Sunshine West (Vic.)

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According to investigations of ABS demographic statistics for the surrounding region, combined with post-Census address validation conducted by Districts, the suburb of Sunshine West has an estimated population of 18,484 as of May 2026. This represents a decline of 68 residents (0.4%) compared to the 2021 Census, which documented 18,552 individuals. The current figure is derived from a resident population baseline of 18,412 calculated by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP update, supplemented by 127 validated new addresses registered since the Census. This population level yields a density of 1,939 persons per square kilometer, exceeding the typical density across national locations analyzed by Districts. In contrast to the 0.4% contraction in the suburb of Sunshine West since the census, the wider SA3 region grew by 2.1%, showing conflicting local patterns. The primary driver of local population growth was arrival from overseas, which accounted for approximately 82.0% of recent population increases.

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The suburb of Sunshine West features a diverse labor force spanning multiple sectors, with an unemployment rate of 9.3% and stable employment levels over the prior year based on aggregated data. In March 2026, there were 8,483 employed residents. The unemployment rate is 4.5% higher than the Greater Melbourne average of 4.8%, indicating potential for labor market improvement, while workforce participation is notably lower at 60.6% compared to 70.2% across the metropolitan area. Census records show that a moderate 20.0% of working residents performed their jobs from home, though this figure was influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns.

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ATO records for the 2023 financial year show a median taxpayer income of $47,258 and an average taxpayer income of $54,744 in the suburb of Sunshine West. These figures are lower than the national benchmarks, and compare to a median of $57,688 and an average of $75,164 across Greater Melbourne. Adjusting these figures for the 9.62% increase in the Wage Price Index since the 2023 financial year suggests current values of approximately $51,804 for the median and $60,010 for the average as of March 2026. According to the Census, individual incomes are in the 7th percentile at $565 per week, whereas household incomes rank higher in the 30th percentile. Income distribution statistics show that 31.5% of the local population (5,822 individuals) earn between $1,500 and which is comparable to the regional rate of . Housing cost pressures are significant, leaving residents with only of their income after housing costs, which ranks in the th percentile.

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At the time of the latest Census, the housing stock in the suburb of Sunshine West consisted of 82.6% detached houses and 17.4% alternative dwelling types like semi-detached homes and apartments, compared to 67.9% detached houses and 32.1% alternative types in Greater Melbourne. Home ownership was higher than the Melbourne metropolitan average, with 40.6% of homes owned outright, while the remaining properties were mortgaged (30.6%) or occupied by tenants (28.8%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,700 was lower than the metropolitan median of $2,000, and the median weekly rent of $346 was below the metropolitan figure of $390. Locally, mortgage repayments are lower than the national average of $1,863, and weekly rents are below the Australian figure of $375.

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Family households represent 74.1% of the total local households, consisting of couples with children (33.1%), couples without children (22.3%), and single parents (16.6%). The remaining 25.9% of households are non-family arrangements, with lone person households accounting for 21.5% and group share houses making up 4.5%. The median household size is 2.8 persons, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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The suburb of Sunshine West faces educational challenges, with university attainment rates at 23.2% compared to the Greater Melbourne average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common tertiary qualification at 16.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 5.0% and graduate diplomas at 1.7%. Vocational qualifications are common, with 25.6% of residents aged 15+ holding trade credentials, consisting of advanced diplomas (9.1%) and certificates (16.5%).

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Analysis of local transit options shows that there are 89 active public transport stops in the suburb of Sunshine West, consisting of bus and train facilities. These stops are served by 12 distinct routes, which accommodate 3,373 passenger journeys each week. Public transport accessibility is high, with residents living an average of 184 meters from their nearest stop. Most workers commute out of the residential area, with private vehicles remaining the primary transport mode at 84%, followed by trains at 9%. The average number of vehicles per household is 1.3. Based on the 2021 Census, 20.0% of the working population worked from home, which may have been influenced by COVID-19 restrictions.

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Health indicators in the suburb of Sunshine West align closely with national averages. The prevalence of common medical conditions is typical of the broader population, though elevated among older residents, and the rate of private health insurance is low at approximately 49% of the population (~8,973 individuals). This is lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 56.7% and the national rate of 55.7%.

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The suburb of Sunshine West exhibits high cultural diversity, with 54.3% of residents born outside Australia and 66.2% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, accounting for 49.2% of the population. Buddhism is notably overrepresented at 12.7%, which is higher than the Greater Melbourne average of 4.2%.

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The median age of 38 years in the suburb of Sunshine West is close to the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and matches the national median of 38. Compared to the wider metropolitan area, the suburb of Sunshine West has a higher proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 (7.4%) and a lower share of young adults aged 15 to 24 (11.4%). Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 85 and over has increased from 2.2% to 3.0%, while the group aged 45 to 54 has decreased from 12.2% to 11.5%. By 2041, demographic changes are expected, with the group aged 55 to 64 projected to grow by 31% (adding people to reach from ), while the group aged to is projected to show no percentage change, adding only residents.

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Sunshine West currently has an estimated 1,053 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 617 children aged 0-2 and 410 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 1% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 9% by 2041 (to approximately 1,147 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,536. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 12.1 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area among the top 30% of areas assessed nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.