Glen Iris - East
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Glen Iris - East's population was approximately 17,669 as of November 2025. This represented a growth of 840 people, or 5.0%, since the 2021 Census which recorded a population of 16,829. The increase is inferred from ABS estimates showing an estimated resident population of 17,537 as of June 2024 and additional validated new addresses totalling 155 since the Census date. This results in a population density of 3,099 persons per square kilometer, placing Glen Iris - East in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate of 5.0% since the census is within 1.9 percentage points of the SA3 area's growth rate of 6.9%, indicating strong growth fundamentals. Overseas migration contributed approximately 79.8% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth in the area.

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 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. According to these projections, the area's total population is expected to decline by 84 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are anticipated to grow, notably the 65 to 74 age group which is projected to increase by 394 people.

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

Glen Iris - East averaged approximately 74 new dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25. A total of 374 homes were approved during this period, with an additional 23 approved so far in FY26. The average population growth corresponding to these approvals was around 0.1 people per dwelling built annually between FY21 and FY25.

This suggests that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and allowing for potential population growth beyond current forecasts. The average construction cost value of new properties in the area was approximately $842,000, indicating a focus on premium market developments. In FY26, there have been $19.3 million worth of commercial approvals, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development activity.

Compared to Greater Melbourne, Glen Iris - East exhibits around 75% of the construction activity per person and ranks among the 56th percentile of areas assessed nationally in terms of new building activity. The mix of housing developments in Glen Iris - East consists of approximately 57.0% detached houses and 43.0% medium to high-density housing, with an increasing variety of townhouses and apartments offering options across different price points. This diversity caters to both family homes and more affordable compact living arrangements. With around 291 people per dwelling approval, Glen Iris - East displays characteristics of a low density area. Given stable or declining population forecasts, the area may experience less housing pressure in the future, creating favourable conditions for buyers.

Glen Iris - East has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 31 projects likely affecting this region. Notable initiatives include High Street Bus Priority Improvements, 9 Glentilt Road Townhouse Development, Glen Iris Community Health Hub, and 265-269 Burke Road Mixed-Use Development. The following list details those most pertinent.

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.

Employment conditions in Glen Iris - East demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Glen Iris - East has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate was 2.5% as of June 2025, lower than Greater Melbourne's 4.6%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 3.0%. As of June 2025, 10,248 residents were employed with an unemployment rate of 2.1%, below Greater Melbourne's rate. Workforce participation was 67.6%, similar to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Leading employment industries included professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training.

The area had a particular specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share of 1.7 times the regional level. However, construction was under-represented at 5.4% compared to Greater Melbourne's 9.7%. Many residents commuted elsewhere for work based on Census data analysis. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 3.0%, labour force grew by 2.9%, and unemployment remained relatively stable. In comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 3.5% and a rise in unemployment to 5.1%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 projected overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Glen Iris - East's employment mix suggested local growth of approximately 7.4% over five years and 14.8% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

Glen Iris - East had a median taxpayer income of $69,390 and an average income of $119,774 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. Nationally, these figures are exceptionally high, contrasting with Greater Melbourne's median income of $54,892 and average income of $73,761. As of September 2025, current estimates based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% would be approximately $77,828 (median) and $134,339 (average). In Glen Iris - East, household, family, and personal incomes all ranked highly nationally in the 2021 Census figures, between the 89th and 96th percentiles. The data showed that 37.1% of residents (6,555 people) fell into the $4000+ income bracket, differing from the surrounding region where the $1,500 - 2,999 category predominated at 32.8%. A substantial proportion of high earners (48.9% above $3,000/week) indicated strong economic capacity throughout the suburb. After housing costs, residents retained 87.8% of their income, reflecting strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 10th decile.

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

In Glen Iris - East, as assessed in the latest Census, 70.2% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 29.7% comprising semi-detached homes, apartments, and other types. This differs from Melbourne's metropolitan area, where 55.5% of dwellings are houses and 44.5% are other types. Home ownership in Glen Iris - East stood at 43.3%, with mortgaged dwellings accounting for 35.3% and rented dwellings making up 21.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $3,000, aligning with Melbourne's metropolitan average, while the median weekly rent was $522, compared to Melbourne's $451. Nationally, Glen Iris - East's median monthly mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $3,000 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Glen Iris - East features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 77.0% of all households, consisting of 43.3% couples with children, 24.9% couples without children, and 7.7% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 23.0%, with lone person households at 20.4% and group households comprising 2.6%. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.5.

Glen Iris - East demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

Educational attainment in Glen Iris - East is notably higher than broader benchmarks. 57.4% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 33.4% in Victoria. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 36.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (15.9%) and graduate diplomas (5.5%). Vocational pathways account for 16.8% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas making up 9.1% and certificates 7.7%.

Educational participation is high, with 32.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.0% in primary education, 9.6% in secondary education, and 8.6% pursuing tertiary education. Glen Iris - East's three schools have a combined enrollment of 1,122 students as of the latest data. The area demonstrates high educational performance, with an ICSEA score of 1177, placing local schools among the most advantaged nationally. All three schools focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. School capacity is limited locally, with only 6.3 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 19.2, indicating many families travel to nearby areas for schooling.

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

Public transport analysis shows 51 active transport stops operating within Glen Iris - East. These include a mix of train, light rail, and bus services. There are 12 individual routes servicing these stops, collectively providing 5,254 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 273 meters from the nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages 750 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 103 weekly trips per individual stop.

Glen Iris - East's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Glen Iris - East exhibits excellent health outcomes, with a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover stands at approximately 80% of its total population (14,117 people), higher than Greater Melbourne's 77.7%, and the national average of 55.3%. The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma and mental health issues, affecting 7.4% and 6.0% of residents respectively.

A significant majority, 75.1%, report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to Greater Melbourne's 73.8%. Glen Iris - East has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 17.9% (3,171 people) than Greater Melbourne's 19.4%. Notably, health outcomes among seniors align with the general population's health profile in this area.

Glen Iris - East 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

Glen Iris-East exhibited higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 27.2% of its residents born overseas and 22.0% using a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Glen Iris-East, accounting for 46.7%. Notably, Judaism was overrepresented at 2.0%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 0.9%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (23.1%), Australian (21.2%), and Chinese (9.8%). Some ethnic groups showed significant differences: Polish at 1.1% (regional average 0.8%), Sri Lankan at 0.8% (0.7%), and Greek at 3.5% (3.4%).

Glen Iris - East's median age exceeds the national pattern

Glen Iris - East has a median age of 41 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and slightly older than Australia's median age of 38 years. The 2021 Census showed that the 55-64 age cohort was notably over-represented in Glen Iris - East at 13.6%, while the 25-34 age group was under-represented at 9.6%. Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, the 15 to 24 age group grew from 14.3% to 15.6% of the population, while the 45 to 54 cohort declined from 15.5% to 13.9%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Glen Iris - East's age profile. The 65 to 74 age group is projected to grow by 21%, adding 341 residents to reach 1,988. This growth will be entirely due to residents aged 65 and older representing all of the anticipated population growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 45 to 54 and 35 to 44 age cohorts.