Harkness (Vic.)

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Based on Districts' evaluation of ABS demographic releases for the wider region alongside newly verified addresses, the suburb of Harkness has an estimated population of 12,738 as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 275 individuals (2.2%) from the 2021 Census, which documented 12,463 residents. This adjustment is calculated from an estimated resident base of 12,726 determined by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP release, combined with 33 newly validated addresses registered after the Census. This count places the local density at 762 persons per square kilometer, a figure that aligns closely with standard regional averages. Over the past ten years, the suburb of Harkness has shown steady upward trends, recording a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%, which is quicker than the SA4 region. Demographic expansion was largely driven by natural increase, which accounted for approximately 64.0% of the overall population rise in recent times.

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The suburb of Harkness possesses a skilled labor force across multiple industries, an unemployment rate of 7.9%, and a relatively steady employment situation over the prior year, based on aggregated statistical area statistics. As of March 2026, 6,273 local citizens are employed, while the unemployment rate is 3.1% higher than the 4.8% rate observed across Greater Melbourne, pointing to potential areas of economic improvement. The workforce participation rate is typical at 72.8%, compared with 70.2% across Greater Melbourne. Census data indicates that a moderate 16.5% of working residents performed their duties from home, though this figure may have been influenced by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

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The suburb of Harkness has an income level below the national average according to ATO figures compiled by Districts for financial year 2023. The median income of local taxpayers is $56,825 and the average is $64,667, compared to Greater Melbourne figures of $57,688 and $75,164. Based on a Wage Price Index increase of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 stand at approximately $62,292 for the median and $70,888 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in the suburb of Harkness were all moderate, ranking between the 47th and 50th percentiles. The data shows that 41.4% of the population (5,273 individuals) are in the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket, which is similar to the wider region where fall into this range. Financial pressure from housing is significant, with only of income remaining after housing costs, placing the area in the th percentile.

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The dwelling landscape in the suburb of Harkness at the last Census was made up of 94.0% separate houses and 6.0% other options like townhouses and apartments, compared to metro Melbourne which had 67.9% houses and 32.1% alternative dwellings. Home ownership in the suburb of Harkness stood at 16.0%, trailing the metropolitan average, with the remaining properties being purchased with a mortgage (55.9%) or rented (28.1%). The median monthly mortgage payment in the area was $1,700, which is below the metropolitan median of $2,000, while the median weekly rent was $350, compared to the Melbourne metro average of $390. On a national level, mortgage payments in the suburb of Harkness are below the Australian median of $1,863, and rents are lower than the national figure of $375.

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Families make up the vast majority of households at 80.8%, consisting of couples with children at 44.2%, couples without children at 18.1%, and single-parent homes at 17.7%. Non-family households account for the remaining 19.2%, with single-person households representing 17.2% and group shared housing making up 2.0% of the total. The median household size is 3.1 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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The local area has notable educational gaps, with tertiary qualification rates (18.9%) sitting well below the Greater Melbourne average of 37.0%. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity for targeted educational initiatives. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 13.0%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 3.9% and graduate diplomas at 2.0%. Vocational and technical training is common, with 38.7% of residents aged 15+ holding practical qualifications, consisting of advanced diplomas (11.8%) and certificates (26.9%).

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Analysis of local transit shows 33 active public transport stops operating in the suburb of Harkness, consisting of bus services. These stops are served by 4 different routes, which together provide 1,345 weekly passenger journeys. Accessibility is rated favorably, with residents living an average of 310 meters from their nearest transit stop. Because the area is primarily residential, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private cars being the main transport choice for 93% of commuters. Households own an average of 1.6 vehicles, which is above the metropolitan average. About 16.5% of working residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era arrangements.

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The suburb of Harkness faces notable health challenges based on Districts' evaluation of mortality data and chronic illness rates, with typical health issues being common, particularly among older age groups. The rate of private health insurance is slightly ahead of the average SA2 region at approximately 52% of the population (~6,677 people). This compares to a rate of 56.7% across Greater Melbourne.

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The suburb of Harkness shows high levels of cultural diversity, with 32.4% of residents born outside Australia and 33.4% using a language other than English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 49.8% of the population. The most notable statistical divergence is in the Other religious category, which accounts for 5.2% of the local population compared to 2.3% across Greater Melbourne.

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With a median age of 30 years, the suburb of Harkness has a population that is younger than the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and is lower than the national median of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, the suburb of Harkness has a larger share of residents aged 5 - 14 (17.8%) but fewer individuals aged 55 - 64 (7.1%). The proportion of children aged 5 - 14 is higher than the national figure of 12.0%. Data since the 2021 Census shows the 15 to 24 age bracket has risen from 12.6% to 14.3% of the population, while the 75 to 84 cohort grew from 1.8% to 2.9%. In contrast, the to age bracket declined from to . Population models suggest the demographic mix of the suburb of Harkness will shift by . The to cohort is expected to grow substantially, increasing by people () from to .

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Harkness currently has an estimated 1,159 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 575 children aged 0-2 and 383 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 17% by 2041 (to approximately 1,353 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,659. Birth rates in the area have averaged 15.8 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a high rate (among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally).