Blackburn North
Chinese ancestry (1,856) nearly matches English (1,916) as Blackburn North's largest heritage group, a demographic equilibrium that drives the suburb's identity. University qualifications at 54.1% are 24.0 points above the national average, household income sits in the 75th percentile, and the IRSAD decile 9 confirms upper-tier advantage. The $1,335,000 median grew 92.9% over 14 years (CAGR 4.8%), essentially flat at peak with only a 0.1% pullback from the Jul-Sep 2023 high of $1,337,000. Overseas migration of 414 per year, the highest rate in this batch, sustains demand despite internal outflow of 98 per year. The crime rate of 35.0 per 1,000 is moderate.
Population
7,627
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,021/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
9
Median House
$1.3M
Apr-Jun 2024
The $1,335,000 median (Apr-Jun 2024) sits near its all-time peak of $1,337,000 (0.1% pullback). Over 14 years, prices grew from $692,000 (CAGR 4.8%). Detached houses at 83.3% dominate, with semi-detached at 15.5% and apartments at 1.3%. Three-bedroom homes account for 54.4%, with 4+ bedrooms at 34.9%. Monthly mortgage of $2,400 produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.4%, below the stress threshold. Three schools serve the suburb, all above the national benchmark: St Philip's (Catholic, ICSEA 1,137), Old Orchard Primary (government, ICSEA 1,127) and Whitehorse Primary (government, ICSEA 1,123). Public transport at 5.1% supplements car usage at 85.4%.
For Buyers
The $1,335,000 median (Apr-Jun 2024) sits near its all-time peak of $1,337,000 (0.1% pullback). Over 14 years, prices grew from $692,000 (CAGR 4.8%). Detached houses at 83.3% dominate, with semi-detached at 15.5% and apartments at 1.3%. Three-bedroom homes account for 54.4%, with 4+ bedrooms at 34.9%. Monthly mortgage of $2,400 produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.4%, below the stress threshold. Three schools serve the suburb, all above the national benchmark: St Philip's (Catholic, ICSEA 1,137), Old Orchard Primary (government, ICSEA 1,127) and Whitehorse Primary (government, ICSEA 1,123). Public transport at 5.1% supplements car usage at 85.4%.
For Investors
Renters at 21.8% form a moderate tenant pool. Weekly rent of $431 against the $1,335,000 median delivers gross yield of approximately 1.7%, well below average. The 6.4% vacancy rate is moderate. Overseas migration at 414 per year, the strongest inflow in this batch, provides sustained rental demand, partially offset by internal outflow of 98. Only 6 development applications in 12 months indicates very limited new supply, supporting existing property values. Population grows at 0.78% per year (186 persons). The suburb fully recovered from a 2.5% COVID dip, now sitting 2.1% above pre-COVID levels, demonstrating demand resilience.
Development Activity
Total DAs
13
Last 12 Months
9
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+800.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Blackburn North iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Philip's School
Prep-6 · 40 students
Old Orchard Primary School
Prep-6 · 441 students
Whitehorse Primary School
Prep-6 · 302 students
Demographics
The median age of 39 is 1 year below the national median. Overseas-born at 36.6% is 15.0 points above national. Chinese ancestry (1,856) is a close second to English (1,916), with Irish (649) and Scottish (566) following. Mandarin (521), Cantonese (229), Greek (110), Italian (47) and Hindi (44) are the top non-English languages. University qualifications at 54.1% are 24.0 points above national. Average household size of 2.8 is 0.3 above national. Couples with children (3,079) vastly outnumber childless couples (1,279), with a 19.7% couples-without-children rate that is low for an established suburb. Residential stability at 83.2% is among the highest in this dataset.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
83.3%
Houses
15.5%
Townhouse
1.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Mortgage holders at 39.5% slightly lead outright owners at 38.7%, with renters at 21.8%. The 78.2% combined ownership rate is strong. Stock is 83.3% detached houses, 15.5% semi-detached and 1.3% apartments. Three-bedroom homes at 54.4% dominate. The 14-year price trajectory from $692,000 to $1,335,000 (CAGR 4.8%) has been remarkably steady, with the current price within 0.1% of the Jul-Sep 2023 peak. Mortgage-to-income at 27.4% is below stress levels, and rent-to-income at 21.3% is comfortable. The IRSD decile 9 and IRSAD decile 9 place the suburb in the top 20% nationally.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,400
Rent / wk
$431
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$822
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.4%
Unoccupied
184
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.4%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
19.7%
Couples, no children
6,484
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads at 18.5% (520 workers), followed by Professional/Tech at 13.4% (377), Education at 10.9% (307), Construction at 7.5% (209) and Retail at 7.3% (204). The knowledge-sector concentration (healthcare + professional/tech + education = 42.8%) is consistent with the high qualification levels. Professionals (1,189) dominate occupations, with Managers (567) and Clerical/Admin (520) next. Full-time employment at 62.4% is moderate, unemployment at 5.2% is near national, and participation at 61.2% is average. Real income grew 17.6% over the decade, above average. The IEO decile 9 confirms top-tier educational outcomes.
Unemployment
4.3%
Labour Force
13,930
Unemployed
605
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
62.4%
Part-time
32.4%
Participation
61.2%
Employed
3,547
Occupations
Top Industries
University
54.1%
Postgraduate
15.0%
Born Overseas
36.6%
Dwellings
2,698
Transport to Work
The crime rate of 35.0 per 1,000 is moderate. Property offences at 197 (73.8% of 267 total) dominate, with crimes against the person at 27 and justice procedures at 26. Three schools, all above the national ICSEA benchmark: St Philip's (Catholic, 1,137, 40 students), Old Orchard Primary (government, 1,127, 441) and Whitehorse Primary (government, 1,123, 302). Public transport at 5.1% and walking/cycling at 2.4% supplement car dependency at 85.4%. The IRSAD decile 9 confirms top-tier advantage. Volunteering at 16.3% is above average, and residential stability at 83.2% is high.
Drive
85.4%
Public Transport
5.1%
Walk / Cycle
2.4%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.78%/yr
(+186 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grows at 0.78% per year (186 persons). The 10-year change was 11.5%. The suburb recovered fully from a 2.5% COVID dip, now 2.1% above pre-COVID peak (from 22,931 to 23,415). Medium forecasts project 24,662 by 2031. Overseas migration at 414 per year is the dominant driver, offset by internal outflow of 98. The gentrification score of 25 (early signs) reflects ongoing demographic change. Rent grew 23.5% over the decade, modestly above real income growth of 17.6%. Affordability improved from 54.7% (2011) to 46.7% (2021). The mixed trajectory (working-age share up 1.2, senior share down 0.4) is unusual and suggests rejuvenation through immigration.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+414
Net Internal / yr
-98
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +15% since 2011, Strong overseas inflow +414/yr, COVID recovered (-2% dip → full recovery)
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
267
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
35.0
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 Blackburn North compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blackburn North a good suburb to live in?
Blackburn North ranks in IRSAD decile 9, placing it in the top 20% nationally. University qualifications at 54.1% are 24.0 points above average. All 3 schools score above the national ICSEA benchmark (highest 1,137). The crime rate of 35.0 per 1,000 is moderate, dominated by property offences. Residential stability at 83.2% is among the highest in this dataset.
What is the median house price in Blackburn North?
The median is $1,335,000 (Apr-Jun 2024), within 0.1% of the all-time peak. Over 14 years, prices grew from $692,000 at a CAGR of 4.8%. Monthly mortgage of $2,400 produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.4%. Weekly rent is $431.
What schools are in Blackburn North?
Three schools serve the suburb: St Philip's (Catholic primary, ICSEA 1,137, 40 students), Old Orchard Primary (government, ICSEA 1,127, 441 students) and Whitehorse Primary (government, ICSEA 1,123, 302 students). All 3 score well above the 1,000 national benchmark.
Is Blackburn North safe?
The crime rate is 35.0 per 1,000 residents, with 267 total offences. Property offences at 197 account for 73.8%, crimes against the person 27 (10.1%), and justice procedures 26 (9.7%). Drug offences are low at 9 incidents. The IRSD decile 9 indicates very low socioeconomic disadvantage.
Is Blackburn North good for property investment?
Gross yield of approximately 1.7% ($431/week on $1,335,000) is low. Renters at 21.8% form a moderate pool. The 6.4% vacancy rate is acceptable, and only 6 DAs in 12 months means minimal new supply. Overseas migration of 414 per year is the strongest inflow in this batch. The 14-year CAGR of 4.8% and full COVID recovery demonstrate price resilience.
How is Blackburn North's population changing?
Population grows at 0.78% per year (186 persons), with medium forecasts projecting 24,662 by 2031. The suburb fully recovered from a 2.5% COVID dip. Overseas migration at 414 per year dominates, offset by 98 internal departures. The 10-year change was 11.5%. Overseas-born share at 36.6% is 15.0 points above national.
What languages are spoken in Blackburn North?
With 36.6% born overseas, Blackburn North is linguistically diverse. Mandarin (521 speakers) leads, followed by Cantonese (229), Greek (110), Italian (47) and Hindi (44). Chinese ancestry (1,856) nearly matches English (1,916), reflecting strong East and Southeast Asian migration over the past 2 decades.
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.
Explore Blackburn North on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map