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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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Montrose has an estimated 6,904 residents, down from 6,943 at the 2021 Census. That puts 655 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 investigations by AreaSearch, the resident count for Montrose is approximately 6,904 in May 2026. Compared to the 2021 Census figure of 6,943, this represents a drop of 39 residents (0.6%). This adjustment is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 6,904 combined with 4 validated new addresses registered after the Census. The local population density stands at 655 persons per square kilometer, which indicates a low-density environment with substantial room per resident and capacity for future housing expansion. Recent population increases were almost exclusively driven by net arrivals from overseas.
Projections published by the ABS and Geoscience Australia in 2024, using 2022 as their starting point, are used by AreaSearch for SA2 boundaries. For localities lacking these specific projections, estimations are derived from the 2023 Victorian State Government Regional/LGA projections, adjusting them by allocating population expansion from the LGA level down to SA2 zones via a weighted method. The age-bracket growth trajectories calculated through this process are applied to all regions for the period from 2032 to 2041. Looking forward, the locality is projected to align with the lower quartile of national population growth rates, adding 283 residents by 2041 based on the most recent annual ERP statistics, which is a cumulative expansion of 4.1% over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
22 new dwellings have been approved in Montrose over the past five years, an average of 4 a year. That is 0.6 approvals per 1,000 residents. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 8, running ahead of 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
Montrose records roughly 4 annual building approvals, with 22 residential properties approved throughout the past 5 financial periods (from FY-21 to FY-25) and 8 recorded during FY-26 so far. Relative to the contracting population, this building volume has been sufficient, offering positive conditions for home buyers, while the typical value of these new constructions is $352,000. Furthermore, commercial building approvals have reached $5.8 million this financial year, highlighting that the locality remains overwhelmingly residential in character. Relative to Greater Melbourne, residential construction in Montrose is exceptionally low, tracking 84.0% below the regional per capita benchmark.
This lack of new housing options commonly helps to maintain demand and prop up valuations for established properties. Building rates also sit below the national baseline, reflecting that the suburb is mature and likely subject to restrictive zoning controls. Recent construction projects have consisted solely of detached houses, preserving the classic low-density feel of the suburb which appeals to families looking for larger blocks. The quiet pace of development is underscored by a ratio of 1440 people per single dwelling approval. According to the latest quarterly forecasts from AreaSearch, Montrose is set to add 283 residents by 2041. If building rates do not accelerate from their current trajectory, the growth in households could outpace new housing completions, potentially heightening competition among home buyers and driving up real estate values.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Montrose
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks one current infrastructure or development project inside Montrose. A further 92 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $5.07 billion. 22 are already under construction and 25 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, sports & recreation and transport & logistics. 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
Changes to infrastructure, major local projects, and planning decisions play a significant role in local performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 9 key projects that are expected to influence the suburb. Major initiatives include the Yarra Ranges Council Drainage Infrastructure Program, the Liverpool Road Shared User Path, the Sherbrooke Children's Centre Services, and the Kilsyth Townhouse Developments, with the details of the most significant works listed below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Yarra Ranges Council Drainage Infrastructure Program
Comprehensive drainage and stormwater management improvements across the municipality, including upgrades to aging infrastructure, flood risk assessments, and climate change adaptation measures. Budget allocation of $16.2 million over six years.
Kilsyth Connect Logistics Park
A 37,138 square metre logistics estate on a 3.7 hectare Industrial 1 zoned site in Melbourne's outer east, redeveloped through adaptive re-use with strong sustainability credentials including solar PV, EV charging and rainwater harvesting. The estate is now 66 percent leased, including a 10,000 sqm purpose-built facility pre-committed by Jenera for advanced manufacturing, assembly and distribution supporting its partnership with Paccar (Kenworth Trucks). A final prime-grade warehouse is under construction and expected to complete in Q3 2026, representing one of the last opportunities of its calibre in Kilsyth.The site benefits from direct links to EastLink and Maroondah Highway. Following a November 2025 strategic partnership between Cromwell Property Group and Straits Trading, the project's original developer, Terre Property Partners, now operates as part of the Cromwell platform.
Liverpool Road Shared User Path
Design and construction of a new 1.7 km shared user path along Liverpool Road in Kilsyth, linking Canterbury Road to Mount Dandenong Road. The trail will connect key destinations including the Bayswater Business Precinct and Pinks Reserve and is expected to include raised priority crossings at higher-risk conflict points.
150 Cambridge Road Master Plan Development
Council-adopted master plan to transform a 3.6 hectare former secondary school site into inclusive public open space for the Kilsyth community. Features include walking and bike paths, nature play, half basketball court, picnic shelter, seasonal wetland, sensory gardens, indigenous planting, and accessible amenities. The land was purchased by Yarra Ranges Council in 2022 for $6.44 million. A staged rollout of works commenced in 2024/25, with the bulk of further improvements subject to future grant and Council funding bids.
Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve Master Plan
Master plan guiding the long-term enhancement, management and future development of the Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve. The reserve supports a range of sporting, environmental and community uses. The associated playspace renewal project has now been completed and opened to the public, while the broader master plan remains in the consultation and design phase to guide future staged improvements.
Kilsyth Sporting Complex Stadium Improvements
Long overdue improvements to the Kilsyth Sporting Complex including construction of new basketball court within stadium and facility upgrades to support community sports programs.
Sherbrooke Children's Centre Services
Ongoing community programs and activities supporting families through all stages of life, including Best Start program and children's services. Part of Yarra Ranges Council's $17 million community services budget allocation.
120-124 Merrindale Drive Industrial Development
Major industrial development project at 120-124 Merrindale Drive, Kilsyth valued at $8 million. High-spec climate controlled warehouse facility currently occupied by Mondelez International, part of the growing industrial precinct supporting advanced manufacturing and logistics operations.
3,691 residents of Montrose are employed, from a labour force of 3,796. Unemployment sits at 2.8%, with participation at 68.7%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.3% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 5,688, about 82% 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
The local workforce is highly skilled, particularly within the construction industry, with a very low unemployment rate of 2.8% and an annual employment growth rate estimated at 1.5%. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 3,691, with the local unemployment rate sitting 2.0% lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 4.8%. The labor participation rate matches the Greater Melbourne benchmark of 70.2% closely. Census records show that a high proportion of employed residents (26.5%) worked from home, though these figures may have been influenced by COVID-19 lock-downs. The primary employment fields for local residents are construction, health care & social assistance, and manufacturing.
Construction is particularly prominent, employing residents at 1.8 times the metropolitan average rate. Conversely, professional & technical services have a minor footprint, accounting for just 6.2% of the local workforce compared to 10.1% across the wider region. The comparison between the number of local jobs recorded during the Census and the resident workforce suggests this suburb provides limited local employment opportunities, functioning mainly as a residential zone. AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics shows that over the 12-month period, local employment expanded by 1.5% while the total labor force grew by 1.9%, leading to a 0.4 percentage point rise in unemployment. Meanwhile, Greater Melbourne registered job growth of 2.1% and labor force growth of 2.3%, resulting in a 0.2 percentage point increase in unemployment. National forecasts released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 offer a broader outlook on expected employment trends. These five and ten-year forecasts have been combined with local industry profiles to project employment trajectories. Nationally, employment is predicted to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual sector growth rates vary. Applying these sector forecasts to the local job mix indicates that employment in Montrose could rise by 6.3% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, representing a basic weighted projection that does not factor in local population adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Montrose is $2,094 a week (about $109,000 a year), with median personal income at $858 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $58,814 a year against an average of $71,958. 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
Based on the compilation of the latest postcode-level ATO statistics released for the 2023 financial year, taxpayers in the Montrose SA2 recorded a median income of $58,814 and an average income of $71,958. These numbers exceed the national benchmarks and compare to median and average figures of $57,688 and $75,164 across Greater Melbourne. Accounting for a Wage Price Index rise of 9.62% since the 2023 financial year, current income levels are estimated to be roughly $64,472 (median) and $78,880 (average) as of March 2026. Data from the 2021 Census indicates that household, family, and individual incomes in Montrose place the area around the 66th percentile nationwide.
Income distributions show that the largest bracket contains 33.5% of residents (2,312 people) who earn between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the regional distribution of 32.8% in the same bracket. After meeting housing expenses, local households retain 86.7% of their earnings, indicating solid discretionary spending power and placing the area in the 7th decile of the SEIFA index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Montrose had 2,335 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 92% detached houses and 4% apartments. 54% are owned with a mortgage, 9% rented and 38% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $365 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,000 a month. Rent absorbs 17.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 22.0%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
The housing stock in Montrose at the last Census was dominated by separate houses, which made up 92.1% of dwellings, while semi-detached properties, apartments, and other housing structures accounted for 7.8%. This contrasts with metropolitan Melbourne, where houses make up 67.9% and alternative dwellings account for 32.1%. Home ownership rates in the suburb are high at 37.8%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (53.5%) or renting (8.8%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was $2,000, equal to the Greater Melbourne average, while the median weekly rent was $365, compared to metropolitan averages of $2,000 and $390.
On a national scale, mortgage commitments in Montrose are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, whereas rental costs are below the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Montrose counted 2,335 households at the 2021 Census, averaging 2.8 people each. 43% are couples with children, more than in 85% of areas nationally, against 27% couples without children. 19% 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
Families make up the vast majority of households at 79.4%, consisting of couples with children (42.8%), couples without children (27.2%), and single parents (8.7%). Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 20.6%, with lone person households representing 19.2% and share houses making up 1.3%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
23.9% of adults in Montrose hold a university qualification, including 16.7% with a bachelor degree and 4.0% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 28.3% hold a vocational qualification. 3 schools serve the area, with 1,710 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,053 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
Educational data highlights areas for improvement, with university graduation rates (23.9%) tracking significantly lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 37.0%. This gap presents an opportunity for targeted local education strategies. Out of those with higher qualifications, bachelor degrees are the most common at 16.7%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 4.0% and graduate diplomas at 3.2%. Technical and trade qualifications are common, with 40.8% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational qualifications, split between advanced diplomas (12.5%) and certificates (28.3%). Enrolment levels in education are quite strong, with 27.2% of the local population currently undertaking formal studies.
Within this student group, 10.2% are in primary schools, 7.3% are in high schools, and 3.5% are in tertiary programs.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Montrose reaches 39 stops on 16 routes, timetabled for about 1,600 services a week. The typical home sits about 370 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.9 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 connectivity includes 39 active bus stops operating in Montrose. These stops are served by 16 different routes, which together provide 1,605 weekly passenger trips. Access to public transport is rated as good, with the average distance from a resident's home to the nearest stop standing at 368 meters. Because the suburb is primarily residential, most workers commute out of the area, with private cars remaining the dominant mode of travel at 95%. Households own an average of 1.9 vehicles, which is above the regional average. A significant portion of the workforce (26.5%) worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.
Public transport routes average 229 daily trips across the suburb, which translates to approximately 41 weekly trips for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
66.8% of residents in Montrose report no long-term health condition, a less healthy profile than 78% of areas nationally. 6.9% need daily assistance with core activities, and 54.9% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 8.2 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Based on AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality patterns and the presence of chronic diseases, Montrose faces notable health challenges, with common medical conditions reported across both younger and older generations. The rate of private medical insurance is relatively high, covering roughly 55% of the local population (~3,790 people). Mental health conditions and asthma are the most common ailments among locals, affecting 8.9% and 8.4% of residents. Conversely, 66.8% of the population reported no chronic conditions, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among working-age locals are generally standard. The suburb has an older demographic, with 19.2% of residents aged 65 and over (1,329 people), exceeding the Greater Melbourne average of 15.0%, with national health comparisons for this group ranking higher than the general public.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Montrose is largely Australian-born, at 85.0% of residents, with 5.0% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (31.2%) and English (30.6%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in Montrose is lower than average, with 85.0% of the population born in Australia, 92.7% holding citizenship, and 95.0% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 42.5% of the population. The most prominent religious overrepresentation is Judaism, which accounts for 0.2% of residents compared to 1.0% across Greater Melbourne. Looking at ancestral backgrounds, the three most common ancestries in Montrose are Australian (31.2%, significantly higher than the metropolitan average of 18.4%), English (30.6%, well above the regional average of 20.1%), and Scottish (8.0%).
There are also notable differences in the shares of other heritages: Dutch ancestry makes up 3.8% of the population (compared to 1.2% regionally), Hungarian stands at 0.4% (vs 0.3%), and South Australian accounts for 0.5% (vs 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Montrose is 41. 22.2% 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 Montrose is 41 years, which is older than the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and the national median of 38. Compared to metropolitan Melbourne, there is a high concentration of children aged 5 - 14 (14.3% locally), while young adults aged 25 - 34 are less common (10.0%). Since the 2021 Census, the 5 to 14 age bracket has risen from 13.2% to 14.3% of the population, and the 15 to 24 group has expanded from 11.1% to 12.2%. In contrast, the 25 to 34 age bracket has shrunk from 11.2% to 10.0%.
Long-term projections indicate significant changes to the age profile by 2041, with the 85+ bracket expected to grow the fastest at 83%, adding 155 people to reach a total of 343. This trend towards an older population is clear, with residents aged 65 and over accounting for 55% of the projected growth. Conversely, population declines are forecast for the 0 to 4 and 35 to 44 age brackets.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Montrose
8 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 8 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. | ||
| 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 3 sections | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jul 2025 about a year ago all 1 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 Jul 2025. | ||
| 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 — 4 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (6,943 at the 2021 Census → 6,904 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 (211051280). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.