Machelen is a municipality covering 11.5 km² with a population of 15,469. The average age here is 37 years, with a slightly higher percentage of women (51.2%) than men. Most residents (70%) own their homes, and they have an average net annual income per capita of €16,424. The area has a diverse population, predominantly Belgian at 86.2%, with small communities from Italy, Turkey, the Netherlands, Poland, Morocco, Romania, and other countries.
The housing stock in Machelen mainly consists of houses (70.9%) and apartment buildings (29.1%). Houses are divided into 37.9% closed-type, 21.5% semi-closed type, and 6.9% open-type houses including farms and castles. The average dwelling size has about 5.9 rooms, slightly below the national average. Buildings here date back on average to 1956. Currently, there are 4 houses for sale in Machelen with prices ranging from €335,000 to €850,000. The average price for buying a house is €495,000.
Machelen benefits from excellent road access with the R0 Brussels ring only 2 minutes by car from the town center. The A1/E19 motorway linking Brussels to Mechelen and Antwerp is similarly close. Other major roads serving the area include the N21, A201, and N278. Public transport options include 25 bus lines stopping in Machelen connecting to Mechelen, Zaventem, Haacht, Bonheiden, Vilvoorde, Jette, Merchtem and Grimbergen among others. Nearby train stations include Vilvoorde, Buda, Diegem, Haren and Haren-Zuid.
Families will find childcare and education facilities including 2 nurseries like "Trippel Trappel" and "De Madieliefjes", 4 nursery schools such as "Go! Basisschool De Sterrenhemel", 4 primary schools including "Gemeentelijke Basisschool - De Fonkel", and a secondary school "Gemeentelijk Instituut Voor Secundair Onderwijs". For daily shopping there are 3 Carrefour supermarkets, a Bio-Planet, and an OKay store. Machelen also supports sustainable mobility with 5 electric vehicle charging stations, a Blue-bike rental station, and a Cambio car-sharing station. Brussels Airport is reachable within 6 minutes by car or about 39 minutes by public transport.