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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Preston - West has an estimated 13,630 residents, up from 12,696 at the 2021 Census — a change of 934 people, or 7.4%. Growth has averaged 0.5% a year over five years. Overseas migration accounts for 84.9% of that increase. That puts 3,818 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to the analysis conducted by AreaSearch, the population of Preston - West is approximately 13,630 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 934 individuals (7.4%) from the 12,696 residents recorded in the 2021 Census. This population shift is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population figure of 13,610 along with 71 validated new addresses identified after the Census. This count translates to a density of 3,817 persons per square kilometer, placing the suburb in the highest quarter of all Australian locations evaluated. The local growth rate of 7.4% since the census is within 1.9 percentage points of the state average of 9.3%, indicating solid underlying growth.
The main driver of this expansion was overseas migration, which accounted for roughly 84.9% of the overall population rise in recent times. Projections from ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024, using 2022 as a baseline, are utilized by AreaSearch for each SA2. For SA2 regions lacking this dataset, AreaSearch incorporates the 2023 Victoria State Government Regional and LGA projections, modifying them via a weighted aggregation of population expansion from LGA down to SA2 scales. Age cohort growth rates derived from these aggregations are also applied to all areas for the years 2032 to 2041. Looking at future demographic patterns, the location is projected to experience rapid expansion that ranks in the top 10 percent of all statistical areas in the nation, with an estimated increase of 5,333 individuals by 2041 compared to the latest annual ERP statistics, representing a 39.0% rise over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
248 new dwellings have been approved in Preston - West over the past five years, an average of 49 a year. That places the area in the 50th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 4 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 36 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 28% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 113, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Annual residential building approvals in Preston - West have averaged about 49, resulting in 248 total dwellings over the last 5 financial years. During the current FY-26104 approvals have been registered. Between FY-21 and FY-25, the local population increased by an average of 1.3 people for every new home constructed, indicating a balanced alignment between supply and demand that fosters steady market conditions; however, this metric rose to 4.7 people per dwelling over the last 2 financial years, pointing to rising demand and a possible shortage of homes. The average construction cost for new dwellings is $341,000.
Additionally, commercial approvals worth $7.7 million were recorded during this financial year, highlighting the primarily residential character of the suburb. Preston - West experiences significantly less construction activity than the broader regional average, sitting 51.0% below the per-capita rate of Greater Melbourne. This constrained volume of new building typically reinforces demand and helps maintain values for existing properties. Newly approved projects consist of 72.0% attached dwellings and 28.0% detached houses. This emphasis on higher-density options offers affordable entry points and attracts first-time buyers, investors, and downsizers. It also represents a major shift from the current housing stock, which is 60.0% houses, reflecting a scarcity of development sites as well as evolving lifestyle choices and budget constraints. With a ratio of roughly 299 people for each approved dwelling, Preston - West presents a changing property market. Long-term forecasts indicate that Preston - West will add 5,313 residents by 2041, based on the most recent quarterly estimates from AreaSearch. If the pace of construction does not change, housing supply might lag behind population growth, which could increase competition among purchasers and encourage higher price appreciation.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Preston - West
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 3 current infrastructure and development projects inside Preston - West, worth an estimated $570 million. A further 105 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $240.4 billion. 24 are already under construction and 30 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Changes in infrastructure, new planning initiatives, and major developments are key factors in suburban performance. AreaSearch has identified a total of 21 projects expected to influence the local area. Some of the most significant initiatives include Preston Crossing, the Preston Central Activity Centre Structure Plan, the Northland Shopping Centre Redevelopment, and The Avenue, Coburg, with relevant details provided in the list below.
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Preston Central Activity Centre Structure Plan
State Government planning controls under Amendment GC252 came into effect on 11 April 2025, implementing the Preston Central Structure Plan across the Preston (High Street) Activity Centre. The plan introduces a new Activity Centre Zone, Built Form Overlay and Housing Choice and Transport Zone, enabling at least 10,200 new homes by 2051. Development is focused around Preston Station and High Street with streamlined planning approvals, building heights generally between 4 and 10 storeys in the core, lower scale housing in surrounding catchments and new infrastructure contributions commencing from 2027.
Pentridge Precinct
A landmark $2.2 billion mixed-use redevelopment of the heritage-listed former Pentridge Prison site in Coburg, comprising two adjoining precincts. The northern Pentridge Coburg precinct, owned by Shayher Group since 2013, has delivered the public piazza, Palace Cinemas 15-screen complex, Ritchies supermarket, the Adina Apartment Hotel within the former B Division, the Horizon and Rook apartments, and Victoria Tower. Cascade Square, the latest residential addition by Shayher Group with Future Estate, is now under construction by Construction Engineering Australia and consists of two towers of 11 and 12 storeys delivering 245 one, two and three bedroom apartments alongside the historic A Division cell block, with completion targeted for 2027.The southern 1.9 hectare Pentridge Village portion was acquired by Salvo in 2021 and is being progressed as a $1.2 billion mixed-use redevelopment masterplanned by DKO Architecture, with around 650 apartments permitted under the 2008 Pentridge Village Masterplan. Within the Pentridge Village precinct, Blue Earth Group has completed 48 townhouses under Stage 1 and is seeking approval for an expanded 16 storey, 252 apartment Stage 2 mixed-use building at 45 Pentridge Boulevard. The overall precinct preserves heritage assets including Ned Kelly's grave site, the bluestone F Division building, the original perimeter walls, guard towers and a mural by Indigenous artist Ronald Bull.
Coburg Health and Community Services Precinct
A 160 million dollar campus-style health and community services hub spanning more than 15,000 square metres, delivered by Coburg Health Hub Pty Ltd. The precinct will bring together a private short-stay hospital, a bulk-billed GP super clinic, a mental health facility, allied health services, residential aged care, community health services and a childcare and early learning centre. Over 50 percent of services will be delivered by not-for-profit and community providers including Merri Health, on long-term leases.A planning permit (MPS/2024/414) was issued on 30 April 2026 and construction is expected to commence on site in late 2026, with up to 1,000 jobs anticipated. Council is separately refurbishing the adjacent state-listed heritage Bluestone Cottage complex, building a new annex for the Coburg Historical Society and creating a historic garden, with funding contributions from Coburg Health Hub.
Coburg Health and Community Services Precinct
An integrated health and community services precinct on a 14,500 square metre vacant site next to the Coburg Civic Centre, on the corner of Bell Street and Pentridge Boulevard. The development comprises three multi-storey buildings to be delivered in stages and will house a community hospital, a GP super clinic, a mental health facility, residential aged care, allied health services, a childcare centre, and food and drink premises. Over 50 percent of services will be delivered by community and not-for-profit providers, including Merri Health.The masterplan also incorporates the retention and refurbishment of the heritage-listed Coburg Bluestone Cottage complex, which will continue to be operated by the Coburg Historical Society as a local history museum, alongside a new multi-purpose facility and historic-themed garden. A planning permit was issued by Merri-bek City Council on 30 April 2026, with construction expected to commence in late 2026. The project is forecast to support up to 1,000 local jobs.
Preston Workshops Redevelopment Project
Major redevelopment of the historic Preston Tram Workshops into a state-of-the-art facility that now operates as New Preston Depot. The project involved full reconstruction of approximately 80% of the site to provide modern stabling, servicing and maintenance facilities for up to 75 E-class trams. Features include 7km of new track, automated wheel measuring systems, tram wash facilities, and Australia's first full-sized tram cabin simulator for driver training. The depot serves routes 11 and 86 and houses 72 trams as of 2024.
Preston Crossing
A masterplanned urban regeneration project delivering up to 650 homes. Partnership between Homes Victoria, MAB Corporation, and HousingFirst replacing outdated social homes with new social housing and market apartments. Designed by architects Archier, Hayball, Nightingale, and Breathe Architecture with 5-star Green Star certification and a 7-star NatHERS rating. The first three stages were completed in 2024, with remaining homes under construction.
18a Miller Street Development - Small Sites Pilot Program
Medium-density housing development on surplus government land as part of Development Victoria's Small Sites Pilot Program. The 4,334 square metre site is zoned Residential Growth Zone - Schedule 1 and located 7 kilometres from Melbourne CBD. The project aims to deliver medium-density housing including townhouses and low to mid-rise apartments, with at least 10% designated as affordable housing. The development encourages innovative design solutions and modern methods of construction to accelerate housing supply in established inner Melbourne suburbs close to employment, transport and services.
High Street Preston Streetscape Upgrade
Complete road reconstruction and streetscape improvements for High Street, Preston (Bell Street to Murray Road), including new road base, upgraded kerbs and drainage, wider footpaths, safer pedestrian crossings, speed reduction to 30km/h, removal of clearways, additional street trees and landscaping, upgraded lighting, and improved accessibility and public realm. The Concept Plan was endorsed by Darebin Council on 24 November 2025. Construction is subject to securing additional State and Federal grant funding.
8,260 residents of Preston - West are employed, from a labour force of 8,620. Unemployment sits at 4.2%, with participation at 74.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.8% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 10,713, about 79% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local labor force in Preston - West is highly qualified, characterized by a substantial proportion of professional services workers, a jobless rate of 4.2%, and a 2.1% growth in estimated employment over the previous year. As of March 2026, 8,260 local citizens are employed, with an unemployment rate that is 0.6% lower than the 4.8% average for Greater Melbourne. The labor force participation rate stands at a standard 74.4%, compared to 70.2% across Greater Melbourne. Census data indicates that a high 43.4% of working residents operated from home, though this figure was likely influenced by coronavirus lockdown measures.
The primary employment sectors for local residents are health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical. The suburb exhibits a notable concentration in education & training, with its employment share reaching 1.4 times the regional proportion. On the other hand, construction is underrepresented locally at 7.0% compared to the regional average of 9.7%. Comparing the count of Census workers to the resident population indicates that this largely residential area offers few local jobs. According to AreaSearch's evaluation of SALM and ABS statistics, employment rose by 2.1% over the 12-month period, while the total labor force grew by 3.0%, leading to a 0.9 percentage point increase in the unemployment rate. In comparison, Greater Melbourne saw employment rise by 2.1% and the labor force expand by 2.3%, resulting in a 0.2 percentage point increase in unemployment. Future local employment demand can be contextualized by the national forecasts published by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25. These five and ten-year forecasts have been applied to the local workforce structure to model future patterns. Nationally, employment is predicted to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, but these rates vary widely across different sectors. Applying these industry projections to the local workforce mix suggests that employment in Preston - West would grow by 6.8% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, though this simple weighted extrapolation does not incorporate local population growth dynamics.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Preston - West is $1,970 a week (about $102,000 a year), with median personal income at $902 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $62,040 a year against an average of $75,063. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
Postcode-level ATO data compiled by AreaSearch for the 2023 financial year indicates that the median income for taxpayers in the Preston - West SA2 is $62,040, with an average income of $75,063. These figures are elevated on a national scale, compared to a median of $57,688 and an average of $75,164 across Greater Melbourne. Adjusted for a Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates as of March 2026 are approximately $68,008 for the median and $82,284 for the average. In the 2021 Census, local household, family, and personal incomes were situated around the 65th percentile nationally.
Income distribution statistics show that the largest bracket contains 31.8% of residents (4,334 people) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the wider metropolitan pattern where 32.8% fall into this bracket. Once housing costs are met, residents retain 85.0% of their income for other living costs, and the area is positioned in the 7th decile of the SEIFA income index.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Preston - West had 4,887 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 60% detached houses and 10% apartments. 32% are owned with a mortgage, 35% rented and 33% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $400 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,144 a month. Rent absorbs 20.3% of household income here and mortgage repayments 25.1%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, the housing mix in Preston - West consisted of 60.2% houses and 39.8% other options such as townhouses, units, and apartments, compared to 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings across Greater Melbourne. The home ownership rate in the suburb was 33.4%, which is lower than the Melbourne metro average, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (31.7%) or rented (34.8%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,144 was higher than the Melbourne metro median of $2,000, while the median weekly rent of $400 also exceeded the metropolitan benchmark of $390.
On a national level, mortgage costs in Preston - West are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents exceed the national average of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Preston - West counted 4,887 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 5,247 today, averaging 2.5 people each. 32% are couples with children, against 23% couples without children. 26% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.2 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up the majority of households at 66.6%, consisting of couples with children (32.2%), couples without children (22.8%), and single-parent households (10.1%). Non-family households account for the remaining 33.4%, with single-person households at 26.4% and group households representing 7.0%. The median household size is 2.5 residents, slightly below the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
44.7% of adults in Preston - West hold a university qualification, including 28.3% with a bachelor degree and 11.4% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 91% of areas nationally. A further 12.4% hold a vocational qualification. 4 schools serve the area, with 1,805 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,133 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
The level of education among Preston - West residents is notably high, with 44.7% of citizens aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to national and regional SA4 averages of 30.4% and 32.8% respectively. This educational profile positions the community well for professional services and knowledge-based work. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 28.3%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 11.4% and graduate diplomas at 5.0%. Vocational qualifications are held by 22.5% of the population aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.1%) and certificates (12.4%). Participation in study is high, with 29.1% of local residents enrolled in an educational institution.
This group includes 8.9% attending primary schools, 7.2% enrolled in tertiary education, and 6.6% in secondary schools.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Preston - West reaches 51 stops on 9 routes, timetabled for about 3,800 services a week. The typical home sits about 180 m from its nearest stop. Trams carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.0 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Analysis of the local transport network shows 51 active stops in Preston - West, consisting of bus and lightrail options. These stops are serviced by 9 distinct routes, which accommodate 3,837 passenger trips per week. Transport access is highly rated, with residents living an average of 181 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the residential character of the suburb, most workers commute out of the area; private vehicles are the primary mode of travel at 72%, while 8% use trains and 5% cycle. The average vehicle ownership rate is 1.0 per dwelling, which is below the metropolitan average.
A substantial 43.4% of residents worked from home, as recorded in the 2021 Census, which may reflect the pandemic conditions of the time. The transport network maintains an average frequency of 548 trips each day across all active routes, which represents approximately 75 weekly trips for each individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
70.4% of residents in Preston - West report no long-term health condition. 5.5% need daily assistance with core activities, and 56.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 4.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
Preston - West displays strong health profiles according to AreaSearch's evaluation of mortality rates and chronic health conditions. The prevalence of common illnesses is low among the general population and aligns closely with national averages in older, vulnerable cohorts, while private health insurance coverage is high at roughly 57% of the population, representing approximately 7,714 individuals. The most prevalent health issues in the area are mental health conditions and asthma, affecting 9.6% and 7.9% of residents respectively. Conversely, 70.4% of residents reported having no long-term medical conditions, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne.
Residents under the age of 65 experience better health profiles than average. The suburb has 1,924 residents aged 65 and over, representing 14.1% of the population. Although health outcomes for these older residents are above average, they rank lower nationally than the younger cohorts in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
30.9% of Preston - West residents were born overseas and 32.6% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (18.1%) and Australian (17.0%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Preston - West displays higher cultural diversity than most suburban areas, with 30.9% of the population born outside Australia and 32.6% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 39.9% of the local population. The most prominent religious overrepresentation is Islam, which accounts for 6.1% of residents compared to the Greater Melbourne average of 5.6%. With respect to parent country of birth, the three most common ancestries are English at 18.1%, Australian at 17.0%, and Italian at 12.1%, with the Italian cohort being significantly larger than the regional average of 5.2%.
Other ethnic groups also show notable concentrations: Greek ancestry accounts for 6.0% of the population (compared to 2.7% across the region), Macedonian represents 1.3% (compared to 0.7%), and Lebanese is at 1.6% (compared to 0.8%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Preston - West is 38. 28.6% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age in Preston - West is 38 years, which is close to the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and matches the national median of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, there is a higher proportion of residents aged 45 - 54 (14.2%) and a lower share of youth aged 15 - 24 (11.2%). Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 10.0% to 11.2%, and the 25 to 34 age bracket increased from 16.3% to 17.3%, while the cohort aged 5 to 14 dropped from 11.3% to 10.1%.
By 2041, the age profile is expected to shift, with the 45 to 54 cohort leading this trend by expanding 54% (1,044 people) to reach 2,984 compared to the current 1,939.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Preston - West
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jun 2026 2 months ago all 3 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jun 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 71 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (12,696 at the 2021 Census → 13,630 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (209021429). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.