Tarneit remained rural and sparsely populated until large scale residential subdivision began in earnest until the early 2000s.

However this landscape has been rapidly changing due to urban sprawl, especially in the southern part of Tarneit, including from nearby suburbs such as Hoppers Crossing, Truganina, Wyndham Vale and Werribee.

Stage one of Tarneit Central Shopping Centre, on the south east corner of Derrimut and Leakes Roads, began construction in mid 2016, and was opened in October 2017.

Wyndham Village Shopping Centre, in the suburb's east, was completed in 2005 to serve the population in the immediate area, especially in the residential developments of Tarneit Gardens, The Rise (located on the highest point of the surrounding plains), Rose Grange and Seasons.

The new station, built near the north east corner of Derrimut and Leakes Roads, provides a much faster service than the current Werribee railway line, which instead passes through Laverton and Newport.

It has car parking with 1,000 spaces, ensuring Tarneit becomes a prime regional area for those who commute to the city on a regular basis.

Regional Rail Link opened on 21 June 2015, with Tarneit railway station coming under the metropolitan ticketing zone 2.

It is planned to ease traffic congestion on Sayers Road, which services Hoppers Crossing commuters travelling to and from the city.