Bellfield
At 0.93 square kilometres, Bellfield contains 1,996 residents at a density of 2,143.9 people per square kilometre, giving it a compact, established feel. Its median age is 36, which is 4 years below the national comparison, while the university-educated share reaches 47.2%, or 17.1 percentage points above national levels. Housing is mainly detached, with 74.7% of dwellings separate houses, and overseas-born residents account for 33.1%, 11.5 points above the national comparison. These features support demand from professional households, but the 107.7 crimes per 1,000 residents is a material consideration. Buyers comparing Bellfield with Heidelberg West or Ivanhoe should weigh its smaller scale, strong owner-occupier base and slower growth profile.
Population
1,996
Median Age
36.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,845/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
3
Median House
$994K
October to December 2025
Only a handful of houses sold here in this period, so this median can jump sharply from one quarter to the next for reasons that have nothing to do with the market. Treat it as a rough guide, not a settled price.
Bellfield suits buyers seeking a predominantly detached-house setting without the apartment concentration found in denser inner areas. Three-bedroom homes make up 49.1% of the stock, followed by two-bedroom dwellings at 28.6%, so the market leans toward established family layouts. Prices are 5.4% below the Jan-Mar 2025 peak but 7.1% above Oct-Dec 2024, suggesting recent volatility rather than a one-way rise. Compared with nearby Heidelberg West, buyers should focus on exact street conditions, renovation needs and traffic exposure because the suburb's compact blocks can vary considerably.
For Buyers
Bellfield suits buyers seeking a predominantly detached-house setting without the apartment concentration found in denser inner areas. Three-bedroom homes make up 49.1% of the stock, followed by two-bedroom dwellings at 28.6%, so the market leans toward established family layouts. Prices are 5.4% below the Jan-Mar 2025 peak but 7.1% above Oct-Dec 2024, suggesting recent volatility rather than a one-way rise. Compared with nearby Heidelberg West, buyers should focus on exact street conditions, renovation needs and traffic exposure because the suburb's compact blocks can vary considerably.
For Investors
Bellfield has a sizeable renter base, with 44.3% of households renting, but the $375 weekly rent and 8.7% vacancy rate point to a market where tenant demand should be assessed carefully rather than assumed. Three development applications in the past 12 months include two dwellings, six dwellings and a 28-apartment project, creating a potential 36 new-home pipeline that could increase local choice. The main migration driver is overseas migration, which may support demand for well-located, appropriately priced rentals. However, the annual growth trend is -0.14%, lower than a strongly expanding market, so investors should prioritise durable rental appeal, maintenance costs and holding capacity over short-term capital growth.
Development Activity
Total DAs
3
Last 12 Months
3
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Bellfield
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Waratah Special Developmental School
Demographics
Bellfield combines a younger-than-national age profile with substantial cultural and educational diversity. The median age is 36, or 4 years below the national comparison, and 47.2% of residents hold a university qualification, 17.1 percentage points above national levels. Overseas-born residents represent 33.1%, while English, Irish, Chinese and Scottish ancestries are prominent. Arabic is spoken by 46 residents, Greek by 39 and Mandarin by 26. Household size averages 2.6 people, just 0.1 above the national comparison, with couples with children forming 46.1% of families and one-parent families 20.0%. Compared with the older trajectory visible in some nearby suburbs, Bellfield's profile is supported by professional households, migrant connections and a relatively stable 77.7% five-year stay rate.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
74.7%
Houses
24.4%
Townhouse
1.0%
Apartment
Tenure
The housing market is centred on separate houses, which account for 74.7% of dwellings, while semi-detached homes comprise 24.4% and apartments just 1.0%. Tenure is mixed: 21.8% own outright, 31.6% have a mortgage and 44.3% rent. Compared with apartment-heavy markets, Bellfield's detached bias supports family demand, while its 49.1% three-bedroom share limits some higher-density alternatives.
Mortgage / mo
$2,300
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$375
Census 2021
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$722
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.7%
Unoccupied
70
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.8%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
46.1%
Couples with children
31.6%
Couples, no children
20.0%
Single parent
510
Total families
Economy & Employment
Bellfield's household income sits at $1,845 per week, around the 66.8th percentile nationally, helping explain why mortgage costs equal 28.8% of household income and are not flagged as stressed. The labour force contains 1,020 people, with a 61.6% participation rate and 6.9% unemployment. Healthcare is the largest industry at 19.7%, followed by professional and technical services at 12.0%, education at 9.7%, construction at 8.9% and retail at 6.9%. Professionals are the largest occupation group with 289 workers, ahead of managers at 121 and clerical or administrative workers at 116. Compared with lower-income suburbs, Bellfield's above-average household income supports purchasing power, but employment conditions still matter for renters and first-home buyers.
Unemployment
6.9%
Labour Force
1,020
Unemployed
70
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.0%
Part-time
33.4%
Participation
61.6%
Employed
950
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
47.2%
Postgraduate
13.3%
Born Overseas
33.1%
Dwellings
726
Transport to Work
Bellfield's compact form supports access by car and remote work, but public transport is used by only 4.2% of residents compared with 56.2% who drive, while 33.3% work from home. One local school is listed: Waratah Special Developmental School, a government special school, so families should check enrolment zones and nearby options against the exact address. Safety requires attention, with 215 recorded offences and a rate of 107.7 per 1,000 residents; property and deception offences account for 94, followed by justice procedures offences at 62. Compared with the 4.2% public transport share, car dependence is clear, and the 8.9% needing assistance makes access to suitable services important. The 0.93 square kilometre footprint keeps daily trips relatively contained, but street-by-street conditions should guide decisions.
Drive
56.2%
Public Transport
4.2%
Walk / Cycle
3.2%
Work from Home
33.3%
Growth Outlook
Bellfield is a slow-growth established suburb rather than a high-turnover expansion market. The annual trend is -0.14%, while population change across the wider area is only 0.2% over 10 years, indicating a broadly stable base. The forecast trajectory is Mixed and growth is primarily associated with overseas migration, which may refresh demand even as the local age profile changes. Gentrification is not currently identified, with a score of 10 and a stage of Not gentrifying. The shift measures also record rent growth of 29.9% and a 1.6 percentage-point increase in the senior share, suggesting housing costs have risen faster than demographic momentum. Compared with faster-growing northern suburbs, Bellfield's development outlook is incremental, led by small projects and one 28-apartment proposal.
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
215
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
107.7
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 Bellfield compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bellfield a good suburb to live in?
Bellfield can suit households wanting mostly detached housing, a compact footprint and a university-educated population of 47.2%. Its median age of 36 is below the national comparison, but the crime rate of 107.7 per 1,000 and limited public transport use at 4.2% are important trade-offs.
What schools are in Bellfield?
Waratah Special Developmental School is the listed local school, operating in the government special-school sector. Families should check enrolment zones and nearby mainstream or specialist options for the exact address, because school access can differ across boundaries and Bellfield has 1,996 residents in a very compact area.
Is Bellfield safe?
Safety is a significant consideration. Bellfield recorded 215 offences, equivalent to 107.7 per 1,000 residents, with property and deception offences the largest category at 94. Conditions can vary by street, so compare the immediate address and surrounding routes rather than relying only on the suburb-wide rate.
Is Bellfield good for property investment?
Bellfield has a substantial rental base at 44.3% and weekly rent of $375, but the 8.7% vacancy rate means investors should test demand carefully. Three recent development applications propose 36 dwellings in total, while the -0.14% annual growth trend is lower than a high-growth market.
How is Bellfield's population changing?
Bellfield is broadly stable rather than rapidly expanding. Population change across the wider area is 0.2% over 10 years, and the annual trend is -0.14%. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, while the senior share has increased by 1.6 percentage points and the forecast trajectory is Mixed.
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), Valuer-General Victoria (house prices), state education open registers (school locations), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications).
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