Skye - Sandhurst
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Skye - Sandhurst are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on AreaSearch's analysis, Skye - Sandhurst's population is around 13,665 as of Aug 2025. This reflects an increase of 362 people since the Census in 2021, which reported a population of 13,303 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 13,607 from the ABS as of June 2024 and an additional 164 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 689 persons per square kilometer. Skye - Sandhurst's growth rate of 2.7% since the census positions it within 0.5 percentage points of the SA4 region's growth rate of 3.2%. Population growth for the area was primarily driven by natural growth, contributing approximately 52.3% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusting them employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on the latest population numbers and demographic trends, Skye - Sandhurst is projected to grow by 2,879 persons to 2041, with an increase of 20.6% in total over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development drivers sees a low level of activity in Skye - Sandhurst, placing the area among the bottom 25% of areas assessed nationally

Skye - Sandhurst has recorded approximately 18 residential properties granted approval per year. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 94 approvals across the past five financial years from FY21 to FY25, and 14 so far in FY26. The population has declined recently, indicating that new supply likely kept up with demand, offering good choice to buyers. New homes are being built at an average construction cost value of $487,000.

Commercial approvals registered this financial year amount to $9.8 million, demonstrating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Skye - Sandhurst records significantly lower building activity, 56.0% below the regional average per person, which typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings. However, development activity has increased in recent periods. This is also lower than nationally, suggesting market maturity and possible development constraints. New development consists of 86.0% detached houses and 14.0% medium and high-density housing, preserving the area's low density nature and attracting space-seeking buyers.

The estimated population per dwelling approval is 777 people, reflecting its quiet, low activity development environment. Population forecasts indicate Skye - Sandhurst will gain 2,821 residents by 2041. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

Skye - Sandhurst has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 13 projects that may impact the region. Notable initiatives include Ballarto Road Upgrade, 42-50 Hall Road Townhouses, Carrum Downs Recreation Reserve Improvements, and Ballarto Road Upgrade. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

Skye - Sandhurst ranks among the top 25% of areas assessed nationally for overall employment performance

Skye-Sandhurst has a skilled workforce with an unemployment rate of 2.6%. In the past year, it saw estimated employment growth of 3.9%.

As of June 2025, 7851 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.0%, below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation is higher at 71.5% compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Manufacturing shows notable concentration, with employment levels at 1.6 times the regional average.

Conversely, professional & technical services have lower representation at 6.0%, compared to the regional average of 10.1%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited, as indicated by Census data comparing working population to resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 3.9% while labour force grew by 4.5%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.6 percentage points. Greater Melbourne recorded employment 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%, slightly higher than the national rate of 4.5%. National employment forecasts project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Skye-Sandhurst's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.1% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2022 shows Skye - Sandhurst had a median income among taxpayers of $59,481 and an average level of $67,433. Both figures are higher than the national averages of $54,892 and $73,761 respectively across Greater Melbourne. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.11% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Skye - Sandhurst would be approximately $65,495 (median) and $74,250 (average) as of March 2025. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family, and personal incomes in Skye - Sandhurst rank highly nationally, between the 70th and 80th percentiles. Income distribution data shows 39.9% of the population (5,452 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - $2,999 income range, similar to regional patterns where 32.8% occupy this range. High housing costs consume 15.3% of income in Skye - Sandhurst, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 80th percentile nationally, and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 6th decile.

Skye - Sandhurst is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

As evaluated in the latest Census, dwelling structures in Skye - Sandhurst comprised 90.0% houses and 10.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Melbourne metro's 79.8% houses and 20.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Skye - Sandhurst stood at 25.8%, with mortgaged dwellings at 57.9% and rented ones at 16.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $1,800. Median weekly rent in Skye - Sandhurst was $450, compared to Melbourne metro's $356. Nationally, Skye - Sandhurst's mortgage repayments exceeded the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially higher than the national figure of $375.

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

Family households constitute 84.2% of all households, including 45.1% couples with children, 26.2% couples without children, and 12.1% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 15.8%, with lone person households at 14.1% and group households making up 1.7%. The median household size is 2.9 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.5.

Educational attainment in Skye - Sandhurst aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

The area's university qualification rate stands at 21.1%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 14.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (4.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.3%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 38.9% of residents aged 15+ holding them, including advanced diplomas (13.7%) and certificates (25.2%). Educational participation is high at 30.5%, comprising 10.9% in primary, 8.4% in secondary, and 4.0% in tertiary education.

Skye-Sandhurst has three schools with a combined enrollment of 487 students, operating under typical Australian school conditions (ICSEA: 992). It includes one primary and two K-12 schools. Local school capacity is limited at 3.6 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 14.8, leading many families to travel for schooling. Note: For schools showing 'n/a' in enrolments, please refer to their parent campus.

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

Transport analysis in Skye - Sandhurst shows 17 active transport stops, all bus routes. These are served by three distinct routes, offering a total of 943 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is moderate, with residents on average 480 meters from the nearest stop.

Services run 134 times daily across all routes, equating to about 55 weekly trips per stop.

The level of general health in Skye - Sandhurst is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Skye - Sandhurst shows better-than-average health outcomes for both younger and older age groups. The prevalence of common health conditions is low.

Approximately 53% (~7,297 people) have private health cover, higher than Greater Melbourne's 51.2%. Asthma and mental health issues are the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 8.8 and 8.0% respectively. 70.8% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to 65.0% across Greater Melbourne. The area has 14.7% (2,011 people) aged 65 and over, lower than Greater Melbourne's 17.9%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average, aligning with the general population's health profile.

Skye - Sandhurst was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

Skye-Sandhurst has a cultural diversity higher than most local areas, with 25.9% of its residents born overseas and 15.8% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Skye-Sandhurst, accounting for 45.3%. Notably, Judaism appears more prevalent here than in Greater Melbourne, comprising 0.4% compared to 0.3%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (27.3%), Australian (25.2%), and Other (9.1%). Some ethnicities show significant differences: South African residents make up 1.1%, higher than the regional average of 0.5%; Sri Lankan residents comprise 0.8% compared to 0.4% regionally; Dutch residents also stand out at 1.8%.

Skye - Sandhurst's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

The median age in Skye - Sandhurst is 38 years, similar to Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and Australia's median of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Skye - Sandhurst has a higher proportion of residents aged 45-54 (15.0%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (9.8%). Between the 2016 Census and the 2021 Census, the population aged 75 to 84 grew from 3.0% to 4.5%, while the 65 to 74 cohort increased from 7.8% to 9.0%. Conversely, the 5 to 14 age group declined from 14.8% to 13.2%, and the 25 to 34 age group dropped from 10.9% to 9.8%. By 2041, Skye - Sandhurst is projected to see significant shifts in its age composition. The 65 to 74 age group is expected to grow by 56%, reaching 1,924 people from 1,229. Those aged 65 and above are projected to comprise 52% of the population growth. Meanwhile, declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 35 to 44 age cohorts.