Brunswick East (Vic.)

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As of May 2026, the suburb of Brunswick East is calculated to have about 15,702 residents, a figure derived from recent ABS regional population releases and new location validations compiled by Districts after the Census. This marks a growth of 2,423 people (18.2%) compared to the 2021 Census headcount of 13,279 individuals. This adjustment relies on a resident base of 15,670 calculated by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP update, combined with 638 validated new addresses registered post-Census. With these numbers, the local density stands at 6,947 persons per square kilometer, placing the suburb of Brunswick East within the top 10% of all Australian areas monitored by Districts, emphasizing the high demand for local land. The 18.2% expansion rate observed since the 2021 census outpaces the state benchmark of 9.3% and the countrywide average, positioning the locality as a regional leader in expansion. Overseas migration served as the main driver, accounting for roughly of the total population gains in recent times.

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The local labor force is exceptionally qualified, featuring notable representation within the technology field, an unemployment level of 4.7%, and a 4.1% yearly increase in estimated employment, according to regional statistics processed by Districts. In March 2026, employed residents numbered 11,193, with the jobless rate matching the Greater Melbourne benchmark of 4.8%, while the local participation rate of 82.6% significantly exceeds the metropolitan average of 70.2%. Census figures indicate that 53.3% of the working population performed their duties from home, although this figure was likely influenced by COVID-19 restriction measures.

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Taxpayer records from the ATO for financial year 2023 show a median income of $67,997 and an average income of $82,223 in the suburb of Brunswick East. These statistics exceed the Greater Melbourne median of $57,688 and average of $75,164. Adjusting these numbers for the 9.62% Wage Price Index growth since financial year 2023 yields estimated values of $74,538 for the median and $90,133 for the average as of March 2026. Census statistics place individual weekly earnings at the 93rd percentile across the country, at $1,252 weekly. A significant portion of the population, 37.4% (5,872 people), earns between $1,500 - 2,999 weekly, which is similar to the 32.8% rate in the broader metropolitan area. High earners making more than /week represent of the community. Even though housing expenses take up of local earnings, the strong income levels keep disposable funds at the th percentile nationally, and the SEIFA index ranks the area in the th decile.

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The census profile shows the housing stock in Brunswick East contains 22.7% traditional houses and 77.3% alternative housing types, such as apartments and semi-detached properties, whereas the metropolitan average stands at 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Outright home ownership in the locality is below the metro rate at 18.3%, with 27.3% of properties under a mortgage and 54.4% occupied by renters. Typical monthly home loan payments match the metropolitan median of $2,000, while the typical weekly rent is $421, contrasted against metropolitan figures of $2,000 and $390. On a national scale, local mortgage servicing costs exceed the Australian median of $1,863, and average rent rates are also well above the countrywide figure of $375.

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Families constitute 48.6% of the residential households, consisting of couples with children at 14.1%, childless couples at 27.1%, and one-parent families at 5.9%. Conversely, single person and group living arrangements represent 51.4% of households, with lone residents at 38.9% and shared group households making up 12.6% of this total. The typical household size is 2.0 people, which falls below the metropolitan average of 2.6.

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Residents aged 15+ show higher rates of tertiary achievement than broader populations, with 62.4% possessing a university degree, compared to 30.4% nationally and 33.4% across VIC. This high proportion of graduates aligns well with knowledge-focused employment fields. Undergraduate degrees are held by 37.1% of residents, while postgraduate degrees represent 19.4% and graduate diplomas represent 5.9%. Technical and trade qualifications are held by 17.2% of the population aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas at 8.3% and certificates at 8.9%.

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Network assessments indicate 55 active public transit stops in the area, offering a combination of lightrail and bus connections. A total of 12 distinct routes run through these stops, generating 9,773 weekly passenger trips. Access to transit is highly rated, with a typical distance of 123 meters from homes to the closest stop. Given the residential nature of the suburb, the majority of workers commute to external areas, with cars being the main transport mode at 53%, while 13% cycle and 7% walk. Average car ownership is 0.5 per household, which is below the metropolitan standard. A significant portion of the workforce, 53.3%, worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been impacted by pandemic restrictions.

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Evaluations of local death rates and long-term sickness levels by Districts indicate positive health outcomes, with low rates of common medical issues across both young and senior demographics. Furthermore, the share of residents with private health insurance is high at approximately 59% of the population (9,305 people), which compares to the metropolitan rate of 56.7%.

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Cultural diversity is higher than most other areas, with 31.3% of the community born in other countries and 23.7% using a non-English language at home. Christianity stands as the most common religious affiliation, representing 26.6% of residents. The most noticeable variation is recorded for Judaism, which makes up 0.5% of the population, compared to 1.0% across Greater Melbourne.

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A median age of 33 means the area is younger than the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and the national median of 38 years. Compared to the metropolitan area, there is a higher share of people aged 25 - 34 (32.5%) and a smaller share of children aged 5 - 14 (5.5%). The proportion of residents aged 25 - 34 is also much higher than the national rate of 14.6%. Since the 2021 Census, the 35 to 44 age segment has increased from 20.0% to 20.6%, while the 25 to 34 age segment decreased from 33.5% to 32.5%. Projections up to point to shifts in the local age structure, with the to segment expected to expand by , adding people to reach a total of .

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Brunswick East currently has an estimated 612 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 359 children aged 0-2 and 238 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 25% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 44% by 2041 (to approximately 880 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 698. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 9.2 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally.