Melton West (Vic.)

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According to investigations of ABS demographic releases for the wider region, alongside address data verified by Districts subsequent to the Census, the suburb of Melton West has a population calculated to be approximately 10,038 as of May 2026. This indicates a rise of 1,254 individuals (14.3%) from the 2021 Census, when the recorded population stood at 8,784 individuals. The figure is deduced from a resident population of 10,029, which Districts calculated using the most recent ABS ERP release (June 2025) plus an additional 22 validated new addresses identified since the Census date. The population count translates to a density of 1,058 persons per square kilometer, a level that matches typical benchmarks observed in locations evaluated by Districts. The 14.3% rate of expansion in the suburb of Melton West since the 2021 census was higher than the state figure (9.3%) and the national average, establishing the area as a regional growth leader. Natural increase was the primary contributor to demographic expansion, accounting for roughly of the overall population rise in recent times.

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The suburb of Melton West has a diverse labor market comprising both white-collar and blue-collar workers, with a particularly high concentration in construction, an unemployment rate of 9.1%, and an estimated 3.6% increase in employment over the preceding year, based on aggregated statistical area data from Districts. As of March 2026, there are 4,897 employed locals, while the unemployment rate is 4.3% higher than the Greater Melbourne average of 4.8%, highlighting areas for improvement, and workforce participation is slightly low (67.0% relative to 70.2% for Greater Melbourne). Census returns indicate that a moderate 17.1% of locals worked from home, though this may have been influenced by COVID-19 restriction measures.

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According to the most recent postcode ATO statistics published for the financial year 2023, the suburb of Melton West has a median taxpayer income of $45,806 and an average taxpayer income of $52,127. These figures sit below national benchmarks, comparing to a median of $57,688 and an average of $75,164 across Greater Melbourne. Accounting for a Wage Price Index expansion of 9.62% since financial year 2023, updated projections estimate these figures at approximately $50,213 for the median and $57,142 for the average as of March 2026. Census data indicates that household incomes are in the 32nd percentile ($1,450 weekly), while personal incomes rank in the 16th percentile. The largest income bracket is composed of the 35.5% of residents earning $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (representing individuals), which is similar to the broader metropolitan distribution where this bracket accounts for . Households face significant affordability constraints, with only of income left over after housing costs, placing the area in the nd percentile.

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At the time of the last Census, the housing mix in the suburb of Melton West consisted of 93.8% detached houses and 6.2% other housing types like semi-detached homes, units, or alternative dwellings, compared to the Melbourne metropolitan distribution of 67.9% detached houses and 32.1% other dwellings. The rate of home ownership was consistent with the metropolitan average at 30.6%, with the remaining dwellings occupied by mortgage holders (45.7%) or tenants (23.7%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,500 was considerably lower than the Melbourne metropolitan average of $2,000, while the median weekly rental cost was $320, compared to $390 across metropolitan Melbourne. Nationally, mortgage costs in the suburb of Melton West are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and weekly rents are also well below the national median of $375.

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Families make up the vast majority of households at 76.8%, which includes 33.8% couples with children, 24.1% couples without children, and 17.7% single parents. Non-family households account for the remaining 23.2%, consisting of lone-person households at 20.5% and group households at 2.6%. The typical household size is 2.8 individuals, which is slightly larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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The local area shows below-average educational attainment, with university completion rates (13.7%) sitting significantly lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 37.0%. This highlights a clear opportunity for targeted educational support. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 9.6%, followed by postgraduate degrees (2.6%) and graduate diplomas (1.5%). Vocational and technical training is very common, with 38.0% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.9%) and certificates (28.1%).

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An audit of public transport options reveals 54 active bus stops situated within the suburb of Melton West. These stops are connected to 13 separate routes, which combine to offer 2,534 passenger departures each week. Local access to transit is highly rated, with residents living an average of 199 meters from their closest stop. Due to the residential nature of the area, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 92%. Average household vehicle ownership is 1.6 cars, exceeding the regional average. Approximately 17.1% of residents worked from home, according to the 2021 Census, which may have been influenced by pandemic conditions.

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Health indicators highlight notable challenges for the suburb of Melton West, according to Districts evaluations of mortality statistics and chronic disease rates, with common health conditions prevalent across both youth and older brackets, and private health insurance membership very low at roughly 48% of the population (~4,771 people). This is lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 56.7% and the national baseline of 55.7%.

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The suburb of Melton West exhibits higher levels of cultural diversity than most suburban property markets, with 28.1% of residents born outside Australia and 23.2% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 49.8% of the population. The most prominent statistical divergence is in the Other category, which accounts for 2.3% of the population, matching the 2.3% recorded across Greater Melbourne.

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The median age of 36 years in the suburb of Melton West is almost identical to the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and slightly below the nationwide median of 38. Compared to the metropolitan area, the suburb of Melton West has a larger proportion of children aged 5 - 14 (14.4%) but a smaller share of young adults aged 25 - 34 (11.0%). Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 15 to 24 grew from 13.0% to 14.7%, while the 25 to 34 age bracket decreased from 13.0% to 11.0%. Long-term projections indicate that the local age profile will shift by 2041, with the 55 to 64 cohort expected to grow the fastest at , adding residents to reach a total of .

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Melton West currently has an estimated 572 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 453 children aged 0-2 and 303 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 7% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 13% by 2041 (to approximately 646 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,308. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 14.7 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 20% of areas assessed nationally.