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 is 23,502 as of Aug 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 2,015 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 21,487. The change was inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 23,281 in June 2024 and validated new addresses totalling 246 since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,923 persons per square kilometer, placing Dandenong - North in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's 9.4% growth since the 2021 census exceeded both the SA3 area average (6.7%) and the national average. Overseas migration contributed approximately 86.8% of overall population gains during recent periods in Dandenong - North.

AreaSearch adopts 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 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 indicate above median growth for national areas like Dandenong - North. By 2041, the area is projected to increase by 5,287 persons based on latest numbers, reflecting a total increase of 20.6% 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 around 105 dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics provides development approval data on a financial year basis, totalling 527 approvals between FY-21 and FY-25, with 10 recorded so far in FY-26. Despite population decline, new supply has likely kept pace with demand, offering good buyer choice while dwellings are developed at an average expected construction cost of $353,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options. This financial year has seen $39.4 million in commercial development approvals, indicating robust local business investment.

Compared to Greater Melbourne, Dandenong North has had slightly more development activity, with 25.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years, maintaining good buyer choice while supporting existing property values. However, development activity has moderated recently. New developments consist of 18.0% detached dwellings and 82.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a significant shift from current housing patterns, which are 37.0% houses. This skew towards compact living offers affordable entry pathways for downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. With around 315 people per dwelling approval, Dandenong North shows a developing market.

Future projections indicate that the area will add 4,852 residents by 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

Twenty-two infrastructure projects were identified by AreaSearch as potentially impacting the region's performance. Key projects include the Dandenong Wellbeing Centre, Revitalising Central Dandenong initiative, Metro Village 3175 project, and Dandenong New Art (DNA) scheme. The following list details those expected to have the most relevance.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

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. Its unemployment rate was 16.6% in an unspecified past year.

As of June 2025, there are 9,230 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 11.9%, which is higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation is lower at 50.7% compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. The leading employment industries among residents are health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and construction. Manufacturing shows particularly high concentration with employment levels at 2.1 times the regional average.

Conversely, professional & technical services have lower representation at 4.8%, compared to the regional average of 10.1%. There is a ratio of 0.9 workers for each resident, indicating substantial local employment opportunities. Over the year ending June 2025, employment in Dandenong - North increased by 1.3% while labour force grew by 4.5%, leading to an unemployment rate rise of 2.6 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment rise by 3.5%, labour force grow by 4.0%, and unemployment increase by 0.5 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 shows Victoria's employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, adding 39,880 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%. Nationally, employment growth was 0.26%, and the unemployment rate was 4.5%. 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 nationally. 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 this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not consider localised population projections.

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. These figures are lower than Greater Melbourne's median income of $54,892 and average income of $73,761 respectively. By March 2025, estimates suggest Dandenong-North's median income will be approximately $49,562 and average income around $57,017, based on a 10.11% growth in wages since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Dandenong-North fall between the 11th and 14th percentiles nationally. In terms of income distribution, 29.0% of locals (6,815 people) earn between $1,500 and $2,999, a figure that mirrors the broader area where 32.8% occupy this bracket. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Dandenong-North, with only 78.9% of income remaining, ranking at the 11th percentile nationally.

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

The latest Census found that in Dandenong - North, 37.0% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 63.1% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This differs from Melbourne metro's dwelling composition, which was 72.1% houses and 28.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Dandenong - North stood at 20.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 22.9% and rented ones at 56.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,500, lower than Melbourne metro's $1,800. The median weekly rent figure was $310, compared to Melbourne metro's $350. Nationally, Dandenong - North's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,500 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and 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 account for 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 constitute the remaining 36.9%, with lone person households at 29.7% and group households comprising 7.3% of the total. 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 such qualifications - advanced diplomas at 11.8% and certificates at 17.7%. Educational participation is high, with 34.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 9.3% in primary, 7.4% in secondary, and 6.4% in tertiary education. Twelve schools serve a total of 4,162 students. Dandenong - North school demonstrates typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 964) with balanced educational opportunities. The educational mix includes five primary, six secondary, and one K-12 school. Note: for schools showing '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

The analysis of public transport in Dandenong - North found that there are currently 133 active transport stops operating in the area. These stops offer a mix of train and bus services. In total, these stops are serviced by 57 individual routes which collectively provide 14,643 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility to public transport is rated as excellent with residents typically located approximately 148 meters from their nearest transport stop. On average, there are about 2,091 trips per day across all routes, equating to roughly 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 shows better-than-average health outcomes with fewer common health conditions among its general population compared to national averages. However, it has higher rates of these conditions among older and at-risk cohorts.

Only 46% (~10,857 people) have private health cover, lower than the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues affect 7.7% of residents, while arthritis impacts 5.9%. About 74.6% report no medical ailments, slightly less than Greater Melbourne's 75.1%. The area has fewer seniors (14.9%, or 3,497 people) compared to Greater Melbourne (17.4%). While health outcomes among seniors require more attention, overall health in the area is generally good.

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 is among the most culturally diverse areas in Australia, with 71.7% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 67.8% born overseas. The predominant religion in Dandenong-North is Christianity, accounting for 32.7% of the population. However, Islam is notably overrepresented, comprising 29.2%, which is significantly higher than the Greater Melbourne average of 13.1%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups in Dandenong-North are 'Other', at 43.0%, English at 9.7%, and Australian at 8.7%. Notably, Serbian, Sri Lankan, and Indian ethnicities are overrepresented in Dandenong-North compared to regional averages: Serbian at 2.6% (versus 1.1%), Sri Lankan at 2.5% (versus 1.8%), and Indian at 8.2% (versus 6.2%).

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

Dandenong - North's median age is 35 years, slightly younger than Greater Melbourne's 37 and the national average of 38 years. The 25-34 age group constitutes 19.0%, higher than Greater Melbourne's proportion, while the 45-54 cohort makes up 10.8%. Between 2021 and present, the 5-14 age group has increased from 10.4% to 11.2%. Conversely, the 25-34 age group has decreased from 20.7% to 19.0%. By 2041, population forecasts suggest significant demographic shifts in Dandenong - North. The 45-54 age cohort is projected to grow by 945 people (37%), increasing from 2,542 to 3,488. Meanwhile, the 0-4 cohort is expected to grow modestly by 4% (69 people).