Lilydale - Coldstream

Lilydale - Coldstream has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Lilydale - Coldstream's population, as of February 2026, is approximately 20,855, reflecting a growth of 1,256 people since the 2021 Census. This increase corresponds to a 6.4% rise from the previous population count of 19,599. The estimated resident population in June 2024 was 20,533, with an additional 543 validated new addresses added since the Census date contributing to this growth. This results in a population density ratio of 190 persons per square kilometer, indicating significant space per person and potential for further development. The area's 6.4% growth rate exceeded both its SA3 area (4.0%) and SA4 region, positioning it as a regional growth leader. Natural growth contributed approximately 52.8% of the overall population gains during recent periods.

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 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 the years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, Lilydale - Coldstream is projected to expand by 3,923 persons, reflecting a total increase of 17.3% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Lilydale - Coldstream among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Lilydale - Coldstream has averaged approximately 165 new dwelling approvals per year. Between FY-21 and FY-25, a total of 828 homes were approved, with an additional 71 approved in FY-26 so far. Over these five years, on average, only 0.8 people moved to the area for each dwelling built, indicating that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand.

The average construction cost value of new homes was $337,000. In FY-26, commercial development approvals have reached $58.7 million, demonstrating strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Lilydale - Coldstream has 111.0% more construction activity per person. New development consists of 57.0% detached houses and 43.0% attached dwellings, offering a blend of housing types across various price ranges. This shift from the area's existing housing composition (currently 82.0% houses) suggests decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles requiring more diverse housing options.

With around 118 people per dwelling approval, Lilydale - Coldstream is characterized as a low density area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, the area is projected to gain 3,601 residents by 2041. Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Lilydale - Coldstream has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 36thth percentile nationally

The performance of an area can significantly be influenced by changes in local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified a total of 41 such projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable projects include Lilydale Structure Plan Implementation, Chapel Street Lilydale Drainage Improvements, Kinley Estate (formerly Lilydale Quarry), and Lilydale Food Waste to Energy Project. The following list details those projects 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.

The labour market in Lilydale - Coldstream demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

Lilydale - Coldstream has a skilled workforce with the construction sector being notably represented. The unemployment rate was 3.6% in September 2025, which is below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 1.5%.

As of September 2025, 11,184 residents were employed with a workforce participation rate of 67.5%, slightly below Greater Melbourne's 71.0%. According to Census responses, 24.5% of residents worked from home. Leading employment industries among residents include construction, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. The area has a particularly high concentration in construction, with employment levels at 1.7 times the regional average.

In contrast, professional & technical services employ only 6.3% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 10.1%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census working population to local population counts. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 1.5%, labour force increased by 1.0%, resulting in a decrease in unemployment of 0.5 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Lilydale - Coldstream's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.0% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not account for localised population projections.

The economic profile demonstrates above-average performance, with income metrics exceeding national benchmarks based on AreaSearch comparative assessment

Lilydale - Coldstream SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $57,815 and an average income of $70,130 in the financial year 2023, according to AreaSearch's aggregation of postcode level ATO data. This is slightly above the national average for that year. Greater Melbourne's median income was $57,688 with an average income of $75,164 during the same period. By September 2025, estimated incomes based on Wage Price Index growth would be approximately $62,585 (median) and $75,916 (average). The 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and personal incomes in Lilydale - Coldstream are around the 50th percentile nationally. Most residents, 34.1% or 7,111 people, fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, similar to regional levels at 32.8%. Housing costs consume 15.6% of income in the area, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 53rd percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 5th decile.

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

The dwelling structure in Lilydale - Coldstream, as per the latest Census, consisted of 81.9% houses and 18.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. The home ownership level in Lilydale - Coldstream was higher than that of Melbourne metro at 34.5%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (46.5%) or rented (18.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,950, lower than the Melbourne metro average of $2,000. Meanwhile, the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $369, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Lilydale - Coldstream's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower than the national figure of $375.

Lilydale - Coldstream has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 73.8% of all households, including 33.7% couples with children, 28.1% couples without children, and 11.1% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 26.2%, with lone person households at 24.1% and group households comprising 2.1%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which aligns with the Greater Melbourne average.

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

The area's university qualification rate is 20.4%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 14.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.5%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 40.2% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (12.2%) and certificates (28.0%). Educational participation is high, with 26.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 8.9% in primary education, 7.9% in secondary education, and 3.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Lilydale - Coldstream has 103 active public transport stops operating, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 21 different routes that collectively facilitate 5,584 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is deemed good, with residents typically residing 305 meters from the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential region, most inhabitants commute outward, primarily by car (92%). On average, there are 1.7 vehicles per dwelling, exceeding the regional norm. According to the 2021 Census, 24.5% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions.

The daily service frequency averages 797 trips across all routes, translating to approximately 54 weekly trips per individual stop. A map accompanies this data, depicting the 100 nearest stops to the area's central location.

Lilydale - Coldstream's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low across both younger and older age cohorts

Lilydale - Coldstream residents have health outcomes that align closely with national benchmarks according to AreaSearch's analysis of mortality rates and health conditions. The prevalence of common health issues is low across both younger and older age groups.

Approximately 54% (~11,240 people) of the total population has private health cover, slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 56.7%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area, affecting 9.3 and 9.0% of residents respectively. About 65.6% of residents report being free from medical ailments compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Working-age residents show a higher-than-average prevalence of chronic health conditions. The area has a larger proportion of seniors, with 20.4% (4,260 people) aged 65 and over compared to Greater Melbourne's 15.1%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average and align broadly with national rankings for the general population.

Lilydale - Coldstream ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Lilydale-Coldstream, as of the 2016 Census, had a cultural diversity score below average. 82.8% of its population was born in Australia, with 90.8% being Australian citizens and 92.1% speaking English at home exclusively. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 46.5% of the population.

However, Judaism was overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to Greater Melbourne's average of 1.0%. In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (31.3%), Australian (28.3%), and Scottish (7.6%). Notably, Dutch ancestry was overrepresented at 3.1% compared to the regional average of 1.2%, while Hungarian was at 0.4% versus 0.3%, and Italian was slightly higher than the regional average at 5.1%.

Lilydale - Coldstream's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Lilydale - Coldstream has a median age of 40, which is slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 and Australia's median age of 38. The 75-84 age group is notably over-represented in Lilydale - Coldstream at 7.8%, compared to the Greater Melbourne average, while those aged 25-34 are under-represented at 12.8%. Between 2021 and present, the 75-84 age group has grown from 6.0% to 7.8% of the population. Conversely, the 45-54 age cohort has declined from 13.6% to 12.4%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Lilydale - Coldstream's age profile will significantly evolve. The 75-84 age cohort is projected to expand by 720 people (45%), growing from 1,618 to 2,339. Meanwhile, the 0-4 age group is expected to grow by a modest 5%, adding 59 people.