Docklands
Statistical Area - sa2

Docklands lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Docklands' population is approximately 20,253 as of November 2025. This figure represents a growth of 4,760 people, an increase of 30.7% since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 15,493. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 18,567 in June 2024 and an additional 982 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 8,300 persons per square kilometer, placing Docklands in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch, indicating high demand for land in the area. Docklands' growth of 30.7% since the 2021 census exceeds both the national average (8.9%) and state levels, positioning it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 87.3% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch employs 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 uses the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusting with a weighted aggregation method from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends predict exceptional growth, placing Docklands in the top 10% of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch. By 2041, the area is expected to increase by 11,152 persons, marking a total increase of 46.7% over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Docklands among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Docklands has received approximately 821 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 4,106 homes. As of FY-26, no approvals have been recorded yet. On average, 0.5 new residents per year have moved into new homes between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating that supply is meeting or exceeding demand. The average construction value of these dwellings is $559,000, suggesting a focus on the premium market.

In FY-26, commercial development approvals amount to $1072.6 million, demonstrating strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Docklands has 249.0% more building activity per person, providing ample buyer choice and indicating high developer confidence in the location. All recent developments consist of townhouses or apartments, offering affordable entry pathways for downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. Currently, there are approximately 16 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an expanding market. By 2041, projections estimate Docklands to add 9,466 residents. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Future projections show Docklands adding 9,466 residents by 2041. With current construction levels, housing supply should adequately meet demand, creating favourable conditions for buyers while potentially enabling growth that exceeds current forecasts.

Docklands has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Area infrastructure performance is significantly influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 59 such projects likely to impact the area. Notable ones include Victoria Harbour Precinct, Collins Wharf - Final Three Towers, Elysium Fields, and Collins Wharf - Regatta, with the following list detailing those most 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.

AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Docklands performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Docklands has an educated workforce with professional services well-represented. Its unemployment rate is 2.0%, lower than Greater Melbourne's 4.6%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 7.0%. As of June 2025, 13,842 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.6%, below Greater Melbourne's rate. Workforce participation is high at 71.0%. Leading employment industries include professional & technical, finance & insurance, and accommodation & food.

Docklands specializes in professional & technical services, with a share of employment 2.3 times the regional level. However, health care & social assistance is under-represented, at 7.6% compared to Greater Melbourne's 14.2%. The area hosts more jobs than residents, with 5.5 workers per resident. Employment levels increased by 7.0% and labour force by 7.3% during the year to June 2025, raising unemployment by 0.3 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 3.5%, labour force expand by 4.0%, and unemployment rise by 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Docklands' employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.2% over five years and 14.3% over ten years, based on simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 indicates that Docklands has one of the highest incomes in Australia, with a median assessed at $59,023 and an average income of $81,098. In comparison, Greater Melbourne had a median income of $54,892 and an average income of $73,761 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Docklands would be approximately $66,200 (median) and $90,960 (average) as of September 2025. Census data shows individual earnings at the 90th percentile nationally are $1,182 weekly, but household income ranks lower at the 63rd percentile. Income distribution reveals that 35.3% of Docklands' population (7,149 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, similar to the region where 32.8% occupy this bracket. High housing costs consume 18.8% of income, yet strong earnings place disposable income at the 59th percentile, and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Docklands features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Docklands' dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 0.5% houses and 99.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'). Compared to Melbourne metro's 2.2% houses and 97.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Docklands was at 12.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 18.6% and rented ones at 68.8%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $1,962. Median weekly rent in Docklands was $411, compared to Melbourne metro's $396. Nationally, Docklands' mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher than the national figure of $375.

Docklands features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 51.4% of all households, including 12.4% couples with children, 33.4% couples without children, and 3.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 48.6%, with lone person households at 39.4% and group households comprising 9.1%. The median household size is 1.8 people, which aligns with the Greater Melbourne average.

Educational achievement in Docklands places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Educational attainment in Docklands is notably high, with 64.9% of residents aged 15 and above holding university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 33.4% statewide (Victoria). This educational advantage is reflected in the types of qualifications held: Bachelor degrees are most common at 39.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 21.9%, and graduate diplomas at 3.2%. Vocational pathways account for 18.0% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas making up 10.0% and certificates 8.0%. Educational participation in Docklands is also high, with 30.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 15.1% in tertiary education, 3.1% in primary education, and 1.6% pursuing secondary education. Docklands Primary School-The District Campus (interim name) and Docklands Primary School collectively serve 543 students as of the latest data. The area demonstrates significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement, with an ICSEA score of 1126. Both schools focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas due to limited local school capacity (2.7 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 6.9). Many families therefore travel to nearby areas for schooling. Note: For schools showing 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus for accurate data.

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

The analysis shows that Docklands has 57 active public transport stops. These include train, light rail, and bus services. The stops are served by 124 different routes, which together provide 28,150 weekly passenger trips.

Residents have excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 119 meters to the nearest stop. On average, there are 4,021 trips per day across all routes, equating to about 493 weekly trips per individual stop.

Docklands's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health outcomes data shows excellent results throughout Docklands, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 61% of the total population (12,313 people), compared to 56.0% across Greater Melbourne and a national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 5.1 and 4.6% of residents respectively, while 84.4% declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 79.8% across Greater Melbourne.

The area has 7.3% of residents aged 65 and over (1,484 people). Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

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

Docklands has one of the highest levels of cultural diversity in the country, with 58.7% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 67.5% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Docklands, making up 27.4% of the population. Hinduism, however, is significantly overrepresented compared to the Greater Melbourne average, comprising 14.7% of Docklands' population.

The top three ancestry groups based on country of birth of parents are Chinese (19.8%), Other (18.9%), and English (13.8%). Notably, Indian (11.7%) and Korean (1.9%) ethnicities are overrepresented in Docklands compared to regional averages of 5.5% and 1.5%, respectively. Additionally, the Russian ethnicity is also slightly overrepresented at 0.7% compared to the region's average of 0.4%.

Docklands hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Docklands has a median age of 33, which is younger than Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Docklands has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (36.4%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (3.3%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national figure of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the population aged 35 to 44 has grown from 18.7% to 20.0%, while the 15 to 24 age group increased from 11.7% to 12.7%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 25 to 34 has decreased from 39.0% to 36.4%, and the 0 to 4 age group has dropped from 4.5% to 3.0%. Population forecasts for Docklands in 2041 indicate substantial demographic shifts, with the strongest growth projected for the 45 to 54 cohort (121%), adding 2,281 residents to reach a total of 4,165. The 15 to 24 age group is expected to grow modestly by 7%, an increase of 180 people.