Ferntree Gully (Vic.)

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Recent ABS population updates and quarterly verified address registrations compiled by Districts indicate the suburb of Ferntree Gully has an estimated 28,311 residents in May 2026. This represents a 3.3% rise, or 913 people, from the 27,398 recorded during the 2021 Census. The calculation is based on a resident count of 28,273 determined from the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with an additional 297 validated new addresses registered since the census date. The resulting density stands at 2,013 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical ratio observed in national locations assessed by Districts. With this 3.3% increase since the 2021 census, growth in the suburb of Ferntree Gully outpaced the broader SA3 region's 3.1% rise, making it a local growth leader. Overseas migration was the primary driver of this expansion, accounting for approximately 61.0% of the net population gains during recent periods.

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The local workforce contains a high proportion of skilled workers, with the construction sector particularly well represented. The unemployment rate stands at 5.4%, and employment grew by an estimated 1.9% over the past year. In March 2026, there were 15,187 employed residents. The unemployment rate is 0.7% higher than the Greater Melbourne rate of 4.8%, while participation in the labor force is slightly lower, at 67.9% compared to 70.2% across Greater Melbourne. Census data shows that 26.0% of the workforce worked from home, though this figure was likely influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

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Postcode data from the ATO for financial year 2023 shows a median taxpayer income of $52,508 and an average of $64,832 in the area. These figures sit below national benchmarks, contrasting with a median of $57,688 and an average of $75,164 across Greater Melbourne. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, March 2026 estimates are approximately $57,559 for the median and $71,069 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes placed between the 47th and 51st percentiles. The dominant weekly income bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, containing 35.0% of residents (9,908 people), which is similar to the metropolitan average of 32.8%. While housing costs account for of income, strong earnings keep disposable income at the nd percentile, and the SEIFA index ranks the area in the th decile.

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Census data reveals that houses account for 88.0% of the dwelling stock in the area, while semi-detached properties, apartments, and other housing formats make up 11.9%. This contrasts with Greater Melbourne, where houses represent 67.9% and alternative dwellings comprise 32.1%. Home ownership stands at 34.5%, which is higher than the metropolitan average, with mortgaged properties making up 43.8% and rental properties accounting for 21.7%. The median monthly mortgage payment is $1,918, below the Melbourne metro average of $2,000, while the median weekly rent is $386, compared to the metropolitan average of $390. Locally, mortgage repayments exceed the national average of $1,863, and weekly rents are higher than the Australian figure of $375.

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Families make up 73.3% of households in the area, consisting of couples with children at 34.3%, couples without children at 25.0%, and single parents at 13.0%. Non-family households represent the remaining 26.7%, consisting of single-person households at 23.9% and group households at 2.7%. The median household occupancy is 2.6 people, matching the metropolitan average.

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The local population has university qualification rates of 26.0%, which is lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 37.0%. Among these qualifications, bachelor degrees are the most common at 17.6%, followed by postgraduate qualifications at 5.7% and graduate diplomas at 2.7%. Vocational education is highly represented, with 36.1% of residents aged 15+ holding qualifications, including 12.2% with advanced diplomas and 23.9% with certificates.

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Public transport services include 137 active bus stops. These stops accommodate 19 different bus routes, providing a total of 4,172 passenger journeys each week. Local access is good, with residents living an average of 262 meters from a stop. Most workers commute out of the suburb, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of travel at 90%. Household car ownership averages 1.5 vehicles, which is above the regional standard. A total of 26.0% of residents worked from home during the 2021 Census, which was likely affected by pandemic restrictions.

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Health metrics indicate lower outcomes, based on mortality and chronic disease data showing health issues present across younger and older age brackets. Private health insurance is held by approximately 52% of the population (~14,857 people), which is slightly above the average SA2 region but below the Greater Melbourne average of 56.7%.

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The local population displays higher cultural diversity than most markets, with 26.1% of residents born outside Australia and 19.3% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religion, adhered to by 42.8% of the population. Buddhism shows the most distinct local overrepresentation at 3.0% of the population, compared to 4.2% across Greater Melbourne.

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The median age of 40 is higher than the Greater Melbourne median of 37 and the national median of 38. The 55 - 64 age group is over-represented at 12.3% of the population, while 25 - 34 year-olds are under-represented at 11.6%. Since 2021, the 75 to 84 cohort has increased from 5.7% to 7.0%, while the 25 to 34 group has decreased from 13.3% to 11.6%. Projections for 2041 indicate that the 85+ cohort will grow by 597 people (81%) from 736 to 1,334. The combined + demographics are projected to account for of total growth, while the to and to groups are projected to decline.

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Ferntree Gully currently has an estimated 1,528 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 877 children aged 0-2 and 586 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 5% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 11% by 2041 (to approximately 1,353 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 2,545. Birth rates in the area have averaged 10.8 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.