Whittlesea (Vic.)

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According to ABS population updates evaluated for the broader region alongside subsequent address updates verified by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Whittlesea has a residency estimated at 6,247 as of May 2026. This represents an addition of 130 people (2.1%) relative to the 2021 Census, which recorded 6,117 residents. This shift is calculated from a base of 5,811 residents estimated by Districts using the ABS release of ERP figures in June 2025 and 9 validated new addresses confirmed post-census. The local population density stands at 58 persons per square kilometer, indicating a spacious layout. Population expansion locally was driven mostly by interstate migration, which accounted for approximately 88.0% of the overall growth, though natural increase and overseas arrivals also made positive contributions.

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Workforce profiles in the suburb of Whittlesea show a mix of white-collar and blue-collar employment, with the construction sector showing strong representation, alongside an unemployment rate of 8.2% based on aggregated statistical area data. By March 2026, 1,205 locals were employed, and the jobless rate sat 3.5% higher than the Greater Melbourne average of 4.8%, highlighting room for progress, while labor force participation is low at 29.0% compared to Greater Melbourne's 70.2%. Census details show that 18.2% of working residents operated from home, though the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns must be factored in.

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Taxpayer statistics from the ATO aggregated by Districts for financial year 2023 indicate that the suburb of Whittlesea has lower income levels than the national average. The median income among taxpayers is $46,362 and the average income is $56,946, compared to Greater Melbourne averages of $57,688 and $75,164 respectively. Adjusting for a Wage Price Index rise of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 stand at roughly $50,822 for median income and $62,424 for average income. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and individual incomes all ranked in the lower range, falling between the 32nd and 43rd percentiles. The largest income bracket contains 33.3% of the population earning between $1,500 and $2,999 weekly (2,080 residents), mirroring the metropolitan average of in this bracket. Affordability pressures are notable, with of income remaining after housing costs, placing the area in the th percentile and the th decile for SEIFA income ranking.

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According to the latest Census, the local housing mix consisted of 87.0% houses and 13.0% other options such as townhouses, units, and alternative dwellings, compared to Melbourne metro where houses make up 67.9% and other dwellings make up 32.1%. Home ownership rates in the suburb of Whittlesea were high at 36.3%, with 45.3% of properties mortgaged and 18.3% rented. The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,842 was below Melbourne metro's $2,000, and the median weekly rent was $347 compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, local mortgage commitments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are below the national median of $375.

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Families make up the majority of local households at 74.3%, consisting of couples with children at 34.8%, couples without children at 24.0%, and single parents at 14.5%. Non-family households represent 25.7% of the total, with single person households making up 23.8% and group households accounting for 1.8%. The average household size is 2.7 people, which is higher than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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Educational characteristics in the area show that tertiary attainment is low, with university graduation rates at 14.8% compared to the Greater Melbourne average of 37.0%. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher qualification at 9.9%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 2.6% and graduate diplomas at 2.3%. Vocational and technical training is common, with 42.3% of residents aged 15+ holding a vocational credential, split between advanced diplomas at 11.3% and certificates at 31.0%.

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Analysis of the local network shows 25 active transit stops in the suburb of Whittlesea, serviced by bus routes. These stops are connected to 3 distinct routes, which support 1,611 weekly passenger trips. Transport access is rated as good, with residents living an average of 280 meters from their nearest transit stop. The area is predominantly residential, and most workers commute out of the suburb, with private vehicles remaining the primary choice for 92% of trips. Car ownership averages 1.7 vehicles per household, which is above the metropolitan average. Census data from 2021 indicates that 18.2% of residents worked from home, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

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Based on Districts assessments of mortality and chronic illness rates, the suburb of Whittlesea faces notable health difficulties, with common conditions present in both young and old cohorts, and a low private health coverage rate of approximately 49% of the population (~3,086 people). This compares to a coverage rate of 56.7% in Greater Melbourne and a national average of 55.7%.

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Cultural diversity in the suburb of Whittlesea is lower than average, with 88.5% of the population born in Australia, 91.1% holding citizenship, and 93.7% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the dominant religion at 49.8% of the population. The most distinct religious overrepresentation is Jewish residents, who make up 0.1% of the population compared to 1.0% across Greater Melbourne.

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The median age of 40 in the suburb of Whittlesea is slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's median of 37 and the national average of 38 years. The 5 - 14 age bracket is highly represented locally at 15.5% compared to Greater Melbourne, while the 25 - 34 bracket is low at 8.7%. Since 2021, the influx of younger residents has lowered the median age by 1.0 years to 40. The 35 to 44 age cohort rose from 11.5% to 15.7% of the population, and the 5 to 14 cohort rose from 13.3% to 15.5%. Meanwhile, the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 14.1% to , and the to cohort declined from to . Future projections for indicate that the to cohort will grow by ( people) to reach from a base of while the to and to cohorts will decrease.

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Whittlesea currently has an estimated 437 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 322 children aged 0-2 and 214 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 30% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 2% by 2041 (to approximately 428 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 752. Recent growth has been driven by high birth rates observed in the area, with approximately 17.3 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.