Glenroy - West
Statistical Area - sa2

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

As of Aug 2025, Glenroy - West's population is around 9,590. This reflects an increase of 733 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 8,857 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 9,575 in June 2024 and an additional 118 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 3,674 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Glenroy - West's growth rate of 8.3% since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area's growth rate of 7.0%. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 85.6% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 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. Exceptional growth is predicted over the period, with the area expected to expand by 4,907 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, indicating an increase of 51.0% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Glenroy - West among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Glenroy - West has recorded approximately 120 residential properties granted approval annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, showing 601 homes over the past five financial years from FY-20 to FY-25, with no approvals yet in FY-26. On average, 1.7 new residents per year per dwelling constructed were recorded between FY-20 and FY-25, indicating balanced supply and demand. However, this figure increased to 4.8 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting growing popularity and potential supply constraints in the area. New properties are constructed at an average value of $388,000, lower than the regional average, offering more affordable housing options for buyers.

This year, $64,000 in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating minimal commercial development activity. Glenroy - West has similar development levels per person compared to Greater Melbourne, maintaining market balance with the broader area. New development consists of 24.0% detached dwellings and 76.0% medium and high-density housing, marking a significant shift from existing housing patterns (currently 47.0% houses), potentially due to diminishing developable land availability and evolving lifestyle preferences. Glenroy - West reflects a developing area with around 164 people per approval. By 2041, population forecasts indicate Glenroy - West will gain 4,892 residents.

Development appears to be keeping pace with projected growth, though increasing competition among buyers is expected as the population expands.

Glenroy - West has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 21 projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include Glenroy Structure Plan, 71 May Street Townhouses, 60 Daley Street Townhouses, and Glenroy College Modernisation, with the following list detailing those most relevant.

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

The labour market in Glenroy - West shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions

Glenroy-West has an educated workforce with significant representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 3.1%, having grown by 4.5% over the past year as of June 2025.

There are 5,904 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.6% below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation matches Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Key industries employing Glenroy-West residents include health care & social assistance, accommodation & food, and professional & technical services. The area specializes particularly in accommodation & food with an employment share 1.7 times the regional level.

Retail trade is under-represented at 7.6% compared to Greater Melbourne's 9.8%. Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 4.5%, while labour force grew by the same percentage and unemployment remained unchanged. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 3.5%, labour force by 4.0%, with unemployment rising 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 forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Glenroy-West's industry mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.6%% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The area exhibits notably strong income performance, ranking higher than 70% of areas assessed nationally through AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch reported median taxpayer income in Glenroy - West for financial year 2022 was $60,460. Average income stood at $71,260. Both figures exceeded national averages of $54,892 and $73,761 respectively in Greater Melbourne. As of March 2025, estimates suggest median income would be approximately $66,573 and average $78,464, accounting for a 10.11% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. Glenroy - West incomes from the 2021 Census clustered around the 58th percentile nationally. Income distribution showed 34.7% (3,327 people) earned between $1,500 and $2,999, similar to regional levels at 32.8%. Housing costs consumed 16.3% of income, but strong earnings placed disposable income at the 58th percentile nationally. Glenroy - West's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 5th decile.

Glenroy - West displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Dwelling structure in Glenroy West, as per the latest Census, consisted of 47.4% houses and 52.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This is compared to Melbourne metropolitan's 62.8% houses and 37.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Glenroy West was at 25.5%, with the rest mortgaged (34.6%) or rented (39.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,980, below Melbourne metropolitan's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent was recorded at $369, compared to Melbourne metropolitan's $381. Nationally, Glenroy West's mortgage repayments are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are less than the national figure of $375.

Glenroy - West features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 69.3 percent of all households, including 29.3 percent couples with children, 27.2 percent couples without children, and 10.5 percent single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 30.7 percent, with lone person households at 25.8 percent and group households making up 5.0 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.6 people, which aligns with the Greater Melbourne average.

The educational profile of Glenroy - West exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics

Educational attainment in Glenroy-West significantly surpasses broader benchmarks. As of 2016, 40.8% of residents aged 15 years and above hold university qualifications compared to the SA4 region's 27.7% and Australia's 30.4%. This substantial educational advantage positions the area strongly for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 24.8%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.7%) and graduate diplomas (3.3%).

Trade and technical skills also feature prominently, with 27.1% of residents aged 15 years and above holding vocational credentials - advanced diplomas (11.8%) and certificates (15.3%). Educational participation is notably high, with 32.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of 2016. This includes 8.0% in primary education, 7.8% in tertiary education, and 5.2% pursuing secondary education. Educational provision includes Glenroy West Primary School and Penola Catholic College - Glenroy Campus, collectively serving 345 students while Glenroy-West demonstrates typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 1025) with balanced educational opportunities as of 2016. Educational provision follows conventional lines, split between one primary and one secondary institution. Limited local school capacity (3.6 places per 100 residents vs region's 10.0) means many families travel to nearby areas for schooling as of 2016.

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

Public transport analysis shows that Glenroy - West has 23 active transport stops operating within its area. These stops offer a mix of train and bus services. Three individual routes service these stops collectively providing 2,042 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as good with residents typically located about 233 meters from the nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages 291 trips per day across all routes which equates to approximately 88 weekly trips per individual stop.

Glenroy - West's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Glenroy - West residents showed relatively positive health outcomes according to available data. The prevalence of common health conditions was low among the general population but higher than the national average for older and at-risk cohorts.

Private health cover was found to be high, with approximately 55% (around 5,274 people) having it, compared to 52.5% in Greater Melbourne. The most prevalent medical conditions were mental health issues affecting 7.5% of residents and arthritis impacting 6.2%. A total of 74.6% declared no medical ailments, compared to 72.2% across Greater Melbourne. In this area, 12.1% of residents were aged 65 and over (1,165 people), lower than the 14.0% in Greater Melbourne. While health outcomes among seniors require more attention, overall, Glenroy - West presents fewer challenges compared to the broader population.

Glenroy - 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

Glenroy-West has a high level of cultural diversity, with 48.0% of its population born overseas and 50.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Glenroy-West, comprising 38.1% of people. Hinduism is notably overrepresented, making up 17.0% of the population compared to the Greater Melbourne average of 6.2%.

The top three ancestral groups are Other (28.1%), Australian (14.4%), and English (14.2%). Notably, Polish (1.3%) and Maltese (1.7%) groups are overrepresented in Glenroy-West compared to regional averages, while Italian representation is lower at 7.1% versus the regional average of 12.9%.

Glenroy - West's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide

Glenroy-West has a median age of 33, which is younger than Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 and Australia's national median age of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Glenroy-West has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (25.4%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (9.0%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and present, the proportion of residents aged 35 to 44 has increased from 15.5% to 17.1%, while the proportion of those aged 85 and above has decreased from 3.6% to 2.4%. By 2041, Glenroy-West's population is projected to see substantial demographic changes, with the 25-34 age cohort expected to grow by 33%, adding 792 residents to reach a total of 3,225 in this age group.