Craigieburn - South
Statistical Area - sa2

Craigieburn - South 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 - South's population was approximately 24,379 as of August 2025. This figure represents an increase of 2,706 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 21,673. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates and validated new addresses between June 2024 (population: 24,086) and the Census date. This results in a population density of 2,046 persons per square kilometer, higher than the national average assessed by AreaSearch. Craigieburn - South's growth rate of 12.5% since the 2021 census exceeds both the national average (8.6%) and state averages. Overseas migration contributed approximately 58.8% to this growth, with all demographic drivers being 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, VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 are used, adjusted employing weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Projected growth places Craigieburn - South in the top 10 percent of national statistical areas, with an expected increase of 18,460 persons by 2041 based on latest population numbers, representing a total increase of 74.5% over the 17-year period.

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

Craigieburn South has seen approximately 142 residential properties approved annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 712 homes were approved, with a further four approved in FY-26 so far. On average, about 4.8 people have moved to the area per year for each dwelling built during this period, indicating substantial demand outstripping supply, which often leads to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures.

New properties are constructed at an average cost of $475,000. In terms of commercial investment activity, around $25.4 million in approvals have been registered in the current financial year. Comparatively, Craigieburn South shows about half the construction activity per person when measured against Greater Melbourne and ranks among the 48th percentile nationally in terms of assessed areas, suggesting relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing homes. New development consists of approximately 67% detached dwellings and 33% attached dwellings, with a growing mix of townhouses and apartments providing options across different price points, from family homes to more affordable compact living.

This represents a significant shift from the current housing mix, which is predominantly houses at around 92%. This change reflects reduced availability of development sites and addresses shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. With approximately 366 people per approval, Craigieburn South indicates a mature market. Looking ahead, it is projected to grow by about 18,167 residents by the year 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially exacerbating buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Craigieburn - South has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

In total, 31 infrastructure projects have been identified by AreaSearch that could impact the area. These include plans such as Craigieburn West Precinct Structure Plan (2017), Stockland Highlands Masterplanned Community (commenced 2015), Merrifield Masterplanned Community (announced 2014), and Merrifield City Centre (approved 2018). The following list details 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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Employment drivers in Craigieburn - South are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Craigieburn - South has a skilled workforce with manufacturing and industrial sectors well-represented. As of June 2025, the unemployment rate is 8.1%, with an estimated employment growth of 2.7% over the past year.

The area has 11,794 residents in work, but its unemployment rate is 3.5% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation stands at 61.6%, lower than Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Key employment sectors include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Transport, postal & warehousing is particularly specialized, employing 1.9 times the regional level.

However, professional & technical services employ only 5.3% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 10.1%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 2.7%, while the labour force grew by 4.5%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.6 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 3.5% and unemployment rise by 0.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Craigieburn - South's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.2%% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022, Craigieburn - South had a median income among taxpayers of $51,010. The average income stood at $58,690. This was below the national average and compared to levels of $54,892 and $73,761 across Greater Melbourne respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $57,213 (median) and $65,827 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household income ranks at the 55th percentile with a weekly income of $1,835, while personal income sits at the 24th percentile. Distribution data shows that 39.7% of locals (9,678 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income category, which aligns with the broader area where this cohort represents 32.8%. High housing costs consume 18.8% of income, leaving disposable income at the 53rd percentile.

Craigieburn - South is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Craigieburn - South's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, were 92.0% houses and 8.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Melbourne metro's 87.6% houses and 12.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Craigieburn - South stood at 17.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 56.1% and rented ones at 26.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,900, exceeding Melbourne metro's average of $1,834. The median weekly rent was $375, compared to Melbourne metro's $369. Nationally, Craigieburn - South's mortgage repayments were higher at $1,900 than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were comparable at $375.

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

Family households constitute 85.0% of all households, including 53.7% couples with children, 17.1% couples without children, and 12.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 15.0%, with lone person households at 12.4% and group households comprising 2.6%. The median household size is 3.3 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 3.2.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 25.7%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 16.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.1%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 29.8% of residents aged 15+ holding them - advanced diplomas (11.6%) and certificates (18.2%). Educational participation is high at 35.8%, including 12.5% in primary education, 8.6% in secondary education, and 5.2% pursuing tertiary education.

Six schools operate within Craigieburn - South, educating approximately 4,121 students. The area's ICSEA score is 968, indicating typical Australian school conditions with balanced educational opportunities. There are three primary, two secondary, and one K-12 school in the area. Note: for schools marked 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Craigieburn - South has 73 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 18 different routes, facilitating 15,329 weekly passenger trips in total. The area's transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents on average situated 231 meters from the nearest stop.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 2,189 trips per day, translating to approximately 209 weekly trips per individual stop.

Craigieburn - South's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Craigieburn - South shows excellent health outcomes, with younger populations having notably low prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 49% (~11,970 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%.

Asthma and mental health issues are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 6.6% and 5.3% respectively. 78.1% report no medical ailments, slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's 76.3%. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 8.0% (1,945 people) compared to Greater Melbourne's 10.8%. Health outcomes among seniors require more focus than the broader population.

Craigieburn - 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

Craigieburn-South is one of the most culturally diverse areas in Australia, with 49.4% of its population born overseas and 61.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Craigieburn-South, comprising 46.1% of its people. Notably, the 'Other' religious category makes up 8.3%, higher than Greater Melbourne's 5.9%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are Other (39.0%), Australian (13.7%), and English (11.1%). Some ethnic groups have significant representation: Sri Lankan at 1.6% (versus 1.1% regionally), Indian at 9.2% (versus 6.5%), and Samoan at 1.4% (versus 1.3%).

Craigieburn - South hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Craigieburn-South's median age is 32 years, which is younger than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and significantly lower than Australia's national average of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Craigieburn-South has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (16.7%) but fewer residents aged 75-84 (1.9%). According to post-2021 Census data, the age group 55-64 has increased from 9.2% to 10.2%, while the 25-34 cohort has decreased from 16.5% to 14.2%. The 0-4 age group has also dropped from 8.7% to 7.3%. Demographic projections suggest significant changes in Craigieburn-South's age profile by 2041, with the strongest growth expected in the 45-54 cohort, which is projected to grow by 116%, adding 3,346 residents to reach a total of 6,238.