Statistical Area 2 (SA2) · Area profile
Sunshine
5 km²
Centrally located with an exceptional level of accessibility, Sunshine is a diverse and youthful hub in Greater Melbourne. Nearly half of its residents were born overseas, and over half speak a language other than English at home. This cultural mix is reflected in a community that is noticeably younger than the state and national average, with a typical resident aged 35. The area is defined by its high density of public transport and services, making it a highly connected urban centre.
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The community is noticeably younger than most areas, with a typical age of 35 and a low percentage of seniors compared to the national figure. About 16.2% of residents are children, a figure that has remained steady since 2011.
This is a highly multicultural area where 48.3% of people were born overseas, far above the national figure of 27.7%. Vietnamese, English, and Australian are the most common ancestries reported.
Language diversity is very high, with 52.9% of residents using a language other than English at home. While 12.4% of people speak little or no English—a figure well above the national average—this has fallen since 2016.
Religious affiliation is lower than in most areas, with 31.0% of people reporting no religion. This is well below the national figure, though the proportion of non-religious residents has risen significantly since 2011.
The area has seen a strong increase in qualifications, with 29.8% of adults now holding a bachelor degree or higher. Year 12 completion is also well above the national average at 62.8%.
Typical weekly incomes are a little below the national figures, with households usually earning $1,566. However, the number of households earning $3,000 or more per week rose by 14 points since 2011.
A higher proportion of people need help with daily activities compared to most areas. Conversely, the rate of long-term health conditions is well below the national average.
Volunteer rates are well below the national figure at 9.5%, and fewer people provide unpaid care or do housework compared to most other areas.
There are 57 First Nations people in the area. This group is noticeably older than the national average, with a typical age of 28 and much lower Year 12 completion rates.
Homes tend to be slightly more crowded than usual, with 2.6 people per home. One-parent families are much more common here than in most other areas.
Renting is very common, with 40.4% of households renting, which is far above the state average. Detached houses are less common here than elsewhere, and typical weekly rents are a little below the national figure.
Public transport is a major feature, with a very high number of stops and departures. About 12.3% of homes have no motor vehicle, and 24.1% of the workforce now works from home.
The area is quite mobile, with 41.5% of people moving in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals make up 23.0% of the population, well above the national figure.
Unemployment is a little higher than the national average at 7.7%. Most people work in health care, education, or retail, and 60.5% of adults are working or looking for work.
The area has a relatively low advantage score of 4 out of 10, placing it below about 60% of similar areas. However, it has seen a steady population growth of 6.1% since 2021.
The area receives 588mm of annual rainfall, which is a little above the state average. Average temperatures are generally lower than in many other areas.
Sunshine is a walker's paradise with a score of 8.3. Every single home is within a 10-minute walk of public transport and a 15-minute walk of a park.