Wattle Glen - Diamond Creek
Statistical Area - sa2

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

Wattle Glen - Diamond Creek's population was approximately 15,023 as of November 2025. This figure shows an increase of 606 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 14,417. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates and validated new addresses. The population density was around 560 persons per square kilometer. Wattle Glen - Diamond Creek's 4.2% growth rate between 2021 and June 2024 exceeded the SA3 area's 2.3%, indicating it as a growth leader in the region. Natural growth accounted for approximately 61.7% of overall population gains during this period.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 for areas not covered by the first dataset. Considering these projections, an above median population growth is expected until 2041, with the area projected to increase by 3,041 persons, reflecting an 18.8% total increase over the 17-year period.

AreaSearch analysis of residential development drivers sees Wattle Glen - Diamond Creek recording a relatively average level of approval activity when compared to local markets analysed countrywide

Wattle Glen-Diamond Creek has seen approximately 62 dwellings granted development approval annually over the past five financial years, totalling 312 homes. As of FY-26, seven approvals have been recorded. On average, one new resident arrives per year for each new home constructed between FY-21 and FY-25. This pace matches or exceeds demand, providing buyers with more options while enabling population growth that may surpass current projections.

The average construction value of these homes is $409,000. In the current financial year, there have been $11.5 million in commercial approvals, indicating moderate levels of commercial development. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Wattle Glen-Diamond Creek exhibits 78.0% higher building activity per capita, offering buyers ample choice despite a recent slowdown in building activity. New developments consist of 82.0% detached dwellings and 18.0% attached dwellings, maintaining the area's low-density character with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers.

The estimated population count is 392 people per dwelling approval, reflecting a quiet, low-activity development environment. By 2041, Wattle Glen-Diamond Creek is projected to grow by 2,821 residents. Current construction rates appear balanced with future demand, promoting steady market conditions without excessive price pressure.

Wattle Glen - Diamond Creek has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally

The performance of an area can significantly influenced by changes to local infrastructure, major projects, and planning initiatives. AreaSearch has identified 18 such projects that are expected to impact the area. Notable ones include Diamond Creek Outdoor Pool Upgrade, Eltham Major Activity Centre, Diamond Creek Community Infrastructure Master Plan, and Nillumbik Waste Management Facility Upgrade. The following list provides details on 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.

The exceptional employment performance in Wattle Glen - Diamond Creek places it among Australia's strongest labour markets

Wattle Glen-Diamond Creek has a skilled workforce with essential services sectors well represented. The unemployment rate was 1.5% in June 2024 and the estimated employment growth over the past year was 1.3%.

As of June 2025, there are 9,073 residents employed with an unemployment rate of 3.1%, which is below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation in the area is high at 71.9% compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. The leading employment industries among residents include construction, health care and social assistance, and education and training. Construction is particularly specialized with an employment share of 1.6 times the regional level.

Professional and technical services employ only 7.4% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 10.1%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 1.3%, labour force increased by 1.5%, resulting in an unemployment rise of 0.1 percentage points. In comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 3.5%, labour force growth of 4.0%, with unemployment rising 0.5 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 project national employment expansion by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Wattle Glen-Diamond Creek's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.7% over five years and 13.6% over ten years.

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

Wattle Glen - Diamond Creek has a high national income level according to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest ATO data for financial year 2022. The median income among taxpayers is $59,268 and the average income is $74,699, compared to Greater Melbourne's figures of $54,892 and $73,761 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, current estimates for median income are approximately $66,475 and average income is around $83,782 as of September 2025. According to Census 2021 income data, household incomes rank at the 91st percentile with $2,496 weekly earnings. The largest segment comprises 33.3% earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly (5,002 residents), similar to the broader area where 32.8% fall into this bracket. Notably, 39.0% earn above $3,000 weekly, indicating prosperity pockets driving local economic activity. After housing costs, residents retain 87.6% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 8th decile.

Wattle Glen - Diamond Creek is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

In Wattle Glen - Diamond Creek, as per the latest Census, 95.0% of dwellings were houses, with the remaining 5.0% being semi-detached, apartments, or other types. This compares to Melbourne metro's figures of 93.9% houses and 6.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Wattle Glen - Diamond Creek stood at 36.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 53.8% and rented ones at 9.5%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,167, aligning with Melbourne metro's average, while the median weekly rent was $429, compared to Melbourne metro's $431. Nationally, Wattle Glen - Diamond Creek's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,167 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Wattle Glen - Diamond Creek features high concentrations of family households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 84.7% of all households, including 47.4% couples with children, 25.8% couples without children, and 10.8% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 15.3%, consisting of 14.3% lone person households and 0.9% group households. The median household size is 2.9 people, which aligns with the Greater Melbourne average.

Wattle Glen - Diamond Creek shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Wattle Glen - Diamond Creek trail has 28.9% of residents aged 15+ with university degrees, compared to Greater Melbourne's 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 19.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.5%) and graduate diplomas (4.1%). Vocational credentials are held by 36.7% of residents aged 15+, with advanced diplomas at 12.5% and certificates at 24.2%. Current educational participation is high, at 29.7%, including 9.5% in primary education, 8.9% in secondary education, and 5.3% pursuing tertiary education.

The area has five schools with a combined enrollment of 1,838 students, serving distinct age groups, and demonstrating above-average socio-educational conditions (ICSEA: 1058).

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

Transport analysis shows 48 active transport stops operating within Wattle Glen - Diamond Creek. These comprise a mix of train and bus services. Nine individual routes service these stops, collectively providing 6,617 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as good, with residents typically located 307 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 945 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 137 weekly trips per individual stop.

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

Wattle Glen - Diamond Creek shows superior health results, with both youth and elderly experiencing low prevalence of common ailments. Approximately 56% (~8,487 people) have private health cover, exceeding Greater Melbourne's 60.1%.

Mental health issues affect 8.0%, asthma impacts 7.8%, while 71.0% report no medical conditions, slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's 70.6%. The area has 15.8% aged 65 and over (2,369 people), lower than Greater Melbourne's 19.2%. Seniors' health outcomes are above average, mirroring the general population's profile.

Wattle Glen - Diamond Creek ranks below the Australian average when compared to other local markets across a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Wattle Glen-Diamond Creek showed cultural diversity below average, with 85.1% born in Australia, 94.0% being citizens, and 91.5% speaking English only at home. Christianity was the predominant religion at 45.7%. Judaism was slightly overrepresented at 0.1%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 0.1%.

Top ancestry groups were English (28.7%), Australian (26.9%), and Irish (9.5%). Notably, Macedonian (0.9%) was overrepresented compared to the regional average of 0.7%. Italian (6.5%) and Maltese (1.2%) also showed slight overrepresentation relative to Greater Melbourne's 6.2% and 1.0%, respectively.

Wattle Glen - Diamond Creek's population is slightly older than the national pattern

The median age in Wattle Glen - Diamond Creek is 39 years, which is higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and close to the national average of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, the 55-64 cohort is notably over-represented at 14.0% locally, while the 25-34 age group is under-represented at 9.8%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 75-84 age group has grown from 3.8% to 5.2%, and the 25-34 cohort has declined from 11.3% to 9.8%. Population forecasts for 2041 indicate significant demographic changes in Wattle Glen - Diamond Creek, with the 75-84 group expected to grow by 80% (627 people) reaching 1,416 from 788. Residents aged 65 and older will represent 53% of anticipated growth, while the 0-4 cohort is projected to decline by 51 people.