Hawthorn East
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Hawthorn East's population was around 17,531 as of November 2025. Between the 2021 Census and this date, there was an increase of 1,847 people (11.8%), from a population of 15,684 in 2021. This growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 17,318 by June 2024 and the addition of 178 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 4,589 persons per square kilometer, placing Hawthorn East in the top 10% nationally according to AreaSearch's assessments. The area's growth rate exceeded both its SA3 area (6.9%) and SA4 region during this period. Overseas migration contributed approximately 90.7% of overall population gains recently, with all demographic drivers being positive factors.

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 Victorian Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusting using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Based on these trends, Hawthorn East is projected to have an above median population growth nationally, with an expected increase of 2,474 persons by 2041, representing a total gain of 12.9% over the 17-year period.

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

Hawthorn East has seen approximately 62 new homes approved annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25311 homes were approved, with an additional 53 approved so far in FY-26. On average, 1.8 people moved to the area per dwelling built over these five years, indicating balanced supply and demand. However, recent data shows this ratio has intensified to 17.7 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting growing popularity and potential undersupply.

New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $739,000, reflecting a focus on the premium market by developers. This year alone, $45.3 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating strong local business investment. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Hawthorn East has around two-thirds the rate of new dwelling approvals per person and ranks among the 33rd percentile nationally, resulting in relatively limited buyer choice and supporting interest in existing dwellings. Building activity shows a skew towards compact living, with 44.0% detached houses and 56.0% medium to high-density housing, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers.

With around 518 people per dwelling approval, Hawthorn East demonstrates a developed market. Population forecasts indicate the area will gain approximately 2,261 residents by 2041. Building activity appears to be keeping pace with growth projections, though heightened competition among buyers is expected as the population grows.

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

The performance of an area can significantly influenced by changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 31 projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable projects include Eastern Freeway Upgrades from Bulleen to Springvale Road, Camberwell Junction Activity Centre Development, Camberwell House, and Hawthorn East Retarding Basin Upgrade. The following list details those projects likely to be most relevant.

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

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Employment conditions in Hawthorn East demonstrate exceptional strength compared to most Australian markets

Hawthorn East has a highly educated workforce with professional services being prominently represented. The unemployment rate in the area was 2.7% as of June 2025, which is below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 3.7%. As of June 2025, 11,108 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.9% lower than Greater Melbourne's and a workforce participation rate of 69.9%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. The leading employment industries among residents are professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Hawthorn East has a particularly notable concentration in professional & technical services, with employment levels at 1.8 times the regional average.

Conversely, construction shows lower representation at 5.6% compared to the regional average of 9.7%. The ratio of 0.7 workers for each resident indicates a level of local employment opportunities above the norm. Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data during the year to June 2025, employment levels increased by 3.7% and labour force increased by 2.9%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 3.5% and labour force growth of 4.0%, with a rise in unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest that national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Hawthorn East's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.4% over five years and 14.8% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that income in Hawthorn East is exceptionally high nationally. The median assessed income is $68,757 while the average income stands at $116,319. This contrasts with Greater Melbourne's figures of a median income of $54,892 and an average income of $73,761. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Hawthorn East would be approximately $77,118 (median) and $130,463 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Hawthorn East rank highly nationally, between the 80th and 92nd percentiles. Income analysis reveals that the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band captures 29.8% of the community (5,224 individuals), aligning with the surrounding region where this cohort likewise represents 32.8%. A significant 38.0% earn above $3,000 weekly. Housing accounts for 15.1% of income while strong earnings rank residents within the 80th percentile for disposable income and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

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

In Hawthorn East, as per the latest Census data, houses accounted for 32.0% and other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings) made up 68.0%, contrasting with Melbourne metro's 55.5% houses and 44.5% other dwellings. Home ownership in Hawthorn East stood at 29.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 28.8% and rented ones at 41.4%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,492, lower than Melbourne metro's average of $3,000, while the median weekly rent was $411 compared to Melbourne metro's $451. Nationally, Hawthorn East's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,492 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were also higher at $411 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 59.9% of all households, including 25.3% couples with children, 26.6% couples without children, and 6.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 40.1%, with lone person households at 33.5% and group households making up 6.5%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.5.

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

Educational attainment in Hawthorn East is significantly higher than broader benchmarks. As of the latest data, 61.2% of residents aged 15 years and over hold university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 33.4% in Victoria. This educational advantage is led by bachelor degrees at 37.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 18.3% and graduate diplomas at 5.3%. Vocational pathways account for 17.0% of qualifications among those aged 15 years and over, with advanced diplomas at 9.2% and certificates at 7.8%.

Educational participation is notably high, with 30.3% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.4% in tertiary education, 7.8% in primary education, and 7.1% pursuing secondary education. As of the latest enrollment figures, Hawthorn East's five schools have a combined total of 2,797 students. The area demonstrates exceptional educational performance, with an ICSEA score of 1153, placing local schools among the most advantaged nationally. The educational mix in Hawthorn East includes two primary schools, two secondary schools, and one K-12 school.

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

Hawthorn East has 41 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops serve a mix of train, light rail, and bus services. There are 7 individual routes in total, which collectively facilitate 3,657 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of these transport services is rated as good, with residents typically located approximately 220 meters from the nearest stop. On average, there are 522 trips per day across all routes, resulting in about 89 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Hawthorn East demonstrates excellent health outcomes across all age groups, with a very low prevalence of common health conditions. The private health cover rate is exceptionally high at approximately 79% of the total population (13,831 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 7.9% and 7.6% of residents respectively. A total of 73.3% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, slightly lower than Greater Melbourne's 73.8%. Hawthorn East has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 15.6% (2,743 people) compared to Greater Melbourne's 19.4%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are strong and broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

Hawthorn 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

Hawthorn East, surveyed in 2016, had 32.0% of its population born overseas and 25.3% speaking a language other than English at home, indicating higher cultural diversity compared to most local markets. Christianity was the predominant religion, with 38.2%. Judaism, however, was overrepresented at 2.3%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 0.9%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (22.8%), Australian (18.8%), and Chinese (9.9%). Notable divergences included French at 0.8% (vs regional 0.6%), Greek at 2.5% (vs 3.4%), and Sri Lankan at 0.5% (vs 0.7%).

Hawthorn East's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Hawthorn East's median age is 36 years, nearly matching Greater Melbourne's average of 37, which is slightly below Australia's median age of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Hawthorn East has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (21.2%) 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 now, the proportion of residents aged 15-24 has increased from 13.2% to 15.3%, while those aged 25-34 have risen from 20.1% to 21.2%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 45-54 has decreased from 12.6% to 11.0%, and those aged 5-14 have dropped from 10.5% to 9.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Hawthorn East's age profile will change significantly. The 65-74 age group is projected to grow by 36%, adding 484 residents to reach a total of 1,817. Residents aged 65 and above are expected to drive 56% of population growth, reflecting broader demographic aging trends. Conversely, the 5-14 and 15-24 age groups are projected to experience population declines.