Clarinda
Greek ancestry (1,144) is the second-largest group after 'Other' (1,827) in Clarinda, a distinctive concentration reflecting historical post-war migration to Melbourne's southeast. The suburb carries a median house price of $955,500 that has declined 9.9% from a 2022 peak of $1,060,000, yet over 14 years prices compounded at 4.4% annually from $525,000. With 54% born overseas (32.4 points above national) and 45% owning outright, Clarinda profiles as an aging migrant-majority suburb where established owners hold significant equity compared to newer residents.
Population
7,441
Median Age
45.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,589/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
19
Median House
$956K
Apr-Jun 2024
Separate houses make up 87.8% of stock, with 3-bedroom homes dominating at 52.3% and 4-plus bedrooms at 33.7%. The median of $955,500 (Apr-Jun 2024) has retreated 9.9% from the $1,060,000 peak in 2022, a larger decline than Melbourne's average. Mortgage-to-income at 29.1% sits right at the stress threshold on household income at the 52nd percentile nationally ($1,589/week). This means moderate-income buyers face genuine pressure at current prices, unlike higher-income suburbs at similar price points. Compared to neighbouring Clayton or Oakleigh, Clarinda offers larger lots but weaker transport links.
For Buyers
Separate houses make up 87.8% of stock, with 3-bedroom homes dominating at 52.3% and 4-plus bedrooms at 33.7%. The median of $955,500 (Apr-Jun 2024) has retreated 9.9% from the $1,060,000 peak in 2022, a larger decline than Melbourne's average. Mortgage-to-income at 29.1% sits right at the stress threshold on household income at the 52nd percentile nationally ($1,589/week). This means moderate-income buyers face genuine pressure at current prices, unlike higher-income suburbs at similar price points. Compared to neighbouring Clayton or Oakleigh, Clarinda offers larger lots but weaker transport links.
For Investors
Only 23.9% of residents rent, below the national average, and vacancy at 3.9% is tight by Melbourne standards. Weekly rent of $394 against the $955,500 median delivers low gross yield, a pattern typical of owner-occupier-dominated suburbs. Development activity is modest at 19 applications in 12 months, including a dependant person's unit proposal suggesting granny flat interest. Net overseas migration of 210 per year is strong, though net internal outflow of 158 annually suggests domestic residents are leaving, potentially displaced by price or seeking newer housing.
Development Activity
Total DAs
21
Last 12 Months
19
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 Clarinda iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Christway College
Prep-12 · 864 students
Clarinda Primary School
Prep-6 · 334 students
Demographics
With 54% born overseas, Clarinda sits 32.4 percentage points above the national average. Greek (1,144) and Chinese (823) ancestries are prominent alongside Indian (743). Greek is the top non-English language (478 speakers), followed by Mandarin (122), Khmer (102), Hindi (96), and Italian (81). The median age of 45 is 5 years above national, and need for assistance at 10.9% is well above the national rate, reflecting an aging population. University attainment at 43.2% sits 13.1 points above the national average, suggesting an educated migrant community.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
87.8%
Houses
11.7%
Townhouse
0.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Prices grew from $525,000 in 2013 to a $1,060,000 peak in 2022 (CAGR 4.4% over 14 years) before declining 9.9% to the current $955,500. Ownership skews heavily to outright owners at 45%, with 31% mortgaged and 23.9% renting. The high outright rate reflects an aging population that purchased decades ago. Rent-to-income at 24.8% is below stress levels. Mortgage-to-income at 29.1% sits at the threshold. The COVID-era dip saw population fall 4.7% and the suburb has only recovered 0.6%, suggesting the return of residents has been sluggish compared to Melbourne's average.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,000
Rent / wk
$394
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$640
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
3.9%
Unoccupied
105
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
29.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
22.7%
Couples, no children
6,113
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads at 17.7%, followed by professional/technical (10.3%), education (9.0%), construction (9.0%), and manufacturing (8.8%). The 8.8% manufacturing rate sits above the national average, consistent with Melbourne's southeast industrial belt. Professionals (771) lead occupations, but labourers (341) rank third, reflecting the mixed blue-collar and white-collar workforce. Unemployment at 6.0% is above the national rate. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 5 places Clarinda near the national midpoint, but the disadvantage decile of 4 indicates pockets of relative disadvantage, consistent with the aging population's fixed incomes.
Unemployment
3.6%
Labour Force
6,180
Unemployed
221
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
64.0%
Part-time
30.0%
Participation
50.9%
Employed
3,035
Occupations
Top Industries
University
43.2%
Postgraduate
12.0%
Born Overseas
54.0%
Dwellings
2,574
Transport to Work
Two schools serve the suburb: Christway College (Independent combined, ICSEA 1111, 864 students) and Clarinda Primary School (Government, ICSEA 1082, 334 students). Both perform above the national benchmark. Crime at 45.7 per 1,000 residents sits below Melbourne's average, with property offences (139 incidents) leading. Public transport captures only 4.4% of commutes, and 85.7% drive. The volunteering rate of 8.4% is below the national average, potentially reflecting the aging demographic and language barriers among migrant residents.
Drive
85.7%
Public Transport
4.4%
Walk / Cycle
2.2%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
-0.41%/yr
(-48 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation trends negative at -0.41% per year, losing 48 persons annually, well below the national average growth rate. The SA2 declined from 12,222 pre-COVID to 11,653 during the dip, recovering only 0.6% to 11,741 by 2025. Medium projections forecast continued decline to 11,388 by 2031. The senior share has increased 7.8 percentage points over a decade, the highest aging rate in this cohort. Net internal outflow of 158 per year is partially offset by overseas inflow of 210, but the overall trajectory is one of gradual population shrinkage as the established Greek and Chinese communities age in place.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+210
Net Internal / yr
-158
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -158/yr, Strong overseas inflow +210/yr
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
340
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
45.7
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 Clarinda compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clarinda a good suburb to live in?
Clarinda suits buyers seeking detached houses (87.8% of stock) in Melbourne's southeast at a median of $955,500. Crime at 45.7 per 1,000 is below Melbourne's average. Both local schools score above the ICSEA benchmark of 1,000. Trade-offs include declining population (-0.41%/year) and limited public transport (4.4% usage).
What is the median house price in Clarinda?
The median house price is $955,500 (Apr-Jun 2024). This is down 9.9% from the $1,060,000 peak in 2022. Over 14 years, prices compounded at 4.4% annually from $525,000 in 2013. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 52.3% of stock.
What schools are in Clarinda?
Two schools operate in Clarinda: Christway College (Independent combined, ICSEA 1111, 864 students) and Clarinda Primary School (Government, ICSEA 1082, 334 students). Both sit above the national ICSEA benchmark of 1,000, ranking as above-average schools.
Is Clarinda safe?
Clarinda recorded 340 crimes at a rate of 45.7 per 1,000 residents, below Melbourne's overall average. Property and deception offences led with 139 incidents, followed by justice procedures (92) and crimes against the person (72). The rate compares favourably to neighbouring suburbs with higher density.
Is Clarinda good for property investment?
The 23.9% renter rate is below average, limiting tenant demand. Vacancy at 3.9% is tight, and $394 weekly rent delivers low gross yield against the $955,500 median. Declining population (-0.41%/year) is a structural headwind. The 19 DAs in 12 months suggest modest renewal activity rather than significant supply additions.
How is Clarinda's population changing?
Population is shrinking at -0.41% per year, losing 48 people annually. COVID caused a 4.7% dip, and only 0.6% has been recovered. The senior share increased 7.8 percentage points over the decade, the highest aging rate in this cohort. Medium projections forecast 11,388 by 2031, down from 11,741 in 2025.
What languages are spoken in Clarinda?
Greek leads with 478 speakers, followed by Mandarin (122), Khmer (102), Hindi (96), and Italian (81). With 54% born overseas, 32.4 percentage points above the national average, Clarinda is one of Melbourne's most multicultural southeast suburbs, reflecting successive waves of post-war European and Asian migration.
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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