Yarraville

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

Yarraville's population was approximately 16,708 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 1,245 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 15,463. The growth is inferred from ABS estimates: 16,243 in June 2024 and an additional 249 validated new addresses post-census. This results in a density ratio of 2,973 persons per square kilometer, placing Yarraville in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch's assessment. Since the census, Yarraville's population growth rate was 8.1%, within 0.8 percentage points of the national average (8.9%). Overseas migration contributed approximately 65.3% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area released in 2024 with a base year of 2022, and VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 adjusted to SA2 levels for areas not covered by ABS data. 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 with an expected increase of 2,530 persons, reflecting a total gain of 12.4% 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, 69 approvals have been recorded. On average, 0.3 new residents per year have arrived for each new home built between FY21 and FY25, indicating that supply is meeting or exceeding demand. The average construction value of these properties is $607,000, 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 nationally. Recent construction comprises 38.0% detached dwellings and 62.0% attached dwellings, marking a shift from the current housing pattern of 72.0% 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 a developing market with population forecasts indicating an increase of 2,065 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 projections.

Yarraville has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 18 projects likely influencing the area. Notable projects include Bradmill Yarraville, 295 Whitehall Street Heritage Redevelopment, Stockland Haven, and Yarraville Green. The following list details those most relevant.

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 with notable representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate was 2.5% as of June 2024, with an estimated employment growth of 5.5% over the past year.

As of June 2025, 11,073 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 2.1%, which is below Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation in Yarraville is 74.0%, higher than Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. Employment is concentrated in professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training sectors. Professional & technical employment is particularly high, at 1.3 times the regional average.

However, construction employment is under-represented, with only 7.1% of Yarraville's workforce compared to 9.7% in Greater Melbourne. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 5.5%, while labour force increased by 5.9%, leading to a rise in unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 3.5% and labour force growth of 4.0%, with a 0.5 percentage point rise in unemployment rate. As of Nov-25, state-level data shows Victoria's employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, adding 41,950 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project a growth of 6.6% 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, assuming constant population projections for illustrative purposes.

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

Yarraville SA2 had an extremely high national income level according to latest ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2022. Its median income among taxpayers was $74,392 and average income stood at $93,656. These figures compared to Greater Melbourne's of $54,892 and $73,761 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% since financial year 2022, current estimates would be approximately $83,438 (median) and $105,045 (average) as of September 2025. Census data revealed household, family and personal incomes all ranked highly in Yarraville, between the 90th and 93rd percentiles nationally. Income analysis showed the predominant cohort spanned 29.1% of locals (4,862 people) in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, consistent with broader trends across the region showing 32.8% in the same category. Economic strength emerged through 42.3% of households achieving high weekly earnings exceeding $3,000, supporting elevated consumer spending. High housing costs consumed 15.4% of income, though strong earnings still placed disposable income at the 89th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 9th decile.

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

Yarraville's latest Census data shows 71.6% houses and 28.5% other dwellings. Melbourne metro has 49.7% houses and 50.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in Yarraville is 27.1%, with mortgaged dwellings at 39.2% and rented ones at 33.7%. The median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,500, compared to Melbourne metro's $2,100. Median weekly rent in Yarraville is $462, against Melbourne metro's $376. Nationally, Yarraville's mortgage repayments are higher at $2,500 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are higher too at $462 compared to the national figure of $375.

Yarraville features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-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 constitute the remaining 30.8%, with lone person households at 25.5% and group households comprising 5.3%. The median household size is 2.5 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.4.

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

Yarraville's educational attainment is notably higher than national and regional averages. Among residents aged 15+, 48.7% have university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and the SA4 region's 32.0%. This educational advantage may open up knowledge-based opportunities for the area. Bachelor degrees are most common at 31.3%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (12.4%) and graduate diplomas (5.0%).

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

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

Yarraville has 90 active public transport stops, offering a mix of train and bus services. These stops are served by 11 routes that together facilitate 9,307 weekly passenger trips. The area's transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents, on average, located 137 meters from the nearest stop.

Across all routes, service frequency averages 1,329 trips per day, equating to roughly 103 weekly trips per individual stop.

Yarraville's residents are extremely healthy with prevalence of common health conditions low among the general population and nearer the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts

Analysis of health metrics shows strong performance throughout Yarraville. Prevalence of common health conditions is low among the general population. It nears the nation's average across older, at risk cohorts.

The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 68% of the total population (11,394 people). This compares to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne and a national average of 55.3%. The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, impacting 9.6 and 8.6% of residents respectively. Meanwhile, 71.5% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments compared to 72.7% across Greater Melbourne. The area has 11.1% of residents aged 65 and over (1,856 people). Health outcomes among seniors are above average but require more attention than 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 showed higher cultural diversity compared to most local areas, with 25.5% born overseas and 20.8% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity was the predominant religion in Yarraville, accounting for 36.7%. Notably, Judaism was present at 0.2%, similar to Greater Melbourne's 0.2%.

In terms of ancestry, English (23.4%) and Australian (20.6%) were the top groups, both higher than regional averages of 18.2% and 15.7% respectively. Irish ancestry constituted 10.1%. Specific ethnicities with notable differences included Macedonian at 1.6% (vs regional 1.0%), Polish at 1.2% (vs 0.9%), and Greek at 4.2% (vs 2.4%).

Yarraville's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Yarraville's median age is 37, matching Greater Melbourne's figure of 37 and remaining close to Australia's 38 years. The 35-44 age group constitutes 19.1% of Yarraville's population, higher than Greater Melbourne's proportion, while the 15-24 cohort makes up 10.3%, lower than Greater Melbourne's figure. Between 2021 and present, the 15-24 age group has increased from 9.0% to 10.3%. Conversely, the 5-14 age group has decreased from 12.5% to 11.3%, and the 0-4 group has dropped from 6.7% to 5.7%. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Yarraville's age structure. The 55-64 group is projected to grow by 40%, reaching 2,521 people from the current 1,806. Meanwhile, both the 0-4 and 5-14 age groups are expected to decrease in number.