Clayton
Clayton is a high-density university suburb anchored by Monash University and the Monash Medical Centre. With a median age of 28 and 71% born overseas, it is one of Melbourne's most youthful and culturally diverse suburbs, with predominantly Chinese and Indian communities and strong Mandarin and Hindi-speaking populations.
Population
18,988
Median Age
28.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,494/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
125
Median House
$1.2M
Apr-Jun 2024
Townhouses (42.6%) dominate the dwelling mix, outnumbering detached houses (35.5%). Mortgage stress sits right at the 30.9% threshold, and household income ranks below the national median (Bottom 53%), making this an area where affordability requires careful budgeting despite relatively moderate rent at $400/wk.
For Buyers
Townhouses (42.6%) dominate the dwelling mix, outnumbering detached houses (35.5%). Mortgage stress sits right at the 30.9% threshold, and household income ranks below the national median (Bottom 53%), making this an area where affordability requires careful budgeting despite relatively moderate rent at $400/wk.
For Investors
A 63% rental ratio, among the highest nationally, reflects sustained demand from Monash University students and hospital workers. Net overseas migration of +1,454/yr ensures low vacancy risk, though internal migration is negative (-250/yr), suggesting renters leave when transitioning to homeownership in outer suburbs.
Development Activity
Total DAs
154
Last 12 Months
125
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+941.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Clayton iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
John Monash Science School
10-12 · 656 students
St Peter's School
Prep-6 · 133 students
Clayton North Primary School
Prep-6 · 221 students
Demographics
The 28-year median age is well below the national 38, with the 25-44 cohort (38.2%) dominating. University education at 59.6% places Clayton in the Top 4% nationally. The Chinese (4,667) and Indian (2,556) communities shape the suburb's retail and dining character along Clayton Road.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
35.5%
Houses
42.6%
Townhouse
21.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Only 19.4% own outright and 17.6% hold mortgages, with the vast majority renting. Rent-to-income sits at 26.8% (below the 30% stress threshold), but mortgage holders face borderline stress at 30.9%. The townhouse-dominated stock reflects ongoing medium-density infill replacing older detached homes.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,000
Rent / wk
$400
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$594
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
18.2%
Unoccupied
1,366
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
30.9% stressed
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
33.9%
Couples, no children
9,013
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare (17.2%) and Education (11.9%) are the dominant employers, anchored by Monash Medical Centre and Monash University. Unemployment at 3.1% is below the national average, though the SEIFA economic resources score (decile 2) reflects that high education levels haven't fully translated into household wealth, which is typical of student-heavy suburbs.
Unemployment
3.1%
Labour Force
8,920
Unemployed
273
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
52.0%
Part-time
37.6%
Participation
55.8%
Employed
8,703
Occupations
Top Industries
University
59.6%
Postgraduate
25.1%
Born Overseas
70.7%
Dwellings
6,110
Transport to Work
Public transport usage at 13.2% is moderate, supported by Clayton railway station on the Cranbourne/Pakenham line. Car dependence remains high at 69.9%. The suburb scores well on education infrastructure but its SEIFA disadvantage decile (3/10) signals pockets of socio-economic challenge despite the university presence.
Drive
69.9%
Public Transport
13.2%
Walk / Cycle
10.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+2.78%/yr
(+414 people/yr)
High GrowthPopulation is growing at +2.8%/yr (+414 people/yr), almost entirely driven by overseas migration. This is classified as a high-growth suburb. With net internal migration negative, growth depends on continued international arrivals, a policy-sensitive factor that could shift with visa or immigration changes.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+1,454
Net Internal / yr
-250
Gentrification Signal
New development
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
2,226
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
117.2
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 Clayton compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
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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