Mount Dandenong - Olinda

Mount Dandenong - Olinda has shown very soft population growth performance across periods assessed by AreaSearch

Mount Dandenong - Olinda's population is around 9,663 as of Nov 2025. This reflects a decrease of 43 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 9,706 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 9,609 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 25 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 118 persons per square kilometer. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 64.1% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. As we examine future population trends, lower quartile growth of Australian statistical areas is anticipated, with the area expected to grow by 230 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 1.8% in total over the 17 years.

The level of residential development activity in Mount Dandenong - Olinda is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

Mount Dandenong - Olinda has averaged approximately six new dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 33 homes. As of FY-26, four approvals have been recorded. The population has fallen during this period, yet housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice. New properties are constructed at an average expected construction cost value of $689,000, indicating that developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties.

This financial year, there have been $1.7 million in commercial approvals, reflecting the area's residential nature. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Mount Dandenong - Olinda has significantly less development activity, 83.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings. Nationally, this is also lower, suggesting market maturity and possible development constraints. All new construction in the area has consisted of detached dwellings, preserving its low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 1403 people. Future projections indicate Mount Dandenong - Olinda adding 176 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Current development appears well-matched to future needs, supporting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.

Mount Dandenong - Olinda has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 44thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 26 projects that could affect the region. Notable projects include Six Senses Resort And Spa At Burnham Beeches, Mount Dandenong Tourist Road Landslide Repair Works, Dandenong Ranges Environmental Protection Program, and Sherbrooke Children's Centre Services. 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.

AreaSearch analysis places Mount Dandenong - Olinda well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Mount Dandenong - Olinda has a well-educated workforce with professional services being strongly represented. The unemployment rate is 2.6%, with an estimated employment growth of 1.1% over the past year as of September 2025. There are 5,319 residents in work, and the unemployment rate is 2.7 percentage points lower than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%.

Workforce participation is somewhat below standard at 68.2%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.0%. According to Census responses, 37.4% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries include education & training, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical services. Employment levels in education & training are particularly notable, at 1.5 times the regional average.

However, transport, postal & warehousing is under-represented, with only 2.8% of Mount Dandenong - Olinda's workforce compared to Greater Melbourne's 5.2%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data. Over a 12-month period ending in September 2025, employment increased by 1.1%, while the labour force increased by 0.6%, causing the unemployment rate to fall by 0.5 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 3.0% and labour force growth of 3.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Mount Dandenong - Olinda's employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation of industry-specific projections.

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

The Mount Dandenong - Olinda SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $57,568 and an average income of $75,921 in the financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. These figures are high compared to Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164 in the same period. By September 2025, estimates based on an 8.25% Wage Price Index growth suggest a median income of approximately $62,317 and an average income of around $82,184. The 2021 Census shows that incomes in Mount Dandenong - Olinda cluster around the 67th percentile nationally. In this area, 31.5% of locals (3,043 people) earn between $1,500 and $2,999 per week, which is consistent with broader trends across the region where 32.8% fall into the same category. Economic strength is evident with 31.1% of households earning more than $3,000 weekly, supporting high consumer spending. After housing costs, residents retain 86.9% of their income, indicating strong purchasing power. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

Mount Dandenong - Olinda's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 99.1% houses and 0.9% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mount Dandenong - Olinda was at 39.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 51.8% and rented ones at 8.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,028, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Weekly rent median figure stood at $400, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Mount Dandenong - Olinda's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were higher than the national figure of $375.

Mount Dandenong - Olinda features high concentrations of family households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 77.9 percent of all households, including 35.9 percent couples with children, 32.6 percent couples without children, and 8.9 percent single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 22.1 percent, with lone person households at 20.2 percent and group households comprising 1.9 percent of the total. The median household size is 2.6 people, which aligns with the Greater Melbourne average.

Mount Dandenong - Olinda shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Mount Dandenong - Olinda's educational attainment is notably high, with 38.5% of residents aged 15 years and above holding university qualifications, compared to the SA3 area average of 23.8% and the Australian average of 30.4%. The most common university qualification is a Bachelor degree, held by 23.3% of residents in this age group, followed by postgraduate qualifications (9.5%) and graduate diplomas (5.7%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 33.3% of residents aged 15 years and above holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (13.6%) and certificates (19.7%). Educational participation is high in the area, with 27.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education.

This includes primary education (9.7%), secondary education (8.0%), and tertiary education (4.8%).

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

Mount Dandenong-Olinda has 135 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 15 different routes that collectively facilitate 1,935 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as moderate, with residents typically located 402 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to its residential nature. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation, used by 90% of residents. On average, there are 1.8 vehicles per dwelling, higher than the regional average.

Notably, 37.4% of residents work from home (2021 Census data). The service frequency averages 276 trips daily across all routes, equating to approximately 14 weekly trips per stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location's centerpoint.

Mount Dandenong - Olinda's residents are extremely healthy with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics indicates robust performance across Mount Dandenong - Olinda.

Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low for both young and elderly cohorts. Private health cover was high at approximately 57% of the total population (~5,469 people). Mental health issues impacted 9.0% of residents, while arthritis affected 8.9%. A significant portion, 67.1%, declared themselves free from medical ailments compared to Greater Melbourne's 72.6%. Health outcomes among working-age individuals were broadly typical. The area had 22.8% of residents aged 65 and over (2,200 people), higher than Greater Melbourne's 14.9%. Health outcomes among seniors were particularly strong, ranking nationally even higher than the general population.

Mount Dandenong - Olinda ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Mount Dandenong-Olinda, as per the 2016 Census, showed low cultural diversity with 80.9% born in Australia, 91.1% being citizens, and 93.0% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the dominant religion (31.7%). Judaism, however, was overrepresented at 0.6%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 1.0%.

In ancestry, English (30.9%) and Australian (24.5%) groups were substantially higher than regional averages of 20.1% and 18.4% respectively. Scottish ancestry was also notable at 9.9%. Dutch (2.8%), Hungarian (0.5%), and Polish (1.1%) ethnicities showed significant divergences from Greater Melbourne's averages of 1.2%, 0.3%, and 0.8% respectively.

Mount Dandenong - Olinda hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

The median age in Mount Dandenong - Olinda is 45 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and Australia's average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Mount Dandenong - Olinda has a higher percentage of residents aged 65-74 (14.0%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (6.2%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 75 to 84 increased from 5.3% to 7.2%, while the percentage of those aged 25 to 34 decreased from 8.4% to 6.2%. By 2041, demographic projections show significant shifts in Mount Dandenong - Olinda's age structure. The 85+ age group is projected to grow by 193%, reaching 439 people from 149. Notably, the combined age groups of 65 and above will account for 82% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, both the 25-34 and 0-4 age groups are projected to decrease in number.