Dandenong - South
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Dandenong - South's population is approximately 10,041 as of August 2025. This represents an increase of 691 people, a 7.4% rise since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 9,350. The change is inferred from ABS estimated resident population figures of 10,032 in June 2024 and an additional 128 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 186 persons per square kilometer. Dandenong - South's growth rate surpassed the SA3 area average of 6.7% during this period, indicating its status as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 71.6% 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, AreaSearch employs VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 with adjustments made using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on the latest population numbers, an above median growth is projected for national statistical areas, with Dandenong - South expected to expand by 2,339 persons by 2041, marking a total gain of 23.2% over 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Dandenong - South, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Dandenong - South has seen approximately 27 new homes approved annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 137 approvals across the past five financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, with one approval so far in FY-26. On average, around 0.3 new residents arrive per new home annually over the past five financial years, indicating that supply is meeting or exceeding demand and providing greater buyer choice while supporting potential population growth above projections. The average value of new homes being built is $638,000, which is moderately above regional levels, suggesting an emphasis on quality construction.

This year has seen $15.0 million in commercial development approvals recorded, indicating balanced commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Dandenong - South shows approximately 75% of the construction activity per person and places among the 17th percentile of areas assessed nationally, resulting in relatively constrained buyer choice and supporting interest in existing dwellings. This is under the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. New development consists of 55.0% standalone homes and 45.0% townhouses or apartments, with a growing mix providing options across different price points.

The estimated count of 972 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment. Future projections show Dandenong - South adding 2,330 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 72 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Keysborough Golf Club Relocation Project, Webster Street Level Crossing Removal, Casey Green Estate, and Azalea Garden Estate. The following details those most relevant.

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

The labour market performance in Dandenong - South lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Dandenong - South has a skilled workforce with notable representation in the construction sector. As of June 2025, its unemployment rate is 13.0%.

The area experienced an estimated employment growth of 2.6% over the past year. In June 2025, 3,992 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 8.4%, higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation lags at 51.8% compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Key industries for employment among residents are manufacturing, construction, and health care & social assistance.

Manufacturing shows significant concentration with employment levels at 2.3 times the regional average. Professional & technical services have limited presence with 4.2% employment compared to the regional average of 10.1%. There are 6.2 workers for every resident in Dandenong - South, indicating it functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 2.6% while the labour force grew by 4.5%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.6 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 3.5%, the labour force increase by 4.0%, and unemployment rise by 0.5 percentage points during the same period. State-level data from Sep-25 shows Victoria's employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%. National employment forecasts suggest growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Dandenong - South's employment mix indicates local growth of approximately 5.4% over five years and 11.9% over ten years.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

Dandenong - South's median income among taxpayers was $45,024 in financial year 2022. The average income stood at $51,796 during the same period. These figures compared to Greater Melbourne's median income of $54,892 and average income of $73,761 respectively. As of March 2025, current estimates suggest Dandenong - South's median income would be approximately $49,576 and the average income around $57,033, based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.11% since financial year 2022. Census data from 2021 shows household, family, and personal incomes in Dandenong - South fell between the 10th and 19th percentiles nationally. Income analysis revealed that the predominant cohort consisted of 28.4% of locals (2,851 people) with incomes ranging from $1,500 to $2,999, similar to broader trends across regional levels at 32.8%. Housing affordability pressures were severe in Dandenong - South, with only 80.4% of income remaining, ranking at the 17th percentile nationally.

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

Dandenong - South's dwelling structures in its latest Census report were 59.9% houses and 40.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's figures of 72.1% houses and 28.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Dandenong - South was at 29.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.4% and rented ones at 45.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,647, lower than Melbourne metro's average of $1,800. The median weekly rent figure for Dandenong - South was $341, compared to Melbourne metro's $350. Nationally, Dandenong - South's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were less than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households comprise 65.8% of all households, including 34.4% couples with children, 17.9% couples without children, and 11.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 34.2%, with lone person households at 27.2% and group households comprising 7.2%. The median household size is 3.0 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.8.

Dandenong - South faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 19.2%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.1%). Vocational pathways account for 24.6% of qualifications among those aged 15+. Advanced diplomas make up 9.1% while certificates comprise 15.5%.

Educational participation is high, with 33.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.4% in primary education, 8.3% in secondary education, and 5.0% pursuing tertiary education. Educational provision includes Dandenong South Primary School and SEDA College (Victoria) - Building and Construction - Dandenong, serving a total of 583 students. Dandenong South demonstrates varied educational conditions across the area. Educational provision is split between one primary and one secondary institution. Local school capacity is limited at 5.8 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 15.5, leading many families to travel for schooling. Note: where schools show '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 - South indicates that there are currently 130 active transport stops in operation. These stops offer a combination of train and bus services, with a total of 13 individual routes running through the area. The collective weekly passenger trips facilitated by these routes amount to 5,024.

The accessibility of public transport is deemed good, with residents on average being located approximately 210 meters away from their nearest transport stop. On a daily basis, service frequency averages at around 717 trips across all routes, which translates to roughly 38 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Health outcomes data shows excellent results in Dandenong - South, particularly for younger cohorts who have a very low prevalence of common health conditions. Approximately 46% (~4,638 people) of the total population has private health cover, which is lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are diabetes and mental health issues, affecting 5.3 and 5.3% of residents respectively. A higher proportion, 79.6%, report being completely free from medical ailments compared to Greater Melbourne's 75.1%. Dandenong - South has a lower percentage of residents aged 65 and over at 13.8% (1,382 people) than the broader Greater Melbourne area at 17.4%.

Dandenong - 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

Dandenong-South, as per the ABS Census conducted on Tuesday 9 June 2016, has a population where 60.4% were born overseas and 73.6% speak languages other than English at home. Islam is the predominant religion in Dandenong-South, with 54.4%, compared to Melbourne's regional average of 13.1%. The top three ancestral groups based on country of birth of parents are Other (53.8%), English (10.1%), and Australian (9.7%).

Notably, Macedonian ancestry is overrepresented at 2.2% in Dandenong-South compared to the regional average of 0.3%. Similarly, Russian ancestry is at 0.8%, higher than the regional average of 0.4%, and Sri Lankan ancestry stands at 1.1%, slightly lower than the regional average of 1.8%.

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

At age 32, Dandenong-South's median age is notably younger than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and significantly lower than the national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Dandenong-South has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (14.0%) but fewer residents aged 55-64 (7.8%). Post-2021 Census data indicates that the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 12.6% to 13.3% of the population, while the 25 to 34 cohort has decreased from 19.3% to 17.8%. Demographic projections suggest significant changes in Dandenong-South's age profile by 2041. The 45 to 54 age group is projected to grow strongly at a rate of 42%, adding 455 residents to reach a total of 1,544. The 0 to 4 age group is expected to grow more modestly at a rate of 5%, with an increase of 39 residents.