Glen Waverley - East

An assessment of population growth drivers in Glen Waverley - East reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Glen Waverley - East's population is 22,834 as of May 2026. This figure reflects an increase of 1,231 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 21,603. The change is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 22,820 in June 2025 and an additional 107 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,492 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch's assessment. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth in recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. For areas not covered, it utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 with adjustments made via 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. Future demographic trends project above median population growth, with the area expected to increase by 3,746 persons to 2041 based on latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total gain of 16.3% over the 16 years.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Glen Waverley - East when compared nationally

Glen Waverley - East has averaged approximately 116 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 581 homes. As of FY2026, 80 approvals have been recorded. The population has declined in recent years, suggesting that new supply has kept pace with demand, offering good choices for buyers. New properties are constructed at an average value of $790,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties.

This financial year, there have been $12.3 million in commercial approvals, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Glen Waverley - East maintains similar construction rates per person, supporting market stability aligned with regional patterns. New development consists of 80% detached houses and 20% attached dwellings, preserving the area's suburban nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

With approximately 184 people per approval, Glen Waverley - East reflects a low-density area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Glen Waverley - East is projected to add 3,732 residents by 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Glen Waverley - East has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 27 projects that may affect the region. Notable developments include the 855-869 Ferntree Gully Road Townhouse project, the 15-17 Marriott Parade Townhouse development, Glen Waverley SRL Precinct Development, and the 281 Springvale Road Glen Waverley project. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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Glen Waverley - East ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Glen Waverley - East has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate is 2.1%, lower than Greater Melbourne's 4.8%. Over the past year, estimated employment growth was 4.2%.

As of December 2025, 11,572 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.7% and workforce participation at 61.9%. Notably, 37.6% of residents work from home. Key industries include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and retail trade. The area specializes in professional & technical jobs, with a share 1.2 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction is under-represented at 6.5%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 9.7%. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment increased by 4.2% while labour force grew by 4.7%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. National employment forecasts from May-25 suggest Glen Waverley - East's employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

The Glen Waverley - East SA2 had median taxpayer income of $47,174 and average income of $68,446 in financial year 2023. This was approximately national average, differing from Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164. By March 2026, estimated incomes were around $51,712 (median) and $75,031 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023. As per the 2021 Census, household income ranked at the 62nd percentile ($1,949 weekly), with personal income at the 28th percentile. The predominant income cohort was 28.6% of locals (6,530 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, similar to surrounding regions at 32.8%. High earning households, exceeding $3,000 weekly, constituted 30.2%, indicating strong consumer spending. Income was heavily impacted by housing costs (15.4%), yet disposable income remained at the 63rd percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 8th decile.

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

Glen Waverley - East's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 89.5% houses and 10.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Glen Waverley - East stood at 46.3%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.6% and rented ones at 23.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,600, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in the area was $500, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Glen Waverley - East's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,600 against Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 79.7% of all households, including 43.2% couples with children, 25.3% couples without children, and 10.3% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 20.3%, comprising 17.4% lone person households and 2.9% group households. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than Greater Melbourne's average of 2.6.

Educational achievement in Glen Waverley - East places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Educational attainment in Glen Waverley - East is notably high, with 47.9% of residents aged 15 years and over holding university qualifications. This compares favourably to the broader SA4 region at 29.8% and Australia's average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 29.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (15.2%) and graduate diplomas (3.4%). Vocational pathways account for 19.9% of qualifications among those aged 15 years and over, with advanced diplomas at 10.9% and certificates at 9.0%.

Educational participation is high, with 32.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.4% in primary education, 9.0% in secondary education, and 8.2% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Glen Waverley - East has 82 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 28 different routes that together facilitate 3,892 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically living within 243 meters of the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to its predominantly residential nature. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation at 83%, while trains account for 9%. On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling in the area, higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a significant proportion of residents, specifically 37.6%, work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages 556 trips per day, equating to approximately 47 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Health outcomes data shows excellent results for Glen Waverley - East, with AreaSearch's assessment indicating very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups and a leading rate of private health cover at approximately 53% of the total population (around 12,170 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 56.7%. The most prevalent medical conditions were arthritis and asthma, affecting 6.1 and 5.5% of residents respectively, while 75.4% reported being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne.

Glen Waverley - East has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 21.4%, with around 4,879 people, compared to Greater Melbourne's 15.0%. While health outcomes among seniors are strong, they rank lower nationally than those of the broader population.

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

Glen Waverley - East has one of the highest levels of cultural diversity in Australia, with 60.3% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 58.6% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Glen Waverley - East, making up 36.3% of the population. However, Buddhism is notably overrepresented, comprising 9.6%, compared to Greater Melbourne's average of 4.2%.

In terms of ancestry, Chinese is the most represented group at 32.1%, significantly higher than the regional average of 6.5%. English ancestry makes up 13.5% of Glen Waverley - East's population, lower than the regional average of 20.1%. Other ancestry comprises 13.4%. There are significant differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups: Sri Lankan at 2.5%, compared to 0.8% regionally; Indian at 8.0%, compared to 4.2%; and Korean at 1.4%, compared to 0.3%.

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

The median age in Glen Waverley - East is 42 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and Australia's average of 38 years. The 75-84 age group makes up 8.1% of the population, a stronger representation compared to Greater Melbourne. Meanwhile, the 25-34 cohort is less prevalent at 10.9%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 25 to 34 age group has increased from 10.0% to 10.9%, while the 65 to 74 cohort has decreased from 10.5% to 9.5%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes for Glen Waverley - East. The 85+ group is projected to grow by 84%, reaching 1,615 people from the current 876. Conversely, the 5-14 cohort is forecasted to decline by 76 people.