Templestowe Lower
Statistical Area - sa2

An assessment of population growth drivers in Templestowe Lower reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

Templestowe Lower's population is 14,618 as of Aug 2025. Since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 14,191, there has been an increase of 427 people (3.0%). This increase is inferred from ABS estimates and new addresses data. The population density ratio is 2,460 persons per square kilometer, placing Templestowe Lower in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch's assessment. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population growth recently.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Templestowe Lower is expected to increase by 1,499 persons, a total increase of 10.2% over the 17-year period.

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

Templestowe Lower has seen approximately 76 new homes approved annually. Development approval data is produced by the ABS on a financial year basis, totalling 380 approvals across the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, with 11 approvals so far in FY26. On average, 0.5 new residents have arrived per new home each year over the past five financial years. This indicates that new construction is matching or outpacing demand, offering buyers more options and potentially enabling population growth exceeding current expectations.

The average expected construction cost value of new dwellings is $730,000, suggesting developers are targeting the premium market segment with higher-end properties. There have been $7.6 million in commercial approvals this financial year, indicating limited commercial development focus. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Templestowe Lower shows 11.0% lower construction activity per person while it places among the 72nd percentile of areas assessed nationally. New building activity comprises 33.0% detached dwellings and 67.0% medium and high-density housing. This focus on higher-density living creates more affordable entry points, suiting downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers.

This shows a significant change from the current housing mix, which is currently 81.0% houses, reflecting reduced availability of development sites and addressing shifting lifestyle demands and affordability requirements. With around 190 people per dwelling approval, Templestowe Lower demonstrates characteristics of a low-density area. Looking ahead, Templestowe Lower is expected to grow by 1,493 residents through to 2041. At current development rates, new housing supply should comfortably meet demand, providing good conditions for buyers and potentially supporting growth beyond current population projections.

Templestowe Lower has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 25 projects likely to affect the area. Notable projects include North East Link, Templestowe Road Duplication and Upgrade, Aquarena Outdoor Masterplan Redevelopment, and Serpell Residence Templestowe. The following list details those most relevant.

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

Employment conditions in Templestowe Lower remain below the national average according to AreaSearch analysis

Templestowe Lower has an educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. The unemployment rate was 4.4% as of June 2025, lower than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 3.4%. There are 7,381 residents employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.2% below Greater Melbourne's rate and workforce participation at 57.0%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Key industries include health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and retail trade.

Manufacturing is under-represented, with only 4.9% of Templestowe Lower's workforce compared to 7.2% in Greater Melbourne. Over the year to June 2025, employment increased by 3.4%, while labour force increased by 3.1%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne had employment growth of 3.5% and a rise in unemployment rate by 0.5 percentage points. As of Sep-25, 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 from May 2025 project a growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Templestowe Lower's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 7.0%% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis

Templestowe Lower had a median taxpayer income of $50,897 and an average of $73,053 in the financial year 2022. This is based on postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. Nationally, this is high compared to Greater Melbourne's median income of $54,892 and average income of $73,761. As of March 2025, current estimates project the median income at approximately $56,043 and the average at $80,439, considering a 10.11% increase since financial year 2022. According to Census data, Templestowe Lower's household income ranks at the 61st percentile with $1,919 weekly, while personal income is at the 39th percentile. The earnings profile shows that 29.3% of residents earn between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly, totaling 4,283 individuals. This aligns with the surrounding region where a similar cohort represents 32.8%. Notably, 30.1% of Templestowe Lower's residents earn over $3,000 per week, indicating significant affluence and supporting premium retail and service offerings. After housing expenses, 85.6% of income remains for other expenses, and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Templestowe Lower is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

The latest Census evaluation revealed that Templestowe Lower's dwelling structure consisted of 80.7% houses and 19.3% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This is compared to Melbourne metro's 67.1% houses and 32.9% other dwellings. Home ownership in Templestowe Lower was recorded at 48.7%, with the remaining dwellings either mortgaged (33.3%) or rented (17.9%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,500, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,400. The median weekly rent figure for Templestowe Lower was $475, compared to Melbourne metro's $462. Nationally, Templestowe Lower's mortgage repayments are significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are substantially above the national figure of $375.

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

Family households account for 78.9% of all households, consisting of 39.3% couples with children, 27.1% couples without children, and 11.4% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 21.1%, with lone person households at 19.3% and group households comprising 1.8% of the total. The median household size is 2.7 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Templestowe Lower shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

The area's educational profile is notable regionally, with university qualification rates at 40.4% of residents aged 15+, exceeding the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 26.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (10.2%) and graduate diplomas (3.7%). Vocational pathways account for 24.5% of qualifications among those aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 11.4% and certificates at 13.1%.

Educational participation is high, with 27.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education, including 8.8% in primary, 7.9% in secondary, and 5.4% in tertiary education. In Templestowe Lower, the five schools have a combined enrollment of 2,144 students. The suburb shows significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement, with an ICSEA score of 1100. Education provision is balanced, with three primary and two secondary schools serving distinct age groups.

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

The analysis of public transport in Templestowe Lower shows that there are 63 active transport stops currently operating. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 21 individual routes providing service. Together, these routes facilitate 6,047 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of transport is rated as good, with residents typically located an average of 209 meters from the nearest transport stop. Across all routes, there are approximately 863 trips per day on average, which translates to about 95 weekly trips per individual stop.

Templestowe Lower's residents are healthier than average in comparison to broader Australia with a fairly standard level of common health conditions seen across both young and old age cohorts

Templestowe Lower residents exhibit relatively positive health outcomes, with common conditions seen across both young and old age groups.

Private health cover is high at approximately 56% (~8,186 people). The most prevalent medical conditions are arthritis (7.9%) and asthma (6.1%). 71.1% of residents report no medical ailments, compared to Greater Melbourne's 74%. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 23.7% (3,460 people). Health outcomes among seniors are above average, aligning with the general population's health profile.

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

Templestowe Lower has a high level of cultural diversity, with 41.1% of its population born overseas and 46.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Templestowe Lower, comprising 55.9% of the population. Judaism, while still a minority, is slightly overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, with 0.5% of Templestowe Lower's population identifying as such, compared to 0.3%.

The top three ancestry groups in Templestowe Lower are Chinese (16.9%), English (15.1%), and Australian (14.1%). Notably, Greek, Italian, and Macedonian ethnicities are overrepresented in Templestowe Lower compared to the regional averages: Greeks comprise 9.4% versus 7.6%, Italians comprise 9.8% versus 8.3%, and Macedonians comprise 1.0% versus 0.7%.

Templestowe Lower hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

The median age in Templestowe Lower is 45 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and Australia's median age of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Templestowe Lower has a higher proportion of residents aged 75-84 (8.9%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (9.2%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 15-24 increased from 10.5% to 12.6%, while the 75-84 age group decreased from 10.2% to 8.9%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Templestowe Lower's age structure. The population aged 85 and above is expected to grow by 54%, reaching 1,159 people from the current figure of 752. Conversely, the populations aged 0-4 and 35-44 are projected to decrease.