Mount Waverley - North

Mount Waverley - North has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Mount Waverley - North's population is approximately 17,740 as of February 2026. This figure represents a 10.4% increase from the 2021 Census count of 16,073 people. The change is inferred from an estimated resident population of 17,214 in June 2024 and 242 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 2,737 persons per square kilometer, placing Mount Waverley - North in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch's assessment. The area's growth rate exceeded the national average of 9.9% between the 2021 Census and February 2026. Overseas migration contributed approximately 94.5% of overall population gains during this period.

AreaSearch is using 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 employs the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using a weighted aggregation method from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Based on these projections, Mount Waverley - North is expected to experience above median population growth nationally. By 2041, the area's population is projected to increase by 3,537 persons, representing a total increase of 17.0% over the 17-year period from February 2026.

AreaSearch assessment of residential approval activity sees Mount Waverley - North among the top 30% of areas assessed nationwide

Mount Waverley - North has averaged around 125 new dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years from FY-20 to FY-24, totalling 625 homes. As of FY-26, 69 approvals have been recorded so far. Over these five years, an average of 1.2 people moved to the area for each dwelling built. However, this figure has increased to 4.5 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating growing popularity and potential supply constraints. New homes are being constructed at an average expected cost of $623,000, reflecting a focus on premium properties.

In FY-26, $4.4 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, demonstrating the area's primarily residential nature compared to Greater Melbourne, where Mount Waverley - North has seen 43.0% more development per person over the past five years. Building activity shows a shift towards compact living, with 51.0% attached dwellings and 49.0% detached dwellings, differing from the current housing mix of 72.0% houses. This change reflects reduced availability of development sites and shifting lifestyle demands. With around 169 people per dwelling approval, Mount Waverley - North exhibits characteristics of a growth area. Population forecasts indicate it will gain 3,011 residents by 2041, suggesting that current development patterns should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating further population growth beyond current projections.

Population forecasts indicate Mount Waverley - North will gain 3,011 residents through to 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Based on current development patterns, new housing supply should readily meet demand, offering good conditions for buyers and potentially facilitating population growth beyond current projections.

Mount Waverley - North has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 17 projects that could affect this area. Notable ones include the 151-161 Forster Road Industrial Development, the Mount Waverley North Primary School Upgrade and Modernisation, the East Burwood Reserve Master Plan Implementation, and the Mount Waverley Activity Centre Structure Plan. 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.

The exceptional employment performance in Mount Waverley - North places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Mount Waverley - North has a highly educated workforce with professional services showing strong representation. The unemployment rate in the area is 1.5%. Over the past year, there was an estimated employment growth of 4.8%.

As of September 2025, 9,418 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 3.1%, which is below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%. Workforce participation in Mount Waverley - North is somewhat lower at 66.4% compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.0%. According to Census responses, 41.1% of residents work from home. Leading employment industries among residents include professional & technical services, health care & social assistance, and retail trade.

The area has a particularly strong specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level. However, construction has limited presence with 6.4% employment compared to the regional average of 9.7%. Over the 12 months to September 2025, employment increased by 4.8%, while labour force increased by 4.9%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.2 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment grow by 3.0%, labour force grew by 3.3%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Mount Waverley - North's employment should increase by 6.9% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.

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

The Mount Waverley - North SA2 has a very high national income level according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. Its median income among taxpayers is $54,739 and average income stands at $75,402. These figures compare to Greater Melbourne's of $57,688 and $75,164 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $59,255 (median) and $81,623 (average) as of September 2025. Census data reveals household income ranks at the 68th percentile ($2,049 weekly), while personal income sits at the 49th percentile. Income analysis shows the predominant cohort spans 28.5% of locals (5,055 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category. Higher earners represent a substantial presence with 32.7% exceeding $3,000 weekly. High housing costs consume 15.2% of income. Despite this, strong earnings place disposable income at the 70th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

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

Mount Waverley - North's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 71.9% houses and 28.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Mount Waverley - North was at 43.2%, with the rest being mortgaged (31.9%) or rented (24.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,600, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent figure was $485, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Mount Waverley - North's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,600 against the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375 at $485.

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

Family households account for 77.8% of all households, consisting of 41.4% couples with children, 24.2% couples without children, and 10.9% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 22.2%, with lone person households at 18.8% and group households comprising 3.4%. The median household size is 2.8 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Educational achievement in Mount Waverley - North places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Mount Waverley - North has a notably high level of educational attainment among its residents aged 15 and above, with 49.5% holding university qualifications. This figure surpasses both the SA4 region's average of 29.8% and Australia's average of 30.4%. The area's strong educational advantage is reflected in its high proportion of residents with bachelor degrees (29.6%), postgraduate qualifications (16.1%), and graduate diplomas (3.8%). Vocational pathways are also prevalent, accounting for 20.5% of qualifications among those aged 15 and above, with advanced diplomas making up 10.5% and certificates 10.0%.

Educational participation in the area is notably high, with 31.9% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.1% in primary education, 8.9% in secondary education, and 8.3% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Mount Waverley - North has 54 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by six different routes that together facilitate 3,038 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these stops is considered good, with residents typically residing 299 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents in this predominantly residential area commute outwards. Cars remain the primary mode of transport, used by 85% of residents, while trains are used by 9%. On average, there are 1.4 vehicles per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, 41.1% of residents work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 434 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 56 weekly trips per individual stop.

Mount Waverley - North's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Mount Waverley - North demonstrates excellent health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.

The area has a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Approximately 57% (~10,040 people) have private health cover, which is higher than the Greater Melbourne average. Arthritis and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 6.1 and 5.9% of residents respectively. A total of 75.5% of residents claim to be completely free from medical ailments, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. The area has an 18.7% (3,317 people) senior population, higher than the 15.1% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are strong but rank lower nationally compared to the broader population.

Mount Waverley - North is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Mount Waverley-North, as of the latest data available, has a population where 52.5% speak languages other than English at home and 51.0% were born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Mount Waverley-North, comprising 38.7% of its population, while Buddhism makes up 7.9%, which is higher compared to Greater Melbourne's average of 4.2%. The top three ancestry groups based on country of birth of parents are Chinese at 24.6%, English at 15.0%, and Australian at 12.5%.

Notably, Sri Lankan ancestry is overrepresented in Mount Waverley-North at 2.2% compared to the regional average of 0.8%, Greek ancestry is at 4.7% (regional average: 2.7%), and Korean ancestry is at 1.5% (regional average: 0.3%).

Mount Waverley - North's population is slightly older than the national pattern

Mount Waverley - North has a median age of 40, which is higher than Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 and Australia's figure of 38. The 15-24 age group is notably over-represented in Mount Waverley - North at 15.9%, compared to the Greater Melbourne average. Conversely, the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 11.2%. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has grown from 14.1% to 15.9% of the population, while the 45-54 age group has declined from 13.6% to 12.8%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests that Mount Waverley - North's age profile will change significantly. The 45-54 age cohort is projected to expand by 629 people (28%), growing from 2,270 to 2,900. Meanwhile, the 0-4 age cohort is expected to grow by a modest 6%, adding 39 people.