Meadow Heights

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 is approximately 15,012 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 122 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 14,890. The change is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 14,960 in June 2024 and 77 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 3,242 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 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 utilises 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. By 2041, Meadow Heights is projected to have a population increase of 5,331 persons based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 35.2% over the 17-year period.

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 31 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 158 homes. As of FY-26, 18 approvals have been recorded. The average construction cost value for new properties is $227,000, which is below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options for buyers. In FY-26, $336,000 in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating minimal commercial development activity.

Compared to Greater Melbourne, Meadow Heights records significantly lower building activity, 84.0% below the regional average per person, which generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties. This activity is also below national averages, reflecting the area's maturity and possible planning constraints. New development consists of 56.0% standalone homes and 44.0% townhouses or apartments, indicating a shift from the existing housing composition (currently 82.0% houses). The location has approximately 635 people per dwelling approval, demonstrating an established market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Meadow Heights is projected to add 5,279 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Future projections show Meadow Heights adding 5,279 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Meadow Heights has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 32ndth percentile nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch identified eight projects potentially impacting the area. Notable projects include Meadow Heights Shopping Centre Redevelopment, Canadian Court Reserve Playspace Improvements, Redwood Close Reserve Playspace Upgrade, and 1500 Pascoe Vale Road Business Park. 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.

Employment conditions in Meadow Heights face significant challenges, ranking among the bottom 10% of areas assessed nationally

Meadow Heights had an unemployment rate of 17.5% in the past year with estimated employment growth of 1%. As of September 2025, 4882 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 12.8% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%.

Workforce participation lagged significantly at 43.1%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Leading employment industries included health care & social assistance, construction, and manufacturing. Transport, postal & warehousing had notable concentration with employment levels at 2 times the regional average. Professional & technical services were under-represented at 4.3% compared to Greater Melbourne's 10.1%.

Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 1%, while labour force rose by 1.7%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.5 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 3.0%, labour force expand by 3.3%, and unemployment rise by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data from November 25 showed Victorian employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%. National employment forecasts predicted a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Meadow Heights's employment mix suggested local employment should increase by 5.9% over five years and 12.6% over ten years.

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

The Meadow Heights SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $38,897 and an average of $45,666 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This was below the national average, contrasting with 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 12.16% since financial year 2022, estimates for September 2025 would be approximately $43,627 (median) and $51,219 (average). Census data revealed household income ranked at the 18th percentile ($1,274 weekly), while personal income sat at the 1st percentile. The earnings profile showed that 30.2% of residents (4,533 people) fell within the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket, reflecting patterns seen at regional levels where 32.8% similarly 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' dwellings, as per the latest Census, consisted of 82.3% houses and 17.7% other types (semi-detached, apartments, 'other'). This compares to Melbourne metro's 87.6% houses and 12.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Meadow Heights was at 27.9%, with mortgaged dwellings at 40.3% and rented ones at 31.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,460, below Melbourne's average of $1,834. Median weekly rent was $346, lower than Melbourne's $369. Nationally, Meadow Heights' mortgage repayments were significantly lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 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 make up the remaining 17.6%, consisting of 14.8% lone person households and 2.9% group households. The median household size is 3.3 people, which is 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%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 12.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 26.0% of residents aged 15 and above holding them, including advanced diplomas (9.4%) and certificates (16.6%). Educational participation is high, with 35.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes primary education (11.8%), secondary education (9.5%), and tertiary education (5.6%).

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

The analysis of public transport in Meadow Heights indicates there are 63 active transport stops currently operating. These stops facilitate a variety of bus routes, with a total of 7 individual routes servicing the area. The combined weekly passenger trips facilitated by these routes amount to 3,058.

The accessibility of transport within Meadow Heights is rated as excellent, with residents typically residing approximately 177 meters from their nearest transport stop. On average, service frequency across all routes is 436 trips per day, which equates to around 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 show relatively positive health outcomes, with low prevalence of common conditions among the general population, albeit higher than national averages in older, at-risk cohorts. Private health cover is extremely low, at approximately 47% (6,995 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 49.1%. Nationally, it stands at 55.3%.

The most prevalent conditions are asthma and diabetes, affecting 7.2% and 6.9% respectively. 71.6% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 76.3% in Greater Melbourne. The area has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 13.6% (2,046 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 10.8%. Health outcomes among seniors 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 predominant religion is Islam, comprising 52.7% of Meadow Heights' population, compared to 24.1% in Greater Melbourne. In terms of ancestry, the top groups are Other (50.9%), Australian (11.5%), and English (8.9%).

Notably, Lebanese (8.5%) and Vietnamese (3.6%) are overrepresented compared to regional averages of 4.2% and 0.9%, respectively. Samoan representation is slightly higher at 1.2%.

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 and Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Meadow Heights has a higher percentage of residents aged 5-14 (14.6%) but fewer residents aged 35-44 (12.3%). Between the 2021 Census and the present, the proportion 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, population forecasts suggest significant demographic changes in Meadow Heights, with the 65-74 age group projected to grow by 69%, adding 858 residents to reach a total of 2,104.