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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.
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Sales Activity
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
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Population
Melton West lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends
Melton West's population is approximately 22,731 as of May 2026. This figure shows an increase of 1,523 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 21,208. The growth is inferred from ABS estimated resident population data for June 2025 and validated new addresses after the Census date. The population density is around 939 persons per square kilometer, similar to averages across other locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Melton West has shown consistent growth with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%, surpassing Greater Melbourne's growth rate. Natural growth contributed approximately 60.5% of overall population gains recently.
AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024, with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch employs VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using a weighted aggregation method to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on projected demographic shifts, Melton West is forecasted to experience significant population growth, with an expected increase of 8,077 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 35.4% over the 16-year period.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
Recent residential development output has been above average within Melton West when compared nationally
Melton West has received approximately 73 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 367 homes. As of FY26, 44 approvals have been recorded. On average, 4.6 people per year moved to the area for each dwelling built between FY21 and FY25. This high demand coupled with limited supply typically drives price growth and increased buyer competition.
The average construction value of new properties is $207,000, below the regional average, suggesting more affordable housing options. In FY26, $12.3 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating steady commercial investment activity. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Melton West's building activity is 87.0% lower per person, which usually strengthens demand and prices for existing properties. Nationally, the area's activity is also below average, reflecting its maturity and possible planning constraints. New building activity consists of 92.0% standalone homes and 8.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining Melton West's traditional low density character focused on family homes.
The estimated population per dwelling approval is 619 people, indicating a quiet development environment. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Melton West is forecasted to gain 8,056 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition and supporting stronger price growth.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Melton West
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Infrastructure
Melton West has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 29 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives include Hopkins Road Level Crossing Removal in Truganina (commencing 2021), Western Freeway Upgrade from Melton to Caroline Springs (expected completion 2025), Harkness Memorial Park development, and Masjid Tawheed Melton Community Hub construction (both starting late 2022). Below is a list of projects likely most relevant.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Toolern Precinct Structure Plan Refresh (Amendment C232melt)
A refresh of the Toolern Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) and Development Contributions Plan (DCP) covering approximately 2,400 hectares in Melbourne's western growth corridor at Melton. The original PSP was first gazetted in 2010 and is intended to deliver a major new community planned for around 55,000 residents and 30,000 jobs, anchored by the Cobblebank Metropolitan Activity Centre. Amendment C232melt updates the framework to address infrastructure funding gaps, adjusts development contribution rates, and refreshes planning provisions. At the Ordinary Meeting on 23 June 2025, Melton City Council resolved to adopt the amendment and submit it to the Minister for Planning. As of early 2026, the amendment remains with the Minister for final approval.
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.
Western Freeway Upgrade (Melton to Caroline Springs)
Major upgrade of a 17km section of the Western Freeway to an urban freeway standard, improving safety, access, and capacity for a projected 113,000 daily vehicles by 2031. The project includes additional lanes, new and upgraded interchanges (including Bulmans Road, Paynes Road, Leakes Road, Harkness Road, and Christies Road), improved walking and cycling paths, and better public transport facilities. A $1.1 billion federal funding commitment was confirmed in March 2025 to support the Victorian Government's delivery of the project. Detailed planning and design are underway, following the completion of the program business case in late 2024.
Hopkins Road Level Crossing Removal - Truganina
New road bridge over rail line at Hopkins Road, Truganina, replacing dangerous level crossing. Features dedicated shared use paths for pedestrians and cyclists. Part of broader Melton level crossing removals making the area boom gate-free by 2026. Piling works completed, currently constructing bridge piers and retaining walls.
Harkness Memorial Park
GMCT is delivering a new 128-hectare memorial park and public cemetery in Harkness, City of Melton. The staged project includes internal roads, landscape planting, burial and memorial areas, a first public-facing building, community spaces, and parklands. Masterplan consultation is complete and early works have progressed to first-stage construction.
Masjid Tawheed Melton Community Hub
A major community hub project on 27 acres serving Melton's rapidly growing Muslim community of over 15,000 residents. The development will feature Masjid Tawheed as the central prayer building, along with comprehensive facilities including a gymnasium, cafe, learning centers, and community gathering spaces. This multi-purpose complex aims to foster unity, provide educational opportunities, and strengthen social cohesion between the Muslim and broader Melton community. The project represents one of the largest community centers in Australia by land area and will serve as a vital hub for worship, education, and community services for future generations.
Melton Suburban Revitalisation
Victorian Government Suburban Revitalisation program, delivered in partnership with Melton City Council, to reinvigorate Melton Town Centre. Includes streetscape upgrades on High Street, McKenzie Street and Unitt Street, outdoor dining precincts, Kid Zone in Civic Heart, shopfront improvement grants, events and activations, digital strategy, accessibility improvements, public spaces and trader support. Total program funding approximately $3.277 million (some sources indicate minor additional grants), running from 2021 with staged works continuing into 2026.
Little Creek Estate
Boutique residential development with approximately 100 families, featuring wetlands and creek frontage. Located 45 minutes from Melbourne CBD with easy access to Melton station and Western Freeway.
Employment
Employment drivers in Melton West are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia
Melton West has a balanced workforce with representation across white and blue collar jobs. The construction sector is prominent, with an unemployment rate of 8.6% and estimated employment growth of 3.0% in the past year as of December 2025. There are 11,186 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.8% above Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%.
Workforce participation is similar to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. According to Census responses, 16.7% of residents work from home, potentially impacted by Covid-19 lockdowns. Leading employment industries include construction, retail trade, and health care & social assistance. The area has a strong specialization in transport, postal & warehousing (2.2 times the regional level), but professional & technical services show lower representation at 3.6% compared to the regional average of 10.1%.
Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census data. In the 12-month period ending December 2025, employment increased by 3.0%, while labour force grew by 4.4%, causing unemployment to rise by 1.2 percentage points. This contrasts with Greater Melbourne's employment growth of 2.4% and labour force growth of 2.8%, resulting in a 0.3 percentage point unemployment rate increase. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, but industry-specific projections suggest Melton West's employment should increase by 6.0% over five years and 12.6% over ten years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis
As per AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released on 30 June 2023, Melton West SA2's median income among taxpayers is $55,656. The average income for the area was $63,093 in this period. This was below the national average. In comparison, Greater Melbourne had a median income of $57,688 and an average of $75,164 during the same time. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Melton West's median income would be approximately $61,010 as of March 2026, with an average estimate of $69,163. According to the 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Melton West all ranked modestly, between the 33rd and 42nd percentiles. Income distribution data shows that 39.0% of locals (8,865 people) fell into the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, mirroring regional levels where 32.8% occupied this bracket. Housing affordability pressures were severe in Melton West, with only 82.6% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 41st percentile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Melton West is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region
The dwelling structure in Melton West, as per the latest Census, consisted of 93.9% houses and 6.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Melton West stood at 22.2%, with the rest being mortgaged (51.6%) or rented (26.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,625, below Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent figure was $340, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Melton West's mortgage repayments were lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were less than the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Melton West features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size
Family households constitute 79.0% of all households, including 39.7% couples with children, 20.7% couples without children, and 17.7% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 21.0%, with lone person households at 18.7% and group households making up 2.3% of the total. The median household size is 3.0 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Educational outcomes in Melton West fall within the lower quartile nationally, indicating opportunities for improvement in qualification attainment
The area's university qualification rate is 16.8%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 11.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (3.4%) and graduate diplomas (1.8%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.4% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.0%) and certificates (27.4%). Educational participation is high, with 34.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education: 13.5% in primary, 9.5% in secondary, and 3.7% in tertiary education.
Educational participation is notably high, with 34.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 13.5% in primary education, 9.5% in secondary education, and 3.7% pursuing tertiary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is moderate compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Melton West has 87 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 13 different routes that together facilitate 3,201 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 255 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to its residential nature. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport at 93%. On average, there are 1.6 vehicles per dwelling, which exceeds the regional average.
According to the 2021 Census, 16.7% of residents work from home, a figure that may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 457 trips per day across all routes, translating to approximately 36 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Health performance in Melton West is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts
Melton West faces significant health challenges, as assessed by AreaSearch's analysis of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Common health conditions are somewhat prevalent across all age groups but more so among older cohorts. The area has approximately 50% private health cover, compared to Greater Melbourne's 56.7% and the national average of 55.7%.
The most common medical conditions are asthma (9.3%) and mental health issues (8.8%), with 70.1% of residents reporting no medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. Working-age residents have a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions than average. Melton West has 11.2% of its population aged 65 and over (2,554 people), lower than Greater Melbourne's 15.0%. Health outcomes among seniors present challenges but rank lower nationally compared to the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
Melton West was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics
Melton West had a higher cultural diversity compared to most local areas, with 30.7% of its residents born overseas and 29.2% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Melton West, accounting for 49.8% of its population. Notably, the 'Other' religious category made up 4.1% of Melton West's population, higher than the 2.3% regional average.
Regarding ancestry, the top three groups were Australian (22.5%), English (21.3%), and Other (15.3%). Some ethnic groups showed significant differences: Maltese residents comprised 4.1%, compared to the regional 1.1%; Samoan residents made up 1.8%, compared to the regional 0.3%; and Serbian residents constituted 0.8%, compared to the regional 0.4%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Melton West's young demographic places it in the bottom 15% of areas nationwide
Melton West has a median age of 33, which is younger than Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Melton West has a higher proportion of residents aged 5-14 (16.3%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (13.0%). Between the 2021 Census and now, the population aged 15-24 has increased from 12.7% to 14.5%, while the 25-34 age group has decreased from 15.0% to 13.0%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant changes in Melton West's population. The 45-54 age cohort is expected to grow by 52%, adding 1,421 residents and reaching a total of 4,154.