Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
Sales Activity
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Population
Craigieburn - North West lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends
Craigieburn - North West's population was approximately 11,293 as of May 2026. This figure represents a growth of 1,451 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 9,842. The increase is inferred from ABS estimates and validated new addresses between June 2025 and the Census date. The population density was around 5,881 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Craigieburn - North West's growth rate of 14.7% since the 2021 census surpassed both state (9.3%) and national averages. Overseas migration contributed approximately 58.4% to this population increase.
AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by these 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. By 2041, Craigieburn - North West is projected to grow by 8,168 persons, reflecting a total increase of 72.3% over the 16-year period based on latest annual ERP population numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
Recent residential development output has been above average within Craigieburn - North West when compared nationally
Craigieburn - North West has seen approximately 87 dwellings granted development approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25438 homes were approved, with an additional three approved in FY26 so far. On average, each home built over these five years accommodates around 6.6 new residents per year.
This supply is significantly lagging demand, leading to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost of $101,000, which is below regional norms, reflecting more affordable housing options for purchasers. In FY26, commercial development approvals totalled $25.0 million, indicating balanced commercial development activity in the area.
Compared to Greater Melbourne, Craigieburn - North West records about three-quarters of the building activity per person and ranks among the 15th percentile nationally, offering more limited choices for buyers and supporting demand for existing dwellings. New development consists predominantly of detached houses (84.0%) with townhouses or apartments making up the remainder (16.0%), preserving the area's suburban nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. The location has approximately 958 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market. Population forecasts suggest Craigieburn - North West will gain 8,168 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Craigieburn - North West
Loading development applications…
| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
|---|
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Infrastructure
Craigieburn - North West has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 47thth percentile nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified four projects expected to influence the region: True North Estate, Greenvale North Part 2 Residential Development, Merrifield City Centre, and Merrifield City Shopping Centre. The following details these key projects.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Merrifield Masterplanned Community
Victoria's largest mixed-use masterplanned community, spanning approximately 900 hectares in Mickleham, around 30 km north of Melbourne CBD. A joint venture between MAB Corporation and Gibson Property Corporation (GPC), with QIC as joint venture partner for the City Centre, Merrifield is set to deliver around 7,000 residential lots, townhouses and apartments alongside a 165-hectare City Centre and a 415-hectare Business Park targeting up to 30,000 jobs. The community already has a population of over 8,000, projected to reach more than 17,000 at completion. Key completed elements include the Merrifield City shopping hub (Coles, Liquorland, Chemist Warehouse and 21 specialty tenancies), the 9.5-hectare Merrifield Recreation Reserve, the Mickleham North Community Centre, and the second-stage 4-level all-electric office building at 21 Cityside Drive (completed 2024) along with the adjoining Merrifield Swim School. Major Business Park occupiers include Ford, Dulux, DHL and D'Orsogna. Schools now operating include Gaayip-Yagila Primary School, Holy Cross Primary School and Mickleham Secondary College. Current focus is on a new townhome release in the heart of Merrifield, ongoing residential land releases, and the next stage of the City Centre - planned to include a major supermarket, mini-majors, additional specialty stores, food and beverage tenancies, large format retail, a residential hotel, additional office space, an aquatic centre and a civic hub.
Merrifield
Merrifield is Victoria's largest masterplanned mixed-use community, spanning 900+ hectares in Melbourne's north. A joint venture between MAB Corporation and Gibson Property Corporation, it is designed to accommodate 20,000+ residents across 7,500+ homes. The precinct features a 165-hectare city centre, a 330-hectare business park targeting 30,000 jobs, and extensive community infrastructure. As of May 2026, the Merrifield North PSP is in active planning with the Vision and Purpose Report released in March 2026, while retail expansions for Merrifield City Stage 3 and major industrial completions for tenants like Stellantis (2025) and Ford are progressing the site's evolution.
Cloverton Metropolitan Activity Centre
A state-significant Metropolitan Activity Centre (MAC) serving as the primary economic hub for Melbourne's northern corridor. The precinct is planned to include a major retail core, commercial offices, a regional private hospital, tertiary education, and a future train station. A regional partnership between Hume, Mitchell, and Whittlesea councils ensures coordinated delivery for an expected regional population of 380,000, aiming to generate 50,000 jobs.
Merrifield City Centre
Merrifield City Centre is the mixed-use town centre within the Merrifield masterplanned community at Mickleham. The first Merrifield City retail stage, anchored by Coles and specialty stores, is complete, and 21 Cityside Drive is now complete with childcare, gym, swim school, allied health and office uses. Further stages are planned to expand retail, dining, hotel, office, large format retail and civic-style public realm uses as the regional town centre grows.
Donnybrook-Woodstock Precinct Structure Plan
Approved long-term greenfield precinct plan for Donnybrook and Woodstock in Melbourne's north. The plan covers about 1786 hectares and is expected to deliver more than 16400 homes over several decades, with five local town centres, two convenience centres, six community centre sites, six primary schools, four secondary schools, sporting reserves, local parks and a conservation area network. The PSP was gazetted in November 2017 and its Infrastructure Contributions Plan was gazetted in May 2022; delivery is now occurring through staged estates and local infrastructure works including Mirvac's Olivine and Dennis Family Corporation's Peppercorn Hill communities.
Merrifield City Shopping Centre
Merrifield City is the primary retail and lifestyle core of the 900-hectare Merrifield masterplanned community. A joint venture between MAB Corporation, QIC Real Estate, and Gibson Property Corporation, the centre is expanding into a major regional hub. Following the completion of early stages featuring Coles and specialty retail, current works focus on significant expansion including a major supermarket, mini-majors, and outdoor dining precincts. The masterplan integrates 80,000 sqm of retail space with commercial offices, a residential hotel, and civic facilities to serve Melbourne's northern growth corridor.
True North Estate
Award-winning masterplanned residential community by Satterley Property Group spanning Greenvale and Roxburgh Park suburbs, approximately 198 hectares. Features elevated parcels with Melbourne skyline views, a completed 10-hectare multi-million dollar sporting precinct with two sporting fields, pavilion and adventure playground, multiple completed parks and quality infrastructure. The Roxburgh Park neighbourhood is fully sold out; the Greenvale neighbourhood has recent stages titled and limited lots remaining for sale (e.g., Stage 24/024). Over 2,500 dwellings delivered or planned across the estate, with future neighbourhood releases expected in several years following rezoning.
Merrifield Business Park
Victoria's largest masterplanned business and employment precinct spanning 415 hectares, offering premium land for sale, turnkey packages, and pre-lease opportunities. It provides supply chain connectivity, sustainability features, and attracts major companies including Dulux, Ford, DHL, and D'Orsogna. The park is part of a 900-hectare mixed-use community and is expected to create 25,000 jobs.
Employment
AreaSearch analysis reveals Craigieburn - North West recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide
Craigieburn - North West has a well-educated workforce with diverse sector representation. Its unemployment rate was 6.1% as of December 2025, showing relative employment stability over the past year compared to Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%. In December 2025, 5,499 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 6.3% and workforce participation at 72.1%, close to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%.
According to Census responses in this period, 18.5% of residents worked from home. The leading employment industries among residents are health care & social assistance, transport, postal & warehousing, and construction. Notably, the area has a strong specialization in transport, postal & warehousing with an employment share of 2.3 times the regional level. However, professional & technical services employ only 6.2% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 10.1%.
The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities, as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Over the 12 months to December 2025, labour force levels decreased by 0.5%, while employment declined by 0.1% in Craigieburn - North West, resulting in a fall in unemployment rate by 0.4 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 suggest that national employment is set to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Craigieburn - North West's employment mix indicates potential local employment growth of 6.4% over five years and 13.4% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch
AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows Craigieburn - North West SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $60,918 and an average of $69,274. This is slightly above the national average, with Greater Melbourne having a median of $57,688 and an average of $75,164. By March 2026, estimated incomes would be approximately $66,778 (median) and $75,938 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023. Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Craigieburn - North West rank modestly, between the 42nd and 57th percentiles. Income distribution shows that 44.3% of locals (5,002 people) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 category, reflecting regional patterns where 32.8% similarly occupy this range. High housing costs consume 21.3% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 51st percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 4th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Craigieburn - North West is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region
Craigieburn - North West's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 92.6% houses and 7.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Craigieburn - North West stood at 6.0%, with the rest either mortgaged (62.6%) or rented (31.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,907, below Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in Craigieburn - North West was $396, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, mortgage repayments were higher at $1,863 and rents exceeded the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Craigieburn - North West features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size
Family households constitute 87.1% of all households, consisting of 60.6% couples with children, 15.2% couples without children, and 10.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 12.9%, with lone person households at 10.4% and group households comprising 2.5%. The median household size is 3.4 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
The educational profile of Craigieburn - North West exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics
The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 33.9% among residents aged 15+, surpassing the SA3 area average of 24.3% and the SA4 regional rate of 27.7%. Bachelor degrees are prevalent at 21.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 10.4% and graduate diplomas at 1.9%. Vocational credentials are held by 30.3% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 14.9% and certificates at 15.4%.
Educational participation is high, with 37.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 15.1% in primary, 6.7% in secondary, and 4.1% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Craigieburn - North West has 19 active public transport stops operating. These are served by three different bus routes, offering a total of 1,179 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 226 metres from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily. Car remains the primary mode of transportation, used by 86% of residents, while train usage stands at 8%. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling, higher than the regional norm.
According to the 2021 Census, 18.5% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 168 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 62 weekly trips per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Craigieburn - North West's residents are extremely healthy with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups
Craigieburn - North West demonstrates robust health metrics based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The area has very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups.
Private health cover stands at approximately 54% of the total population (~6,086 people), slightly higher than the average SA2 area but lower than Greater Melbourne's 56.7%. Asthma and mental health issues are the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 4.6% and 3.7% of residents respectively. A significant majority, 85.5%, report being completely free from medical ailments compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 5.8% (652 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 15.0%. Health outcomes among seniors in Craigieburn - North West align with national rankings, mirroring those of the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
Craigieburn - North West is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics
Craigieburn-North West has a culturally diverse population, with 58.6% born overseas and 74.2% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, comprising 37.3%. The 'Other' category is significantly higher at 15.9%, compared to Greater Melbourne's average of 2.3%.
For ancestry, 'Other' leads at 45.5%, followed by Indian at 17.0% and Australian at 10.1%. Notably, Sri Lankan (1.3%), Samoan (1.5%), and Lebanese (1.6%) groups are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.8%, 0.3%, and 0.8% respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Craigieburn - North West hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide
Craigieburn - North West's median age in 2021 was 31 years, which is lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Craigieburn - North West had a higher proportion of residents aged 35-44 (22.2%) but fewer residents aged 55-64 (5.5%). This concentration of 35-44 year-olds was significantly higher than the national average of 14.3%. Between 2021 and the present, demographic aging has occurred, with the median age increasing from 30 to 31 years. During this period, notable shifts include the 45-54 age group growing from 7.8% to 10.5%, while the 65-74 cohort increased from 2.6% to 4.0%. Conversely, the 25-34 age group declined from 20.7% to 16.1%, and the 0-4 age group dropped from 12.0% to 9.8%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Craigieburn - North West, with the 45-54 age cohort projected to more than double, expanding by 1,477 people (125%) from 1,183 to 2,661.