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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Melton has an estimated 8,050 residents, up from 7,886 at the 2021 Census — a change of 164 people, or 2.1%. 291 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. That puts 816 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to the analysis conducted by AreaSearch, the population of Melton stands at approximately 8,050 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 164 individuals (2.1%) from the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 7,886 people. This shift is deduced from the ABS estimated resident population of 8,007 as of June 2025 alongside 291 validated new addresses registered since the Census. Such population numbers translate to a density ratio of 816 persons per square kilometer, a figure that aligns closely with the typical averages observed across various areas evaluated by AreaSearch.
The upward population trend was chiefly propelled by overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 86.1% of the total population increase in recent times. AreaSearch relies on projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia for individual SA2 regions, which were published in 2024 utilizing 2022 as the baseline year. For any SA2 localities omitted from this dataset, AreaSearch applies the Regional/LGA projections released by the VIC State Government in 2023, adjusting them via a method that aggregates population growth from the LGA level to the SA2 level using weighted calculations. The age group growth rates derived from these aggregations are also utilized across all locations for the period spanning 2032 to 2041. Looking at future demographic patterns, the area is projected to experience population growth exceeding the national statistical area median, expanding by 1,341 individuals by 2041 based on the most recent annual ERP statistics, which indicates a total increase of 16.1% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
62 new dwellings have been approved in Melton over the past five years, an average of 12 a year. That is 1.6 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 8, well below that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Melton has recorded an average of approximately 12 new dwelling approvals each year, representing a total of 62 homes over the last 5 financial years. Thus far in FY-26, 8 approvals have been registered. Because the population decreased during the preceding period, this rate of development has been relatively sufficient, which is advantageous for purchasers, particularly as new dwellings are being constructed at a mean cost of $283,000—a figure below regional benchmarks—pointing to more affordable housing alternatives. Furthermore, $5.6 million in commercial development approvals have been documented during the current financial year, which highlights the residential nature of the locality.
In comparison to Greater Melbourne, Melton exhibits a major deficit in construction activity (94.0% below the regional average on a per capita basis). This limited volume of new building typically bolsters demand and supports values for established properties. The rate is also below the national average, showcasing the established state of the locality and pointing to possible planning constraints. The mix of new housing projects consists of 33.0% detached houses and 67.0% semi-detached properties or units. This emphasis on higher-density options offers more affordable entry points to the market, catering to downsizers, investors, and first-time buyers. This represents a clear departure from the current housing stock (which consists of 83.0% houses), signaling a dwindling supply of developable land, evolving lifestyle preferences, and a requirement for more varied, economical housing choices. The calculated ratio of 1147 residents for every single dwelling approval underscores the quiet and low-intensity development landscape. Future forecasts indicate that Melton will house an additional 1,298 residents by 2041 (utilizing the most recent quarterly estimate from AreaSearch). If construction remains at its current pace, housing availability may struggle to satisfy the expanding population, potentially intensifying buyer rivalry and driving up property values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Melton
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 6 current infrastructure and development projects inside Melton, worth an estimated $2.92 billion. A further 183 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $81.4 billion. 94 are already under construction and 63 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans communities, precincts & urban renewal, residential development and communities. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Local performance is heavily shaped by developments in regional infrastructure, major construction works, and municipal planning strategies. AreaSearch has tracked a total of 15 projects that are anticipated to influence the area. Key infrastructure works include the Melton Line Upgrade and Level Crossing Removals, the Melton Line Upgrade & Cobblebank Stabling Yard, the Melton Suburban Revitalisation project, and the Stockland Atherstone development, with the following list detailing the most significant initiatives.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Melton Line Upgrade & Cobblebank Stabling Yard
A $650 million upgrade to the Melton Line to enable 9-car VLocity trains, increasing peak capacity by 50%. The project includes extending platforms at Cobblebank, Rockbank, Caroline Springs, and Deer Park stations, and constructing a new 6-train stabling yard at Cobblebank. It is integrated with the removal of four level crossings (Exford, Ferris, Coburns, and Hopkins roads) and a new four-platform Melton Station. Recent 2026 updates confirm construction is underway on the stabling yard and platform extensions at Rockbank and Cobblebank are slated for late 2026.A further $152.7 million was committed in May 2026 to begin planning for future electrification.
Melton Line Upgrade and Level Crossing Removals
A major Victorian Government rail program that combines the removal of four level crossings in Melton and Truganina (Coburns Road, Exford Road, Ferris Road and Hopkins Road) with a wider upgrade of the Melton Line. New rail bridges will carry trains over Coburns and Exford roads, while new road bridges will be built over the rail line at Ferris Road and Hopkins Road, with shared walking and cycling paths. A new elevated Melton Station with four platforms will be built to suit longer 9-car VLocity trains and accommodate Ballarat services, with an accessible pedestrian link, lifts, a relocated bus interchange, pick-up and drop-off zones, an air-conditioned waiting room and staffed ticket office.A new train stabling yard is also being built at Cobblebank near Abey Road, around 700 metres east of the new Melton Station, to house the new fleet and be future-proofed for electrification. Once complete, the upgrade is expected to lift peak passenger capacity on the line by about 50 per cent and remove boom gates from the section, easing congestion for around 73,000 vehicles a day. All four level crossings are due to be gone and the new Melton Station open in 2026, two years ahead of the original schedule, with longer 9-car VLocity trains running on the line from 2027.
Melton Level Crossing Removal Project
Removal of four dangerous level crossings at Coburns, Exford, and Ferris roads in Melton, and Hopkins Road in Truganina. The project includes building an elevated rail bridge over Coburns and Exford roads, and new road bridges over the rail line at Ferris and Hopkins roads. A new, modern, and accessible Melton Station is being constructed with four platforms to accommodate future nine-car VLocity trains as part of the Melton Line Upgrade.
Melton East Precinct Structure Plan
The Melton East Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) is a significant masterplanned development spanning 1,005 hectares within Melbourne's western growth corridor. Facilitated by Amendment C244melt, the project is designed to support approximately 12,900 to 14,000 new homes for over 40,000 residents. Key features include two neighbourhood activity centres, 53 hectares of open space, and dedicated conservation areas for the Growling Grass Frog along Kororoit Creek. As of early 2026, the project has progressed through the Standing Advisory Committee (SAC) review and is finalising land valuations and infrastructure contribution plans for ministerial approval.
Melton Town Centre Revitalisation Projects
Victorian Government Suburban Revitalisation program delivered with Melton City Council to renew Melton Town Centre through a long-term revitalisation plan, shopfront improvement grants, public realm and active transport works, outdoor dining areas, trader support, events and activations, branding, buy-local campaigns and the Civic Heart Kid Zone. Council adopted the Melton Town Centre Revitalisation Plan in April 2024, with the funded project program scheduled from July 2021 to January 2026.
Outlook Ride Estate
A premium residential land estate offering generously sized allotments ranging from 2004 to 2323 square meters in the peaceful suburb of Kurunjang. The development features approximately 20 large blocks suitable for custom home construction, with some lots offering picturesque views of Little Blind Creek and Reserve. Located 44km northwest of Melbourne CBD with excellent access to schools, shopping centers including Woodgrove Shopping Centre, and transport via Western Freeway and Melton Train Station.
Silverdale Estate
Established residential estate in Brookfield (City of Melton) featuring contemporary homes, local parks and access to Western Freeway and public transport. Current community advocacy focuses on a freeway sound wall between the Western Freeway and the estate.
Little Creek Estate
A boutique house-and-land community delivering 106 homes across roughly 12 hectares in Kurunjang, within the City of Melton. The estate sits on Minns Road and features titled and settled lots across streets including Claudia Crescent, Norwood Avenue and Kinane Street, with land releases continuing into 2026 (Stage 12 titling April 2026, Stage 15 currently selling). Lots range from around 300sqm to over 600sqm, with house and land packages available through builders such as Mimosa Homes, Homebuyers Centre and Metricon.Sales and enquiries are handled by Oliver Hume.
3,062 residents of Melton are employed, from a labour force of 3,612. Unemployment sits at 15.2%, with participation at 54.8%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.0% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 9,271, about 115% of the resident population, so the area draws in more workers than it sends out. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Melton possesses a diverse labor force that includes both white-collar and blue-collar workers, with the construction industry showing substantial representation. The area has an unemployment rate of 15.2% and experienced an estimated employment expansion of 0.8% over the preceding year. As of March 2026, there are 3,062 employed residents, while the unemployment rate is 10.5% higher than the Greater Melbourne average of 4.8%, highlighting potential areas for labor market progress. Labor force participation is also notably lower (54.8% compared to 70.2% in Greater Melbourne). Census returns indicate that a moderate 14.3% of the working population performed their duties from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 containment measures.
The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. The locality exhibits a particularly high concentration of workers in transport, postal & warehousing, with employment proportions standing at 2.2 times the regional average. Conversely, the professional & technical services sector is underrepresented, employing just 3.2% of the workforce in Melton compared to 10.1% across Greater Melbourne. The ratio of 0.8 workers for every resident at the time of the Census indicates a availability of local jobs that exceeds typical benchmarks. An analysis by AreaSearch using SALM and ABS statistics shows that during the 12 months ending March 2026, employment grew by 0.8% while the labor force expanded by 1.9%, leading to a 0.9 percentage point rise in the unemployment rate. This contrasts with Greater Melbourne, where employment rose by 2.1%, the workforce grew by 2.3%, and unemployment ticked up by 0.2 percentage points. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia published in May-25 provide additional context regarding future demand trends in Melton. These five-year and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future growth. Nationally, employment is predicted to rise by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though these growth trajectories vary widely by industry. Weighting these sectoral forecasts against Melton's specific workforce distribution suggests local employment could expand by 6.0% over five years and 12.6% over ten years (note that this is a basic weighted projection for visualization and does not incorporate local population forecasts).
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Melton is $1,061 a week (about $55,000 a year), with median personal income at $538 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $41,300 a year against an average of $46,819. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
The Melton SA2 recorded a median taxpayer income of $41,300 and an average of $46,819 based on the most recent postcode ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year. These figures sit below the national average and contrast with Greater Melbourne's median taxpayer income of $57,688 and average of $75,164. Adjusting for Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since the 2023 financial year, current values are estimated to be roughly $45,273 (median) and $51,323 (average) as of March 2026. According to Census data, household, family, and individual incomes in Melton are positioned between the 5th and 6th percentiles on a national scale.
The income distribution is dominated by the $800 - 1,499 range, which accounts for 30.0% of the population (2,415 people), differing from metropolitan averages where the $1,500 - 2,999 cohort is largest at 32.8%. Pressures related to housing costs are significant, with residents retaining only 81.1% of their income, placing the area in the 5th percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Melton had 2,994 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 83% detached houses and 0% apartments. 31% are owned with a mortgage, 36% rented and 33% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $300 a week and the median mortgage repayment $1,300 a month. Rent absorbs 28.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 28.3%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
At the time of the latest Census, the housing stock in Melton was composed of 83.2% detached houses and 16.8% other dwelling types (including semi-detached properties, units, and alternative structures), compared to metropolitan Melbourne where detached houses make up 67.9% and other structures account for 32.1%. The rate of home ownership in Melton stood above the Melbourne metropolitan average at 33.2%, with the remaining properties being purchased under a mortgage (31.0%) or occupied by tenants (35.8%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was recorded at $1,300, which is below the Melbourne metropolitan average of $2,000, while the median weekly rental cost was $300, compared to $390 in the wider metropolitan area.
Nationally, Melton's mortgage costs are lower than the Australian median of $1,863, and rents are below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Melton counted 2,994 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.4 people each. 24% are couples with children, fewer than in 75% of areas nationally, against 21% couples without children. 33% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family units constitute the majority of households at 63.9%, which includes 23.5% couples raising children, 21.1% couples without children, and 17.5% single-parent households. Non-family households comprise the remaining 36.1% of the total, with lone person households representing 33.1% and group households making up 3.0%. The median household size of 2.4 residents is slightly smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
13.0% of adults in Melton hold a university qualification, including 9.0% with a bachelor degree and 2.2% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 28.7% hold a vocational qualification. 5 schools serve the area, with 1,071 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 984 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
The locality displays low levels of tertiary education, with university graduation rates (13.0%) sitting below the Greater Melbourne average of 37.0%. This situation presents both a developmental challenge and an opening for targeted educational programs. Bachelor degrees represent the most common higher qualification at 9.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees (2.2%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational and technical training is prominent, with 38.7% of residents aged 15 and over possessing vocational credentials, split between advanced diplomas (10.0%) and certificate qualifications (28.7%). The level of educational engagement is high, with 30.2% of the local population currently undertaking formal studies.
This total is comprised of 11.5% in primary schools, 7.9% in secondary schools, and 3.4% enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Melton reaches 59 stops on 11 routes, timetabled for about 2,500 services a week. The typical home sits about 230 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.1 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport infrastructure includes 59 active passenger transit stops in Melton, consisting of bus services. These locations are connected by 11 routes, which combine to support 2,461 passenger journeys every week. Transit accessibility is classified as good, with residents living an average of 226 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the residential nature of the suburb, most working residents travel out of the area, with private cars being the primary mode of travel at 88%, followed by trains at 5%. Vehicle ownership stands at an average of 1.1 cars per household, which is below the metropolitan average.
Approximately 14.3% of the workforce worked from home, according to 2021 Census data, which may reflect pandemic-related restrictions. Service frequency across the transit network averages 351 trips daily, which equates to roughly 41 weekly trips for each transit stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
58.4% of residents in Melton report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 94% of areas nationally. 10.4% need daily assistance with core activities, and 45.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.7 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Significant health concerns are apparent in Melton, as shown by AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality patterns and the occurrence of long-term health issues, which have notable consequences for both younger and older demographics. The rate of private health insurance is exceptionally low at roughly 46% of the population (~3,694 people). This is lower than the 56.7% rate observed across Greater Melbourne and the national average of 55.7%. The most prevalent health issues recorded among local residents are mental health conditions and arthritis, which affect 11.2% and 10.1% of the population, respectively.
Meanwhile, 58.4% of residents reported having no chronic health issues, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. The working-age cohort exhibits elevated rates of chronic illnesses. Residents aged 65 and over make up 22.7% of the population (1,823 people), which is higher than the Greater Melbourne proportion of 15.0%. Senior health outcomes present challenges, with national rankings aligning generally with the broader population trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
29.9% of Melton residents were born overseas and 24.9% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (23.8%) and English (23.7%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Melton exhibits a higher degree of cultural diversity than most property markets, with 29.9% of the population born outside of Australia and 24.9% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, accounting for 50.8% of the community. However, the most pronounced divergence is in the Other category, which represents 1.6% of the population compared to 2.3% in Greater Melbourne. Regarding parent birthplaces, the three largest ancestral groups identified in Melton are Australian, accounting for 23.8% of the population (above the regional average of 18.4%), English at 23.7%, and Other at 12.5%.
There are also distinct concentrations of other ethnic heritages: Maltese heritage is overrepresented at 4.2% of the population (compared to 1.1% regionally), Serbian heritage at 0.8% (compared to 0.4%), and Samoan heritage at 1.1% (compared to 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Melton is 39. 23.7% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age of 39 in Melton is slightly above the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and close to the national average of 38. Compared to metropolitan Melbourne, the 65 - 74 age bracket is overrepresented at 11.8% of the population, while the 25 - 34 bracket is underrepresented at 11.7%. Since the 2021 Census, the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 6.1% to 8.8% of the population. Conversely, the 25 to 34 cohort has contracted from 13.6% to 11.7%, and the 0 to 4 group has declined from 6.4% to 5.3%.
Demographic projections for 2041 forecast changes in the local age profile. Leading these changes, the 75 to 84 group is projected to expand by 46% (representing 322 individuals), rising from 706 to 1,029. This aging trend is further reflected by the fact that residents aged 65 and older are expected to make up 54% of the projected population growth. In contrast, the 5 to 14 and 0 to 4 cohorts are projected to see reductions in their numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Melton
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | May 2026 3 months ago all 6 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated May 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 291 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (7,886 at the 2021 Census → 8,050 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (213041577). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.