Croydon - East

Population growth drivers in Croydon - East are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Croydon - East's population is around 18,003 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 1,894 people (11.8%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 16,109 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 17,181 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 467 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 2,222 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Croydon - East's 11.8% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region (4.9%) and the SA3 area, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, which contributed approximately 64.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Anticipating future population dynamics, an above-median population growth of statistical areas across the nation is projected, with the area expected to grow by 2,847 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 11.2% in total over the 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Croydon - East when compared nationally

Croydon - East has recorded around 131 residential properties granted approval per year, with 655 homes approved over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25) and 20 so far in FY-26. With an average of 1.3 people per year moving to the area for each dwelling built over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), supply and demand appear well-balanced, creating stable market conditions, though recent data reveals this has increased to 7 people per dwelling over the past 2 financial years, reflecting the area's growing popularity and potential supply constraints. New homes are being built at an average construction cost of $279,000—under regional levels—indicating more accessible housing choices for buyers. Additionally, $59.5 million in commercial approvals have been registered this financial year, indicating strong commercial development momentum.

Compared to Greater Melbourne, Croydon - East has 82.0% more development activity (per person), which should provide buyers with ample choice, though building activity has slowed in recent years. New building activity shows 35.0% detached dwellings and 65.0% townhouses or apartments. This trend toward denser development provides accessible entry options and appeals to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. This marks a significant departure from existing housing patterns (currently 75.0% houses), suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs. At around 244 people per approval, Croydon - East reflects a transitioning market.

Future projections show Croydon - East adding 2,025 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

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

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total, 27 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include the Croydon Community Wellbeing Precinct, Croydon Main Street Revitalisation, 295 Mt Dandenong Road Residential Development, and 120-124 Merrindale Drive Industrial Development, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

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 Croydon - East has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Croydon - East possesses a well-educated workforce, with essential services sectors well represented, an unemployment rate of 5.8%, and 1.0% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 9,064 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 1.0% above Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%, and workforce participation is somewhat below standard (66.7% compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.3%). Based on Census responses, a high 27.3% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

The key industries of employment among residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Meanwhile, transport, postal & warehousing has a limited presence with 3.2% employment compared to 5.2% regionally. The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of the Census working population versus the resident population.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, during the year to December 2025, employment levels increased by 1.0% and the labour force increased by 1.6%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.6 percentage points. This compares to Greater Melbourne, where employment grew by 2.4%, the labour force expanded by 2.8%, and unemployment rose 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Croydon - East. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Croydon - East's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

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

The Croydon - East SA2's income level is slightly above average nationally according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for FY-23. The Croydon - East SA2's median income among taxpayers is $58,719 and the average income stands at $70,076, which compares to figures for Greater Melbourne's of $57,688 and $75,164 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $63,563 (median) and $75,857 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes all rank modestly in Croydon - East, between the 39th and 54th percentiles. Distribution data shows the largest segment comprises 34.6% earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (6,229 residents), mirroring the metropolitan region where 32.8% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 81.7% of income remaining, ranking at the 37th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

Dwelling structure within Croydon - East, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 74.7% houses and 25.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Croydon - East was in line with that of Melbourne metro, at 29.6%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (39.7%) or rented (30.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was below the Melbourne metro average at $1,885, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $371, compared to Melbourne metro's $2,000 and $390. Nationally, Croydon - East's mortgage repayments are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are less than the national figure of $375.

Croydon - East features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households dominate at 64.7% of all households, comprising 26.9% couples with children, 24.1% couples without children, and 12.7% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 35.3%, with lone person households at 32.2% and group households comprising 3.0% of the total. The median household size of 2.3 people is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

The educational profile of Croydon - East exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Educational qualifications in Croydon - East trail regional benchmarks, with 28.4% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees compared to 37.0% in Greater Melbourne. This gap highlights potential for educational development and skills enhancement. Bachelor degrees lead at 18.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.5%) and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 35.1% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (11.9%) and certificates (23.2%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 26.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.9% in primary education, 5.9% in secondary education, and 3.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 75 active transport stops operating within Croydon - East, comprising a mix of buses. These stops are serviced by 26 individual routes, collectively providing 4,777 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 247 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 88%, with 6% by train. Vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per dwelling. A high 27.3% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 682 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 63 weekly trips per individual stop.

Croydon - East'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

Croydon - East's health metrics sit close to national benchmarks, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The level of common health conditions among the general population is somewhat typical, though higher than the national average among older cohorts. The rate of private health cover just leads that of the average SA2 area at approximately 54% of the total population (~9,703 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne.

The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, impacting 9.9% and 8.7% of residents, respectively, while 66.4% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Working-age residents show an above-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has 19.4% of residents aged 65 and over (3,487 people), which is higher than the 15.1% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, though they rank lower nationally than the broader population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Croydon - East was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Croydon - East is more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets, with 26.0% of its population born overseas and 19.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The main religion in Croydon - East is Christianity, which makes up 45.0% of the population. However, the most apparent overrepresentation was in Other, which comprises 1.3% of the population, compared to 2.3% across Greater Melbourne.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Croydon - East are English, comprising 27.7% of the population, which is substantially higher than the regional average of 20.1%, Australian, comprising 24.2% of the population, which is substantially higher than the regional average of 18.4%, and Other, comprising 10.7% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Dutch is notably overrepresented at 2.3% of Croydon - East (vs 1.2% regionally), Welsh at 0.6% (vs 0.4%) and Sri Lankan at 0.3% (vs 0.8%).

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

The 38-year median age in Croydon - East is close to Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and equivalent to the Australian median of 38. Relative to Greater Melbourne, Croydon - East has a higher concentration of 65 - 74 residents (9.8%) but fewer 15 - 24 year-olds (10.3%). Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 5.8% to 7.0% of the population. Conversely, the 0 to 4 cohort has declined from 6.8% to 5.8%. By 2041, Croydon - East is expected to see notable shifts in its age composition. Leading the demographic shift, the 45 to 54 group will grow by 22% (453 people), reaching 2,533 from 2,079. The aging population dynamic is clear, with those 65+ comprising 52% of projected growth. On the other hand, population declines are projected for the 35 to 44 and 0 to 4 cohorts.