Heathcote

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

Heathcote's population, as of November 2025, is approximately 5,722 people. This figure represents a growth of 660 individuals since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 5,062. The increase was inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 5,329 in June 2024 and an additional 115 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 7.6 persons per square kilometer. Heathcote's growth rate of 13.0% since the 2021 census exceeds that of its SA3 area (6.7%) and SA4 region, indicating it as a growth leader. Interstate migration contributed approximately 94.8% to overall population gains 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, it utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Heathcote is projected to experience a significant population increase of 1,803 persons, reflecting a total gain of 24.6% over the 17-year period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Heathcote when compared nationally

Heathcote has received approximately 42 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 210 homes. As of FY-26, 18 approvals have been recorded. Each new dwelling has averaged around 2.6 new residents annually between FY-21 and FY-25. The average construction cost value for these dwellings is $321,000.

In the current financial year, $4.5 million in commercial approvals have been registered. Compared to the rest of Victoria, Heathcote has shown moderately higher building activity, with 25.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years. This has preserved reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand.

However, development activity has moderated in recent periods. All new construction consists of standalone homes, preserving Heathcote's low-density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 206 people per dwelling approval, Heathcote exhibits characteristics of a growth area. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Heathcote is projected to grow by 1,410 residents by 2041. Construction pace has been reasonable with projected growth, but buyers may face increasing competition as population increases.

Heathcote has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 34thth percentile nationally

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified four projects that are expected to impact the area. Among these key projects are Heathcote Community Hub Redevelopment, Heathcote Boutique Lots (SIG Group), Axedale Solar Farm, and Strathfieldsaye Growth Area. The following list provides details on 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 drivers in Heathcote are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Heathcote has a diverse workforce with both white and blue collar jobs, prominently featuring manufacturing and industrial sectors. The unemployment rate was 5.2% in September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 1.4% over the previous year. As of that date, 2,222 residents were employed, but the unemployment rate was higher than Rest of Vic.'s rate at 3.8%.

Workforce participation lagged behind Rest of Vic., with 51.8% compared to 61.4%. According to Census responses, 18.3% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdown impacts. Key employment industries included health care & social assistance, construction, and manufacturing, with a notable specialization in mining at 7.4 times the regional level. However, education & training had limited presence at 6.5%, compared to the regional average of 9.1%.

Analysis of SALM and ABS data over the year to September 2025 showed employment increased by 1.4% while labour force grew by 2.6%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 1.1 percentage points. This contrasted with Rest of Vic., where employment contracted slightly, and unemployment rose marginally. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Heathcote's employment mix suggests local employment could increase by 5.8% over five years and 12.6% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The area's income levels rank in the lower 15% nationally based on AreaSearch comparative data

The Heathcote SA2's income level is lower than average on a national basis according to the latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The Heathcote SA2's median income among taxpayers is $48,644 and the average income stands at $59,717. These figures compare to those of Rest of Vic., which are $50,954 (median) and $62,728 (average). Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Heathcote would be approximately $52,657 (median) and $64,644 (average) as of September 2025. According to the 2021 Census figures, household, family, and personal incomes in Heathcote all fall between the 7th and 8th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that the $400 - 799 earnings band captures 28.1% of the community (1,607 individuals), contrasting with regional levels where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 30.3%. While housing costs are modest with 86.8% of income retained, the total disposable income ranks at just the 11th percentile nationally.

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

Heathcote's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 96.4% houses and 3.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Non-Metro Vic.'s 90.1% houses and 9.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Heathcote stood at 51.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 35.8% and rented ones at 12.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,387, lower than Non-Metro Vic.'s average of $1,430. Weekly rent in Heathcote was recorded at $260, compared to Non-Metro Vic.'s $285. Nationally, Heathcote's mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Heathcote features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 64.1% of all households, including 20.5% couples with children, 34.3% couples without children, and 7.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 35.9%, with lone person households at 32.4% and group households comprising 3.4%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Rest of Vic. average of 2.4.

Heathcote shows below-average educational performance compared to national benchmarks, though pockets of achievement exist

The area's university qualification rate is 17.2%, significantly lower than Victoria's average of 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 11.2%, followed by graduate diplomas (3.2%) and postgraduate qualifications (2.8%). Vocational credentials are held by 42.5% of residents aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas at 11.5% and certificates at 31.0%. Educational participation is high, with 25.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 10.5% in primary education, 6.9% in secondary education, and 2.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Heathcote has 13 active public transport stops serviced by 4 routes offering 77 weekly passenger trips. Residents are typically 1982 meters from the nearest stop. Most commute outward, with car being dominant at 95%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.7 per dwelling. In 2021 Census data, 18.3% of residents worked from home. Service frequency averages 11 trips daily across all routes, or about 5 weekly trips per stop.

Service frequency averages 11 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 5 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Heathcote is lower than average with prevalence of common health conditions notable across both younger and older age cohorts

Heathcote faces significant health challenges as assessed by AreaSearch. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are notable across both younger and older age cohorts.

Private health cover is very low at approximately 49% of the total population (~2,798 people), compared to the national average of 55.7%. The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 14.7 and 9.7% of residents respectively. Conversely, 55.4% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 63.4% across Rest of Vic.. The working-age population faces notable health challenges with elevated chronic condition rates. The area has 28.6% of residents aged 65 and over (1,634 people), higher than the 23.5% in Rest of Vic.. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, with national rankings broadly in line with the general population.

Heathcote is considerably less culturally diverse than average when assessed alongside AreaSearch's national rankings for language and cultural background related metrics

Heathcote's cultural diversity was found to be below average, with 86.0% of its population being Australian citizens, born in Australia on 88.0% of occasions, and speaking English only at home on 96.6% of instances. Christianity was the predominant religion in Heathcote, accounting for 49.5% of people, compared to 47.3% across Rest of Vic.. The top three ancestry groups were English (32.0%), Australian (30.2%), and Irish (11.6%).

Notably, Scottish representation was higher at 9.4%, Maltese at 0.7%, and German at 3.7%, compared to regional averages of 8.8%, 0.5%, and 3.5% respectively.

Heathcote ranks among the oldest 10% of areas nationwide

The median age in Heathcote is 52 years, which is significantly higher than the Rest of Vic.'s average of 43 and well above the national norm of 38. Compared to the Rest of Vic., the 55-64 cohort is notably over-represented in Heathcote at 17.4%, while the 15-24 age group is under-represented at 7.5%. The 55-64 concentration in Heathcote is well above the national average of 11.2%. Between 2021 and present, the 35 to 44 age group has grown from 9.2% to 11.2% of the population, while the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 13.7% to 12.1%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Heathcote, with the 35 to 44 age group projected to grow by 45%, adding 285 residents to reach 928. Conversely, numbers in the 55 to 64 age range are expected to fall by 15%.