Templestowe Lower

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

As of May 2026, Templestowe Lower's population is approximately 14,792. This figure represents an increase of 601 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 14,191. The growth is inferred from ABS data showing an estimated resident population of 14,695 in June 2025 and the addition of 168 validated new addresses after the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,490 persons per square kilometer, placing Templestowe Lower in the upper quartile relative to other Australian locations assessed by AreaSearch. Overseas migration was the primary driver of this growth.

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 employs 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 projected to increase its population by 1,376 persons, reflecting an 8.7% total increase over the 16-year period, based on the latest annual ERP population numbers.

Residential development activity is slightly higher than average within Templestowe Lower when compared nationally

Templestowe Lower has seen approximately 76 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 380 homes. As of FY26, 40 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.5 new residents per year have arrived per new home between FY21 and FY25, indicating that supply has met or exceeded demand, offering greater buyer choice while supporting potential population growth above projections. New dwellings are developed at an average cost of $539,000, demonstrating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties.

This financial year, $7.6 million in commercial approvals have been registered, suggesting the area's residential character. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Templestowe Lower records 10.0% less building activity per person and ranks among the 72nd percentile of areas assessed nationally. New building activity comprises 33.0% standalone homes and 67.0% medium and high-density housing, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers. This represents a significant shift from the current housing mix of 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 exhibits characteristics of a low-density area.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Templestowe Lower is projected to add 1,279 residents by 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 20% nationally

Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 22 projects that could impact this region. Notable ones include the Templestowe Road Duplication and Upgrade, Aquarena Outdoor Masterplan Redevelopment, Serpell Residence Templestowe, and 6 Rosa Street Townhouses. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.

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

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Templestowe Lower has seen below average employment performance when compared to national benchmarks

Templestowe Lower has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. The unemployment rate was 4.6% as of December 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 2.2%.

There were 7,291 residents in work by December 2025, with an unemployment rate of 3.7%, which is 0.1% below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%. Workforce participation was 61.4%, significantly lower than Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. According to Census responses, 37.8% of residents worked from home.

Leading employment industries were health care & social assistance, professional & technical services, and retail trade. Manufacturing was under-represented at 4.9%, compared to 7.2% in Greater Melbourne. Employment opportunities locally appeared limited based on the Census working population vs resident population count. Between December 2024 and December 2025, employment levels increased by 2.2%, labour force grew by 2.4%, resulting in a rise of unemployment by 0.2 percentage points. In Greater Melbourne, employment rose by 2.4%, the labour force grew by 2.8%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that national employment will expand by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Templestowe Lower's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, though these are simple weighting extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not account for localised population projections.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2023, Templestowe Lower SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $53,161 and an average income of $73,736. These figures are above the national averages of $57,688 and $75,164 respectively in Greater Melbourne. Based on Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023 until March 2026, estimated median income is approximately $58,275 and average income is $80,829. Census 2021 data shows household income rank at the 60th percentile ($1,919 weekly) and personal income rank at the 39th percentile. Income distribution reveals that 29.3% of individuals earn between $1,500 - $2,999 annually, aligning with surrounding regions where this cohort represents 32.8%. Economic strength is evident with 30.1% of households earning over $3,000 weekly. Post-housing income available for other expenses stands at 85.6%, 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 revealed that in Templestowe Lower, 80.7% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 19.3% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This contrasts with Melbourne metro's figures of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Templestowe Lower stood at 48.7%, compared to mortgaged dwellings at 33.3% and rented ones at 17.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,500, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Templestowe Lower's median weekly rent figure was $475, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Templestowe Lower's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,500 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375 at $475.

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, including 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%, consisting of 19.3% lone person households and 1.8% group households. The median household size is 2.7 people, which is 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 of 40.4% among residents aged 15+, surpassing the Australian average of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent 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 making up 11.4% and certificates 13.1%.

Educational participation is high, with 27.4% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.8% in primary education, 7.9% in secondary education, and 5.4% pursuing tertiary education.

Transport servicing is good 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 operating within the area. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, with a total of 20 individual routes providing service. Collectively, these routes facilitate 3,030 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport in the area is rated as good, with residents typically located 209 meters from their nearest transport stop. As a predominantly residential area, most residents commute outward for work or other purposes. The car remains the primary mode of transportation, used by 88% of residents, while only 7% opt for public buses.

On average, there are 1.5 vehicles per dwelling in Templestowe Lower, which is higher than the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, a significant proportion of residents, specifically 37.8%, work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency across all routes averages 432 trips per day, equating to approximately 48 weekly trips per individual stop.

Templestowe Lower'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 Templestowe Lower.

AreaSearch assessed mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence, finding younger cohorts had very low prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover was found to be very high at approximately 56% of the total population (~8,298 people). The most common medical conditions were arthritis (7.9%) and asthma (6.1%). Seventy-one point one percent declared themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Twenty-three point six percent of residents are aged 65 and over (3,483 people), higher than the 15.0% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are above average but rank lower nationally than the broader population.

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 high cultural diversity, with 41.1% of its population born overseas and 46.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the main religion in Templestowe Lower, comprising 55.9% of people. Judaism is overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, making up 0.5% versus 1.0%.

The top three ancestry groups are Chinese (16.9%), English (15.1%), and Australian (14.1%). Notably, Greek (9.4%) and Italian (9.8%) are overrepresented compared to the regional averages of 2.7% and 5.2%, respectively. Macedonian is also slightly overrepresented at 1.0%.

Templestowe Lower hosts a notably older demographic compared to the national average

The median age in Templestowe Lower is 45 years, significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and Australia's national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Templestowe Lower has a higher proportion of residents aged 75-84 (8.7%) but fewer residents aged 25-34 (9.3%). According to the 2021 Census, the population aged 15-24 grew from 10.5% to 12.8%, while the 55-64 age group increased from 11.4% to 12.4%. Conversely, the 75-84 age group declined from 10.2% to 8.7%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Templestowe Lower's age structure. The population aged 85 and above is expected to grow by 46%, reaching 1,113 people from the current 760. Conversely, the populations aged 0-4 and 35-44 are projected to decline.