VIC 3338 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Strathtulloh

One of the fastest-growing edges of Melbourne, Strathtulloh recorded a population increase of 2,216% over the past decade, from a handful of residents to nearly 4,000 in the Census. The median age of 29 sits 11 years below the national figure, and 49.6% of residents were born overseas, which is 28 percentage points above national. Family formation drives the area: 78.1% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms and the average household size is 3.2 persons, compared to the national average of 2.5. Household income lands in the 83rd percentile nationally, well above the state median, yet prices remain accessible relative to inner Melbourne at a $630,000 median house price.

Strathtulloh urban fabric map

Population

3,997

Median Age

29.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$2,188/wk

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

12

Median House

$630K

Apr-Jun 2024

12.08 km²· 331 people/km²· Family income $2,191/wk

The median house price of $630,000 has grown 80% from $350,000 in 2013, a compound annual growth rate of 4.3% over 14 years. The market peaked at $665,000 in July-September 2023, sitting 5.3% above the current level, which suggests buyers are entering at a slight discount to the recent peak. Detached houses account for 98% of all dwellings, so buyers get a true suburban lot with almost no apartment competition. With 78.1% of homes having 4 or more bedrooms, the suburb targets growing families rather than singles or retirees. The mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 20.6%, well below the 30% stress threshold, and 66% of households are currently owner-occupiers with a mortgage.

For Buyers

The median house price of $630,000 has grown 80% from $350,000 in 2013, a compound annual growth rate of 4.3% over 14 years. The market peaked at $665,000 in July-September 2023, sitting 5.3% above the current level, which suggests buyers are entering at a slight discount to the recent peak. Detached houses account for 98% of all dwellings, so buyers get a true suburban lot with almost no apartment competition. With 78.1% of homes having 4 or more bedrooms, the suburb targets growing families rather than singles or retirees. The mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 20.6%, well below the 30% stress threshold, and 66% of households are currently owner-occupiers with a mortgage.

For Investors

Renters make up 26.2% of households, giving landlords a reasonable tenant pool. Weekly median rent is $380, implying a gross yield of approximately 3.1% against the $630,000 median, lower than regional markets but consistent with outer-suburban Melbourne growth corridors. The vacancy rate of 3.4% is elevated, suggesting some softness in rental absorption as new supply enters the area. However, the suburb recorded 10 development applications in the past 12 months including subdivision permits for 53 lots, signalling that land development is still active. Internal migration drives 940 net arrivals per year, substantially higher than the 71 from overseas, which confirms strong domestic demand pulling families outward from inner Melbourne.

Development Activity

Total DAs

33

Last 12 Months

12

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+200.0%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Other
15
Subdivision
1

Schools in Strathtulloh iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged

Strathtulloh Primary School

ICSEA 1024 Primary Government

Prep-6 · 1350 students

Demographics

The median age of 29 is 11 years below the national figure, making Strathtulloh one of the youngest suburbs in Victoria. Overseas-born residents reach 49.6%, which is 28 percentage points above national, and the largest ancestry groups are Indian (622 residents) and Filipino (384) alongside English (606). Punjabi is the most common non-English language with 446 speakers, followed by Hindi (44) and Bengali (27). University qualifications reach 43%, some 12.9 percentage points above the national figure, which is striking for a new-estate outer suburb and reflects the professional migrant cohort that has settled here. The suburb is in a formative stage, with a 51.5% turnover rate in the past 5 years as the population shifts from early settlers to a more stable resident base.

Age Distribution

0-14
29.4%
15-24
9.8%
25-44
47.5%
45-64
10.8%
65+
2.7%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
0.3%
2 bed
1.3%
3 bed
20.4%
4+ bed
78.1%

Dwelling Structure

98.0%

Houses

2.0%

Townhouse

N/A

Apartment

Tenure

Own 7.8% Mortgage 66.0% Rent 26.2%

The housing stock is almost entirely detached houses at 98%, with semi-detached units making up the remaining 2% and virtually no apartments. The dominant bedroom count is 4 or more at 78.1%, which is rare even by Melbourne outer-suburb standards. From a 2013 baseline of $350,000, the median house price has grown to $630,000, a gain of 80% over 14 years with a CAGR of 4.3%. Only 7.8% of households own their home outright, far below the national average, because the suburb is too young for long-term debt repayment to have run its course. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.6% and rent-to-income of 17.4% are both below typical stress levels, meaning housing costs are manageable relative to the above-average incomes here.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$1,950

Rent / wk

$380

HH Size

3.2

Personal Income / wk

$1,000

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

3.4%

Unoccupied

42

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

17.4%

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

20.6%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Punjabi
446
Hindi
44
Bengali
27
Urdu
24
Guj
22
Malayalam
19

Ancestry

Other
1,351
Indian
622
English
606
Filipino
384
Ancestry NS
272
Maltese
200

Household Composition

17.9%

Couples, no children

3,549

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare is the dominant employer at 19.6% of the local workforce (290 workers), followed by Transport at 12.6% (187 workers) and Construction at 8% (119 workers). The construction share is notably higher than the national average, consistent with a suburb still being built out. By occupation, Professionals (377) lead narrowly over Machinery and Drivers (286), reflecting both the tertiary-educated migrant cohort and the logistics corridor characteristics of Melbourne's western fringe. The unemployment rate of 5.7% runs above the Melbourne average, a pattern typical of rapidly growing outer suburbs where resident numbers outpace local job creation. Real incomes grew 40.5% over the decade, above the national norm, and household income sits in the 83rd percentile nationally.

Unemployment

4.4%

Labour Force

6,700

Unemployed

296

Quarterly Trend

Jun-24 Dec-25

Source: SALM Dec-25

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

Overall advantage
6
Disadvantage
5
Economic resources
8
Education & occupation
6

Full-time

70.3%

Part-time

24.0%

Participation

70.6%

Employed

1,876

Occupations

Professionals 377
Machinery/Drivers 286
Clerical/Admin 285
Community/Personal 268
Labourers 170
Managers 156
Sales 144

Top Industries

Healthcare 19.6%
Transport 12.6%
Construction 8.0%
Education 7.6%
Retail 7.4%

University

43.0%

Postgraduate

13.7%

Born Overseas

49.6%

Dwellings

1,180

Transport to Work

Car dependency is high, with 88.5% of residents driving to work and only 5% using public transport, a trade-off common in outer-fringe suburbs where the bus and rail network is still maturing. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundaries in this dataset, so families rely on facilities in neighbouring Melton South and Rockbank. The suburb scores decile 5 on IRSD (relative disadvantage) and decile 6 on IRSAD (advantage-disadvantage combined), placing it in the middle tier nationally, neither highly advantaged nor significantly deprived. The crime rate of 97.8 incidents per 1,000 residents is flagged as elevated, with property and deception offences accounting for 217 of the 391 total incidents, a pattern typical of fast-growing areas with less established community networks. Volunteering sits at 8.3% and only 2.7% of residents need daily assistance, both consistent with the young-family profile.

Drive

88.5%

Public Transport

5.0%

Walk / Cycle

1.2%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+6.21%/yr

(+800 people/yr)

High Growth

Strathtulloh is classified as a high-growth suburb, with annual population growth of 6.21% and approximately 800 additional residents per year. The 10-year population change of 2,216% is among the most dramatic in Victoria. Historical figures confirm the pace: 10,197 residents in 2023, 11,697 in 2024, and 12,885 in 2025. Medium-scenario forecasts reach 15,919 by 2031, adding roughly 3,000 more residents over the next 6 years. Internal migration is the dominant driver at 940 net arrivals annually, compared to just 71 from overseas, meaning the suburb is growing primarily through Australians relocating from elsewhere. Rent fell 17.6% over the measured period even as population surged, suggesting supply is keeping pace with demand more than in many other growth corridors.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Internal Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+71

Net Internal / yr

+940

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

391

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

97.8

Offence Categories

Property and deception offences
217
Crimes against the person
77
Justice procedures offences
51
Public order and security offences
26

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

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

How Strathtulloh compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 14%
Household Income
Top 17%
Rent Level
Top 21%
Renters
Top 36%
Uni Educated
Top 15%
Public Transport
Top 34%
Born Overseas
Top 3%
Density
Top 21%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Strathtulloh a good suburb to live in?

Strathtulloh suits young families seeking larger homes at accessible prices. The $630,000 median house price sits well below inner Melbourne, 98% of dwellings are detached houses, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 20.6% is below the 30% stress threshold. The main trade-offs are high car dependency at 88.5% commuting by car, no schools recorded within the boundary, and a crime rate of 97.8 per 1,000 residents that is elevated relative to established suburbs.

What is the median house price in Strathtulloh?

The median house price is $630,000, based on the April to June 2024 quarter. Prices have grown 80% from $350,000 in 2013, a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%. The suburb peaked at $665,000 in July-September 2023 and has eased 5.3% from that level. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,950 and weekly rent is $380.

What schools are in Strathtulloh?

No schools are recorded within the Strathtulloh suburb boundary in this dataset. Families typically rely on schools in neighbouring Melton South and Rockbank. Despite the lack of local schools, 43% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 12.9 percentage points above the national average, reflecting the high proportion of professional migrants who have settled in the suburb.

Is Strathtulloh safe?

Strathtulloh recorded 391 total crimes in the most recent year, a rate of 97.8 per 1,000 residents. Property and deception offences account for 217 of those incidents and crimes against the person for 77. The elevated rate is common in fast-growing outer suburbs where community networks are still forming. The IRSD decile of 5 places the suburb in the middle tier nationally for relative disadvantage.

Is Strathtulloh good for property investment?

Population grows at 6.21% per year, adding 800 new residents annually. The gross rental yield is roughly 3.1% at $380 per week against a $630,000 median, which is below average for cash flow. The vacancy rate of 3.4% is slightly elevated and prices have eased 5.3% from the 2023 peak. The 4.3% CAGR since 2013 and 940 net internal arrivals per year support long-term capital growth over yield.

How is Strathtulloh's population changing?

Strathtulloh has grown by 2,216% over the past decade and continues to expand at 6.21% per year, adding around 800 residents annually. The population reached 12,885 in 2025 and medium-scenario forecasts project 15,919 by 2031. Internal migration of 940 net arrivals per year is the primary driver, meaning the suburb is drawing residents from other parts of Australia rather than relying primarily on overseas arrivals.

What languages are spoken in Strathtulloh?

About 49.6% of residents were born overseas, which is 28 percentage points above the national figure. Punjabi is the most common non-English language with 446 speakers, followed by Hindi (44), Bengali (27) and Urdu (24). Indian and Filipino ancestry groups each exceed 380 residents, and Hinduism is the third-largest religion after Christianity and an other category, with 417 adherents.

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), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), 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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