Lalor - East
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Lalor - East's population is approximately 10,243 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 296 people from the 2021 Census total of 9,947. The growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 10,202 in June 2024 and an additional 67 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 3,085 persons per square kilometer, placing Lalor - East in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 82.9% of overall population gains during recent periods.

For projections, AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia data released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch employs 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 years 2032 to 2041. Based on these projections, Lalor - East is forecasted to experience a significant population increase in the top quartile of Australian statistical areas, with an expected growth of 3,789 persons by 2041, marking a total gain of 36.5% over the 17-year period.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Lalor - East according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Lalor - East has seen approximately 35 new homes approved annually. Over the past five financial years from FY21 to FY25, around 175 homes were approved, with a further 5 approved in FY26 so far. Despite population decline during this period, development activity has been adequate relative to population changes, which may benefit buyers.

The average construction value of new properties is $337,000. In FY26, commercial approvals totalled $278,000, indicating the area's residential focus. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Lalor - East has significantly reduced construction levels, 76.0% below the regional average per person, which typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes. This is also below national averages, suggesting mature planning constraints. New building activity comprises 43.0% detached houses and 57.0% townhouses or apartments, differing from current housing patterns (83.0% houses), indicating evolving lifestyle preferences and affordability needs. With around 281 people per dwelling approval, Lalor - East exhibits low-density characteristics. Future projections estimate an increase of 3,741 residents by 2041.

If development rates remain constant, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Lalor - East has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 14 projects that could impact the area. Notable ones are 2 David Street Apartments, Partridge Recreation Reserve Synthetic Soccer Pitch, Lalor Recreation Reserve Master Plan, and Melbourne Wholesale Markets. The following list details those 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 assessment indicates Lalor - East faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets

Lalor - East has a skilled workforce with strong representation in manufacturing and industrial sectors. Its unemployment rate was 7.3% over the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 2.6%.

As of June 2025, 4,447 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.7%, which is higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation in Lalor - East lags at 50.0% compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, retail trade, and manufacturing, with a particularly strong specialization in manufacturing, at 1.5 times the regional level. However, professional & technical services are under-represented, with only 4.8% of Lalor - East's workforce compared to Greater Melbourne's 10.1%.

Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 2.6%, while labour force grew by 1.4%, leading to a fall in unemployment rate by 1.1 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 3.5% and unemployment rise by 0.5%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Lalor - East's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.0%% over five years and 12.8% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income figures position the area below 75% of locations analysed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 30, 2022 shows that Lalor - East had a median income of $46,257 and an average income of $53,307. This is lower than the national averages of $54,892 (median) and $73,761 (average). In Greater Melbourne, the median income was $54,892 with an average income of $73,761. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% from July 1, 2022 to September 2025, current estimates for Lalor - East would be approximately $51,882 (median) and $59,789 (average). According to the Census conducted on August 10, 2021, household, family and personal incomes in Lalor - East all fall between the 5th and 15th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that 29.6% of locals (3,031 people) earn between $1,500 and $2,999 per week, reflecting a pattern seen across the region where 32.8% similarly occupy this income range. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Lalor - East, with only 82.4% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 14th percentile nationally.

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

Lalor - East's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, comprised 82.9% houses and 17.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Melbourne metro's 82.9% houses and 17.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Lalor - East was 40.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 25.0% and rented ones at 34.0%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,663, below Melbourne metro's average of $1,900. Median weekly rent in Lalor - East was $350, compared to Melbourne metro's $371. Nationally, Lalor - East's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 70.7% of all households, including 30.7% couples with children, 23.4% couples without children, and 14.4% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 29.3%, with lone person households at 24.9% and group households comprising 4.5%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.9.

Educational outcomes in Lalor - East fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment

The area's university qualification rate is 21.4%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 13.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (6.0%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 27.9% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificates (17.9%). Educational participation is high at 28.6%, comprising 8.3% in primary education, 6.5% in secondary education, and 5.3% in tertiary education.

Lalor - East's four schools have a combined enrollment of 1,972 students, with typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 994) and balanced educational opportunities. The area has three primary and one secondary school serving distinct age groups, with school capacity exceeding residential needs (19.3 places per 100 residents vs regional average of 13.1), indicating it serves as an educational hub for the broader region.

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

Lalor - East has 41 operational public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by four distinct routes, together facilitating 3,562 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents generally situated within a 200-meter radius of the nearest stop.

On average, there are 508 trips daily across all routes, translating to around 86 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Lalor - East is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a slightly higher degree among older age cohorts

Lalor East faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent among its residents. Older age cohorts experience these conditions to a slightly higher degree. Private health cover is low at approximately 47% of the total population, which consists of about 4,783 people.

This compares to 49.8% across Greater Melbourne and 55.3% nationally. The most common medical conditions are arthritis and mental health issues, affecting 8.8 and 7.3% of residents respectively. About 69.0% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 74.0% in Greater Melbourne. Lalor East has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 20.8%, compared to 13.2% in Greater Melbourne. This age group faces specific health challenges that require more attention than the broader population.

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

Lalor-East has one of the highest levels of cultural diversity in Australia, with 52.8% of its population born overseas and 65.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Lalor-East, comprising 48.8% of the population. Islam is notably overrepresented, making up 14.3%, compared to Greater Melbourne's average of 9.1%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are 'Other' (22.6%), Australian (11.0%), and English (10.9%). Notably, Macedonian (6.2%) is overrepresented compared to the regional average of 4.6%, as are Greek (7.5% vs 4.1%) and Italian (10.0% vs 9.6%).

Lalor - East's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Lalor-East is 38 years, closely matching Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Lalor-East has a higher proportion of residents aged 75-84 (7.8%) but fewer individuals aged 5-14 (9.4%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the population aged 85 and above has increased from 2.9% to 3.6%. Conversely, the proportion of those aged 5-14 has decreased from 10.4% to 9.4%. By 2041, Lalor-East's age composition is projected to change significantly. Notably, the 45-54 age group is expected to grow by 57%, reaching 1,827 people from its current size of 1,164.