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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Deer Park has an estimated 18,388 residents, up from 18,004 at the 2021 Census — a change of 384 people, or 2.1%. That puts 2,276 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research conducted by AreaSearch, the resident count in Deer Park sits at approximately 18,388 as of Aug 2026. This represents an addition of 384 people (2.1%) relative to the 2021 Census, when 18,004 people were recorded. This figure is derived from ABS estimated resident population data showing 18,368 residents as of June 2025 alongside 41 validated new addresses registered following the Census. The suburb's density stands at 2,275 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the broader nationwide benchmark tracked by AreaSearch. Moreover, the local growth rate of 2.1% since the census sits within 0.1 percentage points of the broader SA3 area (2.2%), highlighting resilient expansion dynamics.
Recent demographic growth has been heavily underpinned by international arrivals, which generated roughly 68.6% of total population additions. Projections compiled by AreaSearch incorporate ABS/Geoscience Australia models published in 2024 utilizing 2022 as their starting baseline. For SA2 territories where those figures are unavailable, AreaSearch relies on 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA figures, applying a weighted aggregation methodology to translate LGA trends down to the SA2 tier. In addition, cohort-specific age expansion rates from these models are integrated across all territories for the years 2032 to 2041. Forward-looking demographic projections indicate expansion exceeding the national median, with the community projected to gain 3,259 persons to 2041 according to current annual ERP figures, corresponding to an overall rise of 17.6% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
115 new dwellings have been approved in Deer Park over the past five years, an average of 23 a year. That is 1.3 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 23 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 39% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building approvals across Deer Park have averaged roughly 23 new dwellings annually, amounting to 115 homes throughout the preceding 5 financial years. In light of past demographic contractions, this volume of construction has provided sufficient capacity, delivering favorable conditions for prospective purchasers. Meanwhile, newly approved residential properties reflect an average construction cost of $364,000—below regional benchmarks—offering relatively accessible entry points for buyers. Furthermore, commercial building approvals of $1.8 million were logged this financial year, underscoring the predominantly suburban residential character of the locality. Relative to Greater Melbourne, Deer Park exhibits considerably subdued building activity (59.0% below the regional per capita figure).
Such limited volumes of new construction generally provide upward support for local property values and bolster demand for established stock. Building rates also sit below national benchmarks, reflecting the built-out status of the area and indicating potential planning constraints. Of recently sanctioned dwellings, 39.0% consist of detached houses while 61.0% are medium-to-high density attached residences. This emphasis on medium density creates budget-conscious buying options that appeal to downsizing households, investors, and entry-level buyers. This trend signifies a marked departure from the prevailing housing stock (which currently comprises 87.0% houses), signaling shrinking greenfield land reserves alongside shifting household requirements and affordability considerations. With roughly 898 people per approval, the metric reflects a well-established and mature urban fabric. Demographic modeling suggests Deer Park will add 3,239 residents through to 2041 (anchored to the most recent AreaSearch quarterly release). Under prevailing building approval volumes, residential delivery could face difficulties accommodating demographic expansion, which may intensify competition among home seekers and reinforce upward price pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Deer Park
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 14 current infrastructure and development projects inside Deer Park, worth an estimated $1.64 billion. A further 74 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $8.75 billion. 12 are already under construction and 19 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, transport & logistics and retail. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local economic and social trajectory is heavily shaped by capital works, planning frameworks, and major development undertakings. AreaSearch has identified 25 key initiatives expected to influence the district. Prominent projects include the Residential Development - Derrimut Gardens Estate, Deer Park Dome Redevelopment, Deer Park Estate, and the Avondale Heights - Former TAFE Campus Redevelopment, with key details provided below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Amora Estate Cairnlea
Townhouse estate by Truesource featuring approximately 70 homes in a walkable location opposite Cairnlea Shopping Centre. Product mix includes 3 and 4 bedroom, double garage homes with contemporary finishes, engineered oak style flooring, and stone benchtops.
Deer Park Estate
A 1 billion AUD, 66-hectare industrial and logistics estate delivering up to 340,000sqm of prime warehouse space. Construction is underway with Asahi Beverages as the first anchor tenant. The precinct targets a 5 Star Green Star rating and features highbay warehousing, data centre potential, and strategic access to major transport routes.
Avondale Heights - Former TAFE Campus Redevelopment
Residential development of the former Kangan Batman TAFE campus site on Military Road. Joint venture between Development Victoria and Frasers Property Australia to deliver 135 contemporary townhouses. The site was purchased after the TAFE campus closed in 2005.
Station Street Commercial Precinct
Development application for a mixed-use commercial precinct along Station Street including retail spaces, cafes, professional services, and upper-level office accommodation. The project aims to create a vibrant local commercial centre.
Ballarat Road Maintenance and Upgrade
Comprehensive road maintenance and upgrade project along Ballarat Road improving traffic flow, safety, and infrastructure resilience. Includes pavement renewal, drainage improvements, and intersection upgrades in the Deer Park area to support growing traffic demands.
Deer Park BESS
Formerly known as the Melbourne Grid Battery, the Deer Park BESS is a 275MW/1100MWh market-facing grid battery connected to existing transmission infrastructure. Developed initially by Lumea and now under development with Akaysha Energy, it will provide up to 4 hours of energy storage to support Victoria's energy transition, optimize renewable energy, and ensure grid reliability.
Vincent Street Townhouses
Site with approved plans and permits for 20 townhouses on a 2,775 sqm land holding across four lots in the Residential Growth Zone. Currently offered for sale with the approved scheme; no active builder or developer publicly identified.
Residential Development - 38-48 Station Road, Deer Park
A residential development proposal for 55 townhouses at 38-48 Station Road, Deer Park. The development includes a mix of two and three-storey homes with associated car parking and landscaping. Currently in the approved planning stage.
8,824 residents of Deer Park are employed, from a labour force of 9,544. Unemployment sits at 7.5%, with participation at 63.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 15,291, about 83% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local labour market in Deer Park possesses notable capabilities in industrial and manufacturing activities, accompanied by an unemployment rate of 7.5% and a 1.8% expansion in estimated employment over the preceding year. By March 2026, 8,824 residents were actively employed, while joblessness exceeded the Greater Melbourne average of 4.8% by 2.8 percentage points, and labour force participation remained comparatively subdued (63.7% versus 70.1% across Greater Melbourne). Census returns indicated that a modest 17.4% of working residents carried out their duties from home, though conditions surrounding Covid-19 restrictions must be kept in mind.
Leading fields of resident employment encompass health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and transport, postal & warehousing. The district demonstrates an exceptional concentration in transport, postal & warehousing, where local employment share reaches 2.1 times the regional average. Conversely, professional & technical occupations are underrepresented, engaging only 5.0% of local workers compared to 10.1% across Greater Melbourne. Given its suburban residential profile, the locality offers comparatively scarce internal job openings, as highlighted by Census comparisons between the working population and resident worker counts. AreaSearch evaluations of ABS and SALM releases show that over the twelve months to March 2026, total employment grew by 1.8% alongside a 1.9% rise in the labour pool, maintaining a largely stable jobless rate. In contrast, Greater Melbourne registered a 2.1% uplift in employment, a 2.3% expansion in the labour force, and a 0.2 percentage points rise in unemployment. Long-term national workforce estimates published by Jobs and Skills Australia in Mar-26 provide additional context regarding future labour demands in Deer Park. These forecasts, structured over five and ten-year horizons, were overlaid onto the local occupational profile to estimate forward trajectories. At the national scale, employment is anticipated to increase by 6.6% across five years and 13.7% across ten years, although trajectory variations across individual industries are substantial. Projecting these industry forecasts onto Deer Park's occupational profile indicates that local job numbers should rise by 6.0% over five years and 12.7% over ten years (a basic weighted projection intended for illustrative context without factoring in localized demographic changes).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Deer Park is $1,459 a week (about $76,000 a year), with median personal income at $621 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $54,315 a year against an average of $63,009. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO postcode records compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 indicate that earnings across the Deer Park SA2 trail national standards, with a median of $54,315 and an average of $63,009. These metrics compare to Greater Melbourne medians of $57,688 and averages of $75,164. Incorporating cumulative Wage Price Index gains of 9.62% since financial year 2023, updated estimates reach roughly $59,540 (median) and $69,070 (average) by March 2026. Based on 2021 Census data, household earnings placed in the 33rd percentile ($1,459 weekly), while individual income registered in the 14th percentile.
Income distribution shows the largest single bracket comprising 34.2% of earners taking home $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (6,288 residents), aligning with the wider metropolitan rate of 32.8%. Cost of living pressures remain prominent, with residents retaining only 82.6% of income after shelter costs, placing in the 31st percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Deer Park had 5,845 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 87% detached houses and 1% apartments. 38% are owned with a mortgage, 31% rented and 32% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $350 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,690 a month. Rent absorbs 24.0% of household income here and mortgage repayments 26.7%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
Housing composition in Deer Park at the time of the most recent Census was dominated by separate houses at 87.1%, while semi-detached homes, apartments, and other configurations accounted for 12.9%, contrasting with Melbourne metro where houses made up 67.9% and other styles 32.1%. Outright home ownership matched metropolitan levels at 31.8%, while remaining properties were either under a mortgage (37.6%) or tenanted (30.6%). Typical monthly mortgage obligations stood at $1,690, substantially below the Melbourne metro figure of $2,000, while median weekly rent was $350 compared to $390 regionally. Against national benchmarks, Deer Park's mortgage payments sit below the Australian figure of $1,863, and rents remain lower than the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Deer Park counted 5,845 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.9 people each. 37% are couples with children, against 22% couples without children. 21% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.6 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families constitute the vast majority of local households at 76.0%, comprised of 36.9% couples with children, 21.5% couples without children, and 15.6% single parent families. Non-family living arrangements represent the other 24.0%, consisting of lone person households at 20.5% and group residences at 3.5%. The typical household size stands at 2.9 people, exceeding the Greater Melbourne standard of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
23.6% of adults in Deer Park hold a university qualification, including 17.2% with a bachelor degree and 4.9% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 18.4% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 1,227 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 975 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
Attainment levels highlight educational hurdles, as the proportion of residents holding university qualifications (23.6%) trails the Greater Melbourne benchmark of 37.0%. This divergence underscores areas where tailored educational programs could provide support. Bachelor degrees account for the majority of higher degrees at 17.2%, with postgraduate qualifications representing 4.9% and graduate diplomas standing at 1.5%. Conversely, vocational and trade training is widespread, with 28.7% of citizens aged 15+ holding technical credentials, including advanced diplomas (10.3%) and certificates (18.4%). Educational engagement remains robust, with 32.9% of the local population actively participating in academic programs.
This cohort includes 11.5% enrolled in primary education, 7.7% in secondary schooling, and 5.1% undertaking tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Deer Park reaches 68 stops on 16 routes, timetabled for about 4,900 services a week. The typical home sits about 290 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.4 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport connectivity across Deer Park is supported by 68 stops offering both train and bus options. These stations and stops are served by 16 distinct lines, generating 4,941 weekly passenger journeys. Access to transport is solid, with properties positioned an average of 294 meters from their closest boarding point. Because the suburb is largely residential, commuting to external job nodes is typical, with private vehicle travel accounting for 86% of trips and rail representing 8%. Households own an average of 1.4 vehicles. In addition, 17.4% of employed residents worked from home during the 2021 Census, a figure potentially influenced by COVID-19 settings.
Across the entire transit network, daily schedules average 705 trips, translating to approximately 72 weekly trips for each designated boarding location.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
74.4% of residents in Deer Park report no long-term health condition. 7.0% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.4% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.4 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health assessments across Deer Park demonstrate solid indicators according to AreaSearch evaluations of mortality figures and long-term medical conditions, with general chronic disease prevalence remaining low among the broader community and matching national norms within senior, vulnerable demographics. Private health insurance participation is relatively subdued at roughly 50% of residents (~9,267 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne and 55.7% nationally. Asthma and diabetes represent the most prevalent chronic conditions locally, diagnosed in 6.8% and 6.3% of the community respectively, whereas 74.4% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, outperforming the Greater Melbourne figure of 72.6%.
Health metrics for the under-65 cohort remain above average. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 16.4% of the population (3,010 people), slightly above the 15.1% share in Greater Melbourne. While senior wellbeing indicators sit above average, they rank lower on a nationwide scale than the broader community metrics.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
54.4% of Deer Park residents were born overseas and 63.4% speak a language other than English at home, more culturally diverse than 95% of areas nationally. The largest reported ancestries are Vietnamese (12.1%) and Australian (10.3%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Deer Park is exceptionally pronounced by national standards, with 54.4% of citizens born abroad and 63.4% using a primary language other than English in their homes. Christianity forms the largest faith group, accounting for 51.6% of local adherents. Notably, Buddhism exhibits significant local representation at 10.8% of residents, markedly higher than the Greater Melbourne share of 4.2%. Examining parental heritage, the leading reported ancestry categories in Deer Park are Other at 25.8% (above the 14.6% metropolitan baseline), Vietnamese at 12.1% (substantially higher than the 1.9% regional rate), and Australian at 10.3% (trailing the regional average of 18.4%).
Other cultural lineages also display marked divergences from regional distributions: Filipino backgrounds account for 5.0% of Deer Park (compared to 1.3% regionally), Maltese represents 4.4% (versus 1.1%), and Croatian ancestry comprises 1.5% (against 0.7%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Deer Park is 35, younger than 79% of areas nationally. 28.3% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The age distribution in Deer Park generally mirrors the broader Greater Melbourne profile, with the most noticeable variation being 1.2 percentage points. The median resident age is estimated at 35, matching the 2021 Census outcome and sitting 2 years younger than the Greater Melbourne median of 37 recorded during that Census. Following the Census, the cohort aged 65+ increased from 14.4% of the community to an estimated 16.4%. Looking ahead to 2041, the sharpest expansion is anticipated among retirees and senior residents, adding 1,444 residents (48%) to reach a total of 4,454.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Deer Park
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jun 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 last month all 14 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 41 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (18,004 at the 2021 Census → 18,388 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (213011569). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.