Mount Dandenong - Olinda

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

Mount Dandenong - Olinda's population, as of May 2026, is around 9,587, reflecting a decrease from the 2021 Census figure of 9,706. This change was inferred from ABS estimated resident population data for June 2025 and validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density ratio is 117 persons per square kilometer. Overseas migration contributed approximately 73.2% of recent population gains in the area. 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 until 2041. Future population trends indicate lower quartile growth in Australian statistical areas, with the area expected to grow by 186 persons by 2041, reflecting a total increase of 1.9% over the sixteen 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 seen approximately six dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 33 homes. As of FY-26, six approvals have been recorded so far. The population has declined in recent years, yet development activity has remained adequate relative to this decline, benefiting buyers. New properties are constructed at an average cost of $689,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties.

This financial year, $1.7 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, 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. When compared nationally, the area also reflects market maturity with possible development constraints. Recent building activity comprises entirely detached houses, maintaining the area's traditional low density character focused on family homes appealing to those seeking space.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 1403 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Mount Dandenong - Olinda is expected to grow by 186 residents through to 2041. Building activity appears to be keeping pace with growth projections, though buyers may face increased competition as the population grows.

Mount Dandenong - Olinda 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 26 projects likely affecting the region. Notable initiatives 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 projects of particular relevance.

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 an educated workforce with professional services well represented. The unemployment rate was 2.8% in the past year, with estimated employment growth of 1.7%. As of December 2025, 5,338 residents were employed at a 2.0% lower unemployment rate than Greater Melbourne's 4.8%.

Workforce participation was similar to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. Census responses showed 37.4% worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Employment is concentrated in education & training, health care & social assistance, and professional & technical services. The area specializes in education & training with an employment share of 1.5 times the regional level, but has lower representation in transport, postal & warehousing at 2.8% compared to the regional average of 5.2%.

Limited local employment opportunities are indicated by the resident population vs working population count. In the 12-month period ending May-25, employment increased by 1.7%, labour force grew by 1.5%, and unemployment fell by 0.2 percentage points. This contrasts with Greater Melbourne's employment growth of 2.4% and labour force growth of 2.8%, but a 0.3 percentage point rise in unemployment. Jobs and Skills Australia forecasts national employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Mount Dandenong - Olinda's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

Mount Dandenong - Olinda SA2 has a very high national income level according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. The median income among taxpayers is $57,568 and the average income stands at $75,921. These figures compare to Greater Melbourne's of $57,688 and $75,164 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $63,106 (median) and $83,225 (average) as of March 2026. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Mount Dandenong - Olinda cluster around the 67th percentile nationally. Income distribution shows that 31.5% of the population fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range, consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing 32.8% in the same category. A substantial proportion of high earners (31.1%) indicates strong economic capacity throughout Mount Dandenong - Olinda. After housing costs, residents retain 86.9% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and 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, was 99.1% houses and 0.9% other dwellings, compared to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mount Dandenong-Olinda stood at 39.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 51.8% and rented ones at 8.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,028, higher than Melbourne metro's $2,000 and the Australian average of $1,863. Median weekly rent in Mount Dandenong-Olinda was $400, exceeding Melbourne metro's $390 and the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 77.9% of all households, including 35.9% couples with children, 32.6% couples without children, and 8.9% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 22.1%, with lone person households at 20.2% and group households comprising 1.9%. 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 residents aged 15+ have a higher educational attainment than broader benchmarks. Specifically, 38.5% hold university qualifications, compared to 23.8% in the SA3 area and 30.4% nationally (Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census 2021). This is led by bachelor degrees at 23.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (9.5%) and graduate diplomas (5.7%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 33.3% of residents holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas (13.6%) and certificates (19.7%).

Educational participation is high, with 27.9% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.7% in primary education, 8.0% in secondary education, and 4.8% pursuing tertiary education.

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 offering mixed bus services. These are covered by 15 routes facilitating 1,935 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is moderate with residents averaging 402 meters from the nearest stop. Most commute outward and cars dominate at 90%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.8 per dwelling, above regional average. In 2021 Census data (possibly influenced by COVID-19), 37.4% of residents worked from home.

Daily service frequency averages 276 trips across all routes, or about 14 weekly trips per stop. The accompanying map displays the 100 nearest stops to the location's centrepoint.

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 throughout Mount Dandenong - Olinda based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.

Both young and old age cohorts exhibit low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is very high at approximately 57% of the total population (~5,426 people). The most prevalent medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and arthritis, affecting 9.0 and 8.9% of residents respectively. Conversely, 67.1% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among the working-age population are largely typical. The area has 23.5% of residents aged 65 and over (2,255 people), which is higher than the 15.0% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings broadly in line with 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, surveyed in 2016, showed cultural diversity below average. 80.9% of its population were born in Australia, with 91.1% being citizens and 93.0% speaking English at home. Christianity was the dominant religion (31.7%).

Judaism, at 0.6%, was overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne's 1.0%. Top ancestry groups included English (30.9%), Australian (24.5%), and Scottish (9.9%), all higher than regional averages of 20.1%, 18.4% respectively. Notably, Dutch (2.8%) was overrepresented compared to the region's 1.2%. Hungarian (0.5%) and Polish (1.1%) also showed notable divergences from regional averages of 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 proportion of residents aged 65-74 (14.1%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (6.1%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 75-84 increased from 5.3% to 7.8%, and the 15-24 age group increased from 10.1% to 11.3%. Conversely, the 25-34 age group decreased from 8.4% to 6.1%, and the 5-14 age group dropped from 12.8% to 11.8%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Mount Dandenong - Olinda's age structure. The 85+ age group is projected to grow by 161%, reaching 420 people from 161. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 75% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, both the 0-4 and 65-74 age groups are projected to have reduced numbers.