Meadow Heights
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Meadow Heights' population, as of Aug 2025, is approximately 15,016, showing an increase of 126 people since the 2021 Census which recorded a population of 14,890. This growth is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 14,960 as of June 2024 and 78 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density is 3,243 persons per square kilometer, placing Meadow Heights in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration contributed approximately 70.7% of overall population gains recently. AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 adjusted to SA2 levels for areas not covered by the former data.

Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas from 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Meadow Heights' population is projected to increase by 5,331 persons, a 35.1% rise over 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Meadow Heights, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Meadow Heights has seen approximately 29 new homes approved annually. Development approval data is produced by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on a financial year basis, totalling 148 approvals across the past five financial years from FY-20 to FY-25. As of now, there have been 3 approvals in FY-26. Despite population decline over this period, development activity has been adequate relative to demand, creating a balanced market with good buyer choice.

New homes are being built at an average value of $301,000, under regional levels, suggesting more accessible housing choices for buyers. This financial year has seen $336,000 in commercial development approvals, indicating a predominantly residential focus. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Meadow Heights shows substantially reduced construction activity, with 87.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings, which is also under the national average, suggesting an established area with potential planning limitations. New development consists of 56.0% standalone homes and 44.0% townhouses or apartments, representing a shift from the area's existing housing composition (currently 82.0% houses). This location has approximately 635 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market.

Future projections show Meadow Heights adding 5,275 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Meadow Heights has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

AreaSearch has identified eight projects that could impact the area. Key projects include Redwood Close Reserve Playspace Upgrade, Meadow Heights Shopping Centre Redevelopment, Canadian Court Reserve Playspace Improvements, and 1500 Pascoe Vale Road Business Park. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Employment drivers in Meadow Heights are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Meadow Heights' workforce is skilled with notable representation in the construction sector. The unemployment rate was 17.4% as of June 2025.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 3.1%. As of June 2025, 5,022 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 12.8% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation in Meadow Heights was significantly lower at 43.1%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Leading employment industries among residents included health care & social assistance, construction, and manufacturing.

The area had a particularly notable concentration in transport, postal & warehousing, with employment levels at 2.0 times the regional average. However, professional & technical services were under-represented, with only 4.3% of Meadow Heights' workforce compared to 10.1% in Greater Melbourne. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 3.1% while labour force increased by 4.6%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 1.2 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 3.5%, labour force expand by 4.0%, and unemployment rise by 0.5 percentage points. State-level data from Sep-25 showed Victoria's employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia projected growth of 6.6% over five years and 12.6% over ten years for Meadow Heights, using a simple weighting extrapolation based on its local employment mix.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

Meadow Heights had a median taxpayer income of $38,897 and an average of $45,666 in financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This was below the national average, compared to Greater Melbourne's median income of $54,892 and average income of $73,761 in the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.11% since financial year 2022, estimated incomes as of March 2025 would be approximately $42,829 (median) and $50,283 (average). Census data shows household income ranked at the 18th percentile ($1,274 weekly), with personal income at the 1st percentile. The earnings profile indicates that the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominated with 30.2% of residents (4,534 people), similar to regional levels where 32.8% occupied this range. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 80.7% of income remaining, ranking at the 16th percentile.

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

Meadow Heights' latest Census showed 82.3% houses and 17.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'), compared to Melbourne metro's 87.6% houses and 12.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Meadow Heights was 27.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 40.3% and rented ones at 31.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,460, below Melbourne metro's average of $1,834. Median weekly rent was $346, lower than Melbourne metro's $369. Nationally, Meadow Heights' mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,460 compared to Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were less at $346 compared to the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 82.4% of all households, including 44.3% couples with children, 16.8% couples without children, and 19.5% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 17.6%, with lone person households at 14.8% and group households making up 2.9%. The median household size is 3.3 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 3.2.

Meadow Heights faces educational challenges, with performance metrics placing it in the bottom quartile of areas assessed nationally

The area's university qualification rate is 17.9%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. This represents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Trade and technical skills are prominent, with 26.0% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials – advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (16.6%).

Educational participation is high, with 35.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 11.8% in primary education, 9.5% in secondary education, and 5.6% pursuing tertiary education. The area has two primary schools, Meadow Heights Primary School and Bethal Primary School, serving a total of 651 students. Both schools focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in surrounding areas. Local school capacity is limited, with 4.3 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 17.6, leading many families to travel for schooling.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 63 active transport stops operating within Meadow Heights. These stops are serviced by 7 individual routes, collectively providing 3,058 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 177 meters from the nearest transport stop.

Service frequency averages 436 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 48 weekly trips per individual stop.

Meadow Heights'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

Meadow Heights residents have a relatively low prevalence of common health conditions compared to the general population. However, this figure is higher than the national average for older and at-risk cohorts. Only 47% of Meadow Heights residents have private health cover, lower than Greater Melbourne's 49.1% and the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are asthma (7.2%) and diabetes (6.9%). A total of 71.6% of residents report having no medical ailments, compared to 76.3% in Greater Melbourne. Meadow Heights has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 13.6%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 10.8%. Health outcomes among this age group require more attention than the broader population.

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

Meadow Heights has a culturally diverse population, with 50.0% born overseas and 74.3% speaking a language other than English at home. The dominant religion is Islam, practised by 52.7% of the population, compared to 24.1% in Greater Melbourne. Regarding ancestry, the top groups are Other (50.9%), Australian (11.5%), and English (8.9%).

Notably, Lebanese (8.5%) Vietnamese (3.6%) and Samoan (1.2%) ethnicities are more prevalent in Meadow Heights than regionally.

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

Meadow Heights has a median age of 34 years, which is lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Meadow Heights has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (14.6%) but fewer residents aged 35-44 (12.3%). Between the 2021 Census and the present, the percentage of residents aged 65-74 has increased from 7.4% to 8.3%, while the percentage of those aged 45-54 has decreased from 12.2% to 11.3%. By 2041, Meadow Heights' population is projected to change significantly. The 65-74 age group is expected to grow by 69%, adding 857 residents and reaching a total of 2,104.