Mount Martha

Population growth drivers in Mount Martha are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Mount Martha's population is around 20,311 as of Feb 2026. This reflects an increase of 465 people (2.3%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 19,846 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 20,166 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 105 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population level equates to a density ratio of 672 persons per square kilometer, providing significant space per person and potential room for further development. Mount Martha's 2.3% growth since the census positions it within 1.4 percentage points of the SA3 area (3.7%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration, which was essentially the sole driver of 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. Regarding demographic trends, an above-median population growth compared to national areas is projected, with the area expected to grow by 3,188 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a gain of 15.0% in total over the 17 years.

Residential development activity is lower than average in Mount Martha according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets

Mount Martha has seen around 67 new homes approved each year, totalling 339 homes over the past 5 financial years. So far in FY-26, 22 approvals have been recorded. Given an average of only 0.5 new residents per year per dwelling constructed over the past 5 financial years (between FY-21 and FY-25), supply is meeting or surpassing demand, providing greater buyer choice while supporting potential for population growth above projections. New homes are being built at an average value of $803,000, demonstrating a developer focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. Additionally, $10.1 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded this financial year, suggesting balanced commercial development activity.

When measured against Greater Melbourne, Mount Martha shows approximately 65% of the construction activity per person, placing it among the 49th percentile of areas assessed nationally. This indicates somewhat limited buyer options while strengthening demand for established properties. This activity is similarly under the national average, reflecting the area's established nature and suggesting potential planning limitations. Recent construction comprises 73.0% standalone homes and 27.0% townhouses or apartments, maintaining the area's traditional low density character with a focus on family homes appealing to those seeking space. The estimated count of 385 people in the area per dwelling approval reflects its quiet, low activity development environment.

Population forecasts indicate Mount Martha will gain 3,043 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Should current construction levels persist, housing supply could lag population growth, likely intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.

Mount Martha has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 42ndth percentile nationally

Nothing can influence an area's performance as much as changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. In total, 7 projects have been identified by AreaSearch that are likely to have an impact on the area. Key projects include the Mount Martha North Foreshore Toilet Renewal, Briars Wildlife Sanctuary Expansion, Briars Class A Recycled Water Project, and the Mount Martha Village Parking and Footpath Upgrade on Watson Road, with the list below detailing those likely to be of most 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 of employment trends sees Mount Martha performing better than 90% of local markets assessed across Australia

Mount Martha possesses a well-educated workforce, with essential services sectors well represented, an unemployment rate of just 1.6%, and 2.1% in estimated employment growth over the past year. As of December 2025, 10,401 residents are in work while the unemployment rate is 3.2% below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%, and workforce participation lags significantly (62.9% compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.3%). Based on Census responses, a high 31.1% of residents were found to work from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered.

The dominant employment sectors among residents include health care & social assistance, construction, and education & training. The area shows particularly strong specialization in construction, with an employment share of 1.4 times the regional level. Meanwhile, transport, postal & warehousing has a limited presence with 2.1% employment compared to 5.2% regionally. The predominantly residential area appears to offer limited employment opportunities locally, as indicated by the count of Census working population vs resident population.

Based on AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data, during the year to December 2025, employment levels increased by 2.1% and the labour force increased by 2.2%, keeping the unemployment rate relatively stable. By comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 2.4% and labour force growth of 2.8%, with unemployment rising 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 can offer further insight into potential future demand within Mount Martha. These projections, covering five and ten-year periods, have been mapped against the local employment profile to estimate growth patterns. While national employment is forecast to expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, growth rates differ significantly between industry sectors. Applying these industry-specific projections to Mount Martha's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.6% over ten years (please note this is a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and does not take into account localised population projections).

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for FY-23, the Mount Martha SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $56,136 with the average level standing at $86,735. This is among the highest in Australia and compares to levels of $57,688 and $75,164 across Greater Melbourne respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $60,767 (median) and $93,891 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household, family and personal incomes in Mount Martha cluster around the 65th percentile nationally. The earnings profile shows the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 29.7% of residents (6,032 people), reflecting patterns seen in the metropolitan region where 32.8% similarly occupy this range. The substantial proportion of high earners (32.4% above $3,000/week) indicates strong economic capacity throughout this suburb. After housing costs, residents retain 86.7% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

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

Dwelling structure within Mount Martha, as evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 84.3% houses and 15.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), in comparison to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Meanwhile, the level of home ownership within Mount Martha was well beyond that of Melbourne metro, at 43.9%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (43.5%) or rented (12.5%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was above the Melbourne metro average at $2,167, while the median weekly rent figure was recorded at $496, compared to Melbourne metro's $2,000 and $390. Nationally, Mount Martha's mortgage repayments are significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households dominate at 78.2% of all households, comprising 37.5% couples with children, 31.1% couples without children, and 9.1% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 21.8%, with lone person households at 20.8% and group households comprising 1.0% of the total. The median household size of 2.7 people is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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

Educational qualifications in Mount Martha trail regional benchmarks, with 29.3% of residents aged 15+ holding university degrees compared to 37.0% in Greater Melbourne. This gap highlights potential for educational development and skills enhancement. Bachelor degrees lead at 20.1%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.3%) and graduate diplomas (3.9%). Trade and technical skills feature prominently, with 36.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational credentials, including advanced diplomas (14.4%) and certificates (21.8%).

Educational participation is notably high, with 29.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 10.9% in primary education, 9.7% in secondary education, and 3.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 78 active transport stops operating within Mount Martha, comprising a mix of buses. These stops are serviced by 4 individual routes, collectively providing 805 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 341 meters from the nearest transport stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward, and the car remains the dominant mode at 95%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.7 per dwelling, which is above the regional average. A high 31.1% of residents work from home (2021 Census; may reflect COVID-19 conditions).

Service frequency averages 115 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 10 weekly trips per individual stop.

Mount Martha's residents are extremely healthy with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population and nearer the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Mount Martha, based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The prevalence of common health conditions is low among the general population and near the national average across older, at-risk cohorts. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 63% of the total population (12,856 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne and a national average of 55.7%.

The most common medical conditions in the area are arthritis and asthma, impacting 9.1% and 7.7% of residents, respectively, while 67.7% declared themselves as completely clear of medical ailments compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. The under-65 population demonstrates better than average health outcomes. The area has 27.8% of residents aged 65 and over (5,646 people), which is higher than the 15.1% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, though they rank lower nationally than the broader population.

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

Mount Martha is below average in terms of cultural diversity, with 79.1% of its population born in Australia, 91.2% being citizens, and 94.9% speaking English only at home. The main religion in Mount Martha is Christianity, which makes up 47.1% of the population. However, the most apparent overrepresentation is in Judaism, which comprises 0.3% of the population, compared to 1.0% across Greater Melbourne.

In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Mount Martha are English, comprising 34.1% of the population, which is substantially higher than the regional average of 20.1%, Australian, comprising 25.8% of the population, which is substantially higher than the regional average of 18.4%, and Irish, comprising 9.7% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Scottish is notably overrepresented at 9.5% of Mount Martha (vs 5.6% regionally), Dutch at 1.9% (vs 1.2%) and Welsh at 0.7% (vs 0.4%).

Mount Martha hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

At 47 years, Mount Martha's median age is considerably higher than the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and substantially exceeds the 38-year national average. The 75 - 84 age group shows strong representation at 11.4% compared to Greater Melbourne, whereas the 25 - 34 cohort is less prevalent at 4.7%. This 75 - 84 concentration is well above the national 6.1%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 75 to 84 age group has grown from 8.4% to 11.4% of the population, while the 15 to 24 cohort increased from 11.4% to 13.4%. Conversely, the 35 to 44 cohort has declined from 11.3% to 9.0% and the 5 to 14 group dropped from 14.6% to 13.1%. Demographic modeling suggests Mount Martha's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041. The 75 to 84 cohort shows the strongest projected growth at 51%, adding 1,189 residents to reach 3,509. Senior residents (65+) will drive 76% of population growth, underscoring demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, population declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 35 to 44 cohorts.