Broadmeadows vs Coolaroo

Broadmeadows is the younger of the two, with a median age of 32 against 37 in Coolaroo. In both, most homes are detached houses. In Broadmeadows, about half of households rent. In Coolaroo, most households own their home. Broadmeadows is closer to the city centre: 17.2 km, against 21 km. On these figures, Broadmeadows tends to suit renters.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

Broadmeadows

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more schools inside the suburb (19 vs 2)
  • has more parks and reserves (12 vs 6)
  • has more childcare (9 vs 6)
  • But Coolaroo has more separate houses rather than flats (91% vs 68%)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

Too close to call

Nothing among the 2 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs house prices and mortgage stress.

Renters

Broadmeadows

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (51% vs 32%)

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

Broadmeadows

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • sits closer to the CBD (17.2 km vs 21 km)
  • has a shorter drive in (27 min vs 32 min)

Weighs distance, drive time, rail access, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Broadmeadows

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (32% vs 9%)
  • has more GPs (13 vs 4)
  • But Coolaroo has more residents already 65 and over (19% vs 11%)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

Broadmeadows

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (4.6% vs 4.1%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

Broadmeadows and Coolaroo drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
Walkability 83 / 79
Broadmeadows — Walkability: 83/100 Coolaroo — Walkability: 79/100
Safety 5 / 7
Broadmeadows — Safety: 5/100 Coolaroo — Safety: 7/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Broadmeadows — Low fire risk: 100/100 Coolaroo — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 68 / 75
Broadmeadows — Low flood risk: 68/100 Coolaroo — Low flood risk: 75/100

Demographics

Broadmeadows has more residents (12,524 vs 3,193); Coolaroo skews older (37 vs 32).

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
Population 12,524
+75% vs other
 3,193
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +4.6% +0.1%
Median age 32 37
Median household income $59,852/yr
+11% vs other
 $53,300/yr
Median weekly rent $331/wk $335/wk
+1% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
0-4 7.4% / 6.4%
Broadmeadows — 0-4: 7.4% Coolaroo — 0-4: 6.4%
5-14 14.1% / 13.2%
Broadmeadows — 5-14: 14.1% Coolaroo — 5-14: 13.2%
15-19 6.3% / 5.8%
Broadmeadows — 15-19: 6.3% Coolaroo — 15-19: 5.8%
20-24 7.9% / 7.2%
Broadmeadows — 20-24: 7.9% Coolaroo — 20-24: 7.2%
25-34 19.3% / 14.6%
Broadmeadows — 25-34: 19.3% Coolaroo — 25-34: 14.6%
35-44 14.4% / 12.6%
Broadmeadows — 35-44: 14.4% Coolaroo — 35-44: 12.6%
45-54 10.4% / 11.3%
Broadmeadows — 45-54: 10.4% Coolaroo — 45-54: 11.3%
55-64 9.6% / 9.6%
Broadmeadows — 55-64: 9.6% Coolaroo — 55-64: 9.6%
65-74 5.7% / 8.7%
Broadmeadows — 65-74: 5.7% Coolaroo — 65-74: 8.7%
75-84 3.6% / 7.1%
Broadmeadows — 75-84: 3.6% Coolaroo — 75-84: 7.1%
85+ 1.4% / 3.3%
Broadmeadows — 85+: 1.4% Coolaroo — 85+: 3.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (19.3%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Broadmeadows 40.7% couple families
Broadmeadows — Couple Families: 40.7% Broadmeadows — Lone Person: 28.6% Broadmeadows — One Parent Families: 21.8% Broadmeadows — Group Household: 6.3% Broadmeadows — Other Families: 2.6%
Coolaroo 39.6% couple families
Coolaroo — Couple Families: 39.6% Coolaroo — Lone Person: 28.1% Coolaroo — One Parent Families: 25.2% Coolaroo — Group Household: 3.8% Coolaroo — Other Families: 3.3%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Broadmeadows 51.0% renting
Broadmeadows — Owned Outright: 22.1% Broadmeadows — Mortgage: 26.9% Broadmeadows — Renting: 51.0%
Coolaroo 31.7% renting
Coolaroo — Owned Outright: 37.9% Coolaroo — Mortgage: 30.4% Coolaroo — Renting: 31.7%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
Iraq 5.0% / 7.8%
Broadmeadows — Iraq: 5.0% Coolaroo — Iraq: 7.8%
Lebanon 4.8% / 3.6%
Broadmeadows — Lebanon: 4.8% Coolaroo — Lebanon: 3.6%
Nepal 4.4% / 3.3%
Broadmeadows — Nepal: 4.4% Coolaroo — Nepal: 3.3%
Pakistan 4.1% / 2.7%
Broadmeadows — Pakistan: 4.1% Coolaroo — Pakistan: 2.7%
India 3.5% / 2.3%
Broadmeadows — India: 3.5% Coolaroo — India: 2.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (7.8%).

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
Certificate III & IV 7.3% / 8.6%
Broadmeadows — Certificate III & IV: 7.3% Coolaroo — Certificate III & IV: 8.6%
Bachelor Degree 8.9% / 6.1%
Broadmeadows — Bachelor Degree: 8.9% Coolaroo — Bachelor Degree: 6.1%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 5.9% / 5.3%
Broadmeadows — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 5.9% Coolaroo — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 5.3%
Postgraduate Degree 4.4% / 2.7%
Broadmeadows — Postgraduate Degree: 4.4% Coolaroo — Postgraduate Degree: 2.7%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 0.9% / 0.9%
Broadmeadows — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.9% Coolaroo — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (8.9%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Broadmeadows 67.9% houses
Broadmeadows — Houses: 67.9% Broadmeadows — Townhouses: 19.8% Broadmeadows — Flats / Apartments: 12.2%
Coolaroo 91.4% houses
Coolaroo — Houses: 91.4% Coolaroo — Townhouses: 8.6% Coolaroo — Flats / Apartments: 0.1%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
Median house price $651,000 $625,000
Median unit price $475,000 —
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 27 days
from 75 sales
 24 days
from 13 sales

Zoning mix

Coolaroo has more industrially zoned land (46% vs 0%); Broadmeadows has more commercially zoned land (35% vs 9%).

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
Industrial 0% 46%
Residential 38% 31%
Commercial 35% 9%
Infrastructure and transport 12% 10%
Other and special use 8% 0%
Parks and recreation 7% 3%
Zoning sets what may be built, not what is there today. A single address can sit in a different zone to the suburb around it. Zones as at 2026-09.

Development activity

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
New dwellings approved 3,063
across Hume
same for both
Approvals change year on year +0%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
Houses 4.6%
$540/wk on $615K
 4.1%
$507/wk on $642K
Units 5.5%
$510/wk on $485K
 —

Ranking within VIC

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
House price Higher than 30% of VIC Higher than 28% of VIC
Income Higher than 20% of VIC Higher than 12% of VIC
Schools Higher than 33% of VIC —
Walkability Higher than 94% of VIC Higher than 93% of VIC
Affordability Higher than 37% of VIC Higher than 28% of VIC
EV adoption Higher than 28% of VIC Higher than 24% of VIC
NBN connectivity Higher than 86% of VIC Higher than 96% of VIC
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 92% of VIC Higher than 74% of VIC
Rental yield (units) Higher than 82% of VIC —

Liveability

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
Grade C
same for both
Score 42/100 46/100
Socio-economic band high-need area
decile 1/10
same for both

Risk profile

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
95/100
 High
93/100
Flood Low
32/100
 Low
25/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise High
70/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 24
within 5 km
 29
within 5 km

Schools

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
Inside the suburb 19 2
Rated above peers 1
same for both
Rated at peers 2 0
Rated below peers 5 1

Schools in Broadmeadows

  • Sirius College Independent · Combined above peers
  • Broadmeadows Valley Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • Penola Catholic College Catholic · Secondary at peers
  • Broadmeadows Primary School Government · Primary below peers
  • Hume Central Secondary College Government · Secondary below peers
  • Meadows Primary School Government · Primary below peers

Schools in Coolaroo

  • St Mary's Coptic Orthodox College Independent · Combined above peers
  • Coolaroo South Primary School Government · Primary below peers

Amenities in the suburb

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
Supermarkets 3 0
Cafes & restaurants 8 5
Parks & reserves 12 6
Childcare 9 6
GPs 13 4
Pharmacies 3 2
Police stations 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 6 0
Fuel stations 6 2
Waterways 13 2

Mobility

Coolaroo sits further from the CBD (21 km vs 17.2 km).

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
Walkability score 83/100 79/100
Distance to Melbourne 17.2 km 21 km
+22% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 27 min 32 min
Public transport score 93/100
Rail · Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 381.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
 165.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 0.3%
postcode 3047
 0.3%
postcode 3048
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 26
postcode 3047
 36
postcode 3048

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
Car (driver) 66.1% / 69.8%
Broadmeadows — Car (driver): 66.1% Coolaroo — Car (driver): 69.8%
Worked from Home 13.5% / 13.5%
Broadmeadows — Worked from Home: 13.5% Coolaroo — Worked from Home: 13.5%
Train 9.0% / 10.2%
Broadmeadows — Train: 9.0% Coolaroo — Train: 10.2%
Car (passenger) 6.3% / 3.9%
Broadmeadows — Car (passenger): 6.3% Coolaroo — Car (passenger): 3.9%
Bus 2.8% / 1.3%
Broadmeadows — Bus: 2.8% Coolaroo — Bus: 1.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (69.8%).

Setting

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
Elevation 128 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 147 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 17.5 km 20.4 km

NBN connectivity

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
Connectivity score 77/100 90/100
Most common technology Hybrid fibre-coaxial Fibre to the premises
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 10%
6,097 premises
 56%
1,626 premises

Climate

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
Annual rainfall 534 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 26.7°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 6.5°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
PM2.5 3.9 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 —
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
Average residential rate $1,715/yr
same for both
Council Hume
same for both

Federal electorate

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
Division Calwell
same for both
Member Basem Abdo
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Broadmeadows Coolaroo
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Broadmeadows

Easy Commute Middle-Ring Multicultural Parks River Transport Hub

Coolaroo

Easy Commute Large Blocks Middle-Ring Multicultural Parks Quiet Transport Hub

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Broadmeadows

Broadmeadows vs Glenroy Broadmeadows vs Meadow Heights Broadmeadows vs Fawkner Broadmeadows vs Gladstone Park Broadmeadows vs Dallas Broadmeadows vs Westmeadows

Other comparisons with Coolaroo

Coolaroo vs Roxburgh Park Coolaroo vs Meadow Heights Coolaroo vs Dallas Coolaroo vs Campbellfield
Full data on Broadmeadows Full data on Coolaroo
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Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

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