Yarraville

Population growth drivers in Yarraville are slightly above average based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium term trends

Yarraville's population is approximately 16,315 as of February 2026. This represents an increase of 852 people, a 5.5% rise from the 2021 Census figure of 15,463. The change is inferred from ABS estimates: 16,243 in June 2024 plus 313 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density of 2,903 persons per square kilometer, placing Yarraville in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch assessments. Overseas migration contributed approximately 65.3% 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, it utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted via weighted aggregation to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, Yarraville is projected to have an above median population growth, expanding by 2,530 persons, a 15.1% increase over the 17-year period based on latest annual ERP population numbers.

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

Yarraville has seen approximately 96 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling 483 homes. As of FY26, 72 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.3 new residents per year arrive for each new home built between FY21 and FY25, indicating that supply meets or exceeds demand. The average construction value of these new properties is $426,000, slightly above the regional average.

In FY26, $13.8 million in commercial development approvals have been recorded. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Yarraville has roughly half the building activity per person and ranks among the 68th percentile of areas assessed nationally. Recent construction comprises 38% detached dwellings and 62% attached dwellings, marking a shift from the current housing pattern of 72% houses. This focus on higher-density living creates more affordable entry points for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. With around 220 people per dwelling approval, Yarraville shows characteristics of a low density area.

According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, Yarraville is forecasted to gain 2,458 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.

Yarraville has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 50% nationally

Area infrastructure changes significantly influence local performance. AreaSearch has identified 17 projects potentially impacting the area. Notable projects are Bradmill Yarraville, 295 Whitehall Street Heritage Redevelopment, Stockland Haven, and The Fabric Estate. Relevant projects are listed below.

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

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AreaSearch analysis of employment trends sees Yarraville performing better than 85% of local markets assessed across Australia

Yarraville has a highly educated workforce. The technology sector is notably represented, with an unemployment rate of 2.5% as of September 2025. Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 5.4%.

There are 10,972 residents in work currently, with an unemployment rate of 2.1%, which is below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%. Workforce participation in Yarraville is high at 83.1% compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.0%. According to Census responses, 49.4% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training sectors.

Professional & technical employment is particularly notable, with levels at 1.3 times the regional average. Construction employment is under-represented, with only 7.1% compared to Greater Melbourne's 9.7%. The area appears to offer limited local employment opportunities based on Census data. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment levels increased by 5.4%, labour force increased by 5.7%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 3.0% and labour force growth of 3.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project a 6.6% increase over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Yarraville's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 13.9% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

The median income of taxpayers in Yarraville SA2 was $76,870 and the average income was $96,604 according to ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. This compares to Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes as of September 2025 would be approximately $83,212 (median) and $104,574 (average). Census data shows household, family and personal incomes in Yarraville rank highly nationally, between the 90th and 93rd percentiles. Income analysis reveals that 29.1% of locals (4,747 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 income category. In Yarraville, 42.3% of households achieve high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000. High housing costs consume 15.4% of income, but strong earnings place disposable income at the 89th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

Yarraville is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

Yarraville's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, consisted of 71.6% houses and 28.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This compares to Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Yarraville stood at 27.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.2% and rented ones at 33.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,500, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. The median weekly rent figure for Yarraville was $462, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, Yarraville's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Yarraville features high concentrations of group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 69.2% of all households, including 33.1% couples with children, 26.2% couples without children, and 8.5% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 30.8%, with lone person households at 25.5% and group households comprising 5.3% of the total. The median household size is 2.5 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

Yarraville shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators

Yarraville's educational attainment exceeds broader standards. Among residents aged 15 and above, 48.7% possess university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and the SA4 region's 32.0%. This high level of attainment indicates strong potential for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 31.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.4%) and graduate diplomas (5.0%).

Vocational pathways account for 22.7% of qualifications, including advanced diplomas (9.6%) and certificates (13.1%). Educational participation is notably high, with 28.7% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.7% in primary education, 6.5% in secondary education, and 6.5% pursuing tertiary education.

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

Yarraville has 89 active public transport stops, all of which are bus stops. These stops are served by 11 different routes that together facilitate 5,868 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents on average living just 138 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to its residential nature. Cars remain the primary mode of transportation for 72% of residents, while trains are used by 16%, and walking by 4%. The area has an average vehicle ownership of 1.0 per dwelling, which is below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, a high proportion of residents, 49.4%, work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 838 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 65 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Yarraville is notably higher than the national average with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population and nearer the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Yarraville shows better-than-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 closer to national averages for older, at-risk cohorts. Approximately 70% of Yarraville's total population (11,371 people) has private health cover, compared to Greater Melbourne's 56.7% and the national average of 55.7%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most common medical conditions in the area, affecting 9.6% and 8.6% of residents respectively. 71.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to Greater Melbourne's 72.6%. The under-65 population has better-than-average health outcomes. Yarraville has 11.5% of residents aged 65 and over (1,874 people), lower than Greater Melbourne's 15.1%. Health outcomes among seniors are above average but rank lower nationally compared to the broader population.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Yarraville was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Yarraville's population shows higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 25.5% born overseas and 20.8% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion in Yarraville, comprising 36.7%. Judaism is overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, making up 0.2% of Yarraville's population versus 1.0%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (23.4%), Australian (20.6%), and Irish (10.1%). Notable divergences include Macedonian at 1.6% (regional: 0.7%), Polish at 1.2% (regional: 0.8%), and Greek at 4.2% (regional: 2.7%).

Yarraville's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Yarraville's median age is 37, matching Greater Melbourne's figure and closely resembling Australia's median of 38 years. The 35-44 age group comprises 19.0% of Yarraville's population, higher than Greater Melbourne's percentage. Conversely, the 15-24 cohort makes up 10.6%, lower than Greater Melbourne's figure. Between 2021 and present, the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 9.0% to 10.6%. During this period, the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 12.5% to 11.2%, and the 0 to 4 group fell from 6.7% to 5.4%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Yarraville's age structure. Notably, the 55-64 group is projected to grow by 41%, adding 731 people and reaching a total of 2,521 from its current figure of 1,789. Meanwhile, the 5 to 14 group is expected to decrease by 101 residents.