Melville
Statistical Area - sa2

Population growth drivers in Melville are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Melville's population was approximately 19,100 as of November 2025. This figure shows an increase of 1,648 people from the 2021 Census total of 17,452, reflecting a 9.4% growth rate. The estimated resident population in June 2024 was 18,986, with an additional 147 validated new addresses since the Census date contributing to this increase. This results in a population density ratio of 2,423 persons per square kilometer, placing Melville in the upper quartile relative to other locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate exceeded the national average of 8.9% between the 2021 census and June 2024, indicating its status as a regional growth leader. Overseas migration accounted for approximately 93.9% of overall population gains during this period.

AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For areas not covered by this data and to estimate growth post-2032, AreaSearch uses the growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Considering these projections, an above median population growth is anticipated for statistical areas across the nation. Melville is expected to grow by 2,650 persons to reach a total of 21,750 by 2041, representing a 13.3% increase over the 17-year period from November 2025.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Melville among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

Melville has recorded approximately 90 residential properties granted approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 453 homes were approved, with an additional 22 approved so far in FY26. On average, for every home built over these five years, there have been 3.2 new residents.

This demand significantly exceeds new supply, typically leading to price growth and increased buyer competition. New properties are constructed at an average value of $454,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In FY26, there have been $15.0 million in commercial approvals, reflecting steady commercial investment activity.

Compared to Greater Perth, Melville shows around 75% of construction activity per person and ranks among the 60th percentile nationally when assessed against other areas. New development consists of approximately 84.0% standalone homes and 16.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's suburban nature by catering to space-seeking buyers. With around 254 people per dwelling approval, Melville indicates a developing market. Population forecasts project Melville will gain approximately 2,536 residents by 2041. Current development appears well-matched to future needs, supporting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.

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

Changes in local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 15 projects expected to influence this region. Notable initiatives include Attadale Private Hospital Expansion, Attadale Reserve Masterplan & Sports Facilities Upgrade, Westfield Booragoon Shopping Centre Expansion, and Myaree Business Area Master Plan. The following list details those likely 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 conditions in Melville rank among the top 10% of areas assessed nationally

Melville has an educated workforce with prominent representation in essential services sectors. Its unemployment rate is 1.3%.

Over the past year, estimated employment growth was 5.4%. As of June 2025, 11,231 residents are employed while the unemployment rate is 2.5% lower than Greater Perth's rate of 3.9%. Workforce participation in Melville is similar to Greater Perth's 65.2%. Dominant employment sectors include health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services.

Education & training has a particularly strong presence with an employment share 1.4 times the regional level. Conversely, administrative & support services show lower representation at 2.3% compared to the regional average of 3.3%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by the count of Census working population versus resident population. Between June 2024 and June 2025, employment levels increased by 5.4%, labour force grew by 5.8%, causing unemployment to rise by 0.4 percentage points. Greater Perth recorded employment growth of 3.7% during the same period, with labour force growth at 3.8%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest that over five years, national employment is expected to expand by 6.6%, and over ten years by 13.7%. Applying these projections to Melville's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch reported median taxpayer income in Melville was $62,317 during financial year 2022. Average income stood at $95,325, both figures placing it among the top percentile nationally. Greater Perth's median and average incomes were lower at $58,380 and $78,020 respectively. By September 2025, estimated median and average incomes in Melville would be approximately $71,166 and $108,861 based on a 14.2% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2022. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in Melville ranked between the 78th and 83rd percentiles nationally. Income analysis showed that 26.9% of Melville's population earned over $4,000 weekly, contrasting with Perth's leading bracket of $1,500 - $2,999 at 32.0%. Higher earners formed a substantial presence in Melville, with 39.4% exceeding $3,000 weekly. After housing costs, residents retained 87.0% of income, indicating strong purchasing power and placing the area's SEIFA income ranking in the 9th decile.

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

In Melville, as per the latest Census evaluation, dwelling structures consisted of 76.5% houses and 23.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This is similar to Perth metro's composition of 76.5% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Melville was 42.5%, aligning with Perth metro's figure. Mortgaged dwellings made up 40.2%, while rented dwellings accounted for 17.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Melville was $2,420, higher than the Perth metro average of $2,200. Median weekly rent in Melville was recorded at $420, compared to Perth metro's $400. Nationally, Melville's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.

Melville has a typical household mix, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households constitute 73.4% of all households, including 37.5% couples with children, 25.6% couples without children, and 9.4% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 26.6%, with lone person households at 24.6% and group households making up 2.0%. The median household size is 2.6 people, which aligns with the Greater Perth average.

Educational achievement in Melville places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

In Melville, educational attainment is notably higher than broader benchmarks. 40.4% of residents aged 15 and above have university qualifications, compared to 27.9% in Western Australia (WA) and 28.6% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are most prevalent at 27.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 8.3% and graduate diplomas at 4.4%. Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 29.5% of residents aged 15 and above holding such qualifications – advanced diplomas at 11.3% and certificates at 18.2%.

Educational participation is high, with 30.6% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.9% in secondary education, 9.7% in primary education, and 6.5% pursuing tertiary education. Melville has a robust network of 7 schools educating approximately 4,343 students. The area demonstrates significant socio-educational advantages and academic achievement, with an ICSEA score of 1115. The educational mix includes 4 primary schools, 2 secondary schools, and 1 K-12 school. Note: where schools show 'n/a' for enrolments, please refer to the parent campus.

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

Melville has 81 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These stops serve a mix of bus routes, totaling 16 individual routes that collectively facilitate 2,766 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of these services is rated as good, with residents typically located approximately 220 meters from the nearest transport stop.

On average, across all routes, service frequency is around 395 trips per day, which equates to approximately 34 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Melville is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Melville shows better-than-average health results, with both younger and older residents having low rates of common health issues. Approximately 69% (13,236 people) have private health cover, higher than Greater Perth's 65.2% and the national average of 55.3%. Mental health problems and arthritis are the most prevalent conditions, affecting 7.1% and 6.8% of residents respectively.

72.2% report no medical ailments, similar to Greater Perth's 72.5%. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 20.1% (3,842 people), compared to Greater Perth's 22.4%. Seniors' health outcomes align with the general population's profile.

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

Melville's population shows cultural diversity, with 11.6% speaking a language other than English at home as of 2016 Census data. Overseas-born residents make up 26.7%. Christianity is the predominant religion in Melville, accounting for 54.1%, slightly higher than Greater Perth's 50.2%.

The top three ancestry groups are English (29.6%), Australian (23.8%), and Irish (8.4%). Notably, Welsh people comprise 0.9% of Melville's population compared to the regional average of 0.7%, Croatian residents make up 1.4% versus 1.1%, and Italian ancestry is at 7.1% compared to Greater Perth's 4.9%.

Melville hosts an older demographic, ranking in the top quartile nationwide

Melville has a median age of 42 years, which is significantly higher than Greater Perth's average of 37 years and Australia's national average of 38 years. The age group of 55-64 years comprises 13.0% of Melville's population, compared to Greater Perth, while the 25-34 age group makes up only 8.5%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 15-24 age group has increased from 12.5% to 14.5%, whereas the 5-14 age group has decreased from 14.0% to 12.8%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes in Melville. The 75-84 age group is expected to grow by 59%, adding 793 people to reach a total of 2,132 from the previous figure of 1,338. Notably, the combined age groups of 65 and above will account for 67% of the total population growth, reflecting Melville's aging demographic profile. Conversely, the 0-4 and 5-14 age cohorts are projected to experience population declines.