Skye - Sandhurst

Population growth drivers in Skye - Sandhurst are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Skye - Sandhurst's population is around 13,616 as of May 2026. This reflects an increase since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 13,303 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 13,601 from the ABS as of June 2025 and an additional 198 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 687 persons per square kilometer. Skye - Sandhurst's growth rate of 2.4% since the census positions it within 0.8 percentage points of the SA4 region (3.2%). Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 55.7% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusted employing weighted aggregation methods. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on demographic trends and latest annual ERP population numbers, Skye - Sandhurst is projected to grow by 2,770 persons to 2041, reflecting an increase of 20.2% in total over the 16 years.

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 over the past five financial years, totalling 94 homes. In the current financial year FY-26, up to now, 65 approvals have been recorded. The population decline in recent years suggests that new supply has likely kept pace with demand, providing good choices for buyers. New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $335,000.

Additionally, $9.8 million in commercial approvals have been registered this financial year, indicating moderate levels of commercial development compared to Greater Melbourne. Skye - Sandhurst records markedly lower building activity, 56.0% below the regional average per person, which typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings. However, there has been a pickup in development activity recently. This is also lower than nationally, reflecting 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 with an estimated count of 777 people per dwelling approval.

Population forecasts indicate Skye - Sandhurst will gain 2,755 residents through to 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 emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 34thth percentile nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 19 projects expected to impact the region. Notable projects include Sandhurst Gardens Estate, Aspen Skye, ArenA Skye, and Ballarto Road Upgrade. The following list details projects likely to have the most relevance.

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

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

Skye - Sandhurst has a skilled workforce with a low unemployment rate of 2.5%. In the past year, ending December 2021, employment growth was estimated at 2.3%. As of December 2025, 7,934 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.3%, lower than Greater Melbourne's 4.8%.

Workforce participation is 73.6%, slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. According to Census responses in June 2016, 24.5% of residents worked from home. Key industries include health care & social assistance, construction, and retail trade. Manufacturing employment is notably high at 1.6 times the regional average.

Conversely, professional & technical services have lower representation at 6.0%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census working population vs resident population data. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 2.3% and labour force by 1.9%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne saw employment growth of 2.4%, labour force growth of 2.8%, with unemployment rising 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 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 employment should grow by 6.1% over five years and 12.9% over ten years, though this is a simple extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

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

AreaSearch aggregated latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023. Skye - Sandhurst SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $62,972 and an average level of $70,789. This was higher than the national average and compared to levels of $57,688 and $75,164 across Greater Melbourne respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $69,030 (median) and $77,599 (average) as of March 2026. According to 2021 Census figures, household, family and personal incomes in Skye - Sandhurst cluster around the 74th percentile nationally. Distribution data shows 39.9% of the population (5,432 individuals) fall within the $1,500 - 2,999 income range. High housing costs consume 15.3% of income, while strong earnings place disposable income at the 79th percentile. 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 of the latest Census, Skye - Sandhurst had 90.0% houses and 10.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), compared to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% 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, aligning with Melbourne metro's average, while the median weekly rent was $450, higher than Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Skye - Sandhurst's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 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 make up the remaining 15.8%, with lone person households at 14.1% and group households comprising 1.7% of the total. The median household size is 2.9 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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

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

This includes primary education (10.9%), secondary education (8.4%), and tertiary education (4.0%).

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

Public transport analysis shows 17 active stops operating within Skye - Sandhurst. These stops offer a mix of bus services. Three routes collectively provide 599 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is moderate, with residents typically located 479 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to its residential nature. Cars remain the dominant mode at 95%.

Vehicle ownership averages 1.9 per dwelling, above the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 24.5% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 85 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 35 weekly trips per individual stop.

Skye - Sandhurst'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 Skye - Sandhurst, based on AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence were low, particularly in younger cohorts.

Private health cover was found to be high at approximately 54% of the total population (around 7,366 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne. The most common medical conditions were asthma and mental health issues, affecting 8.8 and 8.0% of residents respectively. Around 70.8% declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among the working-age population were broadly typical. The area has 15.3% of residents aged 65 and over (around 2,081 people). Health outcomes among seniors were above average but ranked lower nationally than the broader population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Skye - Sandhurst was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Skye-Sandhurst has a higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 25.9% of its population born overseas and 15.8% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Skye-Sandhurst, accounting for 45.3%. However, Judaism is overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, comprising 0.4% versus 1.0%.

The top three ancestral groups are English (27.3%), Australian (25.2%), and Other (9.1%). Notably, South Australian ancestry is higher than the regional average at 1.1%, Sri Lankan is equal at 0.8%, and Dutch is higher at 1.8%.

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

The median age in Skye - Sandhurst is 39 years, which is higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and close to the national average of 38 years. The 45-54 cohort is notably over-represented at 14.9% locally compared to Greater Melbourne's average. Conversely, the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 9.9%. Post-2021 Census data shows the 75-84 age group grew from 3.0% to 4.7%, while the 65-74 cohort increased from 7.8% to 9.2%. The 5-14 age group declined from 14.8% to 12.9%, and the 35-44 group dropped from 15.6% to 14.4%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Skye - Sandhurst, with the 65-74 age group projected to grow by 47% (592 people), reaching 1,851 from 1,258. Meanwhile, both the 0-4 and 35-44 age groups are expected to decrease in numbers.