Moonee Ponds
Statistical Area - sa2

Moonee Ponds lies within the top quartile of areas nationally for population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Moonee Ponds' population is 17,880 as of November 2025. This shows a 10.2% increase from the 2021 Census figure of 16,224 people. The growth is inferred from ABS estimated resident population figures: 17,823 in June 2024 and an additional 441 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 4,100 persons per square kilometer, placing Moonee Ponds in the top 10% nationally. The area's growth rate exceeded the national average (8.9%) since the 2021 census. Overseas migration contributed approximately 87.5% to recent population gains.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on these projections, Moonee Ponds is forecasted to have a significant population increase in the top quartile of statistical areas nationally, with an expected growth of 4,945 persons by 2041, representing a total increase of 27.3% over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Moonee Ponds among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Moonee Ponds averaged approximately 210 new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 1,054 homes. As of FY-26, nine approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, an average of 1.6 people moved to the area per year for each dwelling built. This suggests a balanced supply and demand, maintaining stable market conditions.

The average construction cost value of new properties was $394,000. In FY-26, $62.1 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating high local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Moonee Ponds shows moderately higher development activity, being 45.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period. This suggests strong developer confidence in the location. New developments consist of 7.0% detached dwellings and 93.0% medium and high-density housing, appealing to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. This trend indicates decreasing availability of developable sites and reflects changing lifestyles requiring diverse, affordable housing options.

Moonee Ponds currently has around 381 people per approval, indicating a mature market. By 2041, the area is expected to grow by 4,888 residents. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Moonee Ponds 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 18 projects potentially affecting the region. Notable initiatives include the Moonee Valley Racing Club Grandstand & Clubhouse Redevelopment, York Street Park (A Park Close To Home) - Pascoe Vale South, and Moonee Valley Park. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment performance in Moonee Ponds exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Moonee Ponds has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. Its unemployment rate is 4.3%, lower than Greater Melbourne's 4.6%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 6.4%. As of June 2025, 11,326 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.9% and workforce participation at 70.2%. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and education & training. Professional & technical services have a notable concentration, being 1.4 times the regional average.

However, manufacturing is under-represented with only 4.3% of Moonee Ponds' workforce compared to Greater Melbourne's 7.2%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment increased by 6.4%, labour force by 7.1%, raising the unemployment rate by 0.7 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne had employment growth of 3.5% and an unemployment rate increase of 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Moonee Ponds' employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

Moonee Ponds had a median taxpayer income of $66,481 and an average of $92,840 in financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is notably higher than Greater Melbourne's median income of $54,892 and average income of $73,761 during the same period. By September 2025, estimates suggest a median income of approximately $74,565 and an average of $104,129, based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022. Data from the 2021 Census places household, family, and personal incomes in Moonee Ponds between the 73rd and 86th percentiles nationally. Income analysis shows that 30.7% of the community (5,489 individuals) falls within the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band, aligning with broader trends across regional levels at 32.8%. A substantial proportion, 33.1%, earns above $3,000 per week, indicating strong economic capacity in the suburb. Housing accounts for 14.5% of income, and residents rank within the 75th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Moonee Ponds displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

In Moonee Ponds, as recorded in the latest Census, 44.7% of dwellings were houses while 55.2% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. This compares to Melbourne metropolitan area's figures of 42.6% houses and 57.4% other dwellings. Home ownership in Moonee Ponds stood at 30.8%, with mortgaged dwellings accounting for 29.8% and rented dwellings making up 39.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, lower than Melbourne's average of $2,200. Meanwhile, the median weekly rent in Moonee Ponds was $400 compared to Melbourne's $370. Nationally, these figures translate to significantly higher mortgage repayments for Moonee Ponds at $1,863 and rents exceeding the Australian average of $375.

Moonee Ponds features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 60.2% of all households, including 25.7% couples with children, 26.2% couples without children, and 6.7% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 39.8%, with lone person households at 34.4% and group households comprising 5.4%. The median household size is 2.2 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.3.

Educational achievement in Moonee Ponds places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Moonee Ponds has a significantly higher percentage of residents aged 15 and above with university qualifications compared to national and Victorian averages. Specifically, 48.8% of Moonee Ponds residents have university qualifications, while the Australian average is 30.4% and the Victorian average is 33.4%. This educational advantage is reflected in the types of qualifications held by residents. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 30.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (13.0%) and graduate diplomas (5.7%).

Vocational pathways account for 22.0% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 10.3% and certificates at 11.7%. Educational participation is high in Moonee Ponds, with 26.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.1% in tertiary education, 6.9% in primary education, and 5.9% pursuing secondary education. The four schools in Moonee Ponds have a combined enrollment of 1,131 students. The area has significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement, with an ICSEA score of 1137. The educational mix includes three primary schools and one K-12 school. School places per 100 residents in Moonee Ponds are lower than the regional average at 6.3 compared to 12.5, suggesting some students may attend schools outside the area.

Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Moonee Ponds has 85 active public transport stops, serving a mix of train, light rail, and bus services. These stops are covered by 20 different routes, collectively facilitating 19,190 weekly passenger trips. The area boasts excellent transport accessibility, with residents typically situated just 166 meters from the nearest stop.

On average, there are 2,741 daily trips across all routes, translating to about 225 weekly trips per individual stop.

Moonee Ponds's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with prevalence of common health conditions quite low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Moonee Ponds residents show relatively favourable health outcomes, with low prevalence of common conditions among the general population but higher rates among older, at-risk groups. Private health cover is exceptionally high, at approximately 67% (11,997 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 8.9 and 7.4% of residents respectively. A total of 71.3% report being completely free from medical ailments, slightly lower than Greater Melbourne's 72.0%. Moonee Ponds has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over, at 17.1% (3,062 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 16.0%. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than the broader population.

Moonee Ponds 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

Moonee Ponds, as per the census on 29 August 2016, showed higher cultural diversity compared to most local areas with 29.1% of its population born overseas and 25.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Moonee Ponds, accounting for 51.9% of people. Notably, Judaism had an overrepresentation at 0.2%, compared to 0.1% across Greater Melbourne.

Regarding ancestry, the top three groups were English (20.0%), Australian (17.6%), and Italian (12.1%). Some ethnic groups showed significant differences: Maltese at 1.7% in Moonee Ponds versus 1.6% regionally, Greek at 3.7% versus 3.2%, and Croatian at 1.1% versus 1.0%.

Moonee Ponds's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Moonee Ponds is 38 years, close to Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and equivalent to Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Moonee Ponds has a higher percentage of residents aged 25-34 (19.2%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (8.5%). Between the 2016 Census and the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 65-74 increased from 8.4% to 9.3%, while the proportion of those aged 45-54 decreased from 13.1% to 12.2%. By 2041, Moonee Ponds' age composition is expected to change significantly. The number of residents aged 65-74 is projected to grow by 57%, reaching 2,610 from 1,662.