Kinglake
At 10.5%, Kinglake's vacancy rate is notable for a small settlement of 1,662 people, while 99.2% of homes are separate houses. The median age is 43, which is 3 years above the national figure, and the tenure profile is mortgage-heavy, with 59.0% of households paying a mortgage compared with 35.2% owning outright. Compared with nearby Whittlesea, Kinglake has a more rural, low-density form at 14.4 people per square kilometre. Growth is established rather than rapid, with an annual trend of 0.86% and balanced migration.
Local council: Murrindindi (67% of the suburb; the rest sits in a neighbouring council)
Population
1,662
Median Age
43.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,737/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
2
Median House
$672K
October to December 2025
Only a handful of houses sold here in this period, so this median can jump sharply from one quarter to the next for reasons that have nothing to do with the market. Treat it as a rough guide, not a settled price.
Kinglake suits buyers seeking detached housing and larger family layouts, because 99.2% of dwellings are separate houses and 39.6% contain 4 or more bedrooms. Three-bedroom homes account for another 42.9%, so the stock is much more family-oriented than apartment-based. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,733 equate to 23.0% of household income, below typical mortgage-stress territory. Compared with nearby Whittlesea, the low-density setting may appeal to buyers prioritising land and privacy over urban convenience.
For Buyers
Kinglake suits buyers seeking detached housing and larger family layouts, because 99.2% of dwellings are separate houses and 39.6% contain 4 or more bedrooms. Three-bedroom homes account for another 42.9%, so the stock is much more family-oriented than apartment-based. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,733 equate to 23.0% of household income, below typical mortgage-stress territory. Compared with nearby Whittlesea, the low-density setting may appeal to buyers prioritising land and privacy over urban convenience.
For Investors
Kinglake's investment profile is shaped by low renter demand and a relatively high 10.5% vacancy rate. Only 5.2% of households rent, while weekly rent is $300, so investors should allow for longer letting periods and carefully test achievable income. Just 2 development matters were recorded in 12 months, limiting evidence of a major supply wave. Balanced migration and an annual growth trend of 0.86% point to steady rather than speculative demand.
Development Activity
Total DAs
3
Last 12 Months
2
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Kinglake
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Kinglake Primary School
Demographics
Kinglake has an older age profile than Australia overall, with a median age of 43, or 3 years above the national figure. Its average household size is 2.6, just 0.1 higher than the national comparison, while 87.2% of residents stayed at the same address and turnover was 12.8%. Overseas-born residents account for 10.1%, 11.5 percentage points below the national level, and university participation is 18.8%, 11.3 points lower. English ancestry is reported by 755 people, followed by Irish at 204 and Scottish at 180. No religion is the largest response at 993, ahead of Christianity at 446, reflecting a more settled and Anglo-leaning profile than many metropolitan areas.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
99.2%
Houses
0.8%
Townhouse
0.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Kinglake's price history is cyclical rather than linear. Tenure is concentrated in owner households, with 35.2% owning outright and 59.0% paying a mortgage; only 5.2% rent. Compared with nearby Whittlesea, the 99.2% separate-house share and 14.4 people per square kilometre give Kinglake a distinctly low-density housing form, supported by 42.9% three-bedroom and 39.6% four-bedroom-plus homes.
Mortgage / mo
$1,733
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$300
Census 2021
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$788
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
10.5%
Unoccupied
71
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.0%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
43.5%
Couples with children
43.3%
Couples, no children
12.5%
Single parent
457
Total families
Economy & Employment
Construction is Kinglake's largest industry at 19.9%, or 118 workers, followed by healthcare at 14.3% and 85, education at 12.8% and 76, public administration at 7.1% and 42, and other services at 5.9% and 35. This mix helps explain why trades are the leading occupation with 212 people, ahead of community and personal services at 129, professionals at 127, managers at 107 and clerical or administration roles at 81. The labour force numbers 883 people, participation is 64.1%, unemployment is 3.4% and full-time work is 57.0%. SEIFA results are uneven: education and occupation is decile 6, economic resources is a higher decile 9, disadvantage is decile 7 and advantage and disadvantage is decile 6. The high resources ranking alongside lower university attainment suggests household means are stronger than formal education measures.
Unemployment
3.4%
Labour Force
883
Unemployed
30
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.0%
Part-time
31.5%
Participation
64.1%
Employed
853
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
18.8%
Postgraduate
3.8%
Born Overseas
10.1%
Dwellings
606
Transport to Work
Kinglake is highly car-dependent because its 115.14 square kilometre footprint is dispersed: 73.2% of residents drive to work, compared with 0.6% using public transport, while 22.5% work from home. Local education includes 1 government primary school, Kinglake Primary School; families should check enrolment zones for secondary and specialist options. Recorded crime totals 43 incidents, or 25.9 per 1,000 residents, with property and deception offences at 37 compared with 4 crimes against the person. Economic and social conditions are mixed but generally stable, with an IRSAD decile of 6, an IRSD decile of 7, 17.2% volunteering and 5.2% needing assistance. Car access is therefore more important than public transport, while the local school and community participation support day-to-day settlement needs.
Drive
73.2%
Public Transport
0.6%
Walk / Cycle
0.4%
Work from Home
22.5%
Growth Outlook
Kinglake's forecast points to measured change rather than a rapid expansion cycle. The annual trend is 0.86%, with migration labelled Balanced, while the wider area's population change is 17.5% over 10 years. The trajectory is Aging: senior share has risen 6.7 percentage points, while the young share has fallen 3.9 points and the working share has fallen 2.3 points. Gentrification signals are less clear than the aging pattern, with a score of 7 and stage Not gentrifying, although another shift measure records a score of 34 and Early signs. Rent growth of 39.1% and real income growth of 16.2% may support demand, but affordability is described as Stable. The 17.5% ten-year change is stronger than the current 0.86% annual trend suggests, so the direction is positive but gradual.
Population trend: Murrindindi council area
About 67% of Kinglake sits in Murrindindi; the rest is in a neighbouring council. These are the council area's residents, not Kinglake's.
Residents 2025
15,648
Growth, 5 yr average
+1.0%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+0.6%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
43
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
25.9
Offence Categories
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Kinglake compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kinglake a good suburb to live in?
Kinglake can suit households wanting detached homes, space and a quieter setting. About 99.2% of dwellings are separate houses, 22.5% of workers work from home and 73.2% drive, so it is better suited to car-oriented living than a public transport lifestyle.
What schools are in Kinglake?
Kinglake has 1 recorded local government primary school, Kinglake Primary School. Families considering a particular address should check enrolment zones and travel arrangements, especially for secondary schooling, because local public transport use is only 0.6%.
Is Kinglake safe?
Kinglake recorded 43 offences, equal to 25.9 incidents per 1,000 residents. Property and deception offences accounted for 37 cases, compared with 4 crimes against the person, so recorded incidents were more concentrated in property-related categories.
Is Kinglake good for property investment?
Investment conditions require caution because only 5.2% of households rent and vacancy is 10.5%, which is higher than the renter share. Weekly rent is $300, development activity totalled 2 matters in 12 months and the annual growth trend is 0.86%.
How is Kinglake's population changing?
Kinglake has 1,662 residents today, with an annual growth trend of 0.86% and Balanced migration. The wider area's population change is 17.5% over 10 years, but the trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 6.7 percentage points and the young share down 3.9 points.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), Valuer-General Victoria (house prices), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
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