Dandenong - North
Statistical Area - sa2

Dandenong - North has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Dandenong - North's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 23,488, representing a 9.3% increase from the 2021 Census figure of 21,487 people. This growth is inferred from the ABS estimated resident population of 23,260 in June 2024 and an additional 249 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is 2,921 persons per square kilometer, placing Dandenong - North in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch's assessment. The area's growth rate exceeded that of its SA3 region (6.8%) and the national average, indicating it as a growth leader. Overseas migration accounted for approximately 86.8% of overall population gains recently. 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 employs VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusting using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends project an above-median growth for national areas, with Dandenong - North expected to increase by 5,287 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 20.7% over the 17-year period.

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

Dandenong - North has received approximately 105 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totaling 527 homes. As of FY-26, 16 approvals have been recorded. Despite population decline in the area, housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice. The average construction cost value for new homes is $219,000, which is below regional norms, reflecting more affordable housing options.

This financial year, $39.4 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Dandenong - North has slightly more development activity, measuring at 25.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period. This maintains good buyer choice while supporting existing property values. However, development activity has moderated in recent periods. The new building activity shows a skew towards compact living, with 18.0% detached houses and 82.0% townhouses or apartments.

This shift from the area's existing housing (currently 37.0% houses) indicates decreasing availability of developable sites and reflects changing lifestyles and the need for more diverse, affordable housing options. Dandenong - North reflects a transitioning market with around 315 people per approval. Looking ahead, Dandenong - North is projected to grow by 4,866 residents through to 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Dandenong - North has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 18 projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Dandenong Wellbeing Centre, Dandenong New Art (DNA), Metro Village 3175, and The Lonsdale. The following list details those 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 Dandenong - North face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Dandenong - North has a skilled workforce with notable representation in the construction sector. The unemployment rate was 16.6% as of June 2025, which is 7.3 percentage points higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%.

This indicates room for improvement. Workforce participation in Dandenong - North lags behind Greater Melbourne at 50.7%, compared to 64.1%. Employment among residents is concentrated in health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and construction. Manufacturing stands out with employment levels at 2.1 times the regional average.

However, professional & technical services have limited presence at 4.8% compared to the regional average of 10.1%. The worker-to-resident ratio is 0.9, indicating substantial local employment opportunities. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 1.3%, while the labour force grew by 4.5%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 2.6 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne saw employment rise by 3.5% and unemployment increase by 0.5 percentage points during the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Dandenong - North's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.0% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

Dandenong - North's median income among taxpayers was $45,011 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $51,782 during the same period. This compares to figures for Greater Melbourne of $54,892 and $73,761 respectively. As of September 2025, current estimates suggest median income would be approximately $50,484 and average income $58,079 based on a Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022. Census data shows household, family and personal incomes in Dandenong - North fall between the 11th and 14th percentiles nationally. The largest income bracket comprises 29.0% earning $1,500-$2,999 weekly (6,811 residents), consistent with broader trends across the broader area showing 32.8% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 78.9% of income remaining, ranking at the 11th percentile.

Dandenong - North displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Dandenong - North, as per the latest Census, consisted of 37.0% houses and 63.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 72.1% houses and 28.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Dandenong - North was at 20.4%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (22.9%) or rented (56.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,500, below Melbourne metro's average of $1,800. Median weekly rent was recorded at $310, compared to Melbourne metro's $350. Nationally, Dandenong - North's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Dandenong - North features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 63.1% of all households, including 28.5% couples with children, 19.1% couples without children, and 13.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 36.9%, with lone person households at 29.7% and group households making up 7.3%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.8.

Educational outcomes in Dandenong - North fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 26.2%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 16.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (7.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.7%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 29.5% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.8%) and certificates (17.7%). Educational participation is high at 34.3%, comprising primary education (9.3%), secondary education (7.4%), and tertiary education (6.4%).

Twelve schools serve 4,162 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 964) offering balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes five primary, six secondary, and one K-12 school.

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

Dandenong - North has 133 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 57 individual routes, collectively facilitating 14,643 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent with residents typically located 148 meters from the nearest stop.

Service frequency averages 2,091 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 110 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Dandenong - North is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Dandenong - North has better-than-average health outcomes, with low prevalence of common conditions among its general population. However, it has higher rates among older and at-risk groups compared to national averages.

Private health cover is quite low in this area, with approximately 46% coverage (~10,851 people), while the national average is 55.3%. Mental health issues and arthritis are the most common conditions, affecting 7.7% and 5.9% of residents respectively. About 74.6% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 75.1% in Greater Melbourne. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 14.9% (3,495 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 17.4%. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

Dandenong - North is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Dandenong-North, as per the 2016 Census, has a high level of cultural diversity with 71.7% of its population speaking languages other than English at home and 67.8% born overseas. Christianity is the dominant religion in Dandenong-North, comprising 32.7% of the population. However, Islam is notably overrepresented, making up 29.2%, which is significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 13.1%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are 'Other', at 43.0% (higher than the regional average of 29.1%), English at 9.7%, and Australian at 8.7%. There are also notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Serbian is overrepresented at 2.6% compared to the regional average of 1.1%, Sri Lankan at 2.5% (vs 1.8%), and Indian at 8.2% (vs 6.2%).

Dandenong - North's population is younger than the national pattern

Dandenong - North's median age was 35 years in 2021, slightly younger than Greater Melbourne's 37 and the national average of 38 years. The percentage of the population aged 25-34 was 19.0%, higher than Greater Melbourne's figure. Meanwhile, the 45-54 age group made up 10.8% of Dandenong - North's population in 2021. Between 2021 and the present, the percentage of the population aged 5 to 14 has increased from 10.4% to 11.2%, while the 25-34 age group has decreased from 20.7% to 19.0%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant changes in Dandenong - North's population structure. The 45-54 age cohort is expected to grow by 946 people (a 37% increase) from 2,541 to 3,488. In contrast, the 0-4 age group is projected to grow modestly by 4%, adding 70 people.