Fawkner

Population growth drivers in Fawkner are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Fawkner's population is around 14,999 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 997 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 14,002 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 14,960 from the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 221 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,952 persons per square kilometer, placing Fawkner in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Fawkner's growth rate of 7.1% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's growth rate of 7.0%. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 81.0% 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 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 are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Considering projected demographic shifts, exceptional growth is predicted over the period with Fawkner expected to increase by 7,543 persons to 2041 based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 50.0% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Fawkner recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Fawkner has averaged approximately 81 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, from FY2021 to FY2025. This totals 405 homes approved during this period, with an additional 34 approved in FY2026 as of the current date.

The average rate of population growth corresponding to these new dwellings is approximately 0.1 people per year over the past five financial years. This suggests that new housing supply has been keeping pace with or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. The average expected construction cost value of new homes in Fawkner is $268,000, which is below regional levels, indicating more accessible housing choices for buyers. Comparatively, Fawkner has 17.0% less new development per person than Greater Melbourne. Nationally, it ranks at the 54th percentile of areas assessed for new development.

The composition of new development in Fawkner consists of 30.0% detached houses and 70.0% attached dwellings. This trend towards denser development offers accessible entry options, appealing to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. This shift contrasts with the area's existing housing stock, which is currently 84.0% houses, suggesting decreasing availability of developable sites and reflecting changing lifestyles and demand for more diverse, affordable housing options. With approximately 294 people per dwelling approval, Fawkner indicates a developing market. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Fawkner's population is projected to grow by 7,504 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, there may be a struggle to match this population growth with housing supply, potentially leading to increased buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Fawkner has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 46thth percentile nationally

Ten infrastructure projects identified by AreaSearch are expected to impact the area significantly. These include John Fawkner Secondary College's upgrade and modernisation, Suburban Rail Loop North - Fawkner Station, Goosnargh Housing Development, and Assembly Broadmeadows. The following list details those considered most relevant.

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

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The labour market performance in Fawkner lags significantly behind most other regions nationally

Fawkner has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. The unemployment rate was 6.6% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 1.5% over the previous year.

In September 2025, 6,911 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 1.9% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%. Workforce participation in Fawkner was 54.6%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Leading employment industries among residents include health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. Transport, postal & warehousing has notable concentration with employment levels at 1.5 times the regional average.

However, professional & technical services employ only 7.8% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 10.1%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities as indicated by Census data on working population versus resident population. From September 2024 to September 2025, employment levels increased by 1.5%, and labour force increased by 1.8%, resulting in a rise of unemployment by 0.3 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 3.0% and labour force growth of 3.3%. By November 25, Victoria's employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, adding 41,950 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%, compared to the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Fawkner's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.4% over five years and 13.2% over ten years, assuming constant population projections for illustrative purposes.

Income levels sit below national averages according to AreaSearch assessment

The Fawkner SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $45,831 and an average of $56,008 in financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This was lower than the national average, contrasting with Greater Melbourne's median income of $54,892 and average income of $73,761. By September 2025, current estimates project a median income of approximately $51,404 and an average income of $62,819, based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022. The 2021 Census figures showed individual incomes at the 10th percentile were $594 weekly, while household incomes ranked at the 31st percentile. In Fawkner SA2, 30.8% of residents (4,619 people) fell within the $1,500 - $2,999 income bracket, mirroring regional levels where 32.8% occupied this bracket. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 82.3% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 29th percentile.

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

As evaluated at the Census conducted in 2016, dwelling structures in Fawkner comprised 84.1% houses and 15.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This is compared to Melbourne metropolitan area's figures of 62.8% houses and 37.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Fawkner stood at 37.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.9% and rented dwellings at 31.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,880, lower than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in Fawkner was recorded at $380, slightly higher than the national average of $375 but close to Melbourne metro's figure of $381. Nationally, Fawkner's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863.

Fawkner features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 71.3% of all households, including 37.0% couples with children, 20.3% couples without children, and 12.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 28.7%, with lone person households at 24.4% and group households comprising 4.4%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Educational attainment in Fawkner aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

University qualification levels in Fawkner are at 32.1%, slightly below the Greater Melbourne average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 19.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (10.1%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational pathways account for 24.2% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 9.3% and certificates at 14.9%.

Educational participation is high, with 33.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.3% in primary education, 7.3% in secondary education, and 6.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Fawkner has 77 active public transport stops, operating a mix of train and bus services. These are served by three routes, offering 1,525 weekly passenger trips in total. The average distance to the nearest stop for residents is 167 meters.

Daily service frequency across all routes averages 217 trips, equating to about 19 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Fawkner is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Fawkner shows better-than-average health outcomes with a lower prevalence of common conditions among its general population compared to national averages. However, certain cohorts such as older adults have higher rates of these conditions. As of 2016, approximately 48% of Fawkner's total population (~7,199 people) had private health cover, which is lower than Greater Melbourne's 52.5% and the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions in the area were arthritis (7.3%) and asthma (6.3%). Conversely, 73.1% of residents reported having no medical ailments, slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's 72.2%. Fawkner has a senior population of 14.1%, consisting of 2,122 individuals aged 65 and over. While health outcomes among seniors require more attention due to certain challenges, overall, the area demonstrates above-average health outcomes compared to national averages.

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

Fawkner has a population where 48.2% were born overseas, with 62.4% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Fawkner, practiced by 39.8%. However, Islam is significantly higher at 37.5%, compared to Greater Melbourne's average of 17.6%.

The top three ancestral groups are Other (31.0%), Italian (16.4%), and Australian (11.8%). Notably, Lebanese ethnicity is overrepresented in Fawkner at 6.0% compared to the regional average of 4.2%, while Maltese is slightly lower at 1.5%. Greek ethnicity is also present at 3.5%.

Fawkner's population is younger than the national pattern

Fawkner's median age in 2021 was 35 years, slightly younger than Greater Melbourne's 37 and the national average of 38. The 5-14 age group constituted 14.0% of Fawkner's population compared to Greater Melbourne's percentage, while the 45-54 cohort made up 10.1%. Between 2021 and the present day, the 35-44 age group has increased from 15.0% to 15.8% of Fawkner's population. Conversely, the 75-84 age group has decreased from 5.6% to 4.8%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic shifts in Fawkner. The 45-54 age cohort is projected to rise substantially, with an increase of 1,320 people (an 87% expansion) from 1,513 to 2,834.