Malvern East · Statistical Area 2 (SA2)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A top-tier advantage score of 10 marks Malvern East as one of the most affluent areas in the country. This high standing is driven by an exceptionally skilled workforce and strong access to resources. The area has also seen steady growth, with the population rising to nearly 24,000 people.
All statistical area 2 (sa2) areas, 2021. The marker is Malvern East — higher than 99% of areas.
| Malvern East | 10 |
|---|---|
| 3145, VIC | 10 |
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
Residents here have some of the highest levels of education and job skills in the nation. This helps explain why the area ranks among the most advantaged across Australia, with a typical score of 1,128.
10
Higher than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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.
10
Higher than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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 statistical area 2 (sa2) 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.
10
Higher than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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.
1,128
Higher than 93% of statistical area 2 (sa2) 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, a rate much higher than most similar areas and slightly above the Victorian figure of 8.0%.
23,996
Higher than 89% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
8.1%
Higher than 74% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
The area is a significant hub for commerce, with 2,800 businesses operating here, which is among the largest number for areas of this type.
2,800
Higher than 86% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Malvern East [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/208041195/malvern-east/topic/economy-advantage
