Mooroolbark

Mooroolbark has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Mooroolbark's population, as of May 2026, is approximately 24,613. This figure represents an increase of 1,467 people from the 2021 Census total of 23,146, marking a growth rate of 6.3%. The increase was inferred from ABS estimates of June 2025 (24,395) and validated new addresses since the Census date (354). This results in a population density ratio of 1,962 persons per square kilometer, higher than the national average assessed by AreaSearch. Mooroolbark's growth rate exceeded that of its SA3 area (3.5%) and SA4 region, positioning it as a growth leader. Natural growth accounted for approximately 50.6% of overall population gains in recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch employs VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Mooroolbark is projected to increase by 2,431 persons based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total growth of 9.0% over the 16-year period.

Recent residential development output has been above average within Mooroolbark when compared nationally

Mooroolbark has seen approximately 126 new homes approved annually. Between financial years FY-21 and FY-25, around 633 homes were approved, with another 59 approved so far in FY-26. The average population increase per dwelling built over these five years was 0.7 people.

This suggests that new supply is meeting or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. New properties are being constructed at an average expected cost of $300,000, aligning with regional patterns. In FY-26, commercial approvals worth $66.5 million have been registered, indicating robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Mooroolbark has seen slightly more development, at 36.0% above the regional average per person over the past five years. This balance supports both buyer choice and current property values.

New building activity in Mooroolbark shows a shift towards compact living, with 41.0% detached houses and 59.0% medium to high-density housing. This change offers affordable entry pathways, attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. It also reflects decreasing availability of developable sites and changing lifestyles. With around 230 people per dwelling approval, Mooroolbark indicates a growing market. According to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate, Mooroolbark is projected to gain approximately 2,213 residents by 2041. Given current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Mooroolbark has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 46thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 37 projects that may affect this region. Notable ones include Cloverlea Estate, Summerset Chirnside Park Retirement Village, Little Scribblers Mooroolbark Early Learning Centre, and the 270 Maroondah Highway Industrial Development. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.

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

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The employment landscape in Mooroolbark shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

Mooroolbark has a skilled workforce with notable representation in the construction sector. The unemployment rate was 5.5% as of December 2021, with an estimated employment growth of 1.0%. By December 2025, 13,039 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate stood at 6.6%, which is 1.8 percentage points higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%.

Workforce participation was at 70.1% in Mooroolbark compared to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. According to Census responses, 25.5% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. The leading employment industries were construction, health care & social assistance, and retail trade. Construction had a particularly high share at 1.5 times the regional level.

Conversely, professional & technical services had lower representation at 6.9%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment increased by 1.0%, labour force grew by 1.6%, resulting in an unemployment rate rise of 0.5 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne had employment growth of 2.4% over the same period. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that employment should increase by 6.3% over five years and 13.2% over ten years in Mooroolbark, based on a simple weighting extrapolation of industry-specific projections against the local employment mix.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's data for financial year 2023 shows median income in Mooroolbark SA2 is $57,886 and average income is $67,686. This is similar to national averages but lower than Greater Melbourne's median of $57,688 and average of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth from financial year 2023 to March 2026 (9.62%), estimated incomes are approximately $63,455 (median) and $74,197 (average). Census 2021 data indicates Mooroolbark's incomes cluster around the 60th percentile nationally. The $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket includes 36.0% of individuals (8,860), aligning with metropolitan region at 32.8%. High housing costs consume 15.1% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 66th percentile. Mooroolbark's SEIFA income ranking is in the 6th decile.

Mooroolbark is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Mooroolbark's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 95.4% houses and 4.6% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting with Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mooroolbark stood at 32.2%, similar to Melbourne metro, with mortgaged dwellings at 47.1% and rented ones at 20.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, aligning with the Melbourne metro average, while median weekly rent was $400 compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Mooroolbark's mortgage repayments surpassed the Australian average of $1,863, and rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Mooroolbark features high concentrations of family households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households account for 78.6% of all households, consisting of 38.8% couples with children, 26.1% couples without children, and 12.7% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 21.4%, with lone person households at 19.3% and group households making up 2.1%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Educational attainment in Mooroolbark aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate is 23.5%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 16.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.4%) and graduate diplomas (3.0%). Vocational credentials are prevalent, with 38.1% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (11.8%) and certificates (26.3%). Educational participation is high at 28.1%, comprising primary education (9.9%), secondary education (7.7%), and tertiary education (3.8%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 28.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.9% in primary education, 7.7% in secondary education, and 3.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Mooroolbark has 46 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 19 different routes, providing a total of 3,418 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility to these stops is rated as moderate, with residents typically located 422 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to the area's predominantly residential nature. Cars remain the dominant mode of transport, used by 92% of residents. On average, there are 1.7 vehicles per dwelling, higher than the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a high proportion of residents, at 25.5%, work from home, which may be reflective of COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 488 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 74 weekly trips per individual stop.

Mooroolbark'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

Mooroolbark residents have favourable health outcomes, as per AreaSearch's analysis of mortality rates and health conditions, aligning with national benchmarks. Common health conditions are low among the general population but higher in older, at-risk cohorts compared to national averages.

Approximately 53% (~12,946 people) have private health cover, slightly above Greater Melbourne's average of 56.7%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 9.2 and 8.7% respectively. About 68.2% claim to be free from medical ailments compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among working-age residents are typical. The area has a higher proportion of residents aged 65 and over at 17.0% (4,171 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 15.0%, but ranks lower nationally than the broader population.

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

Mooroolbark's cultural diversity is above average, with 22.1% of its population born overseas and 15.7% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Mooroolbark, comprising 46.4%. However, the most notable overrepresentation is in Other religions, which makes up 0.8%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 2.3%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are English (28.5%), Australian (27.4%), and Other (9.0%). Notably, Dutch ancestry is overrepresented at 2.7% in Mooroolbark versus 1.2% regionally, while Sri Lankan and South Australian ancestries are also higher than the regional averages at 0.4% each.

Mooroolbark's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Mooroolbark's median age is 37, matching Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 and remaining comparable to Australia's 38 years. The 75-84 age group comprises 6.3%, higher than Greater Melbourne, while the 25-34 cohort stands at 13.5%. Between 2021 and present, the 75-84 age group grew from 4.9% to 6.3%, and the 35-44 cohort increased from 14.5% to 15.7%. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort decreased from 14.6% to 13.5%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Mooroolbark's age structure. Notably, the 45-54 group is expected to grow by 24%, reaching 3,660 from 2,941. Meanwhile, both the 35-44 and 0-4 age groups are projected to decrease in number.