursuing secondary education.

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

Collingwood has 20 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops offer a mix of light rail and bus services, with a total of 31 individual routes in operation. Collectively, these routes facilitate 10,840 weekly passenger trips.

Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 176 meters to the nearest stop. Service frequency across all routes averages 1,548 trips per day, which equates to approximately 542 weekly trips per individual stop.

Collingwood's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Collingwood. Both young and old age cohorts show low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 64% of the total population (7,227 people), compared to 69.8% across Greater Melbourne.

Nationally, this figure stands at 55.3%. The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, impacting 12.6 and 9.4% of residents respectively. A total of 71.4% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 70.6% across Greater Melbourne. The area has 7.7% of residents aged 65 and over (866 people), which is lower than the 12.1% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Collingwood 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

Collingwood has a high level of cultural diversity, with 26.6% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 37.4% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Collingwood, comprising 21.8% of people. Judaism is overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, making up 0.8% of Collingwood's population.

The top three ancestral groups are English (22.4%), Australian (15.7%), and Other (14.7%). Notably, Vietnamese (3.2%) and Polish (1.0%) are overrepresented compared to regional figures of 2.4% and 0.9%, respectively.

Collingwood's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

Collingwood's median age is 33, which is younger than Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Collingwood has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (34.8%), but fewer residents aged 5-14 (5.3%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and now, the proportion of Collingwood's population aged 35 to 44 has increased from 19.1% to 20.3%, while the proportion of those aged 25 to 34 has decreased from 36.4% to 34.8%. Additionally, the proportion of residents aged 45 to 54 has dropped from 11.2% to 10.2%. Population forecasts for Collingwood indicate significant demographic changes by 2041. The 25-34 age group is projected to grow strongly, with an increase of 36%, adding 1,419 residents to reach a total of 5,346.