Hawthorn - South

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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Hawthorn - South's population is around 14,119 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 2,162 people (18.1%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 11,957 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 13,481 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 459 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 4,384 persons per square kilometer, which lies in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch, making land in the area a highly sought-after resource. Hawthorn - South's 18.1% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA3 area (7.4%) and the national average, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, which contributed approximately 95.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. As we examine future population trends, an above-median population growth of Australian statistical areas is projected, with the area expected to expand by 2,509 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 13.2% in total over the 17 years.

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

Hawthorn - South has experienced around 168 dwellings receiving development approval annually, totalling 840 homes over the past 5 financial years. So far in FY-26, 24 approvals have been recorded. Given population has fallen over the past period, new supply has likely been keeping up with demand, offering good choice to buyers, while new dwellings are developed at an average value of $734,000, revealing that developers are targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties. Additionally, $14.3 million in commercial approvals have been registered this financial year, suggesting balanced commercial development activity.

Compared to Greater Melbourne, Hawthorn - South records 134.0% more construction activity (per person), offering buyers greater choice. This level is significantly above the national average, indicating robust developer interest in the area. Recent construction comprises 5.0% detached houses and 95.0% attached dwellings. This focus on higher-density living creates more affordable entry points and suits downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This represents a notable shift from the area's existing housing (currently 22.0% houses), indicating decreasing availability of developable sites and reflecting changing lifestyles and the need for more diverse, affordable housing options. With around 938 people per dwelling approval, Hawthorn - South reflects a highly mature market.

Population forecasts indicate Hawthorn - South will gain 1,871 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

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

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total, 37 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include the Michael Tuck Stand and Glenferrie Oval Revitalisation, Hawthorn Station Activity Centre Development, Auburn Station Activity Centre Development, and Eastern Freeway Upgrades - Bulleen to Springvale Road, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most relevance.

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 Hawthorn - South has been broadly consistent with national averages

Hawthorn - South possesses a highly educated workforce, with professional services showing strong representation, an unemployment rate of 4.5%, and 1.6% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 9,031 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 0.2% below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%, and workforce participation is well beyond standard (77.4% compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.3%). Based on Census responses, a high 49.8% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

The dominant employment sectors among residents include professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training. The area demonstrates a particularly notable concentration in professional & technical, with employment levels at 1.7 times the regional average. On the other hand, construction is under-represented, with only 5.0% of Hawthorn - South's workforce compared to 9.7% in Greater Melbourne. The ratio of 0.8 workers for each resident, as at the Census, indicates a level of local employment opportunities above the norm.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, over the 12 months to December 2025, employment increased by 1.6% while the labour force increased by 2.5%, resulting in unemployment rising by 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 2.4% and labour force growth of 2.8%, with a 0.3 percentage point rise. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Hawthorn - South. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Hawthorn - South's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.3% over five years and 14.7% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

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

The Hawthorn - South SA2 shows a median taxpayer income of $67,628 and an average of $126,497 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for FY-23. This is among the top percentile nationally, contrasting with Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $73,207 (median) and $136,933 (average) as of September 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, individual earnings stand out at the 91st percentile nationally ($1,207 weekly). Income analysis reveals the predominant cohort spans 32.4% of locals (4,574 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, reflecting patterns seen in the surrounding region where 32.8% similarly occupy this range. The locality demonstrates considerable affluence with 32.0% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. High housing costs consume 15.5% of income, though strong earnings still place disposable income at the 69th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

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

Dwelling structure within Hawthorn - South, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 22.1% houses and 77.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Hawthorn - South lagged that of Melbourne metro, at 25.8%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (25.7%) or rented (48.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was above the Melbourne metro average at $2,100, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $400, compared to Melbourne metro's $2,000 and $390. Nationally, Hawthorn - South's mortgage repayments are significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceed the national figure of $375.

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

Family households dominate at 50.8% of all households, comprising 18.6% couples with children, 25.2% couples without children, and 5.1% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 49.2%, with lone person households at 41.4% and group households comprising 7.8% of the total. The median household size of 2.0 people is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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

Educational attainment in Hawthorn - South significantly surpasses broader benchmarks, with 62.0% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications compared to 30.4% in Australia and 33.4% in VIC. This substantial educational advantage positions the area strongly for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees lead at 37.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (19.3%) and graduate diplomas (5.4%). Vocational pathways account for 16.3% of qualifications among those aged 15+ – advanced diplomas (9.1%) and certificates (7.2%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 31.2% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.7% in tertiary education, 6.7% in secondary education, and 5.6% pursuing primary education.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 48 active transport stops operating within Hawthorn - South, comprising a mix of light rail and buses. These stops are serviced by 9 individual routes, collectively providing 6,846 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 153 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward; the car remains the dominant mode at 60%, with 17% by train and 9% walking. Vehicle ownership averages 0.7 per dwelling, which is below the regional average. A high 49.8% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 978 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 142 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Health outcomes data demonstrates outstanding results across Hawthorn - South, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. There is a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups, and the rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 80% of the total population (11,281 people). This compares to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, impacting 8.7% and 7.8% of residents, respectively, while 73.0% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Working-age residents are notably healthy with low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 15.5% of residents aged 65 and over (2,192 people). Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Hawthorn - South was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Hawthorn - South was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets, with 32.1% of its population born overseas and 24.3% speaking a language other than English at home. The main religion in Hawthorn - South is Christianity, which makes up 37.3% of people. However, the most apparent overrepresentation is in Judaism, which comprises 1.3% of the population, compared to 1.0% across Greater Melbourne.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Hawthorn - South are English, comprising 24.0% of the population, Australian, comprising 18.2% of the population, and Other, comprising 10.0% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Polish is notably overrepresented at 1.0% of Hawthorn - South (vs 0.8% regionally), Sri Lankan at 0.6% (vs 0.8%) and Scottish at 9.0% (vs 5.6%).

Hawthorn - South hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

At 34 years, Hawthorn - South's median age is somewhat lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and similarly considerably younger than Australia's 38 years. Relative to Greater Melbourne, Hawthorn - South has a higher concentration of 25 - 34 residents (23.6%) but fewer 5 - 14 year-olds (6.8%). This 25 - 34 concentration is well above the national 14.4%. Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 15.6% to 19.5% of the population. Conversely, the 35 to 44 cohort has declined from 14.5% to 12.3% and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 7.9% to 6.8%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes for Hawthorn - South. The 25 to 34 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 12%, adding 391 residents to reach 3,717. In contrast, numbers in the 15 to 24 age range are expected to fall by 135.