Deer Park

Deer Park has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Deer Park's population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, was approximately 18,490 by February 2026. This figure shows an increase of 486 individuals (2.7%) since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 18,004. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 18,447 as of June 2024 and an additional 37 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,288 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Deer Park's growth of 2.7% since the 2021 census surpassed the SA3 area's growth rate of 2.6%, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 67.9% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary population growth for the area.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, making adjustments employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead with demographic trends, an above median population growth is projected for the area, expected to grow by 3,326 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers. This reflects a gain of 17.8% in total over the 17 years from 2024 to 2041.

The level of residential development activity in Deer Park is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Deer Park has seen approximately 23 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 119 homes. As of FY-26, six approvals have been recorded. The area's population decline has led to adequate development activity relative to its size, benefiting buyers with more affordable housing options, as new homes are being built at an average cost of $268,000, below regional norms. In FY-26, $1.8 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating a predominantly residential focus.

Compared to Greater Melbourne, Deer Park shows reduced construction activity, with 56.0% fewer approvals per person, supporting stronger demand and values for established properties due to limited new supply. This activity is also below the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. Recent construction comprises 32.0% standalone homes and 68.0% townhouses or apartments, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This shift indicates decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles requiring diverse housing options. Deer Park has approximately 1046 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the population is forecasted to grow by 3283 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag behind population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Population forecasts indicate Deer Park will gain 3,283 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Deer Park has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 25 projects expected to influence the area. Notable initiatives include Residential Development - Derrimut Gardens Estate, Deer Park Dome Redevelopment, Deer Park Estate, and Avondale Heights - Former TAFE Campus Redevelopment. The following list details those most likely to be 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 performance in Deer Park has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Deer Park has a skilled workforce with manufacturing and industrial sectors well-represented. The unemployment rate was 7.6% in September 2025, showing an estimated employment growth of 4.8% over the past year. As of this date, 8,874 residents were employed while the unemployment rate stood at 3.0% above Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%.

Workforce participation was 63.6%, significantly lagging behind Greater Melbourne's 71.0%. According to Census responses, 17.4% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The dominant employment sectors were health care & social assistance, manufacturing, and transport, postal & warehousing. Deer Park showed strong specialization in transport, postal & warehousing with an employment share 2.1 times the regional level.

However, professional & technical had limited presence at 5.0% compared to the regional 10.1%. The area appeared to offer limited local employment opportunities. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 4.8%, labour force by 5.4%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.6 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 3.0% and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, published in May-25, project national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Deer Park's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.0% over five years and 12.7% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The median income among taxpayers in Deer Park SA2 was $54,315 in financial year 2023. The average income stood at $63,009 during the same period. These figures are below those of Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $58,796 (median) and $68,207 (average), accounting for an 8.25% growth in wages since financial year 2023. According to census data, household income ranks at the 33rd percentile ($1,459 weekly), while personal income sits at the 14th percentile. The income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 captures 34.2% of Deer Park's community (6,323 individuals), which is consistent with broader trends across the metropolitan region showing 32.8% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 82.6% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 31st percentile.

Deer Park is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in Deer Park, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 87.1% houses and 12.9% other dwellings. In comparison, Melbourne metro had 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Deer Park was 31.8%, similar to Melbourne metro's figure. The remaining dwellings were either mortgaged (37.6%) or rented (30.6%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,690, lower than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent figure in Deer Park was $350, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Deer Park's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Deer Park has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 76.0% of all households, including 36.9% that are couples with children, 21.5% that are couples without children, and 15.6% that are single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 24.0%, consisting of lone person households at 20.5% and group households comprising 3.5%. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Educational outcomes in Deer Park fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 23.6%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 17.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 28.7% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (10.3%) and certificates (18.4%). Educational participation is high, with 32.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes primary education (11.5%), secondary education (7.7%), and tertiary education (5.1%).

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

Deer Park has 68 active public transport stops offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 16 routes that facilitate 4,445 weekly passenger trips in total. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents located an average of 294 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward daily due to the area's primarily residential nature. Car remains the dominant mode of transport, used by 86% of residents, while train usage stands at 8%. On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, 17.4% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency across all routes averages 635 trips per day, equating to approximately 65 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Deer Park is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population and nearer the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Deer Park shows better-than-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The prevalence of common health conditions is low among the general population but nears the national average for older, at-risk cohorts. Approximately 50% (~9,318 people) have private health cover, lower than Greater Melbourne's 56.7%, which aligns with the national average of 55.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (6.8%) and diabetes (6.3%). About 74.4% report no medical ailments, slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's 72.6%. Under-65 residents have better-than-average health outcomes. Deer Park has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 17.1% (3,154 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 15.1%. Senior health outcomes are above average but rank lower nationally than the broader population.

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

Deer Park has a high level of cultural diversity, with 54.4% of its population born overseas and 63.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Deer Park, comprising 51.6% of the population. However, Buddhism is notably overrepresented, making up 10.8% of the population compared to the Greater Melbourne average of 4.2%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups in Deer Park are Other at 25.8%, Vietnamese at 12.1%, and Australian at 10.3%. The percentages for Other and Vietnamese are significantly higher than the regional averages of 14.6% and 1.9% respectively, while the percentage for Australian is notably lower than the regional average of 18.4%. Additionally, Filipino, Maltese, and Croatian ethnic groups are notably overrepresented in Deer Park compared to regional averages, with Filipinos making up 5.0%, Maltese at 4.4%, and Croatians at 1.5% of the population.

Deer Park's population is younger than the national pattern

Deer Park's median age is nearly 36 years, close to Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and slightly below Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Deer Park has a higher proportion of residents aged 65-74 (9.3%) but fewer residents aged 35-44 (14.9%). Between the 2021 Census and present day, the population aged 75 to 84 has grown from 4.4% to 5.9%, while the proportion of those aged 5 to 14 has declined from 13.7% to 12.1%. The age group of 25 to 34 has also decreased from 17.1% to 15.6%. By 2041, demographic modeling predicts significant changes in Deer Park's age profile. The 55 to 64 cohort is projected to grow by 43%, adding 820 residents to reach a total of 2,723. Conversely, the 5 to 14 group is expected to decrease by 128 residents.