Footscray

Footscray lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Footscray's population is around 22,076 as of November 2025. This reflects an increase of 4,945 people (28.9%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 17,131 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 20,756 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 1,932 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 4,441 persons per square kilometer, which places Footscray in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch, indicating high demand for land in the area. Footscray's 28.9% growth since the 2021 census exceeded both the national average (8.9%) and the state average, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 79.1% of overall population gains during recent periods.

However, all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth were positive factors. 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 them 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. Exceptional future growth is predicted over the period, with Footscray expected to expand by 16,936 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 70.7% in total over the 17 years.

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

Footscray has recorded approximately 501 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, 2,507 homes were approved, with a further 15 approved so far in FY26. On average, about 1.1 new residents arrived per year for each new home over these five years, suggesting a balanced supply and demand dynamic that supports stable market conditions.

The average expected construction cost of new dwellings was $275,000 during this period, which is below the regional average, indicating more affordable housing options for buyers. In FY26, Footscray has registered $1630.8 million in commercial approvals, demonstrating strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Footscray records 133.0% more new home approvals per person, offering buyers ample choice. However, development activity has moderated in recent periods. Nationally, development activity in Footscray is well above average, reflecting developers' confidence in the area. Recent construction comprises 1.0% detached dwellings and 99.0% townhouses or apartments, marking a significant shift from existing housing patterns (currently 32.0% houses). This trend towards denser development provides accessible entry options for downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers, suggesting diminishing developable land availability and responding to evolving lifestyle preferences and housing affordability needs.

With around 285 people per dwelling approval, Footscray indicates a developing market. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Footscray is expected to grow by 15,616 residents through to 2041. Development appears to be keeping pace with projected growth, although buyers may face increasing competition as the population expands.

Footscray has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Influence on local performance is significantly impacted by infrastructure changes. AreaSearch identified 50 projects potentially impacting the area. Key projects include New Footscray Hospital, Joseph Road Precinct, Footscray Station Precinct Upgrade, and Kinnear's Precinct (Live City). Below lists 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.

Footscray has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Footscray has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. The unemployment rate was 5.8% as of September 2021.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 5.3%. As of September 2025, there were 14,284 residents employed while the unemployment rate was 6.9%, which is 1.2% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%. Workforce participation in Footscray was 68.7%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Employment among residents is concentrated in health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training.

Accommodation & food services have particularly notable concentration with employment levels at 1.5 times the regional average. Construction has limited presence with 5.0% employment compared to 9.7% regionally. The ratio of workers to residents was 0.9 as at the Census, indicating substantial local employment opportunities. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 5.3%, while labour force increased by 6.0%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.6 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 3.0%, labour force growth of 3.3%, with unemployment rising 0.3 percentage points. State-level data from 25-Nov shows 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 Footscray's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and not accounting for localised population projections.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

The Footscray SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $54,151 and an average income of $66,186 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This was slightly above the national average, contrasting with Greater Melbourne's median income of $54,892 and average income of $73,761. By September 2025, estimates based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% would be approximately $60,736 (median) and $74,234 (average). Census data showed personal income ranked at the 69th percentile ($916 weekly), with household income at the 51st percentile. The largest income segment consisted of 34.3% earning $1,500 - $2,999 weekly (7,572 residents). Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 81.4% of income remaining, ranking at the 48th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 6th decile.

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

In Footscray, as per the latest Census evaluation, 31.6% of dwellings were houses while 68.4% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In contrast, Melbourne metropolitan area had 49.7% houses and 50.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Footscray stood at 14.7%, with mortgaged properties at 27.7% and rented ones at 57.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,940, lower than Melbourne metro's $2,100. Median weekly rent in Footscray was $355, compared to Melbourne metro's $376. Nationally, Footscray's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower than the national figure of $375.

Footscray features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 52.1 percent of all households, including 15.9 percent couples with children, 25.9 percent couples without children, and 8.0 percent single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 47.9 percent, with lone person households at 37.6 percent and group households comprising 10.3 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.4.

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

Footscray's educational attainment is notably higher than national and regional averages. Among residents aged 15+, 50.6% have university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and the SA4 region's 32.0%. This high educational level positions Footscray favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 30.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (15.2%) and graduate diplomas (4.6%).

Vocational pathways account for 21.7% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificates at 11.7%. Educational participation is high, with 31.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes tertiary education (13.0%), primary education (5.3%), and secondary education (3.2%).

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

Footscray has 123 active public transport stops. These include train, light rail, and bus stops. There are 44 individual routes serving these stops, which collectively provide 22,762 weekly passenger trips.

Residents have excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 131 meters to the nearest stop. On average, there are 3,251 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 185 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Footscray 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

Footscray shows higher health outcomes compared to average SA2 areas, with a lower prevalence of common conditions among its general population. However, the prevalence is higher than national averages for older and at-risk cohorts.

Approximately 52% of Footscray's total population (~11,567 people) have private health cover, slightly below Greater Melbourne's 56.7%. Mental health issues (12.2%) and asthma (8.1%) are the most common conditions in Footscray, with 70.0% of residents reporting no medical ailments, compared to 72.7% across Greater Melbourne. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 10.0% (2,214 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 11.4%. While health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population, they present some challenges in Footscray.

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

Footscray's population shows high cultural diversity, with 42.2% speaking a language other than English at home and 45.0% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Footscray, accounting for 27.2%. However, Buddhism is more prevalent in Footscray compared to Greater Melbourne, comprising 9.2% versus 8.7%.

The top three ancestral groups based on parents' country of birth are English (18.0%), Other (16.0%), and Australian (14.8%). Notably, Vietnamese (8.0%) and Spanish (0.7%) are overrepresented in Footscray compared to regional averages, while Macedonian is slightly underrepresented at 0.7%.

Footscray hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

Footscray's median age is 34 years, which is lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Footscray has a higher percentage of residents aged 25-34 (29.4%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (6.2%). 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 population of Footscray aged 15 to 24 has grown from 11.0% to 13.1%, while the 35 to 44 age group has increased from 18.4% to 19.7%. Conversely, the 55 to 64 age group has declined from 8.4% to 7.4%. Population forecasts for Footscray in 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes, with the strongest projected growth in the 25 to 34 age cohort, expected to grow by 53%, adding 3,449 residents to reach a total of 9,940.