Wattle Glen
With 1,911 residents across 8.99 sq km, Wattle Glen is a low-density, detached-home market shaped by established family ownership. A median age of 42 is 2.0 years higher than the national figure, while 99.2% of dwellings are separate houses and 55.1% have 4 or more bedrooms. Household income sits at the 91.2 percentile, higher than the national midpoint, helping explain why 52.1% of homes carry a mortgage and mortgage costs equal 20.6% of household income. Growth is slow at 0.5% annually, and the suburb has an aging trajectory. Compared with nearby Eltham and Diamond Creek, its identity is especially tied to detached homes, larger households and a quieter, car-oriented setting.
Local council: Nillumbik
Population
1,911
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,425/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
17
Median House
$1.0M
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.
Larger homes dominate, as 55.1% have 4 or more bedrooms and 38.6% have 3 bedrooms, making the suburb more suited to households seeking established family space than compact apartment living. Mortgage repayments average $2,167 per month, while mortgage costs represent 20.6% of household income, with no mortgage stress flag. Ownership is concentrated among outright owners at 41.4% and mortgagors at 52.1%.
For Buyers
Larger homes dominate, as 55.1% have 4 or more bedrooms and 38.6% have 3 bedrooms, making the suburb more suited to households seeking established family space than compact apartment living. Mortgage repayments average $2,167 per month, while mortgage costs represent 20.6% of household income, with no mortgage stress flag. Ownership is concentrated among outright owners at 41.4% and mortgagors at 52.1%.
For Investors
Wattle Glen has a small rental pool, with only 5.0% of households renting, compared with 41.4% owning outright and 52.1% paying a mortgage. The weekly median rent is $420 and vacancy is 4.1%, so tenant demand may be relatively sensitive to the limited supply of homes rather than supported by a large rental population. Rent growth of 28.1% is higher than the 0.5% annual population trend, suggesting recent rental pressure has outpaced household growth. There were 15 development applications in 12 months, pointing to incremental alterations and planning activity rather than a large construction pipeline. Overseas migration is the primary forecast growth driver, although the established market profile means investors should weigh yield against slower capital-growth expectations.
Development Activity
Total DAs
22
Last 12 Months
17
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+240.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Wattle Glen
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Wattle Glen Primary School
Demographics
Wattle Glen has a median age of 42, which is 2.0 years higher than the national figure, and an average household size of 3.0, or 0.5 above the national average. Families are prominent: 53.5% of families are couples with children, compared with 32.4% couples without children, while one-parent families account for 13.5%. Residential stability is high, with 87.2% of residents staying and a turnover rate of 12.8%, which helps explain the suburb's established feel. Overseas-born residents represent 14.5%, 7.1 percentage points below the national level. English, Irish and Scottish ancestry are the largest recorded groups at 838, 286 and 256 people, while no religion is recorded for 1,091 residents and Christianity for 712. The age profile is older than national norms and less migration-heavy than many metropolitan areas.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
99.2%
Houses
0.0%
Townhouse
0.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Wattle Glen's house market has risen substantially over the long term but has recently eased. Housing is overwhelmingly detached, with 99.2% separate houses and only 0.8% apartments. The stock is also family-sized: 55.1% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms, 38.6% have 3 bedrooms and 4.7% have 2 bedrooms. Tenure is stable, with 41.4% owned outright, 52.1% mortgaged and just 5.0% rented. This land-heavy mix limits apartment alternatives and keeps house condition, block characteristics and renovation potential central to buyer decisions.
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$420
Census 2021
HH Size
3.0
Personal Income / wk
$850
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.1%
Unoccupied
26
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.6%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
53.5%
Couples with children
32.4%
Couples, no children
13.5%
Single parent
540
Total families
Economy & Employment
Construction is Wattle Glen's largest employment industry at 18.5%, followed by healthcare at 17.2%, education at 13.6%, professional and technical services at 8.4% and public administration at 8.3%. The occupational mix also includes 229 professionals, 181 trades workers, 153 managers, 137 clerical and administrative workers and 118 community and personal service workers. Unemployment is 3.6%, participation is 68.6% and the full-time employment rate is 58.7%, supporting a relatively strong local income base. Weekly household income is $2,425, placing the suburb at the 91.2 percentile and above the national midpoint. SEIFA results reinforce this: IER ranks in decile 10, IEO in decile 7, IRSAD in decile 8 and IRSD in decile 9. The gap between the deciles suggests economic resources rank higher than occupational and education measures, consistent with established household wealth and home ownership.
Unemployment
3.6%
Labour Force
1,090
Unemployed
39
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
58.7%
Part-time
35.0%
Participation
68.6%
Employed
1,051
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
32.6%
Postgraduate
6.8%
Born Overseas
14.5%
Dwellings
609
Transport to Work
Wattle Glen suits households comfortable with car-based travel: 64.0% drive to work, compared with 2.1% using public transport and 2.4% walking or cycling. Working from home is relatively common at 29.3%, which supports the area's quieter residential setting. There is 1 local school, Wattle Glen Primary School, in the government primary sector. Families seeking other year levels should check enrolment zones against the exact address because school access can cross suburb boundaries. Recorded crime totals 45 offences, equal to 23.5 per 1,000 residents, including 39 property and deception offences, 4 crimes against the person and 2 public order and security offences. The crime rate is lower than the suburb's car dependence as a defining practical issue. An IRSAD decile of 8, a volunteering rate of 14.9% and 7.6% needing assistance point to solid social resources alongside a need for accessible services.
Drive
64.0%
Public Transport
2.1%
Walk / Cycle
2.4%
Work from Home
29.3%
Growth Outlook
Wattle Glen is forecast to grow at 0.5% annually, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Across the wider area, population change is 7.2% over 10 years, but the trajectory is Aging: the senior share has increased by 5.3 percentage points, while the young share has fallen by 2.4 points and the working share by 1.1 points. This pattern reflects an established housing base and high residential stability rather than rapid household turnover. Affordability improved from 49.1 in 2011 to 44.6 in 2021, a lower level than the earlier measure, while real income growth reached 14.6%. Rent growth of 28.1% has been stronger than population growth. The gentrification stage is Not gentrifying with a score of 0, so the outlook is gradual change and aging demand rather than a sharp redevelopment cycle.
Population trend: Nillumbik council area
Wattle Glen sits in the Nillumbik council area. These are the council area's residents, not Wattle Glen's.
Residents 2025
63,797
Growth, 5 yr average
-0.2%/yr
2020 to 2025
Growth, last year
+0.4%
2024 to 2025
ABS Estimated Resident Population by LGA, 30 June each year; council area, not this suburb
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
45
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
23.5
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 Wattle Glen compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wattle Glen a good suburb to live in?
Wattle Glen suits buyers wanting detached homes, larger blocks and a stable family setting. About 99.2% of dwellings are separate houses, 29.3% of residents work from home and recorded crime is 23.5 offences per 1,000 people. Car dependence is high at 64.0%, so daily convenience depends on driving.
What schools are in Wattle Glen?
Wattle Glen has 1 listed local school, Wattle Glen Primary School, a government primary school. Families should confirm the enrolment zone for the exact property and check options for other year levels, as school boundaries and practical access can extend beyond the suburb.
Is Wattle Glen safe?
There were 45 recorded offences, equivalent to 23.5 offences per 1,000 residents. Property and deception offences accounted for 39 incidents, compared with 4 crimes against the person and 2 public order and security offences. As with any suburb, conditions can vary by street and time.
Is Wattle Glen good for property investment?
Wattle Glen may suit investors targeting detached family housing, but the rental pool is small at 5.0% and vacancy is 4.1%. Median rent is $420 per week, rent growth is 28.1% and 15 development applications were recorded in 12 months. Forecast population growth is modest at 0.5% annually.
How is Wattle Glen's population changing?
Wattle Glen has 1,911 residents and a slow-growth forecast of 0.5% annually. Population change across the wider area is 7.2% over 10 years. The trajectory is Aging, with the senior share up 5.3 percentage points and the young share down 2.4 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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