Heatherton

Heatherton is a family-oriented area with 20.6% of the population being children under 15, which is higher than most similar areas. While the typical resident is 41—noticeably older than the Victorian average—de facto relationships are much less common here than in other parts of the state.

A significant 37.4% of residents were born overseas, a figure well above the national average. While Australian and English ancestries are most common, there are also notable Chinese, Irish, and Italian roots within the community.

Language diversity is high, with 30.2% of people using a language other than English at home, which is well above the Australian figure. Mandarin, Greek, and Cantonese are the most common additional languages spoken.

Religious views are split, with 44.3% of residents identifying as Christian and 38.4% reporting no religion. This lack of religious affiliation is about the same as the figure for Victoria and Australia overall.

The community is highly qualified, with 31.9% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher—well above the national figure. This educational achievement is mirrored in school completion, as 70.1% of residents finished Year 12, which is far above the Australian average.

Wealth is high in Heatherton, where the typical family earns $2,531 a week, which is a little above the state and national figures. About 28.2% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly, a rate much higher than most similar areas.

Residents generally report good health, with long-term health conditions affecting 24% of the population, which is well below the national average. Only 6.8% of people live with a mental health condition.

Unpaid childcare is common, with 30.7% of people caring for children, which is well above the national figure. However, volunteering is much lower than in most similar areas, at 11%.

There are 8 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the area. Their typical personal income of $474 is a little below the national figure, and the typical age is 29, which is noticeably older than the national figure of 24.

Homes here are larger than usual, with 2.8 people per household, which is a little above the state average. This is consistent with the high number of couples with children, who make up 69% of families.

Most people live in separate houses, with 83% of homes having three or more bedrooms. The cost of living is high, with typical weekly rents at $471 and typical monthly mortgage payments at $2,224, both of which are above the national figure.

Public transport is highly accessible, with a very short 2-minute walk to the nearest stop and a high number of bus departures. Despite this, 29.7% of people work from home, a rate well above the national average.

The area has seen some movement, with 34.6% of residents moving house in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals make up 8% of the population, which is well below the Victorian average.

Employment is strong, with 68.5% of adults working or looking for work—well above the national figure. Many residents work as professionals or managers, particularly in health care, social assistance, and retail.

The suburb is very walkable, with 91.3% of homes within a 15-minute walk of groceries and 96.6% near a park. However, it is much harder to find a school nearby, with only 46.7% of homes within a 15-minute walk of one.