Moonee Ponds

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 was 17,967 as of May 2026. This figure, an increase of 1,743 people from the 2021 Census total of 16,224, reflects a growth rate of 10.7%. The change is inferred from ABS' estimated resident population of 17,965 in June 2025 and an additional 774 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 4,120 persons per square kilometer, placing Moonee Ponds among the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's population growth exceeded both its SA3 region (9.0%) and the state level during this period. Overseas migration contributed approximately 83.1% of overall population gains, with interstate migration and natural growth also being positive factors.

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 the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusting them using weighted aggregation methods to reach 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 experience significant population growth, with an increase of 4,348 persons expected by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 24.2% over the 16-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, 45 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.6 people moved to the area per year for each dwelling built between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating balanced supply and demand with stable market conditions. New properties are constructed at an average expected cost of $394,000.

This financial year has seen $62.1 million in commercial development approvals, reflecting high local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Moonee Ponds shows moderately higher development activity, 42.0% above the regional average per person over the five-year period, suggesting strong developer confidence in the location. New development consists of 7.0% detached dwellings and 93.0% medium and high-density housing, providing accessible entry options for downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. This represents a shift from the area's existing housing composition, currently 45.0% houses. Moonee Ponds indicates a mature market with around 381 people per approval. By 2041, the area is expected to grow by 4,346 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 moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 42ndth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 17 projects likely to affect the area. Notable ones are Moonee Valley Racing Club Grandstand & Clubhouse Redevelopment, Moonee Valley Park, Chain of Ponds Collaboration Moonee Ponds Creek Improvement, and York Street Park (A Park Close to Home) - Pascoe Vale South. The following list details those most 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 professional services well represented. Its unemployment rate is 4.2%, lower than Greater Melbourne's 4.8%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 4.7%.

As of December 2025, 11,272 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.6% and workforce participation at 74.9%. A significant 44.0% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training. The area has a notable concentration in professional & technical jobs, with levels at 1.4 times the regional average.

However, manufacturing is under-represented at 4.3% compared to Greater Melbourne's 7.2%. Many residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over the year to December 2025, employment increased by 4.7% while labour force grew by 4.7%, keeping unemployment broadly flat. In comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 2.4% and unemployment rose slightly. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Moonee Ponds' employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, though this is a simplified 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

The median taxpayer income in Moonee Ponds SA2 is $69,390, with an average of $97,393, according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. This is notably higher than Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164. By March 2026, estimates suggest a median income of approximately $76,065 and an average of $106,762, based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023. In Moonee Ponds, household, family, and personal incomes rank between the 73rd and 86th percentiles nationally, as per the 2021 Census figures. Income analysis reveals that 30.7% of individuals (5,515) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 earnings band, consistent with broader regional trends showing 32.8% in the same category. The suburb has a substantial proportion of high earners, with 33.1% earning above $3,000 per week, indicating strong economic capacity. Housing accounts for 14.5% of income, with residents ranking 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

Dwelling structure in Moonee Ponds, as evaluated at the Census conducted on 29 August 2016, consisted of 44.7% houses and 55.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metropolitan area's figures of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Moonee Ponds was at 30.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.8% and rented dwellings at 39.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,167, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in Moonee Ponds was $400, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Moonee Ponds' median monthly mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while median weekly rents were higher than the national figure 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, smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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' residents aged 15+ have a notably higher proportion with university qualifications (48.8%) compared to Australia's national average (30.4%) and Victoria's state average (33.4%). Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent among these qualifications at 30.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 13.0% and graduate diplomas at 5.7%. Vocational pathways account for 22.0% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas making up 10.3% and certificates 11.7%. The area also has a high level of educational participation, with 26.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes 8.1% pursuing tertiary education, 6.9% primary education, and 5.9% secondary education.

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

Moonee Ponds has 84 active public transport stops, serving a mix of light rail and bus services. These stops are covered by 18 different routes, collectively facilitating 14,713 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 166 meters from their nearest stop. As a predominantly residential area, most commutes are outward-bound. Cars remain the primary mode of transport at 66%, followed by trains at 15% and walking at 6%. Vehicle ownership averages 0.9 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 44.0% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 2,101 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 175 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Moonee Ponds is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Moonee Ponds shows better health outcomes compared to other areas, according to AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The prevalence of common health conditions is relatively low among its general population but higher than the national average in older, at-risk cohorts. Approximately 70% of Moonee Ponds' total population (12,522 people) has private health cover, compared to Greater Melbourne's 56.7% and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 8.9 and 7.4% of residents respectively. Around 71.3% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Melbourne's 72.6%. The under-65 population has better health outcomes than average. Moonee Ponds has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over (17.2%, or 3,093 people) compared to Greater Melbourne's 15.0%. While there are some challenges with health outcomes among seniors in the area, they rank lower nationally than the broader population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Moonee Ponds was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Moonee Ponds, found to be more culturally diverse than most local markets, had 29.1% of its population born overseas and 25.3% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the main religion in Moonee Ponds, with 51.9%. Judaism comprised only 0.2%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 1.0%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (20.0%), Australian (17.6%), and Italian (12.1%), notably higher than regional averages of 14.3% for English, 15.9% for Australian, and 5.2% for Italian. Maltese was overrepresented at 1.7%, compared to the region's 1.1%. Greek was also overrepresented at 3.7% (vs 2.7%) and Croatian at 1.1% (vs 0.7%).

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 the Australian median of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Moonee Ponds has a higher proportion of 25-34 year-olds (19.6%) but fewer 5-14 year-olds (8.5%). Between the 2016 Census and the 2021 Census, the proportion of 65-74 year-olds increased from 8.4% to 9.5%, while the proportion of 45-54 year-olds decreased from 13.1% to 12.1%. By 2041, Moonee Ponds is projected to experience significant changes in its age distribution. Notably, the 55-64 age group is expected to grow by 38%, adding 810 people and reaching a total of 2,918 from 2,107. The 0-4 age group is projected to grow at a more modest rate of 10%, with an increase of 69 residents.