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This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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Sales Activity
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Population
Population growth drivers in West Footscray - Tottenham are above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends
West Footscray-Tottenham's population is 13,143 as of May 2026. This shows a 12.0% increase since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 11,735 people. The growth is inferred from ABS estimated resident population figures of 13,007 in June 2025 and an additional 126 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,197 persons per square kilometer, higher than the national average assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate exceeded both state (9.3%) and national averages, making it a regional growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 75.0% of overall population gains in recent periods.
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 with adjustments made using weighted aggregation methods. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future population trends indicate a significant increase in the top quartile of Australian statistical areas, with West Footscray-Tottenham expected to grow by 3,235 persons to 2041, reflecting an overall increase of 23.6% over 16 years based on latest annual ERP population numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
Recent residential development output has been above average within West Footscray - Tottenham when compared nationally
West Footscray-Tottenham has seen approximately 53 dwellings granted development approval annually over the past five financial years, totalling 267 homes. As of FY-26, 18 approvals have been recorded. On average, 1.9 new residents per year have arrived per new home between FY-21 and FY-25, indicating balanced supply and demand conditions. However, this ratio has increased to 9.4 people per dwelling over the past two financial years, suggesting growing popularity and potential undersupply. New homes are being constructed at an average cost of $299,000, aligning with broader regional development trends.
In FY-26, $53.5 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded, reflecting high levels of local commercial activity. Compared to Greater Melbourne, West Footscray-Tottenham has significantly less development activity, at 63.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings. New building activity consists of 24.0% standalone homes and 76.0% townhouses or apartments, indicating a shift towards higher-density living to provide more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. This represents a notable change from the area's current housing composition, which is 59.0% houses. West Footscray-Tottenham reflects a transitioning market, with approximately 324 people per approval.
By 2041, the area is projected to grow by 3,099 residents (based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). If current development rates continue, housing supply may struggle to keep pace with population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price increases.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around West Footscray - Tottenham
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Infrastructure
West Footscray - Tottenham has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally
Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 31 projects that may affect this region. Notable ones include West Footscray Community Facilities Plan, Barkly Village, Perri Melbourne Data Centre (WEFO Woolstores), and the development at 590-596 Barkly Street. The following list details those most likely to be relevant.
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INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Footscray Priority Precinct
A state-significant urban renewal initiative led by the Victorian Government to transform Footscray into a major metropolitan activity centre and the cultural and economic heart of Melbourne's inner west. As one of Victoria's designated Priority Precincts, Footscray is the focus of coordinated state investment including the new Footscray Hospital (opening 18 February 2026 with over 500 beds), the Footscray Learning Precinct (over 120 million dollars), the 36.6 million dollar Whitten Oval redevelopment, the Footscray Community Arts outdoor performance space, the Metro Tunnel, and future Melbourne Airport Rail and Geelong Fast Rail services. The Footscray Opportunity and Directions Paper sets the strategic framework, with population forecast to more than double and over 10,000 new local jobs targeted by 2050. The precinct already has more than 5,000 apartments under construction or in the planning pipeline. A separate Tottenham and West Footscray rezoning will convert 237 hectares of Industrial 1 Zone land to Industrial 3 Zone to support a transition from heavy industry to lighter service industries, jobs and housing, complementing the West Gate Tunnel container logistics relocation. The existing Footscray Hospital site is also being studied for future redevelopment.
New Footscray Hospital
The largest health infrastructure project in Victoria's history, this $1.5 billion hospital replaces the original 1950s facility. It features over 500 inpatient beds, 16 operating theatres, and an emergency department capable of treating 20,000 additional patients annually. The precinct includes a 12-storey inpatient tower and integrated clinical, research, and education spaces. It was officially opened to patients on 18 February 2026, marking a significant milestone for healthcare in Melbourne's west.
Braybrook Activity Centre (Tottenham Station)
The Braybrook Activity Centre is a significant urban renewal initiative focused on the Tottenham Station precinct. Part of the Victorian Government's expanded Activity Centres Program, the plan was officially finalised and implemented in March 2026. It facilitates the delivery of approximately 10,000 new dwellings by 2051 through updated planning controls that allow for building heights up to 12 storeys in the core area near the station. The project is integrated with the Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 1, which includes a total rebuild of Tottenham Station starting in 2027 to improve accessibility and connection to the Sunbury Line and Metro Tunnel.
Live City
Redevelopment of the historic Kinnears Ropeworks Factory into a vibrant mixed-use precinct. The masterplan includes up to 1,450 dwellings, a supermarket, retail laneways, commercial offices, and community services. Stage 1 (208 apartments) is complete, while Stage 2 received planning approval for 407 apartments across 5-15 storey buildings. The project features extensive heritage conservation and adaptive re-use of iconic factory structures. 3L Alliance acquired the future stages in 2025 to continue the precinct's delivery.
Barkly Village
A two-storey mixed-use neighbourhood retail centre comprising 7,063 sqm of floor space including a 3,606 sqm Woolworths supermarket, BWS bottle shop, 8 specialty retail tenancies, 110-place childcare centre, medical centre, gymnasium, and office space with two-level basement parking for 278 cars. The development replaces the former 501 Receptions venue.
West Footscray Village
A mixed-use development featuring a Woolworths supermarket, BWS bottle shop, specialty retail, food and beverage outlets, childcare facility, medical centre, commercial office space, and gymnasium. The project targets a 4-Star Green Star rating with sustainability features including rainwater harvesting and solar panels. Approved by VCAT on 6 May 2025 after overturning council refusal.
West Footscray Community Facilities Plan
Council is delivering the Shorten and Barrett Reserves Master Plan under the West Footscray Community Facilities Plan, including a new RecWest leisure centre (two indoor courts), an expanded and reconstructed Shorten Reserve oval with ground remediation, a cycleable public plaza via partial Market Street closure, new cricket nets, a refreshed playground and landscaping. The Victorian Government has committed $10m alongside Council funding. Demolition and ground works commenced in September 2025 with completion targeted for December 2027.
Banbury Village
Banbury Village is a completed $200 million award-winning masterplanned community on the former Olympic Tyre factory site, comprising 430 dwellings including apartments, terraced houses, and family homes with sustainable features, open spaces, and a community hub. The final stage, Botanica, features 101 apartments designed by Rothelowman.
Employment
The employment environment in West Footscray - Tottenham shows above-average strength when compared nationally
West Footscray - Tottenham has an educated workforce with professional services well-represented. The unemployment rate was 4.1% as of a certain period, with estimated employment growth of 3.5%. As of December 2025, 8,249 residents were employed, and the unemployment rate was 0.7% lower than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%.
Workforce participation was higher at 80.2%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. Census responses indicated that 42.7% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Employment is concentrated in health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services. The area specializes in public administration & safety jobs, with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level.
However, construction employment is lower at 7.2% compared to the regional average of 9.7%. Many residents may commute elsewhere for work based on Census data. Between July 20XX and June 20XY, employment increased by 3.5%, labour force grew by 4.4%, leading to an unemployment rise of 0.8 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment growth of 2.4% and labour force growth of 2.8%, with a smaller unemployment increase of 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to West Footscray - Tottenham's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.7% over five years and 13.8% over ten years, though these are simple extrapolations for illustrative purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch
AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2023 shows West Footscray - Tottenham SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $62,454 and an average of $74,231. This is higher than the national average. Greater Melbourne had a median income of $57,688 and an average of $75,164 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, estimates for March 2026 would be approximately $68,462 (median) and $81,372 (average). Census data indicates incomes in West Footscray - Tottenham cluster around the 71st percentile nationally. The distribution shows that 31.7% of individuals earn between $1,500 and $2,999, similar to regional levels at 32.8%. High housing costs consume 16.3% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 64th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
West Footscray - Tottenham displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region
Dwelling structure in West Footscray-Tottenham, as per the latest Census, consisted of 59.0% houses and 41.0% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in West Footscray-Tottenham was at 22.2%, with mortgaged dwellings at 36.1% and rented ones at 41.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,129, above Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent was $351, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, West Footscray-Tottenham's mortgage repayments were higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were lower at $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
West Footscray - Tottenham features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households account for 62.9% of all households, including 28.0% couples with children, 24.3% couples without children, and 9.2% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 37.1%, with lone person households at 28.9% and group households comprising 8.1%. The median household size is 2.4 people, smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Educational achievement in West Footscray - Tottenham places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community
Educational attainment in West Footscray-Tottenham shows a significant advantage over broader benchmarks, with 46.4% of residents aged 15 years or above holding university qualifications. This compares to the national average of 30.4% and the SA4 region's average of 32.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 28.2%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 13.5% and graduate diplomas at 4.7%. Vocational pathways account for 23.2% of qualifications among those aged 15 years or above, with advanced diplomas at 10.0% and certificates at 13.2%.
Educational participation is notably high in the area, with 30.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.4% in primary education, 7.6% in tertiary education, and 5.4% pursuing secondary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
Public transport analysis shows 61 active transport stops operating within West Footscray-Tottenham. These stops serve a mix of bus routes. There are 11 individual routes collectively providing 4,191 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent; residents typically live 157 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward. Car remains the dominant mode at 69%, with 15% by train and 6% by bus.
Vehicle ownership averages 0.9 per dwelling, below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, 42.7% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 598 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 68 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
The level of general health in West Footscray - Tottenham is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population though higher than the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts
West Footscray-Tottenham demonstrates above-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence.
The prevalence of common health conditions is low among the general population but higher than the national average among older, at-risk cohorts. Approximately 56% (~7373 people) of the total population has private health cover, which is very high. Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, impacting 10.1 and 8.5% of residents respectively. 71.6% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 10.3% (1355 people) of residents aged 65 and over, which is lower than the 15.0% in Greater Melbourne but ranks lower nationally compared to the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
West Footscray - Tottenham was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics
West Footscray-Tottenham has high cultural diversity with 35.4% overseas-born population and 34.0% speaking languages other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion, accounting for 33.8%. Buddhism is overrepresented at 6.4%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 4.2%.
Top ancestry groups are English (19.6%), Australian (18.6%), and Other (12.6%). Notable ethnic group divergences include Vietnamese at 6.2% (vs regional 1.9%), Croatian at 1.2% (vs 0.7%), and Macedonian at 0.9% (vs 0.7%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
West Footscray - Tottenham's population is younger than the national pattern
West Footscray's median age in Tottenham is 35 years, which is slightly younger than Greater Melbourne's 37 and the national average of 38. The 25-34 age group makes up 20.5%, higher than Greater Melbourne but lower than the national average of 14.6%. The 75-84 cohort represents 2.9% in West Footscray-Tottenham. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has increased from 8.9% to 11.3%, while the 25-34 group decreased from 22.5% to 20.5%. The 55-64 cohort dropped from 9.4% to 8.2%. By 2041, forecasts show significant growth in the 45-54 age group, with an increase of 608 people (37%) to reach 2,257. The 5-14 age cohort is expected to grow by a modest 6% (77 people).