Altona's Job Market Surges as Heavy Industry Decline Reverses

Altona recorded a population of 11,490 in the 2021 Census and has grown 7.8 percent since then. The figure comes from official counts cited in regional profiles and exceeds the SA3 average growth of 7.1 percent.

The numbers matter because the suburb continues to move from its former base in oil refining and manufacturing toward more residential uses. Planning records show between 51 and 63 new dwelling applications approved each year over the past five years, a pace that shapes demand for services and local jobs.

Employment and industry mix

Officials tracking labour market data note an unemployment rate of 2.2 percent in Altona, with employment rising an estimated 5.6 percent over the past year. The leading sectors for residents remain health care and social assistance, education and training, and professional and technical services. These fields align with a workforce that area reports describe as highly educated.

Analysts at sites such as areasearch.com.au and localstats.com.au have highlighted the same sectors when updating suburb snapshots. They link the pattern to stable demand rather than cyclical swings tied to older industrial operations.

Income levels and next steps

Median personal income stands at $947 per week, or $49,244 a year, placing Altona at the 73rd percentile nationally according to figures on en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altona,_Victoria. Median household income reaches $1,826 per week. These readings appear in census-linked summaries and are used by researchers comparing suburbs on tax-office aggregates.

With applications for new homes running at the current annual rate, planning staff and local economic advisers expect continued pressure on housing supply and related services. Residents can review the latest approvals through council channels and check updated labour-market releases from the Australian Bureau of Statistics for any shifts in the three main industries.