Deer Park (Vic.)

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According to evaluations of ABS demographic revisions for the wider region, combined with new addresses validated by Districts since the Census, the population of the suburb of Deer Park is estimated at approximately 18,532 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 387 residents (2.1%) from the 2021 Census, which documented a population of 18,145 individuals. This shift is deduced from the resident population of 18,512, calculated by Districts using the most recent ERP data from the ABS (June 2025) along with 44 validated new addresses added after the Census date. The current population translates to a density ratio of 2,159 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the typical average across national locations analyzed by Districts. Overseas migration was the primary driver of demographic expansion in the area, accounting for approximately 68.0% of all population growth in recent times.

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The suburb of Deer Park possesses a skilled labor force with a strong presence in the manufacturing and industrial sectors, registering an unemployment rate of 7.6% and an estimated employment growth of 1.8% over the prior year, according to Districts aggregations of statistical area data. As of March 2026, 8,891 residents are employed, which is 2.8% higher than Greater Melbourne's unemployment rate of 4.8%, while participation in the workforce is notably lower (63.6% compared to 70.2% in Greater Melbourne). Census data indicates that a moderate 17.3% of workers worked from home, though this figure should be interpreted in light of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

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The latest postcode-level ATO data from Districts for financial year 2023 shows that income in the suburb of Deer Park falls below the national benchmark, with a median of $51,033 and an average of $59,925. This is lower than the median of $57,688 and average of $75,164 recorded across Greater Melbourne. Accounting for a Wage Price Index increase of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates correspond to roughly $55,942 (median) and $65,690 (average) as of March 2026. In the 2021 Census, household income was positioned at the 33rd percentile ($1,456 weekly), and personal income was at the 14th percentile. Income distribution shows that the $1,500 - 2,999 weekly bracket is the most common, accounting for 34.1% of residents (6,319 people), which aligns with the wider regional pattern of in this category. Housing affordability is a significant concern, with residents retaining only of their income, placing the area in the st percentile.

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Residential dwelling types in the suburb of Deer Park, measured during the most recent Census, consisted of 87.2% houses and 12.9% other property types (such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and alternative dwellings), compared to 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings across the Melbourne metro area. Home ownership rates in the suburb of Deer Park matched the Melbourne metro average of 32.0%, while the remaining properties were occupied under a mortgage (37.5%) or rented (30.5%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was $1,689, which is significantly below the Melbourne metro average of $2,000, while the median weekly rent was $350, compared to $390 across Melbourne metro. Nationally, mortgage payments in the suburb of Deer Park are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are below the national figure of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 76.0%, consisting of couples with children (36.9%), couples without children (21.5%), and single parent households (15.5%). Non-family households account for the remaining 24.0% of the total, with single-person households at 20.5% and group households at 3.5%. The average household size of 2.9 individuals is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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The region presents educational challenges, with university attainment rates (23.4%) falling significantly short of the Greater Melbourne average of 37.0%. This environment offers opportunities for targeted educational support. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 17.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees (4.8%) and graduate diplomas (1.6%). Vocational and technical training is common, with 28.6% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.3%) and certificates (18.3%).

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Public transport networks include 70 active stops in the suburb of Deer Park, consisting of train and bus facilities. These stops are served by 16 distinct routes, which combine to offer 4,445 passenger journeys every week. Transit access is rated as good, with residents living an average of 291 meters from their nearest transit stop. Given the residential nature of the suburb, most workers commute out of the area, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 86%, followed by trains at 8%. Households average 1.4 vehicles. About 17.3% of workers worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

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Health statistics show positive trends for residents of the suburb of Deer Park, with Districts analysis of mortality rates and medical conditions demonstrating results that match national benchmarks, showing standard rates of common health issues across both younger and older cohorts, though the level of private health insurance is low at approximately 51% of the population (~9,371 people). This is lower than the 56.7% rate in Greater Melbourne and the national average of 55.7%.

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The suburb of Deer Park ranks among the most culturally diverse localities in the nation, with 54.4% of the population born outside of Australia and 63.4% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by 51.7% of residents in the suburb of Deer Park. However, the most distinct religious concentration is in Buddhism, which represents 10.8% of the population, far exceeding the Greater Melbourne average of 4.2%.

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With a median age of 36 years, the suburb of Deer Park is close to the Greater Melbourne average of 37 years and slightly below the national median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, the suburb of Deer Park has a larger proportion of residents aged 65 - 74 (9.0%) but a smaller share of people aged 15 - 24 (12.3%). Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents in the 75 to 84 age group rose from 4.4% to 5.8%, while the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 13.7% to 12.1%. Demographic projections suggest the age profile of the suburb of Deer Park will change considerably by 2041. The 55 to 64 group is projected to see the highest growth at , adding residents to reach while the to bracket is expected to decrease by residents.

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Deer Park currently has an estimated 1,148 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 691 children aged 0-2 and 461 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 4% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 0% by 2041 (to approximately 1,153 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,803. Birth rates in the area have averaged 13.7 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a high rate (among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.