Airport West
A crime rate of 105.7 per 1,000 residents, well above the state average, makes Airport West one of Melbourne's most recorded-crime suburbs, driven overwhelmingly by property offences (656 of 864 total incidents). This rate likely inflates because the suburb's commercial strip and proximity to Melbourne Airport attract transient crime, not just residential issues. House prices grew 79.3% over 14 years (4.3% CAGR) from $532,000 to $953,800, and the suburb shows active gentrification signals with real income growth of 33.4% over the decade, the highest among comparable northwest suburbs.
Population
8,173
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,761/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
76
Median House
$954K
Apr-Jun 2024
The median house price of $953,800 sits 4.6% below the $1 million peak reached in Q1 2024, offering buyers a slight discount from recent highs. Three-bedroom houses dominate at 60.0% of stock. The dwelling mix splits 62.6% detached houses and 35.4% semi-detached, reflecting significant townhouse development. Mortgage-to-income at 27.3% stays comfortably below stress. Turnover at 20.0% indicates regular listing activity. With 67 DAs in 12 months, including two-lot subdivisions, the suburb is actively densifying. Italian heritage is strong (1,940 residents), nearly matching English ancestry (1,946).
For Buyers
The median house price of $953,800 sits 4.6% below the $1 million peak reached in Q1 2024, offering buyers a slight discount from recent highs. Three-bedroom houses dominate at 60.0% of stock. The dwelling mix splits 62.6% detached houses and 35.4% semi-detached, reflecting significant townhouse development. Mortgage-to-income at 27.3% stays comfortably below stress. Turnover at 20.0% indicates regular listing activity. With 67 DAs in 12 months, including two-lot subdivisions, the suburb is actively densifying. Italian heritage is strong (1,940 residents), nearly matching English ancestry (1,946).
For Investors
Weekly rent of $401 against a $953,800 median produces about 2.2% gross yield, below Melbourne's average. Vacancy at 9.2% is elevated, above the metro norm. The 28.6% renter share provides moderate tenant demand. However, population growth at 1.04% (91 persons/yr) and the active gentrification signal (score 45, labelled Active) suggest upward pressure on both rents and prices. 67 DAs in 12 months include VicSmart subdivisions that will add new stock. Internal migration is essentially flat (+7/yr) while overseas arrivals add +83/yr. The high crime rate may deter some tenants.
Development Activity
Total DAs
97
Last 12 Months
76
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+744.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Airport West iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Christopher's School
Prep-6 · 727 students
Demographics
Italian ancestry (1,940) nearly equals English (1,946) as the top heritage group, a distinctive feature. Irish (852) and Scottish (589) follow. The overseas-born share of 25.9% is 4.3pp above the national average. Italian (306 speakers) is by far the dominant non-English language, followed by Greek (113). The median age of 39 sits 1 year below national. University attainment at 38.1% is 8pp above the national average, and professionals (984) lead occupations. Average household size of 2.3 is slightly below the national 2.5.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
62.6%
Houses
35.4%
Townhouse
1.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Prices grew from $532,000 in 2013 to $953,800, a 79.3% gain (4.3% CAGR over 14 years). The peak of $1,000,000 in Q1 2024 was followed by a 4.6% correction. Outright owners (38.9%) and mortgage holders (32.5%) dominate tenure. The 35.4% semi-detached share is high for Melbourne's northwest, indicating active townhouse development. Three-bedroom homes at 60.0% make up the stock backbone. Rent-to-income at 22.8% and mortgage-to-income at 27.3% both stay below the stress threshold. SEIFA decile 6 for both IRSAD and IRSD places the suburb in the upper-middle band.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,085
Rent / wk
$401
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$883
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.2%
Unoccupied
347
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
26.2%
Couples, no children
6,495
Total families
Economy & Employment
Construction (13.6%), healthcare (13.5%), and education (12.7%) are the top three employers, each around 250-400 workers. Professional/tech at 8.4% is slightly above the national average. Professionals (984) and clerical/admin (670) lead the occupation mix. Full-time employment runs at 68.4%, above the national average, and unemployment at 4.7% is close to the national rate. SEIFA IEO decile 6 shows average educational opportunity. The suburb has experienced active gentrification (score 45) with real income growing 33.4% over the decade, the strongest income growth in the northwest corridor.
Unemployment
2.7%
Labour Force
5,033
Unemployed
136
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
68.4%
Part-time
26.9%
Participation
59.9%
Employed
3,894
Occupations
Top Industries
University
38.1%
Postgraduate
8.4%
Born Overseas
25.9%
Dwellings
3,436
Transport to Work
Car dependence dominates at 89.8%, with public transport at just 2.3%, well below Melbourne's average. Walking and cycling at 2.9% is limited. St Christopher's School (Catholic, ICSEA 1083, 727 students) is the sole local school, scoring above the national median. The high crime rate of 105.7 per 1,000 is dominated by property offences (656 incidents, 76% of total), with crimes against the person at 74. The elevated crime likely reflects the commercial precinct and airport-adjacent activity rather than purely residential issues.
Drive
89.8%
Public Transport
2.3%
Walk / Cycle
2.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.04%/yr
(+91 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grows at 1.04% annually, adding 91 people per year. Over the past decade, population grew 17.4%, well above the national average. The medium forecast projects 9,234 residents by 2031, up from 8,781 in 2026. Overseas migration (+83/yr) and minimal internal gains (+7/yr) drive growth. The gentrification score of 45 (Active stage) is the highest in the shift data, with real income up 33.4%, young-share delta +1.3pp, and senior-share delta -0.8pp, meaning the suburb is getting younger and wealthier simultaneously.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+83
Net Internal / yr
+7
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +21% since 2011
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
864
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
105.7
Offence Categories
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Airport West compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Airport West a good suburb to live in?
Airport West sits in SEIFA IRSAD decile 6, placing it in the upper-middle band nationally. The crime rate of 105.7 per 1,000 is high, though 76% is property crime concentrated around commercial areas. St Christopher's School has an ICSEA of 1083, above the national median.
What is the median house price in Airport West?
The median house price is $953,800 as of mid-2024, down 4.6% from a $1,000,000 peak in Q1 2024. Over 14 years, prices grew 79.3% from $532,000 in 2013 at a 4.3% CAGR. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,085.
What schools are in Airport West?
Airport West has 1 school: St Christopher's School (Catholic primary, ICSEA 1083, 727 students). The ICSEA score sits above the national median of 1000, in the upper range for Melbourne's northwest corridor.
Is Airport West safe?
The crime rate of 105.7 per 1,000 residents is high. Property and deception offences account for 656 of 864 total incidents (76%). Crimes against the person total 74, and drug offences 32. The elevated rate is likely influenced by the commercial precinct and airport proximity.
Is Airport West good for property investment?
Gross yield at about 2.2% ($401/week vs $953,800) is below the Melbourne average, and vacancy at 9.2% is elevated. However, the Active gentrification signal (score 45, real income +33.4%) and 67 DAs in 12 months suggest capital growth potential. Population grows at 1.04% annually.
How is Airport West's population changing?
Population grows at 1.04% per year, adding 91 people annually. Over the past decade, growth was 17.4%. The suburb shows Active gentrification (score 45), with the workforce getting younger (young share +1.3pp) and wealthier (real income +33.4%). The forecast projects 9,234 residents by 2031.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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