Burnside Heights (Vic.)

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Analysis of ABS demographic updates for the surrounding region combined with new address validations by Districts since the Census indicates the suburb of Burnside Heights has an estimated population of 6,450 as of May 2026. This represents a growth of 73 people (1.1%) from the 2021 Census, which counted 6,377 people. This shift is calculated from the resident population of 6,443, determined by Districts using the latest ABS ERP release from June 2025 alongside 8 validated new addresses added since the Census. The resulting population density stands at 3,225 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality in the top quartile of Australian areas monitored by Districts. This growth was mainly driven by net overseas migration, which made up 63.0% of the population increase over recent times.

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The local workforce is highly educated, featuring significant employment in professional services, an unemployment rate of only 3.7%, and an annual employment growth rate estimated at 1.8% based on Districts statistical area aggregations. In March 2026, working residents numbered 3,644, with an unemployment rate 1.1% lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 4.8%. The labor participation rate is also highly elevated, sitting at 77.6% compared to the Greater Melbourne benchmark of 70.2%. Census figures indicate that 26.0% of the employed workforce worked from home, though this figure may reflect the influence of pandemic lockdowns.

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The suburb of Burnside Heights's income level is below the national average according to the latest ATO data aggregated by Districts for financial year 2023. The suburb of Burnside Heights's median income among taxpayers is $54,342 and the average income stands at $63,826, which compares to figures for Greater Melbourne's of $57,688 and $75,164 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $59,570 (median) and $69,966 (average) as of March 2026. Census data reveals household incomes rank exceptionally at the 80th percentile ($2,246 weekly), though personal income ranks lower at the 50th percentile. Looking at income distribution, 39.6% of the population (2,554 individuals) fall within the - income range, consistent with broader trends across regional levels showing in the same category. The substantial proportion of high earners ( above /week) indicates strong economic capacity throughout Burnside Heights. High housing costs consume of income, though strong earnings still place disposable income at the th percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the th decile.

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At the time of the latest Census, the housing mix consisted of 90.6% standalone houses and 9.4% other dwelling types such as semi-detached homes and apartments, differing from the Melbourne metropolitan split of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. The rate of outright home ownership was lower than the metropolitan average at 18.7%, with the remaining properties occupied by those with a mortgage (63.5%) or tenants (17.8%). Median monthly mortgage costs matched the broader Melbourne metropolitan benchmark of $2,000, whereas median weekly rent was $411, compared to metropolitan benchmarks of $2,000 and $390. On a national scale, mortgage repayments exceed the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also higher than the national figure of $375.

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Family households make up the vast majority of local homes at 93.2%, consisting of couples with children at 66.3%, couples without children at 13.4%, and single-parent households at 12.3%. Non-family households account for the remaining 6.8%, with single-person households at 5.4% and group shared homes representing 1.4% of the total. The median household size is 3.6 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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The educational profile of the population is highly distinct on a regional level, with university graduation rates representing 34.2% of residents aged 15 and over, exceeding the SA3 regional average of 24.3% and the national rate of 30.4%. Bachelor degrees are the most common credential at 23.4%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 8.3% and graduate diplomas at 2.5%. Vocational and technical qualifications are also widely held, with 25.6% of residents aged 15 and over possessing vocational certificates, including advanced diplomas at 10.6% and certificates at 15.0%.

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Analysis of transit options indicates 14 active bus stops service the suburb of Burnside Heights. These stops accommodate 3 separate bus routes, which provide a combined total of 918 weekly passenger journeys. Transport accessibility is positive, with residents living an average of 230 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the residential nature of the suburb, most workers commute out of the area, with cars remaining the main transit mode at 90% and trains at 7%. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.9 cars per home, which is higher than the regional average. A significant portion of residents, 26.0%, worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may have been affected by pandemic conditions.

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Health outcomes in the locality are favorable based on Districts comparisons of mortality rates and chronic illness rates. The occurrence of major health issues is low within the general population and corresponds to national averages among older, high-risk groups. Private health insurance coverage lags slightly behind the average SA2 region, covering approximately 52% of the population, which represents 3,359 people, compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne.

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The locality ranks among the most multicultural communities nationally, with 49.9% of residents born overseas and 61.9% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 48.8% of the population. The most prominent divergence from metropolitan averages is Buddhism, which is practiced by 7.4% of residents compared to 4.2% across Greater Melbourne.

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The median age of 35 years is slightly below the Greater Melbourne median of 37 and the national average of 38. The 5 to 14 age group is highly represented at 19.1% compared to Greater Melbourne, while the 25 to 34 cohort is less common at 9.3%. The concentration of residents aged 5 to 14 is higher than the national average of 12.0%. Since 2021, the median age has increased by 1.7 years, rising from 33 to 35. Key demographic movements show the 15 to 24 cohort expanded from 12.3% to 16.1% of the population, and the 45 to group grew from to . Meanwhile, the to cohort shrank from to , and the to group fell from to . Projections for point to major age shifts, with the to cohort expected to grow the fastest at , adding residents to reach a total of . Conversely, the to and to age cohorts are projected to shrink.

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Burnside Heights currently has an estimated 354 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 210 children aged 0-2 and 141 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 22% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 6% by 2041 (to approximately 376 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 982. Birth rates in the area have averaged 8.9 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a moderate rate (within the middle tier nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.