Laverton
Laverton's profile is shaped by a young, mobile and migrant-majority population: 4,760 residents have a median age of 32, which is 8.0 years below the national comparison. Overseas-born residents account for 55.2%, while renting reaches 49.6% and vacancy is 13.1%. That mix helps explain steady demand for accessible rental stock, but also gives the suburb a more transient feel than owner-heavy Altona. With 78.5% of homes detached and a 3.37% annual growth trend, Laverton combines established housing with new development pressure. Its overseas-born share is 33.6 percentage points above the national figure, supporting a broad language and cultural mix.
Population
4,760
Median Age
32.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,512/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
33
Median House
$640K
October to December 2025
The housing stock is practical rather than apartment-led: 78.5% separate houses, 18.6% semi-detached homes and 70.1% three-bedroom dwellings. A $1,700 monthly mortgage represents 26.0% of household income, while weekly rent is $330. Buyers prioritising land and family-sized layouts may find a broader choice than in denser nearby pockets, but should compare individual streets with Altona Meadows and allow for a high 13.1% vacancy rate.
For Buyers
The housing stock is practical rather than apartment-led: 78.5% separate houses, 18.6% semi-detached homes and 70.1% three-bedroom dwellings. A $1,700 monthly mortgage represents 26.0% of household income, while weekly rent is $330. Buyers prioritising land and family-sized layouts may find a broader choice than in denser nearby pockets, but should compare individual streets with Altona Meadows and allow for a high 13.1% vacancy rate.
For Investors
Rental demand is substantial because 49.6% of households rent, and the weekly median rent is $330. However, a 13.1% vacancy rate is above tight-market conditions, so investors should budget for leasing variability rather than assume uninterrupted occupancy. Rents have grown 43.9% in the longer-term shift measure, while 39 development matters lodged in the last 12 months may add competing stock or improve turnover options. The detached share of 78.5% supports family and worker demand, but the 7.4% unemployment rate and 32.3% resident turnover point to a tenant base that can be more price-sensitive and mobile than in established owner-heavy Altona.
Development Activity
Total DAs
60
Last 12 Months
33
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+73.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
$897K
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Laverton
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Laverton P-12 College
St Martin de Porres School
Jennings Street School
Western Autistic School
Demographics
At 32, Laverton's median age is 8.0 years below the national figure, giving it a younger base than many established western suburbs. Overseas-born residents make up 55.2%, or 33.6 percentage points above the national comparison, with Punjabi (192), Nepali (90), Hindi (89), Urdu (50) and Arabic (46) among the recorded languages. University attainment is 38.6%, or 8.5 points higher than the national comparison, while average household size is 2.5. Household formation is mixed: couples with children account for 37.8%, couples without children 36.9%, and one-parent families 21.3%. A 32.3% turnover rate helps explain the suburb's changing social mix.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
78.5%
Houses
18.6%
Townhouse
2.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is renter-heavy: 49.6% rent, compared with 26.5% paying a mortgage and 22.8% owning outright. Because 78.5% of dwellings are separate houses and 70.1% have 3 bedrooms, the stock suits conventional households more than apartment seekers. Compared with its 2013 level, today's price reflects substantial capital growth, while the mix of renting and detached homes keeps the suburb sensitive to affordability.
Mortgage / mo
$1,700
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$330
Census 2021
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$738
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
13.1%
Unoccupied
263
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.0%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
37.8%
Couples with children
36.9%
Couples, no children
21.3%
Single parent
1,136
Total families
Economy & Employment
Laverton's employment base is spread across practical service and logistics sectors. Healthcare leads with 210 workers (13.7%), followed by hospitality at 157 (10.3%), transport at 138 (9.0%), manufacturing at 124 (8.1%) and retail at 115 (7.5%). Labourers (384), trades workers (341), professionals (334) and machinery or drivers (298) are the largest occupation groups, matching the area's industrial and service links. Labour-force participation is 60.5%, with unemployment at 7.4%, while household income sits at the 47.3 percentile, close to the middle rather than above it. The SEIFA pattern is uneven: IEO is decile 7, above IER and IRSD at decile 5, while IRSAD is decile 6. That gap suggests education and occupation advantages do not translate evenly into household resources.
Unemployment
7.4%
Labour Force
2,425
Unemployed
180
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
54.6%
Part-time
37.5%
Participation
60.5%
Employed
2,245
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
38.6%
Postgraduate
14.7%
Born Overseas
55.2%
Dwellings
1,741
Transport to Work
Laverton is convenient for households that drive: 59.5% travel as car drivers, compared with 11.5% using public transport, while 20.6% work from home. Local education access includes 4 schools across government and Catholic sectors, with primary, combined Pri/Sec and specialist options. Check enrolment zones against the exact address, since boundaries can cut across the suburb. Safety needs closer attention than in lower-crime settings: 699 recorded offences equate to 146.8 per 1,000 residents, led by 408 property and deception offences and 115 crimes against the person. An IRSAD decile of 6 places Laverton above the middle of the disadvantage scale, but not in the top decile, so amenity and street-level conditions remain important.
Drive
59.5%
Public Transport
11.5%
Walk / Cycle
2.3%
Work from Home
20.6%
Population Forecast
+3.37%/yr
(+432 people/yr)
High GrowthLaverton is on a high-growth trajectory, with annual growth forecast at 3.37% and overseas migration identified as the primary driver. The wider area is marked Rejuvenating, with population change of 114.2% over ten years. The young share is 2.4 points higher than its earlier level, while the senior share is 2.5 points lower, reinforcing a younger direction than an ageing suburb. Gentrification signals remain limited: the score is 0, the shift stage is Not gentrifying and the development stage is New development. With 43.9% rent growth and 39 development matters in 12 months, expansion is more migration and housing-supply led than prestige driven.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+398
Net Internal / yr
-262
Gentrification Signal
New development
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
699
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
146.8
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 Laverton compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Laverton a good suburb to live in?
Laverton can suit buyers and renters wanting a younger western suburb with detached housing. It has 4,760 residents, a median age of 32 and 55.2% overseas-born residents, but the 146.8 crimes per 1,000 rate is higher than many lower-crime locations, so inspect the exact street.
What schools are in Laverton?
Laverton has 4 schools across government and Catholic sectors, including primary, Pri/Sec and specialist settings. The mix includes 1 Catholic primary school and 3 government schools, with 2 specialist options. The sector mix is broader than a single-school setting, but enrolment zones still matter.
Is Laverton safe?
Safety is mixed. Laverton recorded 699 offences, equivalent to 146.8 per 1,000 residents, including 408 property and deception offences and 115 crimes against the person. That rate is higher than lower-crime suburbs, so compare recent street-level conditions, lighting and access points before choosing a home.
Is Laverton good for property investment?
Investment prospects are supported by 49.6% renting, a $330 weekly median rent and 43.9% rent growth. The 13.1% vacancy rate is above tight-market conditions, while 39 development matters may increase competing supply. Detached housing is 78.5%, but 7.4% unemployment means tenant affordability deserves closer review than headline rent growth alone.
How is Laverton's population changing?
Laverton is changing quickly. The wider area has a Rejuvenating trajectory, 3.37% annual growth and 114.2% population change over 10 years, with overseas migration the primary driver. The young share is 2.4 points higher than before, while the senior share is 2.5 points lower, indicating a younger growth pattern than an ageing suburb.
What languages are spoken in Laverton?
Yes, Laverton has a broad language mix. Overseas-born residents make up 55.2%, 33.6 percentage points above the national comparison. Punjabi is recorded for 192 residents, followed by Nepali at 90, Hindi at 89, Urdu at 50 and Arabic at 46. The mix is broader than a single-origin profile.
Is Laverton undergoing development?
Development activity is material, with 39 matters lodged in the last 12 months. Recent examples include 3-lot, 3-lot and 2-lot subdivision applications, indicating ongoing infill rather than a single large project. This is consistent with the New development stage and a gentrification score of 0, so growth is more supply and migration led than prestige driven.
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). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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