[5] Though the area near the railway station was subdivided in the nineteenth century, development was slow and most houses in the suburb were not built until after the Second World War.

This was a popular day trip destination by train in the late nineteenth century.

Some Australian artists painted in the bush around the Blackburn and Box Hill areas.

The area is protected by strict planning controls restricting development and has retained a village atmosphere.

[citation needed] In the 2011 census the population of Blackburn was 12,796, approximately 51.1% female and 48.9% male.

The other top responses for country of birth were 3.6% England, 3.6% China, 2.4% India, 1.4% New Zealand, 1.3% Malaysia, 0.7% Hong Kong, 0.7% Korea, Republic of, 0.6% Germany, 0.6% Italy, 0.6% Sri Lanka, 0.6% Vietnam, 0.5% South Africa, 0.4% Scotland, 0.4% Netherlands.

The religious makeup of Blackburn is 29.3% No religion, 21.3% Catholic, 12.6% Anglican, 9.2% Religious affiliation not stated, 6.1% Uniting Church, 4.0% Baptist, 2.5% Christian, nfd, 2.3% Presbyterian and Reformed, 2.3% Buddhism, 2.0% Eastern Orthodox.