Croydon (Vic.)

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Croydon (Vic.) has a population that is calculated to be approximately 30,823 as of May 2026, which is gathered from assessments of ABS demographic releases for the region and new home addresses verified by Districts since the Census. When compared to the 28,608 residents recorded in the 2021 Census, this represents a growth of 2,215 individuals (7.7%). Districts calculated an estimated resident population of 30,612 by looking at the June 2025 release of ERP figures from the ABS, then adding 629 validated new addresses that have appeared since the Census date. This population level results in a density of 2,186 persons per square kilometer, a figure that is higher than the typical location analyzed nationwide by Districts. With a 7.7% expansion rate since the 2021 census, Croydon (Vic.) outperformed both the SA4 region (3.8%) and the SA3 territory, establishing it as a frontrunner for growth locally. The rise in population was mostly fueled by arrivals from abroad, which accounted for roughly of the total demographic increase in recent times.

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Croydon boasts a highly educated labor force, with strong representation in essential services and an unemployment rate of 5.4%. Estimated employment growth reached 1.1% over the previous year, according to Districts aggregated statistical area data. By March 2026, the number of residents employed stood at 15,795. The local unemployment rate was 0.7% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%. Workforce participation in the area was somewhat below the standard level, at 65.3% compared to Greater Melbourne's 70.2%. Census data indicated that a high 30.3% of residents worked from home, although the effects of Covid-19 lockdowns should be taken into account.

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According to compiled ATO figures from Districts for financial year 2023, personal earnings in the suburb of Croydon are close to the national average. The median income for tax-paying residents is $54,990, and the average earnings are $67,110, which compare to median and average figures of $57,688 and $75,164 across Greater Melbourne. Accounting for a Wage Price Index rise of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 would be approximately $60,280 for median income and $73,566 for average income. Census figures show that household, family, and individual incomes are all modest in Croydon, placing between the 42nd and 52nd percentiles. The largest income bracket contains 32.2% of residents (9,925 people) who earn between $1,500 - 2,999, which is very similar to the Greater Melbourne area where fall into this category. Housing costs present a major challenge, with only of income remaining after mortgage or rent payments, placing the suburb in the st percentile, while the SEIFA index for income places the area in the th decile.

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The mix of housing in Croydon at the time of the latest Census consisted of 83.5% detached houses and 16.5% other housing types like townhouses and apartments, compared to the Melbourne metropolitan split of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. The rate of home ownership in Croydon was higher than the Melbourne metropolitan average at 33.1%, with the remaining properties being purchased with a mortgage (39.4%) or occupied by tenants (27.5%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was lower than the Melbourne metropolitan average of $2,000 at $1,985, while the median weekly rent was recorded at $380, compared to $390 in the metro region. On a national level, mortgage costs in Croydon are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents also exceed the national average of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 67.2%, which is comprised of 29.2% couples with children, 25.2% couples without children, and 11.9% single parent households. The remaining 32.8% of households are non-family arrangements, consisting of lone person households at 30.0% and group houses at 2.8%. The median household size is 2.4 residents, which is smaller than the average of 2.6 across Greater Melbourne.

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The proportion of residents with tertiary qualifications in Croydon is lower than the metropolitan average, with 30.3% of individuals aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 37.0% across Greater Melbourne. This difference highlights opportunities for educational advancement and vocational training. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 19.7%, followed by postgraduate degrees (7.0%) and graduate diplomas (3.6%). Vocational and technical training is well represented, with 33.3% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.9%) and certificates (21.4%).

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An analysis of public transit options reveals that Croydon has 145 active transport stops, consisting of bus services. These stops are serviced by 31 separate routes, which provide a total of 6,431 weekly passenger trips. Access to public transport is classified as good, with residents living an average of 236 meters from the nearest stop. The suburb is primarily residential, and the majority of workers travel outside the area for employment, with private cars remaining the primary choice at 88%, followed by trains at 6%. The average number of vehicles per household is 1.3. A high proportion of residents, 30.3%, worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect public health measures in place at the time.

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Data on mortality rates and the prevalence of chronic illnesses compiled by Districts suggest that health outcomes in Croydon are below average, though the occurrence of common medical conditions among the general public is typical, despite being higher than the national average for older age brackets. The proportion of residents with private health insurance is slightly higher than the average SA2 region at approximately 53% of the population (~16,450 people), which compares to 56.7% for Greater Melbourne.

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Croydon has a level of cultural diversity that exceeds most local property markets, with 26.3% of residents born outside Australia and 19.6% using a non-English language at home. Christianity is the most common religion, representing 45.8% of the population. The most prominent difference in religious affiliation is in the Other category, which accounts for 1.4% of the population compared to 2.3% in Greater Melbourne.

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The median age of residents in Croydon is 39 years, which is slightly higher than the Greater Melbourne median of 37 and very close to the Australian average of 38. Compared to metropolitan Melbourne, the 75 - 84 age bracket has a higher concentration (8.4% of the local population), while the 25 - 34 demographic has a lower presence (13.7%). Data collected since the 2021 Census shows that the 75 to 84 age group has increased from 7.1% to 8.4% of the total, while the 0 to 4 demographic has decreased from 6.5% to 5.7%. Population projections for 2041 suggest significant demographic shifts in Croydon. The 85+ cohort is expected to grow by 82% ( people), rising from to . This aging trend is further reflected by the fact that residents aged and over will account for of the projected population growth, while the to and to brackets are expected to shrink.

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Croydon currently has an estimated 1,756 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 1,032 children aged 0-2 and 687 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 6% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 4% by 2041 (to approximately 1,686 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 2,752. Birth rates in the area have averaged 12.1 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a high rate (among the top 30% of areas assessed nationally).