VIC 3217 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Mount Duneed

With a median age of 32, Mount Duneed is shaped by younger households, a 97.3% separate-house share and a population of 6,182. Household income sits at the 87.4th percentile nationally, while university attainment is 41.0%, 10.9 percentage points above the national comparison. This supports a mortgage-led, family-oriented market rather than a downsizer or apartment market. Compared with the more established urban fabric around Grovedale, Mount Duneed has a lower-density feel; Armstrong Creek is a useful nearby comparison for buyers weighing space, schools and access. Its 52.11 square kilometres and density of 118.6 people per square kilometre reinforce that spread-out form.

Mount Duneed urban fabric map

Population

6,182

Median Age

32.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$2,274/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

16

Median House

$720K

October to December 2025

52.11 km²· 118.6 people/km²· Family income $2,440/wk

Mount Duneed suits buyers seeking a large detached home, but the entry point requires a substantial budget. Four-bedroom-plus homes account for 65.3% of stock, so households should budget for family-sized properties rather than compact dwellings. A typical mortgage payment is $1,983 per month, and mortgage stress is not flagged at 20.1% of household income. Compared with Grovedale, the 97.3% separate-house share makes Mount Duneed the clearer choice for buyers prioritising land and family layouts, while Armstrong Creek is a useful alternative for estate comparisons.

For Buyers

Mount Duneed suits buyers seeking a large detached home, but the entry point requires a substantial budget. Four-bedroom-plus homes account for 65.3% of stock, so households should budget for family-sized properties rather than compact dwellings. A typical mortgage payment is $1,983 per month, and mortgage stress is not flagged at 20.1% of household income. Compared with Grovedale, the 97.3% separate-house share makes Mount Duneed the clearer choice for buyers prioritising land and family layouts, while Armstrong Creek is a useful alternative for estate comparisons.

For Investors

Investors get mixed signals. The suburb recorded 17 development matters in 12 months, including subdivision permits, indicating land release activity rather than a confirmed dwelling total. Rental growth reached 47.2%, but affordability is marked Stable at 49.7% in 2021 versus 48.4% in 2011. Compared with a mature market, Mount Duneed has stronger growth momentum but also more competition from new housing and a greater reliance on owner-occupier demand.

Development Activity

Total DAs

38

Last 12 Months

16

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+60.0%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Subdivision
25
Other
1

Schools in Mount Duneed

Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.

Mirripoa Primary School

Primary Government

Mount Duneed Regional Primary School

Primary Government

Demographics

Mount Duneed's median age of 32 is 8 years below the national median, and average household size of 2.8 is 0.3 higher than the national figure. Couples with children represent 51.5% of families, compared with 34.5% for couples without children; one-parent families account for 12.5%. English, Irish and Scottish are the largest reported ancestries at 2,292, 724 and 655 people. Overseas-born residents comprise 20.2%, 1.4 percentage points below the national comparison, while no religion leads at 2,925, ahead of Christianity at 2,381. Compared with the more established Grovedale area, Mount Duneed's younger profile and 45.1% turnover rate point to a more mobile family market. University attainment is 41.0%, 10.9 points above national.

Age Distribution

0-14
24.3%
15-24
11.6%
25-44
36.6%
45-64
18.4%
65+
9.1%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
1.4%
2 bed
5.6%
3 bed
27.7%
4+ bed
65.3%

Dwelling Structure

97.3%

Houses

1.3%

Townhouse

0.0%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 20.6% Mortgage 55.0% Rent 23.3% Other 1.1%

Mount Duneed is overwhelmingly a detached-house market: 97.3% of dwellings are separate houses, 1.3% semi-detached and 1.4% have 0 or 1 bedroom, while four-bedroom-plus properties make up 65.3%. Tenure is mortgage-heavy, with 55.0% paying a mortgage, 20.6% owning outright and 23.3% renting. Compared with the more mixed housing choices around Grovedale, Mount Duneed is better suited to households wanting space, but its 20.1% mortgage-to-income ratio still requires careful budgeting.

Mortgage / mo

$1,983

Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.

$446

Census 2021

HH Size

2.8

Personal Income / wk

$1,029

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

7.5%

Unoccupied

172

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

19.6%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

20.1%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Punjabi
86
Mandarin
46
Malayalam
36
Hindi
22
Sinhal
14
Italian
14

Ancestry

English
2,292
Irish
724
Other
675
Scottish
655
Ancestry NS
316
German
273

Household Composition

51.5%

Couples with children

34.5%

Couples, no children

12.5%

Single parent

1,702

Total families

Economy & Employment

Mount Duneed has a strong household income base, with weekly household income of $2,274 at the 87.4th percentile. Labour-force participation is 75.7%, unemployment is 3.2% and 59.4% of workers are full time. That supports borrowing capacity, while 70.3% drive to work and 24.0% work from home point to car-based and flexible employment patterns. Healthcare leads local industry employment at 22.0% or 552 workers, followed by Education at 15.1% or 379, Construction at 13.0% or 327, Public Administration at 7.7% or 194 and Retail at 7.7% or 193. Compared with the national income distribution, the suburb is higher, while all four SEIFA measures sit at decile 6, indicating a mid-range position rather than a top-decile concentration.

Unemployment

3.2%

Labour Force

3,545

Unemployed

113

Source: ABS Census 2021

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Overall advantage
6
Disadvantage
6
Economic resources
6
Education & occupation
6

Full-time

59.4%

Part-time

33.7%

Participation

75.7%

Employed

3,432

Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021

Occupations

Professionals 883
Trades 477
Community/Personal 476
Managers 426
Clerical/Admin 410
Sales 322
Labourers 222
Machinery/Drivers 166

Top Industries

Healthcare 22.0%
Education 15.1%
Construction 13.0%
Public Admin 7.7%
Retail 7.7%

University

41.0%

Postgraduate

9.1%

Born Overseas

20.2%

Dwellings

2,106

Transport to Work

Livability is strongest for households comfortable with driving. A high 70.3% drive to work, compared with 1.3% using public transport and 0.6% walking or cycling, while 24.0% work from home. Mount Duneed has 2 government primary schools, so families should check the exact enrolment zone and year-level capacity before buying. Recorded crime was 218 incidents, or 35.3 per 1,000 residents, with property and deception offences accounting for 133, well above the 36 crimes against the person. The IRSAD and IRSD scores both sit at decile 6, so socioeconomic conditions are mid-range rather than top-decile. Compared with more established pockets around Grovedale, Mount Duneed provides a lower-density setting, but daily errands may require more car travel.

Drive

70.3%

Public Transport

1.3%

Walk / Cycle

0.6%

Work from Home

24.0%

Population Forecast

+2.52%/yr

(+719 people/yr)

Established

Mount Duneed is in an active expansion phase. The annual growth trend is 2.52%, with internal migration the primary driver, while population change across the wider area is 38.0% over 10 years. Gentrification is Active with a score of 59, and the shift indicators also label the trajectory Mixed with a score of 53. Rent growth of 47.2% adds pressure, but affordability is Stable, moving from 48.4% in 2011 to 49.7% in 2021. The 1.8-point rise in senior share and 1.5-point fall in young share suggest growth is broadening beyond the youngest households. Compared with a fully established market, 17 development matters in 12 months show planning activity is continuing.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Internal Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+170

Net Internal / yr

+632

59

Gentrification Signal

Active

Population +56% since 2011, Net internal migration +632/yr, Accelerating: 10% → 42%

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

218

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

35.3

Offence Categories

Property and deception offences
133
Justice procedures offences
41
Crimes against the person
36
Drug offences
5

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Mount Duneed compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 9%
Household Income
Top 13%
Rent Level
Top 10%
Apartments
Bottom 0%
Renters
Top 31%
Uni Educated
Top 17%
Public Transport
Bottom 27%
Born Overseas
Top 29%
Density
Top 26%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mount Duneed a good suburb to live in?

Mount Duneed can suit families wanting detached housing and a younger setting. The median age is 32, 65.3% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms and mortgage stress is not flagged at 20.1% of household income. Compared with denser options, driving is more important because 70.3% commute by car.

What schools are in Mount Duneed?

Mount Duneed has 2 government primary schools: Mirripoa Primary School and Mount Duneed Regional Primary School. Families should compare the exact address with enrolment zones and confirm year-level availability, as school access can vary more than suburb boundaries suggest.

Is Mount Duneed safe?

Recorded crime was 218 incidents, equal to 35.3 offences per 1,000 residents. Property and deception offences were the largest category at 133, compared with 36 crimes against the person. Safety varies by street and time, so buyers should inspect the immediate area rather than rely on a suburb-wide average.

Is Mount Duneed good for property investment?

Mount Duneed may suit investors targeting family rentals, with a $446 weekly rent, 23.3% renting and a 7.5% vacancy rate. Rent growth is 47.2%, but 17 development matters in 12 months signal ongoing supply. Compared with a tighter rental market, vacancy may reduce near-term pricing power.

How is Mount Duneed's population changing?

Mount Duneed's current population is 6,182, and population change across the wider area is 38.0% over 10 years. Growth runs at 2.52% annually and is driven primarily by internal migration. The trajectory is Mixed and gentrification is Active with a score of 59, indicating change is continuing compared with a mature suburb.

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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