Port Melbourne Industrial
Statistical Area - sa2

Port Melbourne Industrial lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends

Port Melbourne Industrial's population was around 4,949 as of Aug 2025. This reflected an increase of 3,042 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 1,907 people. The change was inferred from the estimated resident population of 2,894 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 1,631 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equated to a density ratio of 647 persons per square kilometer. Port Melbourne Industrial's growth rate exceeded both national (8.6%) and state averages, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by interstate migration contributing approximately 76.5% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered, it utilised 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 were applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Exceptional growth, placing it in the top 10 percent of statistical areas analysed by AreaSearch, was predicted over the period with the area expected to grow by 7,764 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, recording a gain of 109.6% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Port Melbourne Industrial among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Port Melbourne Industrial has seen approximately 397 new homes approved annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, with 1,986 dwellings approved over the past five financial years, from FY-21 to FY-25. As of FY-26389 dwellings have been recorded so far. On average, 0.7 people per dwelling built have moved to the area annually over the past five financial years.

This indicates that new supply is keeping pace with or exceeding demand, providing ample buyer choice and creating capacity for population growth beyond current forecasts. New properties are constructed at an average value of $483,000. In FY-26, $15.1 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, indicating steady commercial investment activity in the area. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Port Melbourne Industrial records 1684.0% more development activity per person, offering buyers ample choice and reflecting strong developer confidence in the area. All new construction in Port Melbourne Industrial has been comprised of medium and high-density housing, providing accessible entry options that appeal to downsizers, investors, and entry-level buyers. With around five people moving into the area for each dwelling approval, Port Melbourne Industrial shows characteristics of a growth area.

Population forecasts indicate it will gain 5,426 residents by 2041. 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.

Port Melbourne Industrial has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 128 projects likely impacting the area. Key projects include West Gate Tunnel Project, Defence Science Technology Group Redevelopment, Trielle at Yarra's Edge, and University of Melbourne Fishermans Bend Campus. Below is a list detailing those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Employment performance in Port Melbourne Industrial exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Port Melbourne Industrial has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. The unemployment rate was 4.3% as of the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 6.3%.

As of June 2025, 2,080 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.6%, which is 0.3% below Greater Melbourne's rate. Workforce participation is high at 74.6%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Employment is concentrated in professional & technical services, construction, and finance & insurance. Notably, employment levels in professional & technical services are 1.5 times the regional average, while health care & social assistance has limited presence at 7.8% compared to the regional average of 14.2%.

The area functions as an employment hub with 15.8 workers per resident. Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 6.3%, outpacing Greater Melbourne's growth of 3.5%. State-level data from Sep-25 shows Victoria's employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%. National employment forecasts project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Port Melbourne Industrial's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.8% over five years and 13.5% over ten years.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

In AreaSearch's latest postcode-level ATO data for financial year 2022, Port Melbourne Industrial had a median taxpayer income of $71,550 and an average of $107,812. Nationally, these figures are exceptionally high compared to Greater Melbourne's median of $54,892 and average of $73,761. As of March 2025, estimated incomes based on Wage Price Index growth would be approximately $78,784 (median) and $118,712 (average). According to census data, household, family, and personal incomes in Port Melbourne Industrial rank highly nationally, between the 88th and 96th percentiles. In income distribution, 36.2% of the population (1,791 individuals) falls within the $1,500 - $2,999 range, similar to the surrounding region at 32.8%. Notably, 40.0% earn above $3,000 weekly, indicating prosperity and robust local economic activity. Housing costs consume 21.9% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 79th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Port Melbourne Industrial features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Port Melbourne Industrial's dwelling structure in the latest Census showed 0.0% houses and 99.9% other dwellings such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings, compared to Melbourne metro's 8.7% houses and 91.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Port Melbourne Industrial was at 6.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 31.1% and rented ones at 62.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,279, exceeding the Melbourne metro average of $2,170. Median weekly rent stood at $585, higher than Melbourne metro's $420. Nationally, Port Melbourne Industrial's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than Australia's average of $1,863, and rents substantially above the national figure of $375.

Port Melbourne Industrial features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 52.5% of all households, including 14.2% couples with children, 30.9% couples without children, and 6.3% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 47.5%, with lone person households at 34.3% and group households comprising 12.9%. The median household size is 2.1 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 1.9.

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

Port Melbourne Industrial's educational attainment is notably higher than broader benchmarks. As of a recent study, 55.2% of residents aged 15 and above hold university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 33.4% in Victoria. This includes 35.5% with bachelor degrees, 16.5% with postgraduate qualifications, and 3.2% with graduate diplomas. Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 25.7% of residents holding such qualifications, including 13.1% with advanced diplomas and 12.6% with certificates.

Educational participation is high, with 33.1% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, comprising 12.8% in tertiary education, 6.1% in primary education, and 3.9% pursuing secondary education. The area's three schools have a combined enrollment of 839 students. Port Melbourne Industrial demonstrates above-average socio-educational conditions, with an ICSEA score of 1087. Educational provision is conventional, split between one primary and two secondary institutions. As an education hub, the area provides 16.9 school places per 100 residents, significantly higher than the regional average of 9.6, attracting students from surrounding communities.

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

Port Melbourne Industrial has 55 active public transport stops. These are a mix of light rail and bus services. There are 11 individual routes operating in total.

Collectively, they provide 8,412 weekly passenger trips. The average distance from residents to the nearest transport stop is 138 meters. Service frequency averages 1,201 trips per day across all routes, which equates to approximately 152 weekly trips per individual stop.

Port Melbourne Industrial's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health outcomes data shows excellent results across Port Melbourne Industrial with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 75% of the total population (3696 people), compared to the national average of 55.3%.

Mental health issues and asthma were found to be the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 7.4 and 7.1% of residents respectively. Overall, 82.0% of residents declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, higher than the 73.3% across Greater Melbourne. The area has 4.5% of residents aged 65 and over (221 people), which is lower than the 14.3% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention despite their smaller proportion.

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

Port Melbourne Industrial's cultural diversity is high, with 37.1% speaking a language other than English at home and 51.3% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion in Port Melbourne Industrial, accounting for 37.1%. Buddhism is overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, comprising 3.0% versus 1.9%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (19.7%), Other (16.5%), and Australian (14.1%). Spanish (1.1% vs 0.7%) and French (0.9% vs 1.1%) are notably overrepresented, while Serbian is slightly higher at 0.7% versus the regional average of 0.4%.

Port Melbourne Industrial hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Port Melbourne Industrial's median age is 35 years, which is slightly younger than Greater Melbourne's 37 and somewhat younger than the national average of 38 years. The 25-34 age group has a strong representation at 32.8%, compared to Greater Melbourne, while the 5-14 cohort is less prevalent at 6.3%. This concentration in the 25-34 age group is well above the national average of 14.5%. Since 2021, residents have aged by an average of 2.6 years, with the median rising from 32 to 35. Key changes include the growth of the 55-64 age group from 6.1% to 7.5%, and the increase of the 5-14 cohort from 5.2% to 6.3%. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort has declined from 40.4% to 32.8%. Population forecasts for the year 2041 indicate substantial demographic changes in Port Melbourne Industrial, with the 45-54 age group projected to grow by 205%, adding 1,214 residents to reach a total of 1,805.