Whittlesea · Council (LGA)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A rapid 12% population increase makes Whittlesea one of the fastest growing areas in the region. This growth is matched by a strong standing in money and education, with a typical advantage score of 981 that is higher than about 70% of similar areas.
All council (lga) areas, 2021. The marker is Whittlesea — higher than 64% of areas.
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
Residents generally have good access to money, resources, and job skills, with both categories scoring 8 out of 10. This puts the area in a stronger position than about 80% of similar places.
7
Higher than 64% 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.
6
Higher than 57% 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.
8
Higher than 71% 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.
8
Higher than 71% 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.
981
Higher than 70% 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 jumped by 12% since 2021, a rate well above the 8% seen across Victoria. This growth has pushed the total population to 259,759, making it one of the largest areas of its type.
259,759
Higher than 87% of council (lga) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
12.0%
Higher than 91% of council (lga) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
Business activity is high with 23,735 companies operating in the area. There is also significant building activity, as the 3,157 approved dwellings are among the highest numbers at this level.
23,735
Higher than 87% of council (lga) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
3,157
Higher than 91% of council (lga) areas.
Dwelling units approved in 2024-25 (ABS Building Approvals).
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Whittlesea [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA27070/whittlesea/topic/economy-advantage
