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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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Mentone has an estimated 14,196 residents, up from 13,197 at the 2021 Census — a change of 999 people, or 7.6%. Overseas migration accounts for 93.1% of that increase. That puts 3,190 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
Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Mentone has a population of approximately 14,196 as of May 2026. This represents a gain of 999 people (7.6%) from the 13,197 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. This growth is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 14,155 alongside 83 validated new addresses confirmed since the Census. With a density of 3,190 persons per square kilometer, the suburb ranks in the top quartile of all Australian locations analyzed by AreaSearch. Its 7.6% growth rate outpaced the broader SA3 region (6.7%), making Mentone a leading growth area locally.
The expansion was largely fueled by overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 93.1% of the recent population increase. AreaSearch incorporates 2024 projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia, using 2022 as a baseline for each SA2. For locations where this data is unavailable, projections are sourced from the 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA dataset, applying a weighted aggregation method to scale growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Age cohort growth rates from these aggregations are applied to projections for 2032 through 2041. Future demographic trends indicate above-median growth compared to other areas studied by AreaSearch, with Mentone expected to add 1,782 residents by 2041 based on recent annual ERP statistics, translating to a total increase of 12.3% over the 16-year period.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
210 new dwellings have been approved in Mentone over the past five years, an average of 42 a year. That is 3.1 approvals per 1,000 residents. Of the 35 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 37% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 31, 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
Mentone has seen an average of roughly 42 residential building approvals annually, totaling 210 homes over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and 29 during FY-26 so far. Net population growth relative to construction stood at 1.4 people per new dwelling over the FY-21 to FY-25 period, suggesting balanced market conditions, though this metric rose to 4.6 people per dwelling over the last 2 financial years, pointing to rising demand and a potential supply deficit. Newly approved homes carry an average building cost of $559,000, showing a focus by developers on higher-end, premium properties.
Furthermore, commercial approvals have reached $39.8 million this financial year, pointing to strong local business investment. Per capita building approvals in Mentone run at about 57% of the rate seen across Greater Melbourne, placing it in the 53rd percentile of areas evaluated nationally. This volume is also below the national average, reflecting the established status of the suburb and potential planning constraints. The mix of new housing approvals consists of 37.0% detached houses and 63.0% medium or high-density dwellings like townhouses and apartments. This shift toward higher-density options offers more affordable entry points, appealing to downsizers, investors, and first-time buyers. There are approximately 311 people for every residential approval, indicating potential for further expansion. Projections indicate Mentone will add 1,741 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly figures. Should the current pace of construction persist, housing supply might lag behind population growth, which could increase competition among home buyers and support higher price growth.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Mentone
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 9 current infrastructure and development projects inside Mentone, worth an estimated $4.64 billion. A further 113 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $53.1 billion. 44 are already under construction and 46 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal 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 infrastructure projects, major planning changes, and development programs are key drivers of area performance. AreaSearch has identified 12 projects likely to impact the suburb. Notable developments include the Frankston Line Level Crossing Removal Program, the Moorabbin Airport Master Plan Redevelopment, the 58 Levanto Street Townhouses, and the 156 Balcombe Road Apartments, with the key projects detailed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Frankston Line Level Crossing Removal Program
A major Victorian Government initiative to remove all 27 level crossings on the Frankston Line by 2029. As of May 2026, a 3-week construction blitz is removing level crossings at McDonald Street, Mordialloc and Station Street, Aspendale. The new elevated Mordialloc Station is scheduled to open to passengers on 21 May 2026. Future works include the removal of crossings at Armstrongs Road and Station Street in Seaford, with major construction starting in 2027 and completion by 2029.
189-201 Nepean Highway Mixed Development
Mixed-use development proposal with approved planning permit for hotel and apartment complex featuring 61-room hotel and residential apartments. Previously occupied by car dealership on 1,715sqm site with 72m frontage to Nepean Highway. Located near Woolworths and local amenities.
Violetta Apartments
Modern apartment development at 203 Nepean Highway featuring 22 residential apartments (4 one-bedroom, 18 two-bedroom) designed by Bruce Henderson Architects. Contemporary design with park views and comprehensive amenities including lounge areas. 4-storey development with excellent transport connections.
156 Balcombe Road Apartments
Four-storey infill project proposing five 2-bedroom dwellings on a 753 m2 site near Mentone village and public transport. Application KP-2023/233 was lodged with City of Kingston for a mixed residential/community care scheme at this address; off-the-plan listings indicate a 5-residence configuration under assessment. Target completion indicated by sales collateral is early 2026.
58 Levanto Street Townhouses
Four 2 storey, 3 bedroom townhouses approved at 58 Levanto Street, Mentone. Design by SAC Building Workshop with landscape by Memla. Townly notes development application granted and an indicative completion target of mid 2026.
Kallara House
Boutique apartment project beside Parkdale Village delivering 33 one to three bedroom residences by Lowe Living, with architecture by Warren and Mahoney and landscaping by Tom Fritsch. Construction is underway with move ins targeted for summer 2025-26. Finishes include natural stone benchtops, engineered timber flooring, and premium appliance options.
Kindred Mentone Townhouses
Boutique collection of 10 three bedroom townhouses designed by Megowan for Sloane Property Group at 25 Brindisi Street opposite Mentone Reserve. Features recycled cream brick exterior, white timber slats and private rooftop decks with bay glimpses. Builder appointed is Level 10. Project remains under construction in 2025 with sales managed by Jellis Craig; advertised pricing from 1,295,000 AUD.
Kindred Mentone
Boutique infill project delivering 10 three bedroom townhouses across three levels with rooftop terraces, double garages and energy efficient design (min 6 star). Architect: Megowan. Builder: Level 10. Backed by Sloane Property Group with sales via Jellis Craig Projects. The project supports Homes for Homes with a 0.1% donation on sales.
7,851 residents of Mentone are employed, from a labour force of 8,296. Unemployment sits at 5.4%, with participation at 69.3%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.7% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 13,051, about 92% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Mentone features a highly educated workforce with a strong concentration of professionals and an unemployment rate of 5.4%. In March 2026, there are 7,851 employed residents, while the unemployment rate is 0.6% higher than the Greater Melbourne average of 4.8%. The labor force participation rate aligns closely with the Greater Melbourne benchmark of 70.2%. Census figures show that 39.5% of the local workforce operated from home, though this data may reflect the influence of pandemic-related lockdowns. The primary sectors employing local residents are health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and retail trade.
Conversely, the transport, postal & warehousing sector employs just 2.8% of workers, compared to the regional average of 5.2%. Although local jobs exist, comparison of the Census working population against resident numbers suggests a significant portion of the workforce travels outside the suburb for employment. According to AreaSearch's review of SALM and ABS statistics for the year ending March 2026, the local workforce shrank by 0.3% while employment dropped by 0.6%, leading to a 0.3 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. Over the same period, Greater Melbourne recorded a 2.1% rise in employment and a 2.3% expansion in the labor force, with its unemployment rate ticking up by 0.2 percentage points. Forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia released in May-25 offer additional perspectives on future labor demand in Mentone. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce structure to model potential growth. Although overall national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, trends vary widely by industry. Weighting these projections against Mentone's specific sector mix indicates local employment could rise by 6.7% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, representing a simple weighting extrapolation for comparison that does not incorporate localized population shifts.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Mentone is $1,889 a week (about $98,000 a year), with median personal income at $981 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $63,151 a year against an average of $81,132. 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
Taxpayer income levels in Mentone SA2 are exceptionally high by national standards, based on financial year 2023 ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch. The median taxpayer income is $63,151 and the average income is $81,132, compared to Greater Melbourne figures of $57,688 and $75,164. Adjusting for a 9.62% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 yields estimated figures of $69,226 (median) and $88,937 (average) as of March 2026. According to Census data, individual weekly income sits at the 77th percentile ($981 weekly), while household earnings are at the 58th percentile.
Income distribution shows the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket is the most common, accounting for 29.2% of residents (4,145 people), which compares to 32.8% for the wider region. Housing expenses absorb 16.0% of household income, but strong earnings help maintain disposable income levels at the 58th percentile, with the area ranking in the 8th decile of the SEIFA index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Mentone had 5,642 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 44% detached houses and 18% apartments. 35% are owned with a mortgage, 33% rented and 32% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $392 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,167 a month. Rent absorbs 20.8% of household income here and mortgage repayments 26.5%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, housing types in Mentone consisted of 44.0% detached houses and 56.0% semi-detached, apartments, or other dwelling types, differing from the Melbourne metropolitan split of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership rates in Mentone exceeded the metropolitan average at 32.4%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (34.6%) or rented (33.0%). The median mortgage payment was higher than the Melbourne metropolitan average at $2,167 per month, and the median weekly rent was $392, compared to metropolitan figures of $2,000 and $390. Locally, Mentone's mortgage costs are higher than the national median of $1,863, while rents also exceed the Australian average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Mentone counted 5,642 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 6,069 today, averaging 2.3 people each. 28% are couples with children, against 26% couples without children. 33% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.4 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Family households make up 64.8% of all local households, consisting of couples with children (27.5%), couples without children (26.1%), and single-parent households (10.3%). Non-family households represent the remaining 35.2% of the market, with single-person households at 33.0% and group households at 2.1%. The median household size of 2.3 individuals is below the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
39.3% of adults in Mentone hold a university qualification, including 25.9% with a bachelor degree and 9.0% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 91% of areas nationally. A further 16.3% hold a vocational qualification. 8 schools serve the area, with 7,311 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,113 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 local educational profile is distinct within the region, as university qualification rates (39.3% of residents aged 15+) exceed the national benchmark of 30.4%, reflecting high academic attainment. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 25.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees (9.0%) and graduate diplomas (4.4%). Vocational and technical qualifications are also well represented, with 29.1% of residents aged 15 and over holding credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (12.8%) and certificates (16.3%). Enrollment rates in education are high, with 26.4% of the population participating in formal study. This student population includes 8.3% attending primary school, 7.3% in secondary school, and 5.3% enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Mentone reaches 63 stops on 17 routes, timetabled for about 3,500 services a week. The typical home sits about 210 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 consists of 63 active stops in Mentone, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 17 separate routes that provide 3,539 weekly passenger connections. Access is rated as good, with residents living an average of 205 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, and most workers commute to outer areas, with private vehicles being the dominant mode at 83% and trains at 8%. Car ownership stands at 1.1 vehicles per household, which is below the metropolitan average. Census data from 2021 shows 39.5% of residents worked from home, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.
Public transport services run at an average frequency of 505 trips per day across all routes, which translates to approximately 56 weekly services per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
69.2% of residents in Mentone report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 75% of areas nationally. 5.6% need daily assistance with core activities, and 59.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.5 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Health indicators demonstrate favorable outcomes across Mentone, based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality data and the prevalence of chronic illnesses, with both younger and older demographics showing low rates of common health conditions. Additionally, private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high, held by approximately 60% of the population (8,503 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne. Mental health concerns and asthma are the most frequently reported medical conditions in the area, affecting 8.1% and 7.8% of residents respectively. Conversely, 69.2% of residents reported having no long-term health issues, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne.
Residents under the age of 65 exhibit better than average health profiles. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 21.0% of the population (2,976 people), which is higher than the 15.0% share across Greater Melbourne. Health measures for this older cohort are above average, with national rankings aligning closely with the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
29.6% of Mentone residents were born overseas and 20.4% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (26.0%) and Australian (20.3%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Mentone displays higher cultural diversity than most local markets, with 29.6% of residents born outside Australia and 20.4% using a language other than English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, representing 47.4% of residents. The most distinct religious overrepresentation compared to metropolitan averages is in Judaism, which accounts for 0.9% of the population in Mentone compared to 1.0% across Greater Melbourne. English ancestry is the most common parental birthplace profile in Mentone at 26.0%, which is higher than the regional benchmark of 20.1%. This is followed by Australian ancestry at 20.3% and Irish ancestry at 9.8%.
There are also notable differences in the concentration of other backgrounds: Russian ancestry accounts for 1.1% of Mentone (compared to 0.4% regionally), Polish is at 1.1% (compared to 0.8%), and Greek is at 4.0% (compared to 2.7%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Mentone is 42. 23.2% 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 in Mentone is 42 years, which is higher than the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and the national average of 38. The 45 - 54 age bracket is well represented at 14.4% compared to Melbourne, while the 25 - 34 cohort has a lower share at 11.6%. Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age bracket has risen from 9.9% to 11.6% of the population, while the 25 to 34 group decreased from 13.0% to 11.6%. Future projections for 2041 indicate significant demographic shifts, with the 75 to 84 cohort expected to grow by 55% (582 people), increasing from 1,066 to 1,649.
Overall, cohorts aged 65 and older are projected to make up 58% of the total population growth, pointing to an aging demographic profile. Conversely, the 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 age groups are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Mentone
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 9 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 — 83 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (13,197 at the 2021 Census → 14,196 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 (208031190). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.