Werribee - East
Statistical Area - sa2

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

As of Nov 2025, Werribee - East's population is approximately 19,254, indicating a growth of 244 people since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 19,010. This increase is inferred from ABS' estimated resident population of 19,124 as of June 2024 and an additional 83 validated new addresses since the Census date. The population density stands at 2,481 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch's assessments. Overseas migration contributed approximately 87.6% of recent population gains. 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 the 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. Future trends project an above median population growth, with an expected expansion of 3,239 persons by 2041 based on the latest numbers, indicating a total increase of 16.1% over 17 years.

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

Werribee - East has seen approximately 46 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling 232 homes. As of FY-26, 23 approvals have been recorded. Despite population decline, development activity has been adequate relative to population change, benefiting buyers with new homes averaging $271,000 in construction cost, below regional norms. This financial year has seen $16.7 million in commercial approvals, indicating moderate commercial development levels.

Compared to Greater Melbourne, Werribee - East has significantly less development activity, 85.0% below the regional average per person, which typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing homes. Recent construction comprises 38.0% standalone homes and 62.0% townhouses or apartments, reflecting a shift from the area's existing housing composition of 84.0% houses. With around 561 people per dwelling approval, Werribee - East indicates a highly mature market. Future projections suggest Werribee - East will add 3,109 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Future projections show Werribee - East adding 3,109 residents by 2041. At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially heightening buyer competition and supporting price increases.

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

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 15 projects likely impacting the region. Notable ones are Ison Road Project, Riverwalk Werribee, Werribee Mercy Hospital Emergency Department Expansion, and Wyndham Law Courts. The following list details those 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.

Employment drivers in Werribee - East are experiencing difficulties, placing it among the bottom 20% of areas assessed across Australia

Werribee - East has a diverse workforce with an unemployment rate of 10.7% as of June 2025. This is 6.0% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%.

The workforce participation rate in the area is 56.1%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Leading employment industries among residents are health care & social assistance, retail trade, and transport, postal & warehousing. Werribee - East has a particular specialisation in transport, postal & warehousing, with an employment share of 2.1 times the regional level. However, professional & technical services employ only 5.6% of local workers, below Greater Melbourne's 10.1%.

Employment levels increased by 5.7% and labour force increased by 5.8% in Werribee - East during the year to June 2025, keeping the unemployment rate relatively stable. National employment forecasts from Jobs and Skills Australia, released in May 2025, project a growth of approximately 6.0%% over five years and 12.7% over ten years for Werribee - East's employment mix.

The area's income profile falls below national averages based on AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that Werribee - East has a median income of $55,738 and an average income of $69,115. This is higher than the national averages of $54,892 (median) and $73,761 (average). However, Greater Melbourne's figures are slightly higher at $54,892 (median) and $73,761 (average). Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, current estimates for Werribee - East would be approximately $62,516 (median) and $77,519 (average) as of September 2025. The 2021 Census reveals that household, family, and personal incomes in Werribee - East fall between the 17th and 26th percentiles nationally. Income brackets indicate that 32.5% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999, consistent with broader trends across the broader area showing 32.8% in the same category. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 82.8% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 25th percentile nationally.

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

In Werribee - East, as per the latest Census evaluation, 84.5% of dwellings were houses while 15.4% were other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In comparison, Melbourne metropolitan area had 88.1% houses and 12.0% other dwellings. Home ownership in Werribee - East stood at 28.4%, with mortgaged properties at 34.0% and rented ones at 37.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,500, lower than Melbourne metro's average of $1,924. The median weekly rent figure for Werribee - East was $315, compared to Melbourne metro's $370. Nationally, Werribee - East's mortgage repayments were significantly lower at $1,500 compared to the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially below the national figure of $375.

Werribee - East has a typical household mix, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 69.3% of all households, including 31.0% couples with children, 20.9% couples without children, and 15.6% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 30.7%, with lone person households at 27.0% and group households comprising 3.7%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 3.1.

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

Werribee - East has lower university qualification rates at 21.1% compared to the SA3 area average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 13.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (5.3%) and graduate diplomas (2.2%). Vocational credentials are prominent, with 34.2% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications, including advanced diplomas (10.5%) and certificates (23.7%). Educational participation is high at 31.6%, comprising primary education (10.6%), secondary education (8.2%), and tertiary education (4.5%).

Six schools operate in Werribee - East, educating approximately 5,074 students. The area has balanced educational opportunities with an ICSEA of 1003, consisting of three primary, one secondary, and two K-12 schools. School capacity exceeds residential needs at 26.4 places per 100 residents versus the regional average of 18.4, indicating Werribee - East serves as an educational center for the broader region.

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

Public transport analysis shows 107 active transport stops operating within Werribee - East. These include a mix of train and bus services. There are 14 individual routes servicing these stops, collectively providing 14,982 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 177 meters from the nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages 2,140 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 140 weekly trips per individual stop.

Health performance in Werribee - East is lower than average with common health conditions somewhat prevalent across the board, though to a considerably higher degree among older age cohorts

Werribee - East faces significant health challenges with common health conditions prevalent across all age groups but particularly high among older cohorts. Approximately 54% of its total population (~10,339 people) has private health cover, compared to 51.4% in Greater Melbourne.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions, affecting 9.1 and 8.5% of residents respectively. Around 67.5% of residents report being free from medical ailments, compared to 79.2% across Greater Melbourne. As of 30 June 20XX, 17.1% of residents are aged 65 and over (3,282 people), higher than the 8.3% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors require more attention than those for the broader population.

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

Werribee-East has a high level of cultural diversity, with 38.6% of its population born overseas and 36.9% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion in Werribee-East, making up 48.9% of people there. However, the most notable overrepresentation is seen in the 'Other' category, comprising 3.1% of Werribee-East's population compared to Greater Melbourne's average of 7.1%.

Regarding ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Werribee-East are Australian at 20.2%, English at 19.9%, and Other at 19.5%. Notably, certain ethnic groups have higher representation than regional averages: Maltese at 1.9% compared to 1.7%, Serbian at 0.7% compared to 0.5%, and Maori at 1.2% with no regional average difference mentioned.

Werribee - East's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Werribee - East has a median age of 36 years, nearly matching Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years, which is slightly below the Australian median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Werribee - East has a higher proportion of residents aged 55-64 (12.5%) but fewer residents aged 35-44 (13.4%). Between the 2021 Census and the present, the population aged 65-74 has increased from 8.4% to 9.5%, while the population aged 75-84 has risen from 4.7% to 5.7%. Conversely, the population aged 5-14 has decreased from 12.9% to 11.8%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests Werribee - East's age profile will significantly change. The 65-74 cohort is projected to grow by 48%, adding 871 residents to reach a total of 2,695. Residents aged 65 and above are expected to drive 57% of population growth, highlighting demographic aging trends. Meanwhile, the 0-4 and 5-14 cohorts are projected to experience population declines.