Donvale - Park Orchards
Statistical Area - sa2

Donvale - Park Orchards is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Donvale - Park Orchards' population is approximately 16,778 as of August 2025. Between the 2021 Census and June 2024, the population increased by 503 people (3.1%), reaching an estimated resident population of 16,778 in June 2024, with an additional 89 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 806 persons per square kilometer. The area's growth rate exceeded that of its SA3 region (2.4%), indicating it as a growth leader. Overseas migration was the primary driver of this population increase. AreaSearch uses 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 employs VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Donvale - Park Orchards is expected to have a population increase just below the national median, growing by 724 persons and recording a total gain of 4.3% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Donvale - Park Orchards according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Donvale - Park Orchards has averaged approximately 48 new dwelling approvals per year. Development approval data is produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a financial year basis, showing 241 homes over the past five financial years, from FY-2021 to FY-2025, with four approvals so far in FY-2026. Despite population decline in the area, development activity has been adequate relative to other regions, benefiting buyers while new homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $900,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment with higher-end properties. This financial year has seen $18.3 million in commercial approvals, suggesting balanced commercial development activity.

Compared to Greater Melbourne, Donvale - Park Orchards has slightly more development, at 25.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period, balancing buyer choice while supporting current property values. However, building activity has slowed in recent years, reflecting market maturity and possible development constraints. New building activity shows an equal split between detached dwellings (50.0%) and townhouses or apartments (50.0%), creating more affordable entry points and suiting downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This shift from the area's existing housing composition (currently 90.0% houses) indicates decreasing availability of developable sites and reflects changing lifestyles and demand for diverse, affordable housing options. The estimated population density is 462 people per dwelling approval, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Donvale - Park Orchards will gain 724 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.

Donvale - Park Orchards has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 55 projects likely affecting the region. Key projects include Donvale Indoor Sports Centre Masterplan, Parque Townhomes, Mullum Creek Eco Development, and 26-32 McDowall Street Social Housing. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Employment conditions in Donvale - Park Orchards demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Donvale - Park Orchards has a highly educated workforce with professional services being well represented. The unemployment rate was 1.8% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 1.4%.

As of June 2025, 8,821 residents are employed, while the unemployment rate is 2.8% lower than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation is at 61.8%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. The leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and retail trade.

However, transport, postal & warehousing shows lower representation at 2.4% versus the regional average of 5.2%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Over a 12-month period ending June 2025, employment increased by 1.4%, while labour force grew by 0.7%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.6 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 3.5% and labour force growth of 4.0%, with a 0.5 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. State-level data from Sep-25 shows Victoria's employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, adding 39,880 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Donvale - Park Orchards's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.9%% over five years and 14.0% over ten years, although these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch released postcode-level ATO data for FY2022. Donvale - Park Orchards' median taxpayer income was $52,889, average $84,962. These figures are among Australia's highest, compared to Greater Melbourne's median of $54,892 and average of $73,761. Using Wage Price Index growth of 10.11% since FY2022, estimated incomes as of March 2025 would be approximately $58,236 (median) and $93,552 (average). Census 2021 shows Donvale - Park Orchards' household income ranks at the 83rd percentile ($2,284 weekly), personal income at the 54th percentile. Income distribution reveals 27.4% earn over $4,000 weekly (4,597 individuals). After housing costs, residents retain 86.9% of income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

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

Dwelling structure in Donvale - Park Orchards, as per the latest Census, consisted of 90.0% houses and 10.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Melbourne metro's 93.3% houses and 6.7% other dwellings. Home ownership in Donvale - Park Orchards stood at 46.6%, similar to Melbourne metro, with the rest being mortgaged (40.3%) or rented (13.0%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,582, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,500. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $451, slightly above Melbourne metro's $459. Nationally, Donvale - Park Orchards' mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Donvale - Park Orchards features high concentrations of family households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 81.1% of all households, including 44.8% couples with children, 27.4% couples without children, and 8.5% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 18.9%, with lone person households at 17.6% and group households at 1.3%. The median household size is 2.9 people, aligning with Greater Melbourne's average.

Donvale - Park Orchards shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Educational attainment in Donvale-Park Orchards exceeds national averages significantly. 40.8% of residents aged 15+ hold university qualifications compared to Australia's 30.4% and the SA4 region's 31.2%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 27.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (9.3%) and graduate diplomas (4.2%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 25.3% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas (11.2%) and certificates (14.1%).

Educational participation is high, with 30.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.4% in primary, 9.4% in secondary, and 6.8% pursuing tertiary education. There are 9 schools operating within Donvale-Park Orchards educating approximately 4,176 students. The area demonstrates significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement (ICSEA: 1100). The educational mix includes 4 primary, 3 secondary, and 2 K-12 schools. School capacity exceeds typical residential needs with 24.9 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 19.5, indicating the area serves as an educational center for the broader region. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments please refer to parent campus.

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

The transport analysis indicates that there are 86 active transport stops operating within Donvale - Park Orchards. These stops cater to a mix of buses along 11 individual routes, collectively facilitating 4,287 weekly passenger trips. The report rates the transport accessibility as good, with residents typically located 309 meters from their nearest transport stop.

On average, service frequency across all routes stands at 612 trips per day, equating to approximately 49 weekly trips per individual stop.

Donvale - Park Orchards's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Donvale-Park Orchards. Both young and old age cohorts have low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 62% of the total population (10,469 people), compared to 65.7% across Greater Melbourne.

Nationally, this figure stands at 55.3%. The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, impacting 7.4 and 6.3% of residents respectively. Overall, 72.4% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.0% across Greater Melbourne. As of 2016 (the latest available data), the area has 22.7% of residents aged 65 and over (3,805 people). Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, performing even better than the general population in health metrics.

Donvale - Park Orchards was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Donvale-Park Orchards had a higher cultural diversity compared to most local areas, with 32.1% of its population born overseas and 28.9% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Donvale-Park Orchards as of 2016, comprising 53.6% of the population. Judaism had an overrepresentation compared to Greater Melbourne, with 0.2% of Donvale-Park Orchards' population identifying as such.

The top three ancestry groups were English (22.0%), Australian (19.4%), and Chinese (12.4%). Notable divergences existed in the representation of Italian (7.0%, vs regional 6.2%), Greek (3.5%, vs 3.0%), and Sri Lankan (0.5%, vs 0.4%) ethnic groups.

Donvale - Park Orchards hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Donvale - Park Orchards is 45 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Donvale - Park Orchards has a higher percentage of residents aged 55-64 (13.9%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (7.1%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 15-24 grew from 13.7% to 14.7%, while the population aged 45-54 decreased from 15.5% to 14.5%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Donvale - Park Orchards' age structure. The 85+ age group is projected to grow by 74%, reaching 1,076 people from 617. Notably, the combined age groups of 65 and above will account for 81% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, both the 15-24 and 0-4 age groups are projected to decrease in number.