Keysborough - South

Keysborough - South lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Keysborough - South's population is 17,166 as of May 2026. This shows an increase of 2,073 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 15,093. The growth is inferred from ABS data: 17,132 in June 2025 plus 264 new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 725 persons per square kilometer. Keysborough - South's growth rate of 13.7% since 2021 exceeds both its SA3 area (7.0%) and the state average, indicating it as a growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 63.6% to population gains recently, though all factors including natural growth and interstate migration were positive.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, they use VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted via weighted aggregation to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Keysborough - South is forecasted to grow by 5,362 persons, reflecting a total increase of 30.9% over the 16-year period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Keysborough - South when compared nationally

Keysborough - South has granted around 130 residential property approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 651 homes. As of FY26, 10 approvals have been recorded. On average, 3.9 people move to the area annually for each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25, indicating demand significantly outpaces supply, which typically influences prices upwards and intensifies competition among buyers. The average new home construction cost is $287,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options.

This financial year has seen $1.2 million in commercial approvals registered, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Keysborough - South records 128.0% more new home approvals per person, offering buyers greater choice. However, development activity has moderated recently. New building activity comprises 27.0% standalone homes and 73.0% townhouses or apartments, promoting higher-density living to suit downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This shift contrasts with the current housing mix of 89.0% houses, reflecting reduced development site availability and evolving lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. The area's estimated population per dwelling approval is 1676 people, indicating a quiet, low activity development environment.

By 2041, Keysborough - South is projected to grow by 5313 residents (latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Current construction rates appear balanced with future demand, maintaining steady market conditions without excessive price pressure.

Keysborough - South has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 44thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 20 projects that could impact this region. Notable projects include Perry Road Construction and Widening - Stage 3, Keysborough Gardens Primary School Upgrade and Modernisation, Keysborough South Residential Precinct, and Aspire Keysborough. The following list details those expected 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.

The exceptional employment performance in Keysborough - South places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Keysborough - South has an educated workforce with professional services well-represented. Its unemployment rate was 2.3% in the past year, with estimated employment growth of 4.7%. As of December 2025, 10,162 residents were employed at a 2.5% lower unemployment rate than Greater Melbourne's 4.8%, and workforce participation was 75.9%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%.

Home workership was high at 26.1%. Key industries include manufacturing, health care & social assistance, and retail trade, with notable concentration in manufacturing at 1.9 times the regional average. Education & training showed lower representation at 6.6% versus the regional average of 9.2%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work.

Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 4.7%, labour force by 4.9%, leading to a slight unemployment rise of 0.1 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 2.4% and unemployment rise of 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Keysborough - South's industry mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.1% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, though these are illustrative extrapolations not accounting for localized population projections.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

The Keysborough - South SA2 had an income level below the national average according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Its median income among taxpayers was $53,191 and the average income stood at $62,597. For Greater Melbourne, these figures were $57,688 and $75,164 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Keysborough - South's median income would be approximately $58,308 and average income $68,619 as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household incomes in Keysborough - South ranked at the 90th percentile with weekly earnings of $2,493. The income distribution showed that 37.3% of residents (6,402 people) earned between $1,500 and $2,999 per week, similar to regional levels where 32.8% fell into this bracket. A significant portion, 38.0%, earned over $3,000 weekly, indicating high affluence supporting premium retail and services. High housing costs consumed 17.8% of income, but strong earnings placed disposable income at the 88th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 8th decile.

Keysborough - South is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

Keysborough - South's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, comprised 89.2% houses and 10.8% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasts with Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Keysborough - South stood at 20.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 62.5% and rented ones at 16.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,478, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in Keysborough - South was $520, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Keysborough - South's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $1,863 and rents substantially above the national figure of $375.

Keysborough - South features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 90.2% of all households, including 59.7% couples with children, 18.3% couples without children, and 11.1% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 9.8%, with lone person households at 7.8% and group households making up 2.0%. The median household size is 3.4 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Keysborough - South shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Educational attainment in Keysborough South significantly surpasses broader benchmarks. As of 2016, 37.8% of residents aged 15 years and above held university qualifications, compared to 26.7% in the SA3 area and 29.8% in the SA4 region. This substantial educational advantage positions the area strongly for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees were the most common at 25.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 9.6% and graduate diplomas at 2.7%.

Vocational pathways accounted for 22.4% of qualifications among those aged 15 years and above, with advanced diplomas at 11.1% and certificates at 11.3%. Educational participation was notably high, with 33.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of the 2016 Census. This included 10.9% in primary education, 8.7% in secondary education, and 7.1% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Keysborough - South has 44 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 10 different routes that together facilitate 1,430 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents located an average of 254 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outwards due to the area's predominantly residential nature. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation, used by 92% of residents. On average, there are 2.0 vehicles per dwelling, exceeding the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a high proportion of residents, 26.1%, work from home, which may be partly due to COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 204 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 32 weekly trips per stop.

Keysborough - South's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Keysborough - South. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low across both young and old age cohorts. Private health cover was found to be relatively low at approximately 50% of the total population (~8,651 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne and 55.7% nationally.

The most common medical conditions were asthma and diabetes, impacting 6.0 and 4.2% of residents respectively. 82.2% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. The area has 9.6% of residents aged 65 and over (1,646 people), lower than the 15.0% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors were particularly strong, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.

Keysborough - South is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Keysborough-South is among the most culturally diverse areas in Australia, with 55.2% of its population born overseas and 65.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Keysborough-South, comprising 35.3% of the population. However, Buddhism is significantly overrepresented, making up 18.2%, compared to the Greater Melbourne average of 4.2%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups in Keysborough-South are 'Other', at 26.5% (regional average: 14.6%), Chinese, at 19.4% (regional average: 6.5%), and Australian, at 8.7% (regional average: 18.4%). Notably, Sri Lankan ancestry is overrepresented at 3.2%, Vietnamese at 8.4%, and Serbian at 0.9%.

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

Keysborough - South's median age was 35 years in an unspecified period, younger than Greater Melbourne's 37 and the national average of 38 years. The age group 45-54 had strong representation at 14.9%, higher than Greater Melbourne's percentage, while the 75-84 cohort was less prevalent at 2.5%. Between 2021 and an unspecified later period, the population aged 55 to 64 grew from 9.3% to 10.6%, and those aged 65 to 74 increased from 5.1% to 6.4%. Conversely, the percentage of people aged 0 to 4 declined from 7.3% to 5.5%, and those aged 35 to 44 decreased from 18.3% to 16.8%. Population forecasts for Keysborough - South indicate substantial demographic changes by 2041. The age group 45 to 54 is projected to increase significantly, with an addition of 1,174 people (a 46% rise from 2,554 to 3,729). Meanwhile, the 0 to 4 cohort is expected to grow by a modest 9%, adding 88 people.