Chirnside Park (Vic.)

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Following an examination of ABS demographic revisions for the surrounding region alongside new addresses verified by Districts since the Census, the population of the suburb of Chirnside Park is calculated to be approximately 12,617 as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 838 individuals (7.1%) relative to the 2021 Census, which registered a total of 11,779 residents. This variation is derived from a resident headcount of 12,603, calculated by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP release and 72 validated new addresses added since the Census. Such a population size corresponds to a density of 568 persons per square kilometer, which indicates low density and possibilities for additional construction. The 7.1% expansion rate of the suburb of Chirnside Park since the 2021 Census outpaced the broader SA3 area (3.5%) and the SA4 territory, positioning it as a regional growth hotspot. Gains were mostly fueled by natural increase, which was responsible for roughly of the population growth in recent times, though migration from interstate and overseas also made positive contributions.

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Chirnside Park features a competent labor pool, where the construction industry stands out significantly, with an unemployment rate of just 3.6% and an estimated employment growth of 1.1% during the previous year according to Districts aggregated statistical area information. On March 2026, 6,891 residents were employed, and the local unemployment rate was 1.2% lower than the Greater Melbourne rate of 4.8%, while workforce participation matched the Greater Melbourne figure of 70.2%. Census data indicates that 26.0% of residents worked from home, although the effects of Covid-19 lockdowns should be taken into account.

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The most recent ATO postcode records for financial year 2023 indicate that incomes in the suburb of Chirnside Park are close to the country-wide middle ground, with a median of $54,426 and an average of $67,718. These numbers are below the Greater Melbourne figures, which show a median of $57,688 and an average of $75,164. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index rise of 9.62% since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of approximately $59,662 for the median and $74,232 for the average as of March 2026. The 2021 Census reveals that household, family, and individual earnings in the suburb of Chirnside Park align with the 65th percentile nationally. The weekly income band of $1,500 - 2,999 contains 34.6% of residents (4,365 people), which is comparable to the metropolitan level of . Housing costs consume of total earnings, while strong relative incomes place local households in the rd percentile for disposable funds, and the SEIFA index ranks the area in the th decile for income.

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According to the last Census, the housing mix in the suburb of Chirnside Park consisted of 98.0% standalone houses and 2.0% alternative dwellings like townhouses and apartments, compared to 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings across the Melbourne metropolitan area. Home ownership was significantly higher than the metropolitan benchmark, with 37.0% of homes owned outright, while the remaining properties were mortgaged (47.9%) or rented (15.1%). The median monthly home loan payment was higher than the Melbourne metropolitan average at $2,167, and the median weekly rent stood at $443, compared to metropolitan figures of $2,000 and $390. On a national level, monthly mortgage costs in the suburb of Chirnside Park are notably higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are well above the national median of $375.

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Families make up 80.7% of households, consisting of couples with children at 40.7%, couples without children at 28.1%, and single-parent households at 11.2%. Non-family households represent the remaining 19.3%, with single-person households accounting for 17.5% and group households making up 1.7%. The median household occupancy of 2.8 persons is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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The suburb of Chirnside Park shows lower levels of higher education, with university graduation rates at 25.0%, which is well below the Greater Melbourne average of 37.0%. This highlights a clear opportunity for targeted educational programs. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 17.1%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 4.8% and graduate diplomas at 3.1%. Practical and vocational qualifications are highly represented, with 37.4% of residents aged 15 and over holding a trade credential, consisting of advanced diplomas (12.5%) and certificates (24.9%).

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Public transit records show 39 operational transit stops within the suburb of Chirnside Park, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 22 different routes, which support a total of 4,352 passenger journeys each week. Local transit accessibility is moderate, with residents living an average of 469 meters from their nearest stop. Because the area is mostly residential, the majority of working residents travel outside the suburb, with private vehicles being the primary mode of travel for 93% of commuters. Average vehicle ownership stands at 1.8 cars per household, which is higher than the regional average. A high proportion of residents, 26.0%, worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which was likely affected by pandemic-related restrictions.

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The suburb of Chirnside Park displays favorable health metrics, according to Districts' analysis of mortality and chronic disease data, with low rates of common health conditions observed across both younger and older cohorts. Private health insurance coverage is slightly higher than the average SA2 area, representing approximately 54% of the population (~6,762 individuals), compared to 56.7% across the Melbourne metropolitan area.

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The suburb of Chirnside Park shows above-average cultural diversity, with 22.2% of its population born outside of Australia and 14.4% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 47.4% of residents. The most pronounced relative overrepresentation is within Judaism, which accounts for 0.1% of the local population, compared to 1.0% across the Melbourne metropolitan area.

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The median age in the suburb of Chirnside Park is 38 years, which is close to the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and matches the national median of 38. Compared to the Melbourne metropolitan area, the suburb of Chirnside Park has a higher proportion of residents aged 75 - 84 (7.2%) but fewer residents in the 25 - 34 bracket (10.8%). Since the 2021 Census, the 15 to 24 age group has expanded from 12.0% to 13.4% of the population, while the 35 to 44 bracket increased from 13.8% to 15.2%. In contrast, the 25 to 34 age bracket decreased from 13.0% to 10.8%. By the suburb of Chirnside Park is projected to undergo significant demographic shifts. The to cohort is expected to lead these changes, growing by ( people) to reach compared to . Meanwhile, the to cohort is expected to show minimal growth of , adding only children.

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Chirnside Park currently has an estimated 744 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 441 children aged 0-2 and 293 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 7% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 1% by 2041 (to approximately 752 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,337. Birth rates in the area have averaged 12.0 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a high rate (among the top 30% of areas assessed nationally).