Croydon - West
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Croydon - West's population is approximately 14,905 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 766 people, a 5.4% rise since the 2021 Census which recorded a population of 14,139. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 14,828 in June 2024 and the addition of 129 validated new addresses post-Census. This results in a density ratio of 2,191 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Croydon - West's growth rate of 5.4% since the 2021 Census exceeds that of the SA4 region (4.0%) and the SA3 area, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 88.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, though all drivers including natural growth and interstate migration were positive factors.

AreaSearch employs 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 uses the 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 trends project an above median growth for statistical areas nationally, with Croydon - West expected to increase by 1,907 persons to 2041, reflecting a total rise of 12.3% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Croydon - West according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Croydon - West averaged approximately 47 new dwelling approvals annually. Between FY21-FY25236 homes were approved, with 17 more in FY26 as of now. Over the past five financial years, an average of 1.3 people moved to the area per dwelling built. However, this figure increased to 8.9 people per dwelling over the last two financial years, suggesting growing popularity and potential undersupply.

New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $380,000. In FY26, commercial development approvals totalled $17.6 million, indicating steady investment activity. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Croydon - West has about three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks in the 40th percentile nationally for buyer options, suggesting limited choices while demand for established properties strengthens. Recent construction comprises 63% standalone homes and 37% townhouses or apartments, marking a shift from the area's existing housing composition (currently 93% houses). The location has approximately 439 people per dwelling approval.

By 2041, Croydon - West is projected to grow by 1,830 residents, with development keeping pace with this growth, although increasing competition among buyers is expected as the population expands.

Croydon - West has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 25 projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable projects include Croydon Community Wellbeing Precinct, The Outlook Croydon North, 189-191 Dorset Road Townhouses, and Bellara Drive Social Housing Development. 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.

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 Croydon - West remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Croydon - West has a well-educated workforce with key services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 3.7% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 1.1%.

As of June 2025, 7,504 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 0.9% lower than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation was 60.8%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Leading employment industries included health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Construction had notable concentration with levels at 1.3 times the regional average.

Transport, postal & warehousing employed only 2.9% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 5.2%. The area offered limited local employment opportunities based on Census data. In the 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 1.1% and labour force grew by 0.7%, reducing unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 3.5%, labour force growth of 4.0%, with unemployment rising by 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 projected national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Croydon - West's employment mix suggested local growth of approximately 6.6%% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

Croydon - West had a median taxpayer income of $55,043 and an average of $67,330 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is higher than the national average, which was $54,892 (median) and $73,761 (average) for Greater Melbourne during the same period. By September 2025, estimates suggest median income will be approximately $61,736 and average income $75,517, based on a 12.16% growth in wages since financial year 2022. The 2021 Census indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Croydon - West rank modestly, between the 47th and 50th percentiles. Most residents (29.8%, or 4,441 people) fall into the $1,500 - $2,999 income bracket, similar to regional levels where 32.8% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability is severe, with only 83.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 47th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Croydon - West is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Croydon - West's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 93.0% houses and 7.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 87.2% houses and 12.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Croydon - West stood at 37.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.9% and rented ones at 22.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,078, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in Croydon - West was $399, compared to Melbourne metro's $385. Nationally, Croydon - West's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, and rents surpassed the national figure of $375.

Croydon - West has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 70.2% of all households, including 31.9% couples with children, 26.5% couples without children, and 10.9% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 29.8%, with lone person households at 27.4% and group households comprising 2.4% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Croydon - West performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes

Educational qualifications in Croydon - West indicate 31.6% of residents aged 15+ hold university degrees, compared to Greater Melbourne's 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 20.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.8%). Vocational credentials are held by 32.3% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 12.2% and certificates at 20.1%. Current educational participation is high, with 27.4% enrolled in formal education: primary (9.3%), secondary (7.1%), and tertiary (4.4%).

Seven schools operate within Croydon - West, educating approximately 1,622 students. School places per 100 residents (10.9) are below the regional average (15.5), with some students likely attending schools in adjacent areas.

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

Croydon - West has 68 active public transport stops. These are a mix of train and bus services. There are 19 individual routes operating in total.

Collectively, these provide 3,797 weekly passenger trips. Residents have good transport accessibility, with an average distance of 248 meters to the nearest stop. The service frequency is 542 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 55 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Croydon - West is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts

Croydon West faces significant health challenges, with common health conditions prevalent across both younger and older age cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is approximately 53%, covering around 7,959 people. The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 8.6% and 8.1% of residents respectively. However, 67.1% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 68.7% across Greater Melbourne. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over, at 24.8% (3,697 people), compared to the Greater Melbourne average of 19.0%.

Croydon - West 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

Croydon-West was found to have a higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 25.8% of its population born overseas and 18.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion in Croydon-West, making up 46.3% of its population. Notably, the 'Other' religious category comprises 1.4%, slightly higher than the 1.1% average across Greater Melbourne.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are English (27.4%), Australian (24.0%), and Other (8.6%). Some ethnic groups show notable variations: Dutch is equally represented at 2.1%, Hungarian is slightly overrepresented at 0.4%, and Sri Lankan representation matches regionally at 0.5%.

Croydon - West's median age exceeds the national pattern

Croydon-West's median age is 41 years, which is higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and slightly older than Australia's median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Croydon-West has a notably higher proportion of residents aged 75-84 (10.0%) and a lower proportion of those aged 25-34 (10.9%). According to the 2021 Census, the 75-84 age group grew from 8.3% to 10.0%, while the 25-34 cohort decreased from 12.1% to 10.9%. By 2041, demographic modeling projects significant changes in Croydon-West's age profile. The 75-84 cohort is expected to grow by 46%, adding 684 residents to reach a total of 2,171. Residents aged 65 and older are projected to represent 72% of the population growth. Conversely, declines in population are anticipated for the 25-34 and 0-4 age groups.