Highett (East) - Cheltenham

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

Highett (East) - Cheltenham's population was around 26,400 as of May 2026. This reflected an increase of 2,315 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 24,085. The change was inferred from ABS estimates and validated new addresses. The population density was 3,020 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile nationally. Highett (East) - Cheltenham's growth of 9.6% since the 2021 Census exceeded its SA3 area and SA4 region. Overseas migration contributed approximately 73.4% of overall population gains recently.

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 utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted employing weighted aggregation methods. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on latest annual ERP population numbers, Highett (East) - Cheltenham is projected to grow by 5,022 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 18.7% over the 16-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Highett (East) - Cheltenham among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Highett East - Cheltenham has received approximately 202 residential property approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 1,011 homes. As of FY-26, 89 approvals have been recorded. The average population increase per dwelling built in the area between FY-21 and FY-25 was 1.3 people per year, indicating a balanced supply and demand ratio. The average construction cost value for new homes is $306,000, aligning with regional trends.

This financial year has seen $47.8 million in commercial approvals registered, reflecting high local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Highett East - Cheltenham has recorded 50% more new home approvals per capita. The development activity is currently focused on townhouses or apartments (81%), with standalone homes comprising only 19%. This shift towards higher-density living caters to downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers, offering more affordable entry points. The current housing mix stands at 54% houses, indicating a significant change in development patterns due to reduced availability of sites and evolving lifestyle demands. The area has approximately 245 people per dwelling approval, suggesting potential for further growth.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Highett East - Cheltenham is projected to grow by 4,942 residents by 2041. With current development patterns, new housing supply should meet demand, providing favourable conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond projections.

Highett (East) - Cheltenham has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 44thth percentile nationally

AreaSearch has identified 18 projects that could impact the area's performance. Key projects include Sanctuary Sandringham, Suburban Rail Loop East - Cheltenham Station, Cheltenham Precinct Structure Plan - Suburban Rail Loop East, and Cycle Sandringham Infrastructure. The following list details those likely to be 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.

AreaSearch analysis reveals Highett (East) - Cheltenham recording weaker employment conditions than most comparable areas nationwide

Highett East - Cheltenham has an educated workforce with professional services well-represented. Its unemployment rate was 6.0% in the past year, showing relative stability. As of December 2025, 13,944 residents were employed, with an unemployment rate of 7.0%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 4.8%.

Workforce participation was lower at 67.5% versus Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. Census data showed 38.6% of residents worked from home in Highett East - Cheltenham, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Key industries for employment were health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and retail trade. Finance & insurance had notable concentration, with employment levels at 1.3 times the regional average.

Conversely, transport, postal & warehousing showed lower representation at 3.4% versus the regional average of 5.2%. Many residents commuted elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between December 2024 and December 2025, Highett East - Cheltenham's labour force decreased by 0.3%, with employment declining by the same percentage, keeping unemployment largely unchanged at 6.0%. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment growth of 2.4% and labour force growth of 2.8%, with unemployment rising to 5.1%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, published in May-25, project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Highett East - Cheltenham's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 13.9% 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

Highett (East) - Cheltenham SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $64,228 and an average level of $80,527 in the financial year 2023. These figures are significantly higher than national averages of $57,688 and $75,164 respectively for Greater Melbourne. Based on a Wage Price Index growth rate of 9.62% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of March 2026 would be approximately $70,407 (median) and $88,274 (average). According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Highett (East) - Cheltenham cluster around the 63rd percentile nationally. Income distribution shows that 30.2% of the population falls within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, which is similar to regional levels where 32.8% occupy this range. Housing costs consume 16.6% of income in the area, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 56th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Highett (East) - Cheltenham displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Highett (East) - Cheltenham's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 54.2% houses and 45.8% other dwellings. This compares to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Highett (East) - Cheltenham was at 33.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 37.8% and rented ones at 28.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, exceeding Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in the area was $421, higher than Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Highett (East) - Cheltenham's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,167 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Highett (East) - Cheltenham features high concentrations of lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households are the majority, making up 66.7% of all households. They include couples with children at 30.5%, couples without children at 24.4%, and single parent families at 10.6%. Non-family households constitute the remaining 33.3%, with lone person households at 30.7% and group households at 2.7%. The median household size is 2.3 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Highett (East) - Cheltenham shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

In Highett (East), 37.9% of residents aged 15 years and above hold university degrees, compared to the SA4 regional average of 46.0%. This indicates potential for educational development in the area. Bachelor degrees are most common at 25.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 9.2% and graduate diplomas at 3.5%. Vocational credentials are also prevalent among residents, with 28.8% holding such qualifications.

Advanced diplomas account for 12.3%, while certificates make up 16.5%. Educational participation is high in Highett (East), with 27.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.7% in primary education, 6.7% in secondary education, and 5.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

The analysis of public transport in Highett (East) - Cheltenham reveals that there are 118 active transport stops operating within the area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 27 individual routes providing 6,161 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 193 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward using various modes of transportation. Cars remain the dominant mode at 84%, while train usage accounts for 7%. The average vehicle ownership per dwelling is 1.1, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a high proportion of residents, specifically 38.6%, work from home, which may reflect the COVID-19 conditions during that period. The service frequency averages 880 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 52 weekly trips per individual stop. A map accompanies this analysis, showing the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

The level of general health in Highett (East) - Cheltenham is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Highett East - Cheltenham shows better-than-average health outcomes, as assessed by AreaSearch using mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The prevalence of common health conditions among the general population is low but higher than the national average for older, at-risk cohorts.

Private health cover is exceptionally high in the area, with approximately 60% of the total population (15,708 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne. The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 7.8 and 7.5% of residents respectively. A majority, 70.0%, report being completely free from medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes for the under-65 population are better than average. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 19.8% (5,216 people), compared to 15.0% in Greater Melbourne, but ranks lower nationally than the broader population.

Highett (East) - Cheltenham 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

Highett East-Cheltenham was found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, with 32.7% of its population born overseas and 26.8% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Highett East-Cheltenham, comprising 46.1% of the population. Judaism is notably overrepresented here compared to Greater Melbourne, making up 1.9% versus 1.0%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (23.2%), Australian (20.1%), and Other (10.7%). There are notable divergences in certain ethnic groups: Russian is overrepresented at 1.3%, Greek at 4.7%, and Polish at 1.2% compared to regional percentages of 0.4%, 2.7%, and 0.8% respectively.

Highett (East) - Cheltenham's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Highett (East) - Cheltenham has a median age of 40, which is higher than Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 and Australia's figure of 38. The 75-84 cohort makes up 7.1% of the local population, compared to the Greater Melbourne average, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 12.2%. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has increased from 9.7% to 10.6%, while the 25-34 cohort has decreased from 13.8% to 12.2%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests significant changes in Highett (East) - Cheltenham's age profile. The 75-84 age group is projected to grow by 1,026 people (55%), from 1,874 to 2,901. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups are expected to account for 52% of total population growth. Meanwhile, the 0-4 and 35-44 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.