Yarra Junction (Vic.)

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Based on demographic evaluations from the ABS for the wider region, alongside recent address validations performed by Districts since the Census, the suburb of Yarra Junction is calculated to have approximately 3,032 residents as of May 2026. This represents an expansion of 157 people (5.5%) compared to the 2,875 individuals counted during the 2021 Census. This growth is calculated from an estimated local resident population of 3,029, compiled by Districts using the ABS population update from June 2025 and 79 validated new addresses registered after the Census date. These numbers indicate a density of 173 persons per square kilometer, which represents low crowding and room for potential expansion. Yarra Junction's 5.5% expansion rate since the 2021 census was higher than the SA3 area (3.5%) and the SA4 region, establishing it as a regional growth leader. Population growth was mostly underpinned by natural change, which was responsible for about of the overall population increase in recent times.

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The suburb of Yarra Junction has a diverse workforce composed of both white-collar and blue-collar workers, with construction workers particularly well represented, an unemployment rate of 6.7%, and an estimated 2.0% employment growth rate over the last year, according to statistical area data aggregated by Districts. In March 2026, 1,404 local residents were employed, while the local unemployment rate was 1.9% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%, and the local participation rate of 60.7% was well below Greater Melbourne's 70.2%. Census figures show that a moderate 19.2% of working residents performed their jobs from home, though this may have been influenced by pandemic lockdowns.

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Based on the latest postcode-level ATO tax statistics released for the financial year 2023 and aggregated by Districts, taxpayers in Yarra Junction recorded a median income of $42,825 and an average income of $51,637. These figures are below the national average and compare to $57,688 (median) and $75,164 (average) across Greater Melbourne. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since the financial year 2023, current estimates for March 2026 would be around $46,945 for the median and $56,604 for the average. In the 2021 Census, household, family, and personal incomes in the area fell between the 13th and 20th percentiles nationally. Income distribution data shows that 30.4% of the local population (921 residents) earn between $1,500 and 2,999, which is close to the regional average of . Housing affordability is a significant concern, with only of income remaining after housing costs, placing the area in the th percentile.

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According to the last Census, the housing stock in the suburb of Yarra Junction consisted of 79.9% houses and 20.1% other dwellings, which include semi-detached properties, apartments, and alternative structures, compared to 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings across metropolitan Melbourne. Home ownership was higher than the Melbourne metropolitan rate, with 38.5% owning their homes outright, while the remaining homes were mortgaged (42.7%) or rented (18.8%). The median monthly mortgage payment of $1,800 was below the Melbourne metropolitan average of $2,000, and the median weekly rent was $300 compared to Melbourne's $390. On a national level, mortgage payments in the suburb of Yarra Junction are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, and rents are also well below the national median of $375.

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Families make up the majority of local households at 67.1%, consisting of 29.5% couples with children, 25.0% couples without children, and 12.1% single-parent households. Non-family households account for the remaining 32.9%, with lone-person households representing 30.7% and group houses making up 2.2% of all households. The median household size of 2.5 residents is slightly below the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

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Educational attainment in the area is lower than average, with university degree rates (14.7%) well below the Greater Melbourne average of 37.0%. This highlights a clear gap as well as an opportunity for targeted educational support. Bachelor degrees are the most common higher education qualification at 10.0%, followed by graduate diplomas at 2.4% and postgraduate degrees at 2.3%. Vocational and technical training is very common, with 44.2% of residents aged 15+ holding vocational qualifications, split between advanced diplomas (11.3%) and certificates (32.9%).

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Public transport infrastructure includes 16 transit stops operating within the suburb of Yarra Junction, which are serviced by buses. These stops are served by 1 routes, which run 148 passenger trips per week. Access to transport is rated as good, with residents living an average of 317 meters from the nearest stop. Due to the residential nature of the area, most workers commute out of the suburb, and cars are the primary transport method at 94%. Households own an average of 1.6 vehicles, which is higher than the regional average. Additionally, 19.2% of residents worked from home during the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era conditions.

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Yarra Junction faces notable health challenges, according to Districts' analysis of mortality rates and chronic health conditions, which are prevalent among both younger and older cohorts, while the rate of private health insurance coverage is low at roughly 47% of the population (~1,435 residents). This compares to a private 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 Yarra Junction is lower than average, with citizens making up 88.2% of the population, 86.6% born in Australia, and 96.8% speaking only English at home. Christianity is the primary religion, followed by 39.0% of residents. The most noticeable statistical divergence is in Judaism, which is practiced by no residents compared to a 1.0% representation across Greater Melbourne.

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The median age in Yarra Junction is 43, which is higher than the Greater Melbourne median of 37 and the national median of 38. The age distribution shows a high proportion of residents in the 75 - 84 age group (9.4%), while the 25 - 34 bracket is smaller (10.1%) than in Greater Melbourne. Since 2021, the 75 to 84 age group expanded from 7.5% to 9.4% of the population, and the 35 to 44 cohort grew from 11.5% to 12.8%, while the 45 to 54 cohort fell from 12.9% to 11.0%. Projections to 2041 indicate significant aging, with the + cohort expected to grow by people () from to . The combined age groups of and over are projected to account for of all population growth, highlighting the aging profile, while the to and to age groups are expected to shrink.

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Yarra Junction currently has an estimated 197 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 107 children aged 0-2 and 70 children aged 3-4. This cohort grew by an estimated 21% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future decline, with an anticipated decrease of 11% by 2041 (to approximately 176 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 271. While growth has been positive birth rates observed in the area have been moderate, with approximately 11.7 births per 1,000 residents recorded over the latest two-year period analysed which ranks the area within the middle tier nationally. This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.