Fitzroy
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Fitzroy's population was around 12,437 as of August 2025. This represented an increase of 2,006 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 10,431 people. The growth was inferred from the estimated resident population of 12,025 in June 2024 and an additional 262 validated new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a population density ratio of 9,012 persons per square kilometer, placing Fitzroy in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Fitzroy's growth rate of 19.2% since the 2021 census exceeded both the national average (8.6%) and the state average, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 86.8% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted 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 utilized the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusting them using weighted aggregation methods from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group were applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on these projections, Fitzroy is expected to experience exceptional growth over the period, increasing by 5,220 persons to reach a total population of 17,657 by 2041, representing a gain of 38.3% over the 17-year period.

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

Fitzroy has seen approximately 77 new homes approved annually. Development approval data from the ABS shows 387 homes were approved over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, with no approvals recorded so far in FY26. On average, 1.6 new residents arrived per new home each year during these five financial years; however, this figure increased to 5.8 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating growing demand and tightening supply. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $484,000. Commercial approvals totaled $35.8 million in the current financial year.

Fitzroy maintains similar construction rates per person compared to Greater Melbourne, but development activity has picked up recently. The majority of new buildings are townhouses or apartments (98.0%), with only 2.0% being detached houses. This trend towards compact living offers affordable entry pathways for downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. Fitzroy has approximately 118 people per dwelling approval, suggesting an expanding market.

By 2041, projections estimate that Fitzroy will add around 4,767 residents. If current development rates continue, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition and supporting price increases.

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

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes in local infrastructure. AreaSearch has identified a total of 43 projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable projects include Brenan Place, Palladian (26-56 Queens Parade), Fitzroy Gasworks, and Fitzroy Fitzroy. The following list details those projects likely to have the most relevance.

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

AreaSearch analysis reveals Fitzroy recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Fitzroy's workforce is highly educated with notable representation in the technology sector. The unemployment rate was 9.2% as of a certain period, with an estimated employment growth of 5.2% over the past year.

As of June 2025, 7698 residents were employed while the unemployment rate stood at 4.6%, matching Greater Melbourne's rate. However, workforce participation was higher in Fitzroy at 69.2%. Employment is concentrated in professional & technical (2.1 times the regional level), health care & social assistance, and education & training sectors. Construction is under-represented with only 3.6% of the workforce compared to Greater Melbourne's 9.7%.

The area functions as an employment hub with 1.5 workers per resident, hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 5.2% while the labour force grew by 7.1%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate of 1.7 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 3.5%, labour force expand by 4.0%, and unemployment rise by 0.5 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 shows Victoria's employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year with an unemployment rate of 4.7%. National employment forecasts project a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but industry-specific projections suggest Fitzroy's local growth could be approximately 7.5% over five years and 15.0% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

Fitzroy had a median taxpayer income of $66,739 and an average income of $96,670 according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2022. Nationally, this is exceptionally high compared to Greater Melbourne's median income of $54,892 and average income of $73,761 in the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.11% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of March 2025 would be approximately $73,486 (median) and $106,443 (average). According to the 2021 Census, individual earnings in Fitzroy stood out at the 94th percentile nationally with a weekly income of $1,265. Distribution data showed that the largest segment comprised 27.5% earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly (3,420 residents), which was consistent with broader trends across the region showing 32.8% in the same category. Economic strength was evident through 37.0% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. High housing costs consumed 17.9% of income, but strong earnings still placed disposable income at the 75th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 8th decile.

Fitzroy features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Fitzroy, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 3.2% houses and 96.8% other dwellings. Compared to Melbourne metro's figures of 12.8% houses and 87.2% other dwellings, this shows a higher proportion of other dwellings in Fitzroy. Home ownership in Fitzroy was at 18.7%, lower than Melbourne metro's level. The remaining dwellings were either mortgaged (20.6%) or rented (60.7%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,500, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,326. Median weekly rent in Fitzroy was recorded at $451, matching Melbourne metro's figure. Nationally, Fitzroy's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 49.5% of all households, including 12.0% couples with children, 28.1% couples without children, and 7.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 50.5%, with lone person households at 38.3% and group households comprising 12.2%. The median household size is 2.0 people, aligning with Greater Melbourne's average.

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

Fitzroy's educational attainment exceeds national and state averages. Among residents aged 15+, 61.8% hold university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 33.4% in Victoria. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 37.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (19.4%) and graduate diplomas (4.9%). Vocational pathways account for 16.0%.

Educational participation is high, with 27.8% of residents currently enrolled. This includes 12.5% in tertiary education, 5.3% in primary education, and 3.6% in secondary education. The three schools in Fitzroy have a combined enrollment of 1,008 students, serving distinct age groups with balanced educational opportunities (ICSEA: 1012). School places per 100 residents are lower than the regional average at 8.1.

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

Fitzroy has 35 operational public transport stops, offering a mix of light rail and bus services. These stops are served by 33 distinct routes, facilitating 11,679 weekly passenger trips in total. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 130 meters to the nearest stop.

Daily service frequency averages 1,668 trips across all routes, equating to approximately 333 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Analysis shows strong health metrics throughout Fitzroy. Both young and old age cohorts have low prevalence of common health conditions.

Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 70% of the total population, which is 8681 people. This compares to a national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues are the most common medical condition, impacting 12.0% of residents, followed by asthma at 8.2%. 70.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 70.6% across Greater Melbourne. The area has 11.3% of residents aged 65 and over, which is 1409 people. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Fitzroy 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

Fitzroy's population, as recorded in the Census of 25 August 2016, exhibited high cultural diversity with 25.1% speaking languages other than English at home and 34.2% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 23.0%. Judaism, while low overall, showed an overrepresentation in Fitzroy at 0.8%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 0.8%.

Ancestry-wise, English was the top group at 23.5%, followed by Australian at 15.6% and Other at 12.9%. Notable ethnic group divergences included Irish at 11.7% (vs regional 11.3%), French at 0.9% (vs 0.8%), and Vietnamese at 2.8% (vs 2.4%).

Fitzroy's population is younger than the national pattern

Fitzroy's median age is 34 years, which is lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and Australia's 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Fitzroy has a higher percentage of residents aged 25-34 (31.1%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (5.5%). This concentration of 25-34-year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the percentage of Fitzroy's population aged 25 to 34 has increased from 29.5% to 31.1%, while the percentage of those aged 45 to 54 has decreased from 11.5% to 9.9%. By 2041, demographic forecasts indicate substantial changes in Fitzroy's population structure. The 45-54 age group is projected to grow by 85%, adding 1,043 residents and reaching a total of 2,274. Conversely, the 15-24 age group is expected to show minimal growth of just 9% (107 people).