VIC 3021 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Albanvale

More than half of Albanvale's 5,641 residents were born overseas, 56.9% against a national figure 35.3 points lower, and the suburb's housing reflects that family-migration profile rather than inner-city density. Detached houses make up 96.0% of dwellings across a compact 1.86 km2, and 71.2% of homes carry three bedrooms. The median age of 37 sits 3.0 years below national, and average household size of 2.9 runs 0.4 above national, both pointing to younger families with children. The $610,000 median house price has eased 4.4% from its $638,000 peak, while household income ranks in just the 29.3rd percentile nationally, a gap that defines the affordability and tenure patterns below.

Albanvale urban fabric map

Population

5,641

Median Age

37.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,279/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

0

Median House

$610K

Apr-Jun 2024

1.86 km²· 3,027.3 people/km²· Family income $1,339/wk

At $610,000 the median house is well below Melbourne's metropolitan figure, and prices have softened 4.4% from the late-2023 peak of $638,000, giving buyers a more favourable entry than during the run-up. The stock is almost entirely freestanding: 96.0% are separate houses with apartments at just 1.8%, so a buyer here is purchasing land and a detached home rather than competing for units. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 71.2% and four-plus-bedroom houses add 24.5%, a layout suited to the larger 2.9-person households. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,500, and despite household income in only the 29.3rd percentile the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 27.1%, below the 30% stress threshold, because purchase prices stay modest relative to the metro market.

For Buyers

At $610,000 the median house is well below Melbourne's metropolitan figure, and prices have softened 4.4% from the late-2023 peak of $638,000, giving buyers a more favourable entry than during the run-up. The stock is almost entirely freestanding: 96.0% are separate houses with apartments at just 1.8%, so a buyer here is purchasing land and a detached home rather than competing for units. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 71.2% and four-plus-bedroom houses add 24.5%, a layout suited to the larger 2.9-person households. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,500, and despite household income in only the 29.3rd percentile the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 27.1%, below the 30% stress threshold, because purchase prices stay modest relative to the metro market.

For Investors

Weekly rent of $325 against the $610,000 median implies a gross yield near 2.8%, higher than premium inner-Melbourne suburbs where yields fall closer to 2%. Renters make up 24.2% of households, a smaller pool than the metro average, so the suburb leans owner-occupier rather than tenant-driven. The 5.0% vacancy rate is loose enough to give tenants choice, which caps rent growth. Development is effectively nil with zero applications lodged in the past 12 months across the 1.86 km2 area, meaning no new supply pipeline to dilute existing stock. With prices down 4.4% from peak and household income in the 29.3rd percentile, the investment case rests on yield and long-run land value rather than near-term capital growth.

Development Activity

Total DAs

2

Last 12 Months

0

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-100.0%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Other
1

Schools in Albanvale iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged

Albanvale Primary School

ICSEA 950 Primary Government

Prep-6 · 313 students

Demographics

Albanvale's defining trait is migration: 56.9% of residents were born overseas, 35.3 points above the national figure, and Vietnamese ancestry leads at 1,232 residents ahead of English at 597 and Chinese at 316. That mix shows in faith too, with Buddhism (773) and Islam (448) sizeable behind Christianity (2,662). The median age of 37 is 3.0 years below national and average household size of 2.9 runs 0.4 above national, consistent with younger families rather than retirees or single professionals. University qualifications reach 26.3%, which is 3.8 points below national, because the workforce skews toward trades and manual roles rather than degree-dependent professions. The top non-English languages are Punjabi (72), Macedonian (62) and Arabic (54).

Age Distribution

0-14
18.6%
15-24
12.4%
25-44
28.6%
45-64
23.6%
65+
16.9%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
0.7%
2 bed
3.6%
3 bed
71.2%
4+ bed
24.5%

Dwelling Structure

96.0%

Houses

2.2%

Townhouse

1.8%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 38.4% Mortgage 37.4% Rent 24.2%

Tenure is owner-heavy: 38.4% own outright and 37.4% carry a mortgage, leaving only 24.2% renting, so roughly three in four homes are owner-occupied. The stock is overwhelmingly detached at 96.0% separate houses, with apartments at 1.8%, and three-bedroom dwellings account for 71.2% while four-plus-bedroom homes add 24.5%. The median house price rose from $313,000 in 2013 to $610,000, a 94.9% gain at a 4.9% compound annual rate over 14 years, though it has slipped 4.4% from the $638,000 peak of late 2023. Mortgage-to-income sits at 27.1% and rent-to-income at 25.4%, both below the 30% stress line, which is notable given household income in the 29.3rd percentile and reflects how affordable the detached stock remains versus the wider metro.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General (Apr-Jun 2024)

Mortgage / mo

$1,500

Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.

$325

Census 2021

HH Size

2.9

Personal Income / wk

$488

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

5.0%

Unoccupied

95

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

25.4%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

27.1%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Punjabi
72
Macedon
62
Arabic
54
Greek
48
Serbian
43
Canton
40

Ancestry

Other
1,405
Vietnamese
1,232
English
597
Ancestry NS
487
Chinese
316
Filipino
301

Household Composition

18.3%

Couples, no children

4,688

Total families

Economy & Employment

The local workforce concentrates in essential and manual sectors: Healthcare leads at 17.5% (189 workers), Manufacturing follows at 10.6% (114) and Construction at 9.2% (99), with Retail at 8.8% and Transport at 8.3%. By occupation, Labourers (389) and Machinery operators or Drivers (303) outnumber Professionals (243), which explains why university qualifications run 3.8 points below national. Unemployment is elevated at 10.9% and participation reads just 46.7%, with 1,967 residents not in the labour force, a figure inflated by the younger family profile and a personal income of only $488 a week. Full-time employment among workers sits at 62.0%, and the combination of manual work and below-median income places household income in the 29.3rd percentile.

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Full-time

62.0%

Part-time

27.1%

Participation

46.7%

Employed

1,911

Occupations

Labourers 389
Machinery/Drivers 303
Professionals 243
Community/Personal 232
Clerical/Admin 219
Sales 185
Managers 99

Top Industries

Healthcare 17.5%
Manufacturing 10.6%
Construction 9.2%
Retail 8.8%
Transport 8.3%

University

26.3%

Postgraduate

5.2%

Born Overseas

56.9%

Dwellings

1,808

Transport to Work

Albanvale is car-dependent: 87.4% of workers drive while only 3.3% use public transport and 0.4% walk or cycle, well below the national reliance on active and public modes, a function of the residential layout and distance from rail. Crime runs at 50.3 offences per 1,000 residents, with property and deception offences (127) the largest category ahead of crimes against the person (53). No schools are recorded inside the 1.86 km2 boundary, so families rely on institutions in neighbouring suburbs. Rent-to-income at 25.4% and mortgage-to-income at 27.1% both sit below the 30% stress threshold, which keeps day-to-day housing costs manageable even though household income ranks in the 29.3rd percentile nationally.

Drive

87.4%

Public Transport

3.3%

Walk / Cycle

0.4%

Work from Home

N/A

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

284

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

50.3

Offence Categories

Property and deception offences
127
Crimes against the person
53
Justice procedures offences
49
Drug offences
35

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Albanvale compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 10%
Household Income
Bottom 29%
Rent Level
Top 32%
Apartments
Bottom 33%
Renters
Top 40%
Uni Educated
Top 44%
Public Transport
Top 50%
Born Overseas
Top 1%
Density
Top 3%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Albanvale a good suburb to live in?

Albanvale suits families on a budget: 96.0% of dwellings are detached houses, the median age of 37 is 3.0 years below national, and housing costs stay below the 30% stress line with mortgage-to-income at 27.1%. The main trade-offs are a 50.3 per 1,000 crime rate and heavy car dependence, with 87.4% of workers driving.

What is the median house price in Albanvale?

The median house price is $610,000, well below the Melbourne metro figure. Prices have eased 4.4% from the $638,000 peak of late 2023 but are still up 94.9% from $313,000 in 2013, a 4.9% compound annual gain. Weekly rent averages $325 and mortgage repayments run about $1,500 a month.

What schools are in Albanvale?

No schools are recorded inside the 1.86 km2 Albanvale boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. The resident profile is younger than average, with a median age of 37, which is 3.0 years below national, pointing to demand for nearby primary and secondary places.

Is Albanvale safe?

Albanvale records a crime rate of 50.3 offences per 1,000 residents, totalling 284 offences. The largest category is property and deception offences at 127, ahead of crimes against the person at 53 and justice procedures offences at 49, a profile weighted toward property crime rather than violent offences.

Is Albanvale good for property investment?

Weekly rent of $325 against the $610,000 median gives a gross yield near 2.8%, higher than premium inner-Melbourne suburbs nearer 2%. The 5.0% vacancy rate caps rent growth, and with prices down 4.4% from peak, returns lean on yield and land value rather than near-term capital growth.

How is Albanvale's population changing?

Albanvale's 5,641 residents form a settled community, with 85.1% having stayed put and a turnover rate of just 14.9%. Average household size of 2.9 runs 0.4 above national, and the median age of 37 sits 3.0 years below national, both pointing to organic family growth rather than rapid in-migration.

What languages are spoken in Albanvale?

About 56.9% of residents were born overseas, 35.3 points above the national figure. Vietnamese is the leading ancestry at 1,232 residents, and the most common non-English languages are Punjabi (72 speakers), Macedonian (62), Arabic (54) and Greek (48), reflecting a strong migrant base.

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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