Melville

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

Melville's population, as per AreaSearch's analysis, was approximately 19,100 by November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 1,648 people from the 2021 Census total of 17,452, indicating a growth rate of 9.4%. The change is inferred from ABS's estimated resident population of 18,986 in June 2024 and an additional 147 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 2,423 persons per square kilometer, placing Melville in the upper quartile nationally according to AreaSearch's assessments. The area's growth rate exceeded the national average of 8.9% between the 2021 Census and November 2025, positioning it as a regional growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 93.9% of Melville's population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted 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 utilized growth rates by age cohort provided by the ABS in its latest Greater Capital Region projections (released in 2023, based on 2022 data). Based on projected demographic shifts, Melville is expected to experience above median population growth nationally. By 2041, the area's population is projected to increase by 2,650 persons from the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting a total gain of 13.3% over the 17-year period.

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

Melville recorded approximately 90 residential properties approved annually. Between FY-21 and FY-25453 homes were approved, with an additional 26 approved in FY-26 so far. On average, each home built over the past five financial years attracted around 3.2 new residents per year.

This demand significantly exceeds new supply, typically leading to price growth and increased buyer competition. The average construction value of new properties was $454,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties. In FY-26, commercial approvals totaled $15.0 million, reflecting steady commercial investment activity.

Compared to Greater Perth, Melville shows around 75% of the construction activity per person and ranks in the 59th percentile nationally among assessed areas. New development consists of 84.0% standalone homes and 16.0% attached dwellings, preserving the area's suburban nature with an emphasis on detached housing attracting space-seeking buyers. With around 254 people per dwelling approval, Melville indicates a developing market. Population forecasts suggest Melville will gain 2,536 residents by 2041, according to the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate. Current development appears well-matched to future needs, supporting steady market conditions without extreme price pressure.

Melville has emerging levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the 27thth percentile nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 15 projects likely influencing the area. Notable projects 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 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 1.3% unemployment rate and 4.2% employment growth in the past year as of September 2025. There are 11,141 residents employed with a 2.6% lower unemployment rate than Greater Perth's 4.0%.

Workforce participation is similar to Greater Perth at 65.2%. Dominant sectors include health care & social assistance, education & training, and professional & technical services. Education & training has strong specialization with an employment share of 1.4 times the regional level, while administrative & support shows lower representation at 2.3% versus the regional average of 3.3%. Employment opportunities locally appear limited based on Census data comparison of working population vs resident population.

Between September 2024 and 2025, employment levels increased by 4.2% and labour force by 4.4%, causing unemployment rate to rise by 0.2 percentage points. Greater Perth recorded employment growth of 2.9% during the same period. State-wide in WA, employment contracted by 0.27% (losing 5,520 jobs) as of 25-Nov with a state unemployment rate of 4.6%, lagging the national rate of 4.3%. National employment forecasts from May-25 project growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Melville's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, assuming constant population projections for illustrative purposes.

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

According to AreaSearch's aggregation of ATO data released for financial year 2022, Melville SA2 had a median income among taxpayers of $62,317 and an average level of $95,325. Nationally, these figures are in the top percentile. In Greater Perth, they compare to levels of $58,380 and $78,020 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 14.2% since financial year 2022, estimated median income as of September 2025 is approximately $71,166, with the average being around $108,861. The 2021 Census shows household, family and personal incomes in Melville rank between the 78th and 83rd percentiles nationally. Income analysis reveals 26.9% of Melville's population (5,137 individuals) fall within the $4000+ income range, contrasting with the metropolitan region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket leads at 32.0%. Higher earners make up a substantial presence in Melville, with 39.4% exceeding $3,000 weekly. After housing costs, residents retain 87.0% of income, reflecting strong purchasing power and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

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

The dwelling structure in Melville, as evaluated at the latest Census held on 28 August 2016, comprised 76.5% houses and 23.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This is similar to Perth metropolitan area's structure of 76.5% houses and 23.6% other dwellings. Home ownership in Melville stood at 42.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 40.2% and rented dwellings at 17.3%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,420 as of June 2021, higher than Perth metro's average of $2,200. Median weekly rent in Melville was recorded at $420 during the same period, compared to Perth metro's $400. Nationally, mortgage repayments in Melville were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863 as of June 2021, while 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 account for 26.6%, with lone person households at 24.6% and group households comprising 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

Educational attainment in Melville is notably high, with 40.4% of residents aged 15+ holding university qualifications. This compares to 27.9% in Western Australia (WA) and 28.6% in the SA4 region. Bachelor degrees are most common at 27.7%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (8.3%) and graduate diplomas (4.4%). Vocational credentials are also prevalent, with 29.5% of residents aged 15+ holding such qualifications - advanced diplomas account for 11.3% and certificates for 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.

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, with a total of 16 individual routes providing service to the area. Collectively, these routes facilitate 2,766 weekly passenger trips.

The accessibility of public transport in Melville is rated as good, with residents typically located approximately 220 meters from their nearest transport stop. On average, across all routes, there are 395 trips per day, which equates to around 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. Around 69% of Melville's total population (13,236 people) have private health cover, higher than Greater Perth's 65.2%, but still below the national average of 55.3%. Mental health problems affect 7.1% and arthritis impacts 6.8% of Melville residents, while 72.2% report having no medical conditions, similar to Greater Perth's 72.5%.

The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 20.1%, compared to Greater Perth's 22.4%. Despite this, health outcomes among Melville's older residents are strong and comparable to those of the general population.

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

Melville has a cultural diversity level above the average, with 11.6% of its population speaking a language other than English at home and 26.7% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Melville, making up 54.1% of people, compared to 50.2% across Greater Perth. The top three ancestry groups in Melville are English (29.6%), Australian (23.8%), and Irish (8.4%).

Notably, Croatian (1.4%) is overrepresented in Melville compared to the regional average (1.1%), as are Welsh (0.9%, vs 0.7%) and Italian (7.1%, vs 4.9%).

Melville's median age exceeds the national pattern

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