Gowanbrae (Vic.)

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The suburb of Gowanbrae has an estimated population of around 3,055 as of May 2026. This figure represents an increase of 84 people (2.8%) compared to the 2021 Census count of 2,971 people. The updated estimate comes from Districts validation of new addresses and analysis of the latest ERP data release by the ABS dated June 2025. This demographic shift results in a population density of 2,909 persons per square kilometer, positioning the area in the upper quartile among national locations evaluated by Districts. Recent population growth has been largely fueled by overseas migration, which accounted for approximately 55% of the total increase.

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The local workforce is highly educated with a strong contingent in professional services, an unemployment rate of only 1.5%, and stable employment patterns over the past year, according to Districts statistical area data. In March 2026, there are 1,869 employed residents, and the unemployment rate is 3.3% lower than the 4.8% recorded across Greater Melbourne. Labor force participation is typical, standing at 74.0% compared to 70.2% in Greater Melbourne. Census figures indicate that a high 33.5% of workers worked from home, though this may reflect the influence of pandemic lockdowns.

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The latest postcode-level ATO data from the 2023 financial year indicates that incomes in the suburb of Gowanbrae are below the national average, with a median of $52,938 and an average of $61,913. This is lower than the Greater Melbourne figures, which show a median of $57,688 and an average of $75,164. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since the 2023 financial year, current estimates would be roughly $58,031 for the median and $67,869 for the average as of March 2026. According to Census data, household, family, and personal incomes in Gowanbrae sit near the 74th percentile nationwide. The weekly income bracket of $1,500 - 2,999 is the most common, accounting for 29.2% of residents (892 people), which is similar to the metropolitan average of 32.8%. The high proportion of top-tier earners ( earning over per week) indicates strong financial capacity in the suburb. Housing costs consume of income, while strong earnings place the residents in the th percentile for disposable income, and the SEIFA index ranks the area in the th decile.

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According to the latest Census, the housing mix in Gowanbrae consisted of 69.0% separate houses and 31.0% semi-detached properties, townhouses, apartments, or other dwellings, compared to 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings across metropolitan Melbourne. The rate of home ownership in Gowanbrae was higher than the metropolitan Melbourne average of 32.9%, with the remaining properties being mortgaged (53.9%) or rented (13.2%). The median monthly mortgage payment was identical to the Melbourne metropolitan average at $2,000, whereas the median weekly rent was $445, compared to metropolitan averages of $2,000 and $390. Globally within Australia, Gowanbrae's mortgage payments exceed the national average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also well above the national median of $375.

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Families make up the majority of households at 77.1%, consisting of couples with children at 41.7%, couples without children at 23.3%, and single-parent households at 11.3%. Non-family households represent the remaining 22.9%, with single-person households at 21.2% and group houses at 1.3%. The median household occupancy of 2.7 people is slightly higher than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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University qualification rates in Gowanbrae are lower than regional averages, with 29.1% of residents aged 15 and over holding a degree, compared to 37.0% across Greater Melbourne. This indicates scope for further skills development. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 20.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees (6.1%) and graduate diplomas (3.0%). Vocational and technical training is common, with 31.1% of residents aged 15 and over holding qualifications such as advanced diplomas (12.5%) and certificates (18.6%).

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Public transport services in Gowanbrae feature 14 active stops, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 1 separate routes, which provide 368 weekly trips. Accessibility is strong, with residents living an average of 103 meters from the nearest stop. As the suburb is mostly residential, the majority of residents travel outside the area for work, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 94%. Vehicle ownership stands at 1.6 per home, which is above the metropolitan average. A high 33.5% of residents work from home, based on 2021 Census data, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

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Gowanbrae shows positive health indicators based on Districts assessments of mortality and chronic illness rates, with low rates of common health conditions across both younger and older demographics, while the level of private medical insurance is moderate at roughly 51% of the population (~1,568 people). This compares to 56.7% across the Greater Melbourne area.

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Gowanbrae exhibits higher cultural diversity than most suburban markets, with 24.6% of residents born outside Australia and 29.8% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the major religious affiliation, accounting for 61.1% of the population, compared to 43.0% across Greater Melbourne.

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The median age of Gowanbrae is 40, which is slightly higher than the Greater Melbourne median of 37 and the national average of 38. Compared to metropolitan Melbourne, the 45 - 54 age bracket is over-represented at 15.0%, while the 25 - 34 bracket is under-represented at 12.1%. Since 2021, the 15 to 24 age bracket increased from 12.4% to 14.4% of the population, and the 55 to 64 bracket increased from 10.1% to 11.8%. On the other hand, the 5 to 14 cohort decreased from 14.3% to 11.4%, and the 45 to cohort fell from to . Demographic models suggest that Gowanbrae's age profile will change by with the to cohort projected to expand by people () from to .

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Gowanbrae currently has an estimated 152 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 88 children aged 0-2 and 58 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 22% by 2041 (to approximately 185 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 263. 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.