Australia's fastest-growing places: ABS regional population update
Australia's latest regional population figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reveal that Melton, Victoria, remains the nation's fastest-growing Local Government Area (LGA), while Western Australia dominates the list of high-growth regions.
According to the ABS Regional Population Update for 2024–25, the City of Melton added 12,673 residents over the past year, representing a remarkable 5.8% population increase. Located on Melbourne's western fringe, Melton continues to attract families and first-home buyers seeking relatively affordable housing options close to the Victorian capital.
The update also highlights Western Australia's strong population momentum, with six of the ten fastest-growing LGAs nationally located in WA. This reflects Western Australia's status as Australia's fastest-growing state, recording annual population growth of 2.2%.
The ABS release includes revised population estimates back to 2022, incorporating updated internal migration data. These revisions reduced Victoria's previously estimated population by approximately 28,000 people, while population figures for New South Wales and Western Australia were revised upward. Demographers note that this represents one of the largest non-Census population revisions in recent years.
Top 10 Fastest-Growing LGAs in Australia (2024–25)
| LGA / State | Population 2025 | Growth (Persons) | Growth % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melton, VIC | 231,567 | 12,673 | 5.79% |
| Kwinana, WA | 57,422 | 2,516 | 4.58% |
| Serpentine-Jarrahdale, WA | 40,531 | 1,738 | 4.48% |
| Mitchell, VIC | 58,459 | 2,380 | 4.24% |
| Swan, WA | 187,090 | 7,194 | 4.00% |
| Murray, WA | 21,447 | 814 | 3.95% |
| Dandaragan, WA | 4,089 | 154 | 3.91% |
| Playford, SA | 115,790 | 4,357 | 3.91% |
| Wollondilly, NSW | 62,080 | 2,321 | 3.88% |
| Chittering, WA | 7,039 | 261 | 3.85% |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Regional Population 2024–25.
While some high-growth areas expanded from relatively small population bases, the data confirms that population growth remains widespread across Australia. Of the country's 549 LGAs and unincorporated areas, only 84 areas (15%) experienced population decline during 2024–25.
The findings reinforce the ongoing shift toward outer metropolitan growth corridors and regional centres offering greater housing affordability and lifestyle opportunities. For Victoria, Melton's continued growth highlights the importance of future investment in infrastructure, transport, schools and community services to support its rapidly expanding population.
As Australia prepares for the 2026 Census, future revisions will provide an even clearer picture of how migration patterns and housing affordability continue to reshape the nation's demographic landscape.
Published: June 21, 2026