Doreen - North

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

As of November 2025, Doreen - North's population is approximately 17,234. This figure represents an increase of 935 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 16,299. The growth was inferred from ABS estimated resident population data of 17,231 as of June 2024 and validated new addresses totalling 29 since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,825 persons per square kilometer, higher than the national average assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Doreen - North exhibited a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%, outperforming its SA3 area. Natural growth contributed approximately 56.5% to overall population gains recently, with overseas and interstate migration also being positive factors.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 adjusted to SA2 levels for areas not covered by the former data. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Doreen - North is projected to grow by 10,505 persons, reflecting a 60.9% increase over the period based on latest annual ERP population numbers. This places the area in the top 10 percent of national statistical areas for growth projections.

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

Doreen - North has seen approximately 55 dwellings granted development approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25277 homes were approved, with a further seven approved in FY-26 as of now. On average, each home built over these years accommodates around 4.2 new residents per year.

This supply significantly lags demand, leading to heightened buyer competition and pricing pressures. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $245,000, which is below regional norms, reflecting more affordable housing options for purchasers. In FY-26, commercial development approvals totalled $367,000, indicating a predominantly residential focus in the area. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Doreen - North records notably lower building activity, at 76.0% below the regional average per person. This scarcity of new dwellings typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties.

This trend is also observed nationally, suggesting market maturity and possible development constraints. The current development composition consists of 86.0% standalone homes and 14.0% attached dwellings, sustaining the area's suburban identity with a concentration of family homes suited to buyers seeking space. Doreen - North has an average of around 670 people per approval, indicating a mature, established area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Doreen - North is projected to add approximately 10,502 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition and supporting stronger price growth in the future.

Doreen - North has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 32ndth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 15 projects that may affect the region. Notable ones include Laurimar Estate, Bridge Inn Road Development Sites - Mernda Precinct 2A, Precinct 2A Doreen Development Plan, and Bridge Inn Road Residential Development Site. The following list details 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.

Doreen - North ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Doreen - North has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 2.6% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 0.6% over the past year.

This is lower than Greater Melbourne's unemployment rate of 4.7%. Workforce participation in Doreen - North was 71.7%, higher than Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Key industries of employment among residents are construction, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area has a particular specialization in construction, with an employment share 1.6 times the regional level.

Professional & technical services employ just 5.8% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 10.1%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 0.6%, labour force increased by 0.2%, resulting in a decrease in unemployment by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 3.0% and labour force growth of 3.3%, with an increase in unemployment of 0.3 percentage points. As of 25-Nov-25, Victoria's employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, adding 41,950 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Doreen - North's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.3% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

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

The latest postcode level ATO data from AreaSearch, released for financial year 2022, shows Doreen - North SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $56,184 and an average of $64,511. These figures are in line with national averages. In comparison, Greater Melbourne's median was $54,892 and its average was $73,761. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, the current estimated median income is approximately $63,016 and the average is $72,356 as of September 2025. Census data indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Doreen - North cluster around the 71st percentile nationally. The predominant income cohort spans 39.7% of locals (6,841 people) with incomes ranging from $1,500 to $2,999, reflecting regional patterns where 32.8% similarly occupy this range. High housing costs consume 16.0% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 76th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

Doreen - North's dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 96.5% houses and 3.4% other dwellings. This contrasts with Melbourne metro's figures of 87.2% houses and 12.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Doreen - North stood at 21.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 57.4% and rented ones at 20.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $1,900. Median weekly rent in Doreen - North was $400, compared to Melbourne metro's $371. Nationally, Doreen - North's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 84.7% of all households, consisting of couples with children (50.6%), couples without children (20.0%), and single parent families (13.5%). Non-family households make up the remaining 15.3%, with lone person households at 13.9% and group households comprising 1.3%. The median household size is 3.1 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.9.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 23.9%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 16.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.7%) and graduate diplomas (3.0%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them. Advanced diplomas account for 12.7% and certificates for 26.2%.

Educational participation is high, with 35.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 14.0% in primary education, 10.4% in secondary education, and 3.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Transport analysis in Doreen - North shows 55 active public transport stops operating, all of which are bus stops. These stops are serviced by four distinct routes, collectively facilitating 2,841 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 222 meters from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages 405 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 51 weekly trips per individual stop.

Doreen - North's residents are extremely healthy with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Doreen - North, with younger cohorts seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is approximately 52% of the total population (~8,944 people), leading that of the average SA2 area.

This compares to 49.8% across Greater Melbourne. The most common medical conditions in the area are asthma and mental health issues, impacting 8.4 and 8.1% of residents respectively. 73.4% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 74.0% across Greater Melbourne. The area has 11.2% of residents aged 65 and over (1,923 people), which is lower than the 13.2% in Greater Melbourne.

In terms of cultural diversity, Doreen - North records figures broadly comparable to the national average, as found in AreaSearch's assessment of a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Doreen-North has a higher-than-average cultural diversity, with 17.9% of its population born overseas and 15.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Doreen-North, accounting for 49.2% of the population. Notably, the 'Other' religious category comprises 1.4% of Doreen-North's population, compared to 4.4% across Greater Melbourne.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are Australian (26.9%), English (25.1%), and Other (7.9%). The Australian figure is substantially higher than the regional average of 17.3%, while the English figure exceeds the regional average of 15.5%. However, the 'Other' ancestry category is notably lower than the regional average of 17.4%. Additionally, certain ethnic groups show notable differences in representation: Macedonian at 1.6% (vs regional 4.6%), Italian at 7.2% (vs regional 9.6%), and Maltese at 1.5% (vs regional 1.5%).

Doreen - North hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Doreen's median age of 35 years is slightly younger than Greater Melbourne's 37 and the national average of 38. The 5-14 age group makes up 17.4% of Doreen's population, higher than Greater Melbourne but lower than the national average of 12.2%. The 25-34 cohort represents 10.0% of Doreen's population. Between 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 12.7% to 14.5%, while the 75 to 84 cohort increased from 2.6% to 3.9%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 cohort declined from 19.2% to 17.4%, and the 25 to 34 group dropped from 11.4% to 10.0%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate significant demographic changes in Doreen - North, with the 45-54 age cohort projected to rise substantially by 77%, from 2,669 to 4,723 people.