Population growth in Melbourne\u2019s outer suburbs linked to housing affordability and community infrastructure<\/p>\n
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New demographic analysis by KPMG shows a notable rise in birth rates across Australia\u2019s regional and greenfield urban areas.<\/p>\n
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KPMG Chief Economist Brendan Rawnley said there\u2019s opportunities for families outside of the city.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt\u2019s no surprise Melbourne\u2019s greenfield suburbs are prime locations for growing families, offering bigger backyards, plenty of space and much more affordable housing than areas closer to the city.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe western and northern growth corridors are where we are seeing the biggest baby boom, which is feeding into overall population growth in these areas.\u201d<\/p>\n
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In Wyndham, the local government area for Manor Lakes, there are 110 babies born each week.<\/p>\n
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Wyndham City Deputy Mayor, Cr Josh Gilligan, said the local government area is expected to reach almost half a million people by 2040.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIn Wyndham there are 110 babies born each week in our municipality.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201cYoung families, under 35 years old, currently make up over 50% of our population,\u201d Deputy Mayor Cr Gilligan said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIn this light, Council has families and children at the forefront in their decision making about services, programs and infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The trend highlighted in KPMG\u2019s analysis aligns with broader demographic patterns identified by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which also points to outward migration from capital cities to regional and peri-urban areas post-COVID.<\/p>\n
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Cost of living, access to schools and healthcare, and lifestyle amenities are primary drivers.<\/p>\n
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KPMG\u2019s analysis found that while\u00a0 Melbourne\u2019s falling fertility rate, it was the outer suburbs that were bouncing back with new bubs.<\/p>\n
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\u201cMelbourne has really struggled to stabilise its fertility rate since the pandemic,\u201d Mr Rawnsley said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe city did not have a post-covid spike in births like most other cities, possibly because its lockdowns were more protracted than both Sydney and Brisbane.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n
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Melbourne suburbs with the most births in 2024:<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n