Werribee (Vic.)

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According to ABS population updates for the region and new home addresses verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Werribee has a population estimated at 60,043 as of May 2026. This indicates a rise of 10,016 residents (20.0%) from the 2021 Census, which counted 50,027 individuals. The figure is calculated from a resident population of 58,834, estimated by Districts using the latest ABS ERP release (June 2025), plus 1,683 validated new addresses added since the Census. This population level translates to a density of 1,402 persons per square kilometer, which exceeds the national average for locations analyzed by Districts. The suburb of Werribee's 20.0% growth rate since the 2021 census was higher than the state average (9.3%) and the national average, making it a regional growth leader. The primary driver of this demographic expansion was interstate migration, which accounted for roughly 62.0% of the overall population gains, with overseas migration and natural growth also contributing positively.

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The suburb of Werribee has a skilled workforce employed across various sectors, an unemployment rate of 7.7%, and consistent employment numbers over the past year, according to aggregated statistical area data. As of March 2026, there are 28,885 working residents, with the unemployment rate sitting 2.9% higher than the Greater Melbourne average of 4.8%, while participation in the workforce is lower at 67.0% compared to 70.2% in Greater Melbourne. Census figures indicate that 23.4% of residents worked from home, though this may reflect the influence of pandemic restrictions.

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The latest postcode-level ATO statistics for financial year 2023 show that incomes in the suburb of Werribee are slightly below the national average, with a median of $53,148 and an average of $65,973. This is lower than Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average of $75,164. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index increase of 9.62% since financial year 2023 yields estimated figures of approximately $58,261 for the median and $72,320 for the average as of March 2026. According to the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual earnings in the suburb of Werribee are modest, placing between the 40th and 44th percentiles. The largest earnings bracket contains 35.9% of local residents (21,555 people) earning between $1,500 - 2,999, mirroring the metropolitan pattern where fall into this bracket. Housing affordability presents a significant challenge, with residents retaining only of their income, which ranks in the th percentile.

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According to the latest Census, residential properties in the suburb of Werribee consist of 85.0% separate houses and 14.9% semi-detached dwellings, apartments, or other housing styles, compared to Greater Melbourne's mix of 67.9% houses and 32.1% alternative dwellings. Home ownership in the suburb of Werribee is lower than the metropolitan average at 26.0%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (39.7%) or renting (34.3%). The median monthly mortgage payment was $1,733, and the median weekly rent was $330, both lower than Greater Melbourne's figures of $2,000 and $390. On a national level, mortgage repayments are below the Australian average of $1,863, and rent payments are below the national median of $375.

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Families make up 72.7% of all households in the suburb of Werribee, consisting of couples with children at 34.5%, couples without children at 22.7%, and single parents at 13.8%. The remaining 27.3% are non-family households, which include single-person households at 24.1% and group shared houses at 3.2%. The median household size is 2.7 residents, slightly above the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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Tertiary qualification levels in the suburb of Werribee are relatively low, with 24.9% of residents holding a university degree compared to the SA3 regional average of 37.0%. Among these qualifications, bachelor degrees are the most common at 15.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 6.5% and graduate diplomas at 2.5%. Vocational and technical training is prominent, with 34.3% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational qualification, consisting of advanced diplomas at 11.1% and certificates at 23.2%.

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Public transport infrastructure in the suburb of Werribee includes 248 bus stops. These stops are served by 17 routes, which accommodate 7,776 weekly passenger trips. Access to public transport is good, with residents living an average of 333 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the residential nature of the area, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary mode of travel at 86%, followed by trains at 8%. Households own an average of 1.3 vehicles. The 2021 Census recorded 23.4% of residents working from home, which may be influenced by pandemic conditions.

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The suburb of Werribee displays significant health challenges based on mortality and chronic illness rates, with health conditions common across the population, particularly in older age groups, while the rate of private health insurance is slightly above the SA2 average at approximately 53% of residents (~31,774 people). This is lower than the 56.7% recorded across Greater Melbourne.

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The suburb of Werribee features a high level of cultural diversity, with 36.8% of residents born outside Australia and 34.1% speaking a non-English language at home. Christianity is the most common religious affiliation, representing 48.5% of the population. The most notable religious difference is in the category of Other religions, which accounts for 3.4% of residents compared to 2.3% in Greater Melbourne.

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The median age of 35 years in the suburb of Werribee is slightly younger than Greater Melbourne's median of 37 and the national average of 38. The 0 - 4 age cohort is highly represented at 7.4% compared to Greater Melbourne, while the 15 - 24 age bracket is less common at 11.7%. Since 2021, the cohort aged 35 to 44 has increased from 15.0% to 17.4% of the population, whereas the 55 to 64 group decreased from 10.6% to 9.7%. By 2041, demographic forecasts project the 45 to 54 cohort to grow by 5,294 people (79%), rising from to .

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Werribee currently has an estimated 4,443 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 2,641 children aged 0-2 and 1,759 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 18% since the previous census. while population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 37% by 2041 (to approximately 6,075 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 6,514. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 15.9 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.