Glen Waverley - West

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

Glen Waverley - West's population was around 23,461 as of May 2026. This reflected an increase of 2,425 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 21,036. The growth was inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 23,417 in June 2025 and 207 validated new addresses since the Census date. This resulted in a population density ratio of 3,054 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch's assessment. Glen Waverley - West's growth of 11.5% since the 2021 census exceeded both state (9.3%) and national averages, indicating its status as a growth leader regionally. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth in recent periods.

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 weighted aggregation methods. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Based on projected demographic shifts, a significant population increase is forecast, with Glen Waverley - West expected to grow by 5,956 persons to 2041, reflecting a total gain of 25.2% over the 16-year period.

The level of residential development activity in Glen Waverley - West was found to be higher than 90% of real estate markets across the country

Glen Waverley - West has recorded approximately 133 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25, around 665 homes have been approved, with an additional 163 approved so far in FY-26. On average, each dwelling over these years has accommodated approximately 2.8 new residents annually, reflecting robust demand that supports property values.

The average expected construction cost value for new homes is $699,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In terms of commercial approvals this financial year, Glen Waverley - West has seen $26.9 million worth of investments, suggesting steady commercial activity. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Glen Waverley - West demonstrates moderately higher development activity, at 14.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period.

This maintains good buyer choice while supporting existing property values. The new development consists of approximately 59.0% standalone homes and 41.0% attached dwellings, offering a blend of housing types across various price ranges. With around 155 people per dwelling approval, Glen Waverley - West exhibits characteristics of a growth area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, the area is forecasted to gain approximately 5,912 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Glen Waverley - West has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 24 projects potentially affecting the area. Notable ones are Glen Waverley SRL Precinct Development, 281 Springvale Road Glen Waverley Development, Luna Glen Waverley, and 2-4 Kingsway Mixed-Use Development. The following list details those likely 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.

Employment performance in Glen Waverley - West ranks among the strongest 15% of areas evaluated nationally

Glen Waverley - West has an educated workforce with professional services being strongly represented. Its unemployment rate is 2.0%, lower than Greater Melbourne's 4.8%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.5%.

As of December 2025, there are 12,409 residents in work and the unemployment rate is 2.8%. Workforce participation is lower at 64.1% compared to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. A high proportion of residents, 35.4%, work from home. The dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and retail trade.

Specialization in professional & technical services is strong with an employment share 1.3 times the regional level. Conversely, construction shows lower representation at 6.0% compared to the regional average of 9.7%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between December 2024 and 2025, employment levels increased by 4.5% while labour force grew by 4.8%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.2 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 2.4%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Glen Waverley - West's employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.0% over ten years based on industry-specific projections.

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

AreaSearch's data for Glen Waverley - West SA2, financial year 2023, shows median income at $47,982 and average income at $69,618. This is higher than Melbourne's median of $57,688 and average of $75,164. By March 2026, based on a 9.62% Wage Price Index growth, estimated incomes would be approximately $52,598 (median) and $76,315 (average). From the 2021 Census, household income ranks at the 58th percentile ($1,890 weekly), with personal income at the 30th percentile. The dominant income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, with 29.8% of residents (6,991 people). Housing costs consume 16.3% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 58th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking is in the 8th decile.

Glen Waverley - West displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in Glen Waverley - West, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 68.6% houses and 31.3% other dwellings. In comparison, Melbourne metro had 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. The level of home ownership in Glen Waverley - West was 38.8%, with the remainder being mortgaged (28.1%) or rented (33.1%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,400, compared to Melbourne metro's $2,000. The median weekly rent figure was recorded at $462, while Melbourne metro's was $390. Nationally, Glen Waverley - West's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 76.8% of all households, including 41.3% couples with children, 22.9% couples without children, and 11.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 23.2%, with lone person households at 18.9% and group households comprising 4.3%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Glen Waverley - West shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Educational attainment in Glen Waverley - West is notably high, with 49.0% of residents aged 15 years and above holding university qualifications as of the latest data point. This figure surpasses both the SA4 region average of 29.8% and the national average of 30.4%. The area's educational advantage is evident in its high proportion of bachelor degrees (29.7%), postgraduate qualifications (16.1%), and graduate diplomas (3.2%). Vocational pathways are also well-represented, with advanced diplomas accounting for 10.7% and certificates for 8.9%.

Educational participation is notably high in the area, with 33.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of the latest data point. This includes 9.0% in primary education, 9.0% in secondary education, and 8.6% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis shows 94 active transport stops operating within Glen Waverley - West. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totalling 35 individual routes providing 9,301 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents typically located 237 meters from the nearest stop. In this primarily residential area, most commuters travel outward. Car remains the dominant mode at 80%, while 10% use trains. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, a high 35.4% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 1,328 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 98 weekly trips per stop.

Glen Waverley - West's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Glen Waverley - West shows excellent health outcomes based on AreaSearch's analysis of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence, particularly amongst younger cohorts who have a very low prevalence of common health conditions. The area has approximately 54% private health cover, which is higher than the average SA2 area but lower than Greater Melbourne's 56.7%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (5.6%) and asthma (5.0%), with 77.6% of residents reporting no medical ailments, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 18.2%, or 4,260 people, compared to Greater Melbourne's 15.0%. Health outcomes amongst seniors in the area are above average but rank lower nationally than those of the broader population.

Glen Waverley - West 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-West has a population where 66.0% speak languages other than English at home, with 62.9% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion at 31.5%. Buddhism is notably higher at 12.6%, compared to Greater Melbourne's average of 4.2%.

The top three ancestry groups are Chinese (34.1%), Other (14.6%), and English (11.5%). Notably, Sri Lankan ancestry is overrepresented at 2.9% versus the regional average of 0.8%, Indian at 8.7% compared to 4.2%, and Korean at 1.1% versus 0.3%.

Glen Waverley - West's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Glen Waverley - West is 38 years, close to Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and equivalent to Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Glen Waverley - West has a higher proportion of residents aged 15-24 (15.3%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (13.8%). Between the 2021 Census and the present day, the percentage of residents aged 15 to 24 has increased from 13.7% to 15.3%, while the percentage of those aged 55 to 64 has decreased from 11.6% to 9.8%. By the year 2041, Glen Waverley - West's age composition is expected to shift significantly, with the 45-54 age group projected to grow by 35%, reaching 3,941 people from its current total of 2,913.