Kew - West

Kew - West is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends

Kew-West's population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, is approximately 14,185 by November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 1,146 people, marking an 8.8% rise since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 13,039. The change is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 13,675 in June 2024 and an additional 261 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,284 persons per square kilometer, higher than the average across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Kew-West's growth rate of 8.8% since the 2021 census surpassed the SA3 area's 7.3%, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Overseas migration was the primary driver behind this population growth.

AreaSearch is employing ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch uses VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to these projections, Kew-West's overall population is expected to decline by 11 persons by 2041. However, specific age cohorts are anticipated to grow, notably the 75 to 84 age group, projected to increase by 372 people over this period.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Kew - West when compared nationally

Kew-West has averaged approximately 89 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 445 homes. As of FY26, 33 approvals have been recorded so far. The area's population decline suggests that new supply is likely meeting demand, providing good choice for buyers. New properties are constructed at an average value of $841,000, indicating a focus on the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

In FY26, $1.9 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, suggesting minimal commercial development activity. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Kew-West has experienced elevated construction rates, with 20.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years. This has preserved reasonable buyer options while sustaining existing property demand. New development consists of 17.0% standalone homes and 83.0% townhouses or apartments, offering affordable entry pathways for downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This represents a shift from the area's current housing composition, which is 49.0% houses.

With around 134 people per dwelling approval, Kew-West exhibits characteristics of a growth area. However, with population projections showing stability or decline, reduced housing demand pressures are expected in the future, benefiting potential buyers.

Kew - West has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 65 projects that could impact this region. Notable projects include Kew Recreation Centre Redevelopment, Kew Library Upgrade, YarraBend, and Montview, as detailed below for 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.

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

Kew-West has an educated workforce with professional services well-represented. The unemployment rate was 2.8% in September 2025, lower than Greater Melbourne's 4.7%. Employment grew by 3.5% over the past year.

Of residents, 8,029 were employed and workforce participation was similar to Greater Melbourne's 71.0%. Home workership was high at 44.9%, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Dominant sectors include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and retail trade. Professional & technical jobs are particularly strong, with an employment share of 1.5 times the regional level.

Construction is under-represented, at 6.2% compared to Greater Melbourne's 9.7%. Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by Census data comparison. Between September 2024 and 2025, employment levels increased by 3.5%, labour force grew by 2.6%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 3.0% while unemployment rose slightly. National employment forecasts from May-25 project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Kew-West's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.5% over five years and 15.1% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

The median taxpayer income in Kew - West SA2 is $66,719, with an average of $129,482, according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This places it among the top percentile nationally. In contrast, Greater Melbourne's median income is $57,688 and its average income is $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Kew - West SA2 would be approximately $72,223 (median) and $140,164 (average) as of September 2025. According to Census 2021 income data, household, family, and personal incomes in Kew - West SA2 all rank highly nationally, between the 87th and 89th percentiles. The earnings profile shows that 31.4% of residents earn $4,000 or more weekly (4,454 residents), differing from patterns across the surrounding region where $1,500 - 2,999 dominates with 32.8%. A substantial presence of higher earners is indicated by the fact that 42.8% exceed $3,000 weekly, suggesting strong purchasing power within the community. Housing accounts for 14.4% of income, and residents rank highly in disposable income at the 89th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Kew - West displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Kew-West had 49.1% houses and 50.9% other dwellings in the latest Census, compared to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Kew-West was 37.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.3% and rented dwellings at 32.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $3,000, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in Kew-West was $456, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Kew-West's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $3,000 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Kew - West features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 67.7% of all households, including 32.3% couples with children, 25.0% couples without children, and 8.8% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 32.3%, with lone person households at 26.8% and group households comprising 5.6%. The median household size is 2.5 people, smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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

Educational attainment in Kew-West significantly surpasses broader benchmarks. As of 2016, 56.2% of residents aged 15 years and above held university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and Victoria's 33.4%. This substantial educational advantage positions the area strongly for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees were the most common at 34.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 16.6% and graduate diplomas at 4.7%.

Vocational pathways accounted for 17.4% of qualifications among those aged 15 years and above - advanced diplomas at 9.4% and certificates at 8.0%. Educational participation was notably high, with 30.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of 2016. This included 8.8% in tertiary education, 8.7% in secondary education, and 8.0% pursuing primary education.

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

The public transport analysis indicates that there are 51 active transport stops operating within the Kew - West area. These stops consist of a mix of light rail and bus services, which are serviced by 17 individual routes. Collectively, these routes provide 5,801 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport in this area is rated as good, with residents typically located 214 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. The dominant mode of transportation for these residents is by car at 78%, with walking accounting for 6% and bus travel at 5%.

On average, there are 1.2 vehicles per dwelling in this area. According to the 2021 Census, a high percentage of residents work from home, with 44.9% doing so (this may reflect COVID-19 conditions). The service frequency averages 828 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 113 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Kew - West is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Kew-West demonstrates above-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both young and old age cohorts have a low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 80% of the total population (11,404 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne and the national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, impacting 7.5% and 7.2% of residents respectively. Seventy-two point three percent of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 19.6% of residents aged 65 and over (2,776 people), higher than the 14.9% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

Kew - West 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

Kew-West, surveyed between June 2016 to May 2021, had a population where 32.0% were born overseas and 28.2% spoke languages other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 44.3%. Judaism, at 1.0%, was similarly represented compared to Greater Melbourne.

The top three ancestry groups were English (20.9%), Australian (17.5%), and Chinese (11.9%), which was higher than the regional average of 6.5%. Notably, Polish (1.1%) and Greek (4.0%) populations were overrepresented compared to regional averages of 0.8% and 2.7%, respectively. Italian population at 5.8% was slightly higher than the regional average of 5.2%.

Kew - West's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Kew-West's median age is 41 years, significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and slightly above Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Kew-West has a notably higher proportion of the 65-74 age group (10.2%) and a lower proportion of the 35-44 age group (12.3%). According to the 2021 Census, the 15-24 age group grew from 12.6% to 14.8%, while the 5-14 cohort declined from 11.2% to 9.8%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Kew-West's age profile will change significantly. The 75-84 age group is projected to grow by 28%, adding 260 residents to reach 1,192. This growth is part of a broader trend of demographic aging, with residents aged 65 and older representing all anticipated population growth. Conversely, population declines are projected for the 45-54 and 0-4 age groups.