Darebin · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
High levels of education and professional skill define daily life in Darebin, making it one of the more advantaged areas in the region. The area scores a 9 out of 10 for overall advantage, which is higher than about 90% of similar places. This strong standing is underpinned by a highly skilled workforce.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Darebin — higher than 86% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
Residents are exceptionally well-qualified, with an education and job skills score of 9 out of 10. While overall advantage is high, access to money and resources is lower by comparison, scoring 4 out of 10.
9
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
8
Higher than 71% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
4
Lower than 64% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
9
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
1,044
Higher than 87% of council (lga) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
The population has grown by 8.1% since 2021, which is much higher than most areas. With 162,496 people, Darebin is larger than about 91% of similar areas.
162,496
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
8.1%
Higher than 82% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
Commercial activity is strong with 14,207 businesses, a figure larger than about 90% of similar areas. There are also 705 approved dwellings, which is larger than about 87% of similar places.
14,207
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
705
Higher than 86% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Darebin [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA21890/darebin/topic/economy-advantage
