Nunawading

Population growth drivers in Nunawading are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Nunawading's population is around 13,340 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase of 927 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 12,413 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 13,247 from the ABS as of June 2025 and an additional 178 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 2,626 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Nunawading's 7.5% growth since the 2021 census exceeded the SA4 region (3.8%), along with the SA3 area. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 93.0% 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. Looking at population projections moving forward, an above median population growth of national areas is projected, with the area expected to grow by 2,233 persons to 2041 based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 16.0% in total over the 16 years.

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

Nunawading has averaged approximately 57 new dwelling approvals per year. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25288 homes were approved, with an additional 42 approved so far in FY26. On average, 1.4 new residents have been associated with each dwelling constructed over these five years. However, this figure has accelerated to 4.3 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, indicating increasing demand and tightening supply.

The average value of new homes being built is $432,000, slightly above the regional average, suggesting a focus on quality developments. This year alone, $46.3 million in commercial approvals have been registered, reflecting robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Nunawading has shown slightly more development activity, with 27.0% more dwelling approvals per person over the past five years. This maintains good buyer choice while supporting existing property values. The current building activity is composed of 45.0% detached dwellings and 55.0% attached dwellings, a shift from the current housing mix of 69.0% houses.

This change reflects reduced availability of development sites and addresses shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. With approximately 215 people per dwelling approval, Nunawading indicates a developing market. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Nunawading is projected to gain 2,140 residents by 2041. Building activity appears to be keeping pace with these growth projections, though buyers may face increased competition as the population grows.

Nunawading has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 41stth percentile nationally

AreaSearch has identified 18 infrastructure projects that could impact a certain area. Notable ones include the Nunawading Activity Centre Cluster, Tunstall Village, Brand Smart Nunawading Retail Redevelopment, and Strathdon House Davy Lane Jolimont Reserve Precinct Master Plan. The following list details those considered most 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 Nunawading well above average for employment performance across multiple indicators

Nunawading has a highly educated workforce with professional services being strongly represented. The unemployment rate in Nunawading was 2.8% as of December 2025, which is lower than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 1.3%.

As of December 2025, 7,339 residents were employed with a workforce participation rate of 67.9%, below Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. A high percentage of residents, 39.5%, worked from home based on Census responses. The leading employment industries among Nunawading residents are health care & social assistance, professional & technical, and education & training. Finance & insurance has a particularly strong presence with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level.

Conversely, construction has limited presence with 7.3% employment compared to 9.7% regionally. Many Nunawading residents commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Over the year ending December 2025, employment increased by 1.3%, while labour force grew by 1.6%, resulting in a rise of 0.3 percentage points in unemployment rate. In Greater Melbourne during this period, employment rose by 2.4% and unemployment increased by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that Nunawading'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

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023 shows Nunawading SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $59,451 and an average of $75,130. Both figures are above national averages. Greater Melbourne's median was $57,688 with an average of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates for Nunawading would be approximately $65,170 (median) and $82,358 (average) by March 2026. Census data indicates household, family, and personal incomes in Nunawading cluster around the 59th percentile nationally. The earnings profile shows that the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket dominates with 30.6% of residents (4,082 people), similar to regional levels where 32.8% occupy this range. High housing costs consume 15.5% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 62nd percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

Nunawading displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Dwelling structure in Nunawading, as per the latest Census, comprised 68.9% houses and 31.1% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Melbourne metro had 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Nunawading was at 33.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.5% and rented ones at 30.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Nunawading was $2,167, higher than Melbourne metro's $2,000. Median weekly rent in Nunawading was $391, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Nunawading's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

Nunawading features high concentrations of group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 69.6% of all households, including 35.0% couples with children, 23.8% couples without children, and 9.3% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 30.4%, with lone person households at 26.3% and group households comprising 4.1% of the total. The median household size is 2.6 people, which matches the Greater Melbourne average.

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

Educational attainment in Nunawading shows notable superiority over broader standards. Among residents aged 15 years or above, 45.2% possess university qualifications, contrasting with the national average of 30.4%, and the SA4 region's 31.2%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 28.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 12.7% and graduate diplomas at 4.2%. Vocational pathways account for 24.3% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 11.2% and certificates at 13.1%.

Educational participation is particularly high, with 30.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.5% in primary education, 7.0% in secondary education, and 6.9% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Public transport analysis shows 73 active transport stops operating within Nunawading. These stops serve a mix of buses, with 25 individual routes providing a total of 5,633 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 184 meters from the nearest stop. In this primarily residential area, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the dominant mode at 80%, while trains account for 12%. Vehicle ownership averages 1.2 per dwelling.

According to the 2021 Census, a high 39.5% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 804 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 77 weekly trips per individual stop.

Nunawading's residents are extremely healthy with younger cohorts in particular seeing very low prevalence of common health conditions

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Nunawading.

Based on AreaSearch's assessment, mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are low, particularly among younger cohorts who have a very low prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover is high at approximately 57% of the total population (~7,550 people). The most common medical conditions in the area are asthma and mental health issues, impacting 7.4 and 7.3% of residents respectively. Meanwhile, 72.8% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Working-age residents have low chronic condition prevalence. The area has 19.3% of residents aged 65 and over (2,579 people), which is higher than the 15.0% in Greater Melbourne but ranks lower nationally than the broader population.

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

Nunawading has notable cultural diversity, with 39.7% of its population born overseas and 38.8% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Nunawading, comprising 41.1% of the population. There is an overrepresentation of Buddhism in Nunawading, making up 5.8% compared to the regional average of 4.2%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (19.9%), Australian (18.2%), and Chinese (16.5%), which is significantly higher than the regional average of 6.5%. There are notable differences in the representation of certain ethnic groups, with Sri Lankan at 0.6% compared to the regional average of 0.8%, Vietnamese at 1.6% versus 1.9%, and Indian at 4.3% compared to the regional average of 4.2%.

Nunawading's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms

The median age in Nunawading is 39 years, which is higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and close to the national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, the 75-84 age group is notably over-represented in Nunawading at 7.2%, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 13.8%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 75-84 age group has grown from 6.2% to 7.2% of Nunawading's population, while the 0-4 age group has declined from 6.0% to 4.8%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Nunawading. Notably, the 45-54 age group is expected to grow by 25%, reaching 2,163 people from 1,732. Conversely, both the 0-4 and 5-14 age groups are projected to have reduced numbers.