Kingsbury

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

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Kingsbury's population is around 12,617 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 2,209 people (21.2%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 10,408 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 12,508 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 51 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 1,400 persons per square kilometer, which is above the average seen across national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Kingsbury's 21.2% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the national average (9.9%) and the SA3 area, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, which was essentially the sole driver of 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. Considering the projected demographic shifts, exceptional growth, placing it in the top 10 percent of national areas, is predicted over the period, with the area expected to expand by 8,292 persons by 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 64.9% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Kingsbury among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Kingsbury has averaged around 47 new dwelling approvals per year, totalling 239 homes over the past 5 financial years. So far in FY-26, 6 approvals have been recorded. With an average of 3 new residents per dwelling over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), indicating healthy demand that should support property values, new homes are being built at an average construction cost of $405,000. There have also been $22.8 million in commercial approvals this financial year, indicating steady commercial investment activity.

Compared to Greater Melbourne, Kingsbury records about 57% of the building activity per person and ranks in the 60th percentile of areas assessed nationally. New building activity consists of 9.0% detached dwellings and 91.0% townhouses or apartments. This skew toward compact living offers affordable entry pathways and attracts downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This represents a considerable change from the current housing mix (currently 60.0% houses), reflecting reduced availability of development sites and addressing shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. The location has approximately 295 people per dwelling approval, indicating room for growth.

Looking ahead, Kingsbury is expected to grow by 8,183 residents through to 2041 (based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Kingsbury has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 41stth percentile nationally

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total, 28 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include Hilton Garden Inn Bundoora, La Trobe University City of the Future, RMIT University Bundoora Campus Developments, and 149 McKimmies Road Residential Precinct, 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.

AreaSearch analysis places Kingsbury well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Kingsbury has a highly educated workforce, with essential services sectors well represented, an unemployment rate of just 2.6%, and 1.7% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 7,704 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 2.2% below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%, and workforce participation is broadly similar to Greater Melbourne's 71.3%. Based on Census responses, a high 29.0% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

The key industries of employment among residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and education & training. The area shows particularly strong specialization in accommodation & food, with an employment share of 1.3 times the regional level. Meanwhile, construction has a limited presence with 8.4% employment compared to 9.7% regionally. The ratio of 0.6 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, the 12-month period saw employment increasing by 1.7% alongside the labour force increasing by 1.5%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.1 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 2.4%, labour force growth of 2.8%, with unemployment rising 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Kingsbury. 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 Kingsbury's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for FY-23, the Kingsbury SA2's median income among taxpayers is $54,231, with an average of $66,592. This is slightly lower than average on a national basis, and compares to Greater Melbourne's median of $57,688 and average of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $58,705 (median) and $72,086 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household income ranks at the 48th percentile ($1,727 weekly), while personal income sits at the 26th percentile. Income analysis reveals the predominant cohort spans 30.4% of locals (3,835 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, reflecting patterns seen in the surrounding region where 32.8% similarly occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 83.8% of income remaining, ranking at the 49th percentile, and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

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

Dwelling structure within Kingsbury, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 59.9% houses and 40.1% 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 Kingsbury was in line with that of Melbourne metro, at 32.0%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (31.5%) or rented (36.4%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was in line with the Melbourne metro average at $2,000, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $369, compared to Melbourne metro's $2,000 and $390. Nationally, Kingsbury's mortgage repayments are higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are less than the national figure of $375.

Kingsbury features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households dominate at 67.7% of all households, comprising 32.3% couples with children, 24.6% couples without children, and 9.1% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 32.3%, with lone person households at 24.3% and group households comprising 7.8% of the total. The median household size of 2.6 people matches the Greater Melbourne average.

Educational attainment in Kingsbury aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's educational profile stands out regionally, with university qualification rates (40.4% of residents aged 15+) exceeding the Australian average of 30.4% and that of the SA4 region (32.8%), reflecting the community's emphasis on higher education. Bachelor degrees lead at 24.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (13.1%) and graduate diplomas (3.0%). Vocational pathways account for 23.4% of qualifications among those aged 15+ – advanced diplomas (10.7%) and certificates (12.7%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 35.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 16.0% in tertiary education, 7.0% in secondary education, and 6.3% 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 68 active transport stops operating within Kingsbury, comprising a mix of light rail and buses. These stops are serviced by 12 individual routes, collectively providing 6,332 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility 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 car remains the dominant mode at 80%, with 7% by train. Vehicle ownership averages 1.3 per dwelling. A high 29.0% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 904 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 93 weekly trips per individual stop.

Kingsbury's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Health data indicates relatively positive outcomes for Kingsbury residents, with AreaSearch's analysis of mortality rates and health conditions showing results broadly in line with national benchmarks. The prevalence of common health conditions is quite low among the general population, though higher than the national average across older, at-risk cohorts. The rate of private health cover slightly lags that of the average SA2 area at approximately 52% of the total population (~6,573 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne.

The most common medical conditions in the area were found to be mental health issues and asthma, impacting 7.4% and 6.7% of residents, respectively, while 73.7% 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 12.9% of residents aged 65 and over (1,631 people), which is lower than the 15.1% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors present some challenges, though ranking lower nationally than the broader population.

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

Kingsbury scores highly on cultural diversity, with 43.6% of its population born overseas and 44.7% speaking a language other than English at home. The main religion in Kingsbury is Christianity, which makes up 45.8% of the population. However, the most apparent overrepresentation is in Buddhism, which comprises 5.2% of the population, compared to 4.2% across Greater Melbourne.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Kingsbury are English, comprising 15.4% of the population, Australian, comprising 14.6% of the population, and Other, comprising 13.8% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Macedonian is notably overrepresented at 2.4% of Kingsbury (vs 0.7% regionally), Italian at 9.2% (vs 5.2%) and Sri Lankan at 1.1% (vs 0.8%).

Kingsbury hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

At 32 years, Kingsbury's median age is materially younger than the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and also significantly lower than the 38-year national average. Relative to Greater Melbourne, Kingsbury has a higher concentration of 15 - 24 residents (26.7%) but fewer 35 - 44 year-olds (9.8%). This 15 - 24 concentration is well above the national 12.5%. Post-2021 Census data shows younger residents have shifted the median age down by 2.2 years to 32. Key changes show the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 20.1% to 26.7% of the population, while the 25 to 34 cohort increased from 18.1% to 20.1%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 13.6% to 10.0% and the 35 to 44 group dropped from 11.1% to 9.8%. Demographic modeling suggests Kingsbury's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 25 to 34 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 73%, adding 1,834 residents to reach 4,364.