Dandenong - South

Population growth drivers in Dandenong - South are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Dandenong - South's population was around 10,032 as of November 2025. This figure reflects an increase of 682 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,350 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 10,032 in June 2024 and an additional 143 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 186 persons per square kilometer. Dandenong - South's growth of 7.3% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's growth of 6.8%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 71.6% of overall population gains during recent periods in this area.

AreaSearch adopted 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 used 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 were applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041 based on these aggregations. Demographic trends project an above median population growth for the area, expecting it to expand by 2,339 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 23.3% in total over the 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 over the past five financial years, totalling 137 homes. As of FY-26, one approval has been recorded. On average, 0.3 new residents have arrived per year for each new home approved between FY-21 and FY-25. The supply of new properties meets or exceeds demand, offering more choices to buyers while supporting potential population growth above projections.

The average construction cost value of new properties is $214,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options. In this financial year, commercial development approvals totalling $15.0 million have been recorded, indicating steady commercial investment activity. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Dandenong - South records about three-quarters of the building activity per person. Nationally, it ranks in the 17th percentile of areas assessed for housing supply, suggesting limited buyer options and strengthening demand for established properties.

This lower-than-average activity reflects the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New development consists of 55% standalone homes and 45% townhouses or apartments, with a growing mix providing options across different price points. The estimated population per dwelling approval in Dandenong - South is 972 people, indicating a quiet, low activity development environment. Future projections show the area adding approximately 2,339 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Dandenong - South has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 44thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 68 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Webster Street Level Crossing Removal, Casey Green Estate, Glismann Road Development Plan, and Princes Highway Intersection Upgrades. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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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. Its unemployment rate was 13.3% as of September 2025, compared to Greater Melbourne's 4.7%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.5%.

As of September 2025, 3,982 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 8.7%, indicating room for improvement. Workforce participation lagged significantly at 58.3% compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.0%. Only 10.6% of residents worked from home according to Census responses. Key industries of employment among residents were manufacturing, construction, and health care & social assistance.

Manufacturing had particularly notable concentration with employment levels at 2.3 times the regional average. Professional & technical services had limited presence at 4.2% compared to the regional average of 10.1%. There were 6.2 workers for every resident, indicating Dandenong - South functions as an employment hub attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 2.5%, while labour force increased by 4.6%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.7 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment rise by 3.0%, labour force grow by 3.3%, and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Dandenong - South's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 5.4% over five years and 11.9% over ten years, though these are simple weighting extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

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

The Dandenong-South SA2 has an income level below the national average, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest ATO data for the financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers in this area is $47,084, with an average income of $54,279. In Greater Melbourne, these figures stand at $57,688 and $75,164 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $50,968 (median) and $58,757 (average). Census data from 2021 shows that household, family, and personal incomes in Dandenong-South fall between the 10th and 19th percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals that 28.4% of locals (2,849 people) predominantly earn within the $1,500 - $2,999 category, which is consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 32.8% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 80.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 16th percentile.

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

Dwelling structure in Dandenong - South, as per the latest Census, comprised 59.9% houses and 40.2% other dwellings. In Melbourne metro, this was 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Dandenong - South was 29.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.4% and rented at 45.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,647, below Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in Dandenong - South was $341, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Dandenong - South's mortgage repayments were lower at $1,647 than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were lower at $341 than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 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 make up 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 2.6.

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 and above, with advanced diplomas at 9.1% and certificates at 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.

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

Dandenong - South has 131 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 14 different routes that together facilitate 4,214 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents typically situated 207 meters from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential zone, most inhabitants commute outward using cars as the primary mode of transportation (86%). Only 6% use trains for commuting. On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling in the area.

According to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 conditions, just 10.6% of residents work from home. The service frequency across all routes averages 602 trips per day, equating to approximately 32 weekly trips per stop. A map accompanies this data, displaying the 100 nearest stops in relation to the location's centerpoint.

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 for Dandenong - South, with AreaSearch's assessment indicating low mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence among younger cohorts, particularly. The prevalence of common health conditions was very low among these groups. Private health cover was found to be low at approximately 47% of the total population (~4,694 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 56.7% and the national average of 55.7%.

Diabetes and mental health issues were the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 5.3% and 5.3% of residents respectively. A total of 79.6% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Melbourne's 72.6%. Working-age residents showed low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 13.8% of residents aged 65 and over (1,381 people), lower than Greater Melbourne's 14.9%, but still ranks lower nationally than the broader population.

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 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census Data from 2016, has a population that is 60.4% born overseas and 73.6% speaking a language other than English at home. The dominant religion in Dandenong - South is Islam, with 54.4%, compared to 5.6% across Greater Melbourne. In terms of ancestry, the top groups are Other (53.8%), English (10.1%), and Australian (9.7%).

These figures differ significantly from the regional averages: Other at 14.6%, English at 20.1%, and Australian at 18.4%. Notably, Macedonian (2.2% vs regional 0.7%), Sri Lankan (1.1% vs regional 0.8%), and Russian (0.8% vs regional 0.4%) groups are overrepresented in Dandenong - South.

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

Dandenong-South's median age is 32 years, which is younger than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and the national average of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Dandenong-South has a higher proportion of 5-14 year-olds (14.0%) but fewer 55-64 year-olds (7.8%). According to post-2021 Census data, the 15-24 age group has increased from 12.6% to 13.3%, while the 25-34 cohort has decreased from 19.3% to 17.8%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Dandenong-South's age profile. The 45-54 cohort is projected to grow by 42%, adding 456 residents to reach 1,544. The 0-4 group is expected to grow by 5%, with an increase of 40 residents.