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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.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
2021 Census | -- people
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Whittlesea has an estimated 18,931 residents, up from 10,661 at the 2021 Census — a change of 8,270 people, or 77.6%. Growth has averaged 13.1% a year over five years, faster than 99% of areas nationally. 4,384 new addresses have been validated here since Census night. Interstate and internal migration accounts for 85.5% of that increase. Density is about 64 people per square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
According to research by AreaSearch, the population of Whittlesea stands at approximately 18,931 in May 2026. This represents a growth of 8,270 people (77.6%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 10,661 residents. This shift is calculated using the June 2025 ABS estimated resident population of 18,175 alongside 4,384 validated new addresses registered after the Census. The density of the area is 63 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious living environment. The 77.6% growth rate since the 2021 census outpaces the state average of 9.3% and the national figure, making the locality a regional growth leader.
The expansion was largely fueled by interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 85.5% of the population increase, though natural increase and overseas migration also contributed positively. Projections from the ABS and Geoscience Australia released in 2024 with a 2022 baseline are utilized for SA2 regions. For areas lacking this data, projections from the 2023 Victorian State Government Regional/LGA release are applied, using weighted aggregation to transition from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth distributions by age from these models are projected forward for the years 2032 to 2041. The area is expected to experience rapid growth, placing it in the top 10 percent of statistical areas nationwide, with an projected increase of 27,916 residents by 2041 based on recent annual ERP statistics, representing a 143.5% rise over the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
4,647 new dwellings have been approved in Whittlesea over the past five years, an average of 929 a year. That places the area in the 96th percentile for residential development activity nationally, about 49 approvals per 1,000 residents a year. Of the 743 dwellings approved in the latest reporting year, 93% were detached houses and the rest townhouses or apartments. Approvals are currently running at an annualised 1,191, running ahead of that longer-run average. Figures come from ABS building approvals aggregated to this SA2 boundary and are updated monthly as the ABS releases them.
Detail
Whittlesea averages approximately 929 residential building approvals annually, with a total of 4,647 homes approved during the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25, and 1,092 approvals recorded during FY-26 so far. The ratio of 1.8 new residents per completed home over the 5 financial years from FY-21 to FY-25 suggests a balanced market with stable conditions, while the average construction cost for these new dwellings is $269,000, which sits below the regional average and offers more affordable entry points. Commercial building approvals have reached $40.3 million this financial year, indicating solid business investment locally.
Development activity per capita in Whittlesea is 441.0% higher than in Greater Melbourne, providing prospective buyers with more choices. This rate of construction is significantly higher than the national average, pointing to high developer confidence. Single-family detached houses make up 93.0% of the new supply, while townhouses and apartments account for 7.0%, preserving the low-density, family-oriented suburban feel. With a ratio of approximately 16 residents per building approval, the area exhibits typical growth corridor patterns. Projections indicate Whittlesea will add 27,159 residents by 2041, based on the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Current construction trajectories suggest that supply will easily satisfy this demand, maintaining favorable conditions for purchasers and potentially supporting growth beyond initial estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around Whittlesea
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 24 current infrastructure and development projects inside Whittlesea, worth an estimated $16.3 billion. A further 154 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $78.1 billion. 63 are already under construction and 66 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and transport & logistics. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Regional performance is closely tied to developments in infrastructure, planning policies, and major projects. A total of 80 projects have been identified as having a potential impact on the local area. Key developments include the Northern Private Hospital Epping, Peppercorn Hill Estate, Regional Housing Fund Projects, and Matilda Donnybrook, with the most relevant ones detailed in the list below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Beveridge Intermodal Precinct
Australia's largest planned intermodal freight precinct spanning 1,100 hectares in Melbourne's north. Developed by National Intermodal Corporation, it serves as the southern terminus for the Inland Rail corridor, designed to accommodate double-stacked 1,800m trains. Main construction for Stage 1 officially commenced in early 2026 following site preparations. The project includes a massive rail terminal, over 800,000 sqm of warehousing, and is supported by a $1.62 billion road connections package including the Camerons Lane interchange. It integrates renewable energy with up to 200MW of solar capacity and is expected to create 20,000 jobs while removing 167,000 truck trips from roads annually.
DB910 Business Park
Permit-approved 10.89 hectare industrial and commercial business park within the Shenstone Park Precinct Structure Plan. The estate will provide serviced lots suitable for logistics, warehousing, trade, fuel, convenience retail, medical, childcare and self-storage uses. The project benefits from direct Hume Freeway access, proximity to the future Beveridge Intermodal Terminal and planned Donnybrook Road upgrades. Marketing and land sales continue with settlement expected during 2026.
Matilda Donnybrook
A masterplanned residential community in Melbourne's north featuring 840 residential lots with diverse housing options including land and house and land packages. The development emphasizes environmental sustainability with up to 9 hectares of wetlands and waterways, three future parks, manicured pathways for walking and cycling, and protection of natural features including River Red Gums. Located close to Donnybrook train station with connections to Melbourne CBD, nearby schools including Hume Anglican Grammar, and retail amenities. Stage 1B and 2 construction is completed, while Stages 3 and 3A are well underway.
Donnybrae Estate by Dennis Family Corporation
Boutique 40-hectare house and land estate at 875 Donnybrook Road comprising 480 lots. Located 600 metres from Donnybrook train station with easy freeway access. Final lots now selling with the sales centre closed and team operating remotely.
Olivine by Mirvac
A 465-hectare masterplanned community offering approximately 4,500 house and land lots. Olivine features premium amenities including the Olivine Place community hub, Shared Cup Cafe, Olivine Recreation Reserve, Hume Anglican Grammar school campus, Donnybrook Primary School, and a future town centre with two supermarkets. Expected to house over 11,000 residents upon completion.
Heartford Estate
Heartford is a masterplanned residential community by Satterley in Donnybrook comprising around 1,900 residential lots across the Heartford and East Village precincts. Construction and staged land releases are continuing, with 19 hectares of parks and open space, planned sporting facilities, future community infrastructure and a proposed government primary school. Current stages remain on sale with civil works progressing across the estate.
Olivine Estate by Mirvac
A 187-hectare masterplanned community in Donnybrook delivering approximately 2,250 homes for over 7,000 residents. The project features the Gumnut Park and Adventure Playground, Olivine Place community hub, and the shared campus of Hume Anglican Grammar. It emphasizes sustainable urban living with significant open space and local amenities.
Regional Housing Fund Projects
Part of $1 billion statewide program delivering 1,300+ new homes including social housing, affordable rentals and homeownership opportunities across regional Victoria and growth corridors.
7,928 residents of Whittlesea are employed, from a labour force of 8,526. Unemployment sits at 7.0%, with participation at 61.4%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 6.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth, so in an area growing as fast as this one it understates the likely rise in local jobs. The working-day population is estimated at 16,852, about 89% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
The local workforce is characterized by strong representation in the construction sector, an unemployment rate of 7.0%, and stable employment patterns over the past twelve months. In March 2026, 7,928 residents were employed, while the local unemployment rate sat 2.2% above the Greater Melbourne rate of 4.8%. Participation in the workforce is notably lower at 61.4% compared to 70.2% across the metropolitan area. Census records indicate that 21.1% of employees worked from home, though this figure reflects pandemic restrictions. The primary employment sectors for local residents are construction, health care & social assistance, and education & training.
The workforce is highly concentrated in construction, representing 2.0 times the metropolitan average. Conversely, professional & technical roles account for only 4.5% of employment, which is below the 10.1% rate for Greater Melbourne. The relationship between the resident workforce and local job numbers suggests a limited volume of employment opportunities within the immediate area. AreaSearch analysis of SALM and ABS data shows that during the year leading to March 2026, the local labour force expanded by 2.9% while total employment fell by 0.4%, leading to a 3.1 percentage point rise in unemployment. Meanwhile, Greater Melbourne experienced a 2.1% increase in employment, 2.3% growth in the labour force, and a 0.2 percentage point rise in unemployment. Long-term occupational forecasts released by Jobs and Skills Australia in May-25 offer additional context on future demand patterns. These five and ten-year projections have been applied to the local workforce to estimate growth. Although national employment is projected to grow by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, the rates vary widely by sector. Applying these figures to the local industry mix suggests employment growth of 6.4% over five years and 13.2% over ten years in Whittlesea, assuming a simple weighting extrapolation that does not account for local population changes.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in Whittlesea is $1,855 a week (about $96,000 a year), with median personal income at $780 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $53,193 a year against an average of $63,627. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
The median taxpayer income in Whittlesea is $53,193 and the average is $63,627, according to aggregated ATO postcode data for financial year 2023. These figures are below the national average, and lower than the Greater Melbourne median of $57,688 and average of $75,164. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 9.62% since financial year 2023, estimated figures for March 2026 are approximately $58,310 for the median and $69,748 for the average. Census data places household, family, and individual incomes near the 50th percentile nationally. The most common income band is $1,500 - 2,999, containing 35.7% of residents (6,758 people), which is comparable to the 32.8% seen across the metropolitan area.
Mortgage and rent costs account for 15.7% of income, though disposable income remains at the 57th percentile, and the SEIFA index for income places the area in the 5th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Whittlesea had 3,503 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 92% detached houses and 1% apartments. 50% are owned with a mortgage, 16% rented and 34% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $375 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,000 a month. Rent absorbs 20.2% of household income here and mortgage repayments 24.9%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the last Census, the housing stock in Whittlesea consisted of 91.8% detached houses and 8.1% other dwellings, such as semi-detached homes and apartments, compared to 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings in Greater Melbourne. Home ownership was higher than the metropolitan average at 33.6%, with 50.1% of properties mortgaged and 16.2% rented. The median monthly mortgage payment of $2,000 matches the metropolitan average, while the median weekly rent of $375 compares to $390 in Greater Melbourne. Regionally, mortgage payments are higher than the national median of $1,863, while rental costs align with the national median of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Whittlesea counted 3,503 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 6,220 today, averaging 2.8 people each. 39% are couples with children, more than in 76% of areas nationally, against 27% couples without children. 20% of households are people living alone, and families average 1.7 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Families make up 78.6% of households, consisting of couples with children at 38.8%, couples without children at 26.9%, and single parents at 11.9%. Non-family households account for 21.4% of the total, with lone person households representing 19.7% and group households at 1.7%. The median household size is 2.8 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
20.8% of adults in Whittlesea hold a university qualification, including 13.8% with a bachelor degree and 4.5% with postgraduate qualifications. A further 29.0% hold a vocational qualification. 6 schools serve the area, with 1,707 enrolment places and an average ICSEA of 1,002 against a national benchmark of 1,000. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census; school enrolments, ICSEA and results come from ACARA's current release.
Detail
The region shows lower rates of higher education, with 20.8% of residents holding a university qualification compared to 37.0% across Greater Melbourne. Among these, bachelor degrees account for 13.8%, postgraduate degrees represent 4.5%, and graduate diplomas make up 2.5%. Technical training is highly represented, with 41.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational qualifications, split between advanced diplomas at 12.2% and certificates at 29.0%. A significant portion of the population is engaged in study, with 30.9% of residents enrolled in education. This includes 11.2% in primary school, 8.7% in secondary school, and 3.8% attending tertiary institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in Whittlesea reaches 64 stops on 10 routes, timetabled for about 3,600 services a week. The typical home sits about 610 m from its nearest stop. Buses carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 1.9 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transport infrastructure consists of 64 active stops, including both rail and bus services. These facilities are served by 10 distinct routes, which accommodate 3,568 passenger trips per week. Accessibility is limited, with the average distance to the nearest stop being 608 meters. The majority of residents travel outside the area for employment, with private vehicles being the primary mode of travel at 92%, followed by train travel at 5%. Average vehicle ownership is 1.9 cars per household, which is higher than the regional average. Census records from 2021 show that 21.1% of residents worked from home, which may reflect pandemic circumstances.
Weekly schedules provide an average of 509 daily services across the network, which averages out to approximately 55 weekly services per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
68.6% of residents in Whittlesea report no long-term health condition. 6.2% need daily assistance with core activities, and 50.5% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 6.9 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
The area experiences notable health challenges, as indicated by mortality figures and chronic disease rates. Private health insurance coverage is relatively low, held by approximately 50% of the population (~9,560 people), which is lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 56.7% and the national benchmark of 55.7%. Arthritis and asthma are the most common medical diagnoses, affecting 8.6% and 8.3% of the population respectively. Meanwhile, 68.6% of residents reported having no chronic conditions, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. Health measures for working-age residents are typical. Residents aged 65 and over comprise 11.2% of the population (2,122 people), which is lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 15.0%.
Health outcomes for seniors show some areas of concern, with national rankings aligning with overall population trends.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Whittlesea is largely Australian-born, at 79.8% of residents, with 17.8% speaking a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are Australian (26.7%) and English (26.1%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
The local population displays high levels of cultural diversity, with 20.2% of residents born outside Australia and 17.8% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the largest religious group, representing 48.5% of the population. The most significant statistical variation is in the category of Other, which accounts for 4.4% of residents compared to 2.3% across the metropolitan area. Looking at ancestral background, the most common heritages are Australian at 26.7% of the population (above the regional average of 18.4%), English at 26.1% (above the regional average of 20.1%), and Other at 8.0% (below the regional average of 14.6%).
Other notable concentrations include residents of Macedonian heritage at 1.4% of the population (compared to 0.7% across the region), Italian at 7.0% (compared to 5.2%), and Maltese at 1.4% (compared to 1.1%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of Whittlesea is 35. That is 2 years younger than at the 2021 Census. 27.9% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The median age of 35 years is lower than the Greater Melbourne median of 37 and the national average of 38. Children aged 5 - 14 show strong representation at 15.0% compared to Greater Melbourne, while residents aged 55 - 64 are less represented at 8.2%. The median age decreased by 2.4 years between 2021 and the current period, dropping from 37 to 35. The cohort aged 35 to 44 increased from 12.9% to 18.7% of the population, and the 0 to 4 group grew from 6.4% to 8.6%. Conversely, the 65 to 74 group fell from 9.5% to 6.1%, and the 45 to 54 group decreased from 13.1% to 10.3%.
Demographic projections for 2041 suggest significant changes, with the 35 to 44 cohort expected to grow by 146%, adding 5,159 residents to total 8,701.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for Whittlesea
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Aug 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the SA2 boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to May 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | May 2026 3 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to May 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Jun 2026 2 months ago headline measures · May 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Aug 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Aug 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Aug 2026 this month all 24 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Aug 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 5 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 this month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 last month all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data — 4,384 validated new addresses here. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for May 2026, not a 2021 count (10,661 at the 2021 Census → 18,931 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to May 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (209041225). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.