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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 6,906 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
Montrose recorded an estimated population of 6,906 as of Aug 2026, according to analysis by AreaSearch. In comparison with the 2021 Census tally of 6,943 people, this represents a reduction of 37 people (0.5%). This adjustment combines the ABS June 2025 estimated resident population of 6,904 alongside 5 validated new addresses identified following the Census. The local population density stands at 655 persons per square kilometer, indicating generous space per resident and capacity for additional residential expansion. Net overseas arrivals served as the primary demographic catalyst recently, accounting for virtually all population gains across the locality.
For individual SA2 locations, AreaSearch incorporates 2024 ABS/Geoscience Australia projections using 2022 as their foundation year. Where SA2 coverage is absent, 2023 VIC State Government Regional/LGA projections are adapted via weighted aggregation to bridge LGA figures down to SA2 zones. From 2032 to 2041, age-group growth distributions from these aggregations are applied to all territories. Future demographic outlooks point to growth situated within the nation's bottom quartile, with the community projected to add 272 persons by 2041 under current annual ERP figures, translating to a 3.9% overall expansion over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
24 new dwellings have been approved in Montrose over the past five years, an average of 4 a year. That is 0.7 approvals per 1,000 residents. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Residential building authorisations in Montrose have maintained a pace of roughly 4 new dwellings annually, adding up to 24 homes during the latest 5 financial years. Given the local population contraction, incoming supply has generally satisfied buyer requirements while presenting ample market options. The mean construction value of newly approved dwellings is $561,000, marginally exceeding the regional benchmark and pointing to higher-tier housing. In addition, $5.8 million of commercial development approvals took place in the current financial year, underscoring a subdued commercial building profile. Per-capita development volumes in Montrose sit markedly below Greater Melbourne benchmarks, trailing by 81.0%.
Although building activity has accelerated lately, this modest flow of new stock typically reinforces pricing resilience and buyer interest in established properties. Local building levels similarly lag national norms, reflecting an established suburban landscape alongside potential planning constraints. Furthermore, all recent approvals have been standalone detached dwellings, maintaining the low-density environment and appealing to buyers prioritising living space. The presence of 1297 people per approved dwelling highlights an exceptionally calm construction climate. Montrose is forecast to expand by 270 residents by 2041, according to the latest quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. If prevailing building volumes continue unchanged, housing additions could fall short of resident inflows, likely intensifying purchaser competition and placing upward pressure on property 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 99 current infrastructure and development projects close to Montrose, worth an estimated $5.11 billion. 24 are already under construction and 31 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
Local economic and social outcomes are substantially shaped by civil works, major projects, and public infrastructure developments. AreaSearch has pinpointed 9 distinct initiatives likely to influence the district. Prominent projects encompass the Yarra Ranges Council Drainage Infrastructure Program, Liverpool Road Shared User Path, Sherbrooke Children's Centre Services, and Kilsyth Townhouse Developments.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Mooroolbark Heights Sports Pavilion Redevelopment
Proposed community sports pavilion redevelopment at Mooroolbark Heights Reserve to replace aging facilities with modern, accessible change rooms, social spaces, public amenities, and administrative areas for local football and cricket clubs.
Mount Evelyn Water Treatment Plant
The Mount Evelyn Water Treatment Plant is a critical back-up disinfection and treatment facility being constructed within the Tramway Track Pipe Reserve by Melbourne Water and John Holland KBR Joint Venture. Designed to support the Silvan Reservoir supply system, which provides over 50% of Melbourne’s drinking water, the facility ensures continuous water supply during maintenance or emergency disruptions. Main construction commenced in 2025 and is scheduled for completion in early 2027.
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.
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 5,690, 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 labour pool exhibits strong technical capabilities, particularly within the construction industry, accompanied by an unemployment rate sitting at 2.8% and yearly employment expansion estimated at 1.5%. There are 3,691 employed residents as of March 2026, while the jobless rate sits 2.0% below the 4.8% recorded across Greater Melbourne, alongside workforce participation broadly tracking Greater Melbourne's 70.1%. At the time of the Census, 26.5% of workers indicated they worked remotely from home, a metric that may reflect prevailing Covid-19 health directives. Resident employment centers primarily on construction, health care & social assistance, and manufacturing.
Construction shows particularly heavy concentration, with the sector's local workforce proportion reaching 1.8 times the regional benchmark. Conversely, professional & technical roles account for only 6.2% of local workers, compared with 10.1% across the broader region. Considering the ratio between resident workers and local jobs recorded at the Census, this predominantly suburban district provides modest employment capacity within its borders. Analysis by AreaSearch using ABS and SALM figures shows that over the 12 months to March 2026, employment grew by 1.5% and the labour pool rose by 1.9%, causing the unemployment rate to climb by 0.4 percentage points. Across Greater Melbourne over the same timeframe, employment expanded by 2.1% against labour force growth of 2.3%, leading to an increase of 0.2 percentage points. Longer-term employment expectations can be evaluated through national industry forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26. Projected nationwide employment growth sits at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, with performance varying widely across sectors. Applying these sectoral trajectories to the local occupational breakdown suggests Montrose employment may increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.1% over ten years, noting this is a weighted baseline model for illustration rather than a localized population forecast.
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
Taxpayer income metrics compiled by AreaSearch from ATO records for financial year 2023 place Montrose SA2 above national benchmarks. The area's median taxpayer income is $58,814 and the average income reaches $71,958, whereas Greater Melbourne registers $57,688 and $75,164 respectively. Accounting for 9.62% growth in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023, estimated levels reach approximately $64,472 for median earnings and $78,880 for average earnings as of March 2026. The 2021 Census situated personal, family, and household earnings around the 66th percentile nationwide. Roughly 33.5% of residents (2,313 individuals) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, which aligns with the regional proportion of 32.8%.
After meeting housing expenses, households retain 86.7% of their income, supporting solid discretionary capacity and placing the district in the 7th decile for SEIFA economic advantage.
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
Residential stock in Montrose at the most recent Census was composed of 92.1% houses alongside 7.8% other dwellings including apartments and semi-detached properties, contrasting with Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Outright home ownership stood at 37.8%, substantially exceeding the metropolitan standard, while mortgaged homes accounted for 53.5% and rental properties made up 8.8%. Median monthly mortgage commitments mirrored Melbourne metro at $2,000, whereas median weekly rent was $365 compared to $2,000 and $390 regionally. Against national benchmarks, Montrose mortgage payments exceed the Australian average of $1,863, while local rent sits 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
Family units make up 79.4% of households across the locality, consisting of couples with children (42.8%), childless couples (27.2%), and single parent arrangements (8.7%). Non-family living structures comprise the remaining 20.6%, divided between single-person dwellings at 19.2% and group homes at 1.3%. The typical household size is 2.8 people, higher than the Greater Melbourne median 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
Tertiary educational attainment presents an area for development, with higher education qualification rates at 23.9%, well underneath the Greater Melbourne benchmark of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees account for the largest share at 16.7%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 4.0% and graduate diplomas at 3.2%. Technical and trade credentials are prominent, with 40.8% of individuals aged 15+ possessing vocational qualifications, comprising certificates (28.3%) and advanced diplomas (12.5%). Participation in formal learning is strong across the community, with 27.2% of residents enrolled as students. This cohort includes 10.2% attending primary school, 7.3% in secondary education, and 3.5% undertaking tertiary studies.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Montrose reaches 39 stops on 16 routes, timetabled for about 2,100 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
The local transit network features 39 operating passenger stops in Montrose, served entirely by buses across 16 different routes that deliver 2,096 trips each week. Access to transport is convenient, with residents located an average of 368 meters from their nearest boarding point. Due to the area's residential profile, most workers travel outward, with private vehicles accounting for 95% of journeys. Vehicle ownership stands at 1.9 per dwelling, surpassing metropolitan averages, while 26.5% of workers worked from home according to the 2021 Census during COVID-19. Across all transit lines, timetable schedules provide 299 services per day on average, translating to approximately 53 weekly departures per 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
Health indicators compiled by AreaSearch regarding mortality and long-term illness point to key challenges across the community, with chronic ailments evident among both older and younger demographics, while private medical coverage encompasses approximately 55% of residents (~3,791 people). Mental health conditions and asthma represent the leading health concerns locally, reported by 8.9 and 8.4% of residents respectively, while 66.8% reported no ongoing medical conditions compared to 72.6% regionally across Greater Melbourne. Health metrics for working-age adults remain standard. Seniors aged 65 and over constitute 18.9% of the population (1,304 people), tracking above the 15.1% share in Greater Melbourne and placing the community higher within national comparative standings.
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 metrics sit below metropolitan averages, with 85.0% of residents Australian-born, 92.7% holding citizenship, and 95.0% speaking only English at home. Christianity constitutes the primary religious affiliation, representing 42.5% of locals. Judaism forms the most distinct localized religious presence at 0.2% of the population, compared with 1.0% across Greater Melbourne. Ancestry records regarding parents' country of birth show the three largest groups in Montrose are Australian at 31.2% (above the 18.4% regional average), English at 30.6% (above the 20.1% regional mark), and Scottish at 8.0%. Specific demographic divergences also appear for Dutch background at 3.8% (compared to 1.2% regionally), Hungarian heritage at 0.4% (vs 0.3%), and South Australian ancestry at 0.5% (vs 0.4%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Montrose is 41. 22.3% 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 age distribution in Montrose aligns closely with the Greater Melbourne baseline, with no major age bracket diverging by more than 8.9 percentage points from regional proportions. The median age is estimated at 41 as at August 2026, identical to the 2021 Census figure and 4 years older than the Greater Melbourne median of 37 at that time. Younger cohorts aged 0 - 24 expanded from 30.7% at the Census to an estimated 32.4% of the population. By 2041, senior brackets aged 65+ are anticipated to experience the strongest increase, growing by 162 (12%) to reach 1,467, while middle-aged adults, children, and younger adults are projected to contract.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Montrose
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 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) | Aug 2026 2 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 Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 2 months ago headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 last 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 Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, Local governments Daily | May 2026 5 months ago all 2 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 7 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) | Sep 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Sep 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 — 5 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (6,943 at the 2021 Census → 6,906 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 Aug 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.