Rowville (Vic.)

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Based on examination of ABS demographic releases for the wider region, alongside recent address validation conducted by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Rowville has an estimated population of 34,063 in May 2026. This represents an expansion of 492 individuals (1.5%) from the 2021 Census, which recorded 33,571 residents. The figure is derived from a resident population of 34,053, estimated by Districts using the June 2025 ERP data release from the ABS, plus 275 validated new addresses since the Census. This population level translates to a density of 1,561 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical ratio observed across locations evaluated nationally by Districts. Recent growth in the area was mostly fueled by net overseas migration, which accounted for approximately 73.0% of the total population increase.

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The suburb of Rowville has a highly skilled labor force, with a notable concentration in manufacturing and industrial sectors. The local unemployment rate stands at 3.3%, and employment grew by 1.4% over the course of the last year, based on Districts statistical aggregations. As of March 2026, there are 19,766 employed residents. The unemployment rate is 1.5% lower than the Greater Melbourne rate of 4.8%, while participation in the workforce matches the metropolitan rate of 70.2%. Census data indicates that 28.7% of working residents performed their jobs from home, though this figure was influenced by pandemic-related restrictions.

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According to ATO taxpayer data aggregated by Districts for financial year 2023, the median income in the suburb of Rowville is $55,389, with an average of $67,088. This is comparable to national benchmarks but sits below the Greater Melbourne median of $57,688 and average of $75,164. Adjusting for a 9.62% rise in the Wage Price Index since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of $60,717 for the median and $73,542 for the average in March 2026. The 2021 Census placed local household income at the 78th percentile ($2,205 weekly) and individual income at the 57th percentile. Looking at income brackets, 33.7% of the population (11,479 individuals) earn between $1,500 and $2,999, which is similar to the broader metropolitan distribution of 32.8%. High-earning households making more than $3,000 weekly account for 32.3% of the local total, supporting consumer demand. Residents retain 86.8% of their income after meeting housing costs, indicating strong discretionary spending capacity, with a SEIFA income score in the 7th decile.

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At the time of the last Census, the housing mix in the suburb of Rowville consisted of 91.9% houses and 8.1% multi-unit configurations (townhouses, apartments, and other dwellings), compared to 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings across metropolitan Melbourne. The rate of home ownership was also higher than the metropolitan average at 37.5%, with mortgaged properties making up 46.9% and rentals representing 15.7% of dwellings. The median mortgage repayment was $2,055 monthly, which is above the metropolitan average of $2,000, while the median weekly rent was $441, compared to Melbourne's $390. Nationally, mortgage payments are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and rent prices are above the national average of $375.

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Families make up 83.3% of all households in the suburb of Rowville, consisting of couples with children (46.0%), couples without children (26.2%), and single parents (10.1%). Non-family households account for 16.7% of the total, with single person households representing 15.0% and group households making up 1.6%. The typical household size is 2.9 individuals, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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Educational attainment in the suburb of Rowville is slightly below regional averages, with 31.0% of residents aged 15 and over holding a university degree, compared to 37.0% across Greater Melbourne. Bachelor degrees represent 21.1% of qualifications, postgraduate degrees account for 7.4%, and graduate diplomas make up 2.5%. Conversely, vocational and technical qualifications are common, with 30.9% of residents aged 15 and over holding a qualification, including 12.3% with advanced diplomas and 18.6% with certificates.

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Public transport options in the suburb of Rowville include 138 bus stops serviced by 16 distinct routes, which combine to support 3,912 passenger journeys weekly. Transport access is convenient, with residents living an average of 261 meters from their nearest stop. Because it is a residential area, most workers commute to other areas, with private vehicles being the primary mode of travel for 93% of commuters. Household vehicle ownership averages 1.9 cars, higher than the regional average. A significant 28.7% of residents worked from home, based on 2021 Census data collected during the pandemic.

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Analysis of health indicators demonstrates positive outcomes in the suburb of Rowville, based on Districts' evaluation of mortality and chronic disease figures. Both younger and older demographics exhibit low rates of common illnesses, and private health insurance coverage is slightly above the national average for SA2 areas, covering roughly 53% of residents (~18,176 people), compared to 56.7% in Greater Melbourne.

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The suburb of Rowville exhibits a diverse cultural profile, with 35.8% of the population born outside Australia and 32.4% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 49.9% of the population. Buddhism shows a notable local concentration at 5.2%, compared to the Greater Melbourne average of 4.2%.

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The median age in the suburb of Rowville is 41 years, which is older than the Greater Melbourne median of 37 and the national median of 38. The 55 - 64 age bracket is overrepresented locally at 14.7% of the population, whereas the 25 - 34 bracket is underrepresented at 11.0%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 65 to 74 grew from 9.2% to 11.0%, and those aged 75 to 84 rose from 4.9% to 6.3%. The 45 to 54 cohort decreased from 14.9% to 13.3%. Population projections indicate significant shifts by 2041, with the 75 to 84 cohort expected to grow by 45% (an increase of 968 people to 3,114). Overall, residents aged 65 and over will account for 86% of the growth. Conversely, declines are projected for the 25 to 34 and 0 to 4 age groups.

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Rowville currently has an estimated 1,532 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 895 children aged 0-2 and 596 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 3% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 9% by 2041 (to approximately 1,393 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 3,028. Birth rates in the area have averaged 8.0 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a low rate (among the bottom 30% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.