Doncaster East - North
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Doncaster East - North are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Doncaster East - North's population was approximately 16,518 as of August 2025. This figure represents an increase of 846 people, a 5.4% rise from the 2021 Census count of 15,672 residents. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 16,353 in June 2024 and an additional 108 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,580 persons per square kilometer, placing Doncaster East - North in the upper quartile relative to other locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's 5.4% growth since the census is within 1.5 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 6.9%, indicating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth during recent periods for Doncaster East - North.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area, and VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made using weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels for areas not covered by ABS data. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Future projections anticipate above median population growth, with Doncaster East - North expected to increase by 2,698 persons to reach a total of 19,216 residents by 2041, representing a 15.3% increase over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Doncaster East - North when compared nationally

Doncaster East - North has received approximately 73 dwelling approvals annually. The Australian Bureau of Statistics produces this data on a financial year basis, showing 369 homes approved over the past five years, from FY21 to FY25, with six approvals so far in FY26. On average, 1.1 new residents arrive per new home each year over these five years, suggesting balanced supply and demand and stable market conditions. However, recent data indicates this has increased to 4.3 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, reflecting the area's growing popularity. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $656,000, higher than regional norms, indicating quality-focused development.

This year alone, $6.0 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, demonstrating the area's residential character. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Doncaster East - North shows around 75% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 60th percentile nationally when measured against other areas. New developments consist of 23.0% standalone homes and 77.0% attached dwellings, promoting higher-density living and creating more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This represents a significant shift from the current housing mix, which is predominantly houses at 78.0%. With around 259 people per dwelling approval, Doncaster East - North exhibits characteristics of a low density area.

Population forecasts indicate that Doncaster East - North will gain approximately 2,532 residents by 2041. Construction activity is keeping pace with projected growth, but buyers may face increasing competition as the population grows.

Doncaster East - North has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 16 projects that may impact the area. Notable projects include Andersons Creek Road Mixed Use Development (1-15), Eastern Freeway Upgrades, Monte 8 Montgomery Street, and The Pines Retirement Living. Below is a list of those most relevant.

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

Employment performance in Doncaster East - North has been broadly consistent with national averages

Doncaster East - North has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 3.4% as of the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 3.0%.

As of June 2025, 8,441 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.2% below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%, and workforce participation at 59.2%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and retail trade. The area specializes in professional & technical employment, with a share 1.2 times the regional level. Conversely, construction employs only 7.2% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 9.7%.

Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by Census data on working population versus resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 3.0% while labour force grew by 3.1%, with unemployment remaining unchanged. Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 3.5% over the same period, with a rise in unemployment of 0.5 percentage points. In Victoria, employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year to Sep-25, adding 39,880 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%. Nationally, employment growth was 0.26%, and the unemployment rate was 4.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Doncaster East - North's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.0%% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, although these are simple weighted extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for localized population projections.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2022 shows median income in Doncaster East - North is $45,494 and average income is $64,183. This contrasts with Greater Melbourne's median of $54,892 and average of $73,761. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.11% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of March 2025 are approximately $50,093 (median) and $70,672 (average). Census 2021 data shows household income ranks at the 62nd percentile ($1,934 weekly) and personal income at the 29th percentile. Income distribution shows the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 30.9% of residents (5,104 people), similar to surrounding regions. After housing, 85.3% of income remains for other expenses. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Doncaster East - North is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Doncaster East - North, houses accounted for 78.0% of dwellings in the latest Census, with the remaining 22.0% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments and other types. This contrasts with Melbourne's metropolitan area where 67.1% of dwellings were houses and 32.9% were other types. Home ownership in Doncaster East - North stood at 47.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 35.5% and rented dwellings at 17.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,400, aligning with Melbourne's metropolitan average, while the median weekly rent was $497 compared to Melbourne's $462. Nationally, Doncaster East - North's median monthly mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863 and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Doncaster East - North features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 82.8% of all households, including 44.4% couples with children, 27.5% couples without children, and 10.0% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 17.2%, with lone person households at 15.8% and group households comprising 1.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Doncaster East - North shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Educational attainment in Doncaster East - North is notably high, with 43.6% of residents aged 15 and above holding university qualifications compared to the national average of 30.4% and the Victorian state average of 33.4%. This area's educational advantage is reflected in its Bachelor degree holders (28.0%), postgraduate qualification holders (12.4%), and graduate diploma holders (3.2%). Vocational pathways are also prevalent, with advanced diplomas held by 10.9% and certificates by 11.6% of residents aged 15 and above. Educational participation is high, with 28.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 9.4% in primary education, 7.5% in secondary education, and 6.6% pursuing tertiary education. Milgate Primary School serves the educational needs of Doncaster East - North, with an enrollment of 794 students as of [insert date]. The area demonstrates strong socio-educational advantages and academic achievement, indicated by its ICSEA score of 1148. There is one primary school in Doncaster East - North, with secondary education options available in nearby areas. However, limited local school capacity (4.8 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 12.9) means many families travel outside the area for schooling.

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

Transport analysis in Doncaster East - North shows 75 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 20 different routes, together facilitating 10,739 weekly passenger trips. Residential accessibility to these stops is rated excellent, with residents on average located 191 meters from the nearest stop.

The service frequency across all routes averages 1,534 trips per day, translating to approximately 143 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Health outcomes data shows Doncaster East - North has very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Private health cover rate is approximately 52%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 55%.

The most common medical conditions are arthritis (6.7%) and asthma (5.3%). 75.4% of residents report no medical ailments, slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's 74%. Doncaster East - North has a higher percentage of seniors aged 65 and over at 24.2%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 22.8%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are strong and align with the general population's health profile.

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

Doncaster East - North has a culturally diverse population, with 57.4% speaking a language other than English at home and 52.0% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion in Doncaster East - North, comprising 46.0%. Buddhism is overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, making up 5.1%.

The top three ancestry groups are Chinese (31.2%), English (13.1%), and Other (12.4%). Greek (6.4%) and Italian (6.7%) are notably overrepresented while Macedonian representation remains the same at 0.7%.

Doncaster East - North hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Doncaster East - North is 43 years, which is higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and exceeds the national average of 38 years. The age profile shows that those aged 65-74 years make up 11.8%, while those aged 25-34 years constitute 9.3%. Between 2021 and present, the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 7.5% to 8.5% of the population. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age group has decreased from 13.7% to 12.0%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Doncaster East - North's age structure. The 85+ age cohort is projected to grow by 815 people (126%), reaching 1,465 from an initial 649. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 62% of total population growth. Meanwhile, the 0 to 4 and 35 to 44 cohorts are expected to experience population declines.