Delahey
Statistical Area - sa2

Delahey has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Delahey's population, according to AreaSearch's analysis, stands at approximately 8,017 as of November 2025. This figure indicates a decrease of 60 individuals (0.7%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,077 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 8,009 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 4 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,284 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration primarily drove population growth for the area, contributing approximately 78.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusting using a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Examining future population trends, the area is expected to increase by approximately 488 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, reflecting an overall increase of around 6.0% over the 17-year period.

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

Delahey has experienced approximately one dwelling receiving development approval each year over the past five financial years, totalling seven homes. As of FY26, zero approvals have been recorded. The area's population decline has resulted in adequate housing supply relative to demand, creating a balanced market with good buyer choice. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $340,000.

In the current financial year, there have been $23.2 million in commercial approvals, indicating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Delahey has significantly less development activity, with 94.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Nationally, this is also below average, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. Recent building activity consists solely of detached houses, preserving Delahey's suburban nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

Developers are building more traditional houses than the current mix suggests, indicating strong demand for family homes. With around 8014 people per dwelling approval, Delahey reflects a highly mature market. Future projections show Delahey adding 479 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Delahey has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified five potential impact projects: Delahey Village Shopping Centre Expansion & Refurbishment, Kings Park Reserve Sports Facilities Upgrades, Greenwich Park Estate, and Copperfield Estate. Key projects are listed below for relevance consideration.

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

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Employment performance in Delahey has been below expectations when compared to most other areas nationally

Delahey's workforce is skilled with manufacturing and industrial sectors well-represented. The unemployment rate was 6.3% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 4.8%.

As of June 2025, 4,377 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 1.7% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation lags at 58.1%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Leading employment industries among residents include retail trade, manufacturing, and health care & social assistance. Notably, transport, postal & warehousing has high concentration with levels at 2.1 times the regional average.

Conversely, professional & technical shows lower representation at 4.6% versus the regional average of 10.1%. Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by Census working population vs resident population count. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 4.8% while labour force grew by 5.8%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 0.9 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. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with varying rates between industry sectors. Applying these projections to Delahey's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 5.7% over five years and 12.2% over ten years.

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

Delahey's median income among taxpayers in financial year 2022 was $44,082, with an average income of $51,917. This is lower than Greater Melbourne's median income of $54,892 and average income of $73,761 during the same period. Based on a Wage Price Index growth rate of 12.16% from financial year 2022 to September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $49,442 (median) and $58,230 (average). According to the 2021 Census, individual incomes in Delahey lagged at the 13th percentile ($611 weekly), while household income performed better at the 35th percentile. The predominant income cohort spanned 32.9% of locals (2,637 people) earning between $1,500 and $2,999 per week, similar to the broader area where 32.8% fell into this bracket. After accounting for housing expenses, 85.0% of income remained for other expenses.

Delahey is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Dwelling structure in Delahey, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 76.2% houses and 23.7% other dwellings. In comparison, Melbourne metro had 81.3% houses and 18.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Delahey was 36.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.9% and rented ones at 23.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,517, below Melbourne metro's average of $1,700. The median weekly rent figure was $350, compared to Melbourne metro's $346. Nationally, Delahey's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

Delahey features high concentrations of family households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 76.9% of all households, including 38.2% couples with children, 21.1% couples without children, and 16.3% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 23.1%, with lone person households at 21.4% and group households comprising 1.8%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.9.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 18.7%, substantially lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 14.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (2.9%) and graduate diplomas (1.2%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 28.9% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas (8.9%) and certificates (20.0%). Educational participation is high at 27.9%, including primary (8.3%), secondary (7.7%), and tertiary education (5.4%).

The area has two schools serving 2,214 students: Copperfield College and Mackellar Primary School. It offers balanced educational opportunities with an ICSEA score of 967. There is one primary and one secondary institution. As an education hub, it provides 27.6 school places per 100 residents, above the regional average of 14.3, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Transport analysis shows 30 active public transport stops in Delahey, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by five different routes, together offering 2573 weekly passenger trips. Residents have good access to transport, with an average distance of 200 meters to the nearest stop.

Across all routes, there is an average of 367 trips per day, which equals about 85 weekly trips per individual stop.

Delahey's residents are relatively healthy in comparison to broader Australia with the level of common health conditions among the general population somewhat typical, though higher than the nation's average among older cohorts

Delahey's health metrics are close to national benchmarks, with levels of common health conditions among its general population somewhat typical, but higher than the national average among older cohorts. Approximately 46% of Delahey's total population (~3,703 people) have private health cover, which is lower than the national average of 55.3%.

The most common medical conditions in Delahey are asthma and arthritis, affecting 7.9% and 6.9% of residents respectively, while 71.0% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 73.5% across Greater Melbourne. Delahey has 19.8% of residents aged 65 and over (1,590 people), which is higher than the 17.9% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors in Delahey present some challenges that require more attention than those for the broader population.

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

Delahey has a population where 50.4% were born overseas, with 62.2% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Delahey, accounting for 55.5% of its population. Buddhism, however, is more prevalent in Delahey at 11.3%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 12.5%.

The top three ancestry groups are Other (21.3%), Australian (11.4%), and Vietnamese (10.9%). Notably, Maltese (6.2% vs regional 4.6%), Filipino (5.6% vs 3.7%), and Macedonian (4.5% vs 2.5%) are overrepresented in Delahey compared to the broader region.

Delahey's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Delahey is 39 years, which is higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and close to Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, the 55-64 age cohort is over-represented in Delahey at 14.9%, while the 35-44 age cohort is under-represented at 12.0%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 75-84 age group has grown from 4.1% to 6.0% of Delahey's population, and the 65-74 cohort increased from 10.3% to 12.1%. Conversely, the 45-54 age cohort has declined from 13.5% to 10.9%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Delahey. The 75-84 age group is expected to grow by 59%, reaching 770 people from 485, with residents aged 65 and older representing 89% of the anticipated growth. However, the 0-4 and 25-34 age cohorts are projected to experience population declines.