Coburg North
An established inner-north suburb with 8,327 residents, Coburg North stands out for its 75.7% separate-house share and university participation of 49.3%, which is 19.2 percentage points above the national comparison. The median age is 38, two years below the national figure, while household income sits at the 74.4th percentile. Housing is more family-oriented than nearby Coburg's apartment pockets, with 49.3% of dwellings containing 3 bedrooms and 47.4% of families being couples with children. That profile supports steady owner-occupier demand, although the crime rate of 122.5 per 1,000 remains an important consideration for buyers comparing Coburg North with Preston and other established northern suburbs.
Population
8,327
Median Age
38.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,981/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
51
Median House
$1.1M
October to December 2025
For buyers, the main trade-off is space versus price. Mortgage costs are listed at $2,167 monthly, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.3% and no mortgage stress flag. Coburg North suits households wanting established detached housing more than buyers seeking apartment entry points, with a stronger family-house orientation than nearby Coburg. The 31.2% renting share also leaves a meaningful pool of prospective upgraders and first-home buyers, although the median price requires substantial deposit capacity.
For Buyers
For buyers, the main trade-off is space versus price. Mortgage costs are listed at $2,167 monthly, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.3% and no mortgage stress flag. Coburg North suits households wanting established detached housing more than buyers seeking apartment entry points, with a stronger family-house orientation than nearby Coburg. The 31.2% renting share also leaves a meaningful pool of prospective upgraders and first-home buyers, although the median price requires substantial deposit capacity.
For Investors
Rental investors face a mixed set of signals. Weekly rent is $401 and 31.2% of households rent, creating an established tenant base, while the 8.5% vacancy rate may limit short-term rent pressure compared with tighter rental markets. Rent growth of 42.7% across the shift period supports the longer-term case, but a crime rate of 122.5 per 1,000 can affect tenant perceptions and management decisions. There were 48 development applications in the past 12 months, so each proposal should be assessed for parking, noise and amenity effects rather than assumed to create uniform uplift. The 1.4% annual forecast trend and overseas migration driver support demand, although the established market is less speculative than a new-growth corridor.
Development Activity
Total DAs
75
Last 12 Months
51
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+292.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Coburg North has a relatively young, educated and internationally connected profile. Median age is 38, which is 2 years below the national comparison, and 49.3% of residents have university qualifications, 19.2 percentage points above the national figure. Overseas-born residents account for 32.6%, 11.0 points above the national comparison. Italian, Arabic and Greek are the leading listed non-English languages, with 253, 192 and 158 speakers respectively; English, Italian and Irish are prominent ancestry responses at 1,967, 1,416 and 763 people. Household size is 2.5, equal to the national comparison, while 79.1% stayed at the same address over the reference period. Compared with nearby Preston, Coburg North has a more detached-family setting within the established northern suburbs.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
75.7%
Houses
19.6%
Townhouse
4.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Detached housing dominates Coburg North: 75.7% of dwellings are separate houses, compared with 4.2% apartments and 19.6% semi-detached homes. The bedroom mix reinforces that pattern, with 49.3% containing 3 bedrooms, 28.6% containing 2, and 18.1% containing 4 or more. Tenure is relatively balanced: 30.4% own outright, 37.4% hold a mortgage and 31.2% rent. Compared with nearby Coburg, the detached share points to more conventional family housing.
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (year ending Sep 2025), Homes Victoria bond data (year-ending median). Census 2021 median: $401.
$550
Bond data year ending Sep 2025 · houses $620 · units $500
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$882
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.5%
Unoccupied
284
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
47.4%
Couples with children
33.7%
Couples, no children
16.9%
Single parent
2,130
Total families
Economy & Employment
Employment is concentrated in health, education, knowledge and public services. Healthcare accounts for 16.0% of industry employment with 515 workers, followed by Education at 14.6% and 471, Professional/Tech at 14.0% and 452, Public Administration at 9.3% and 298, and Construction at 6.1% and 197. Professionals are the largest occupation group at 1,439, ahead of Managers at 580 and Trades at 490. The participation rate is 65.0%, unemployment is 5.0%, and household income sits at the 74.4th percentile, above the national middle. SEIFA places education and occupation in decile 8, while economic resources sit in decile 4 and disadvantage in decile 6, indicating capability alongside uneven financial security. This mix supports demand from health, education and public-sector workers, while construction adds a practical employment base.
Unemployment
5.0%
Labour Force
4,448
Unemployed
224
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.2%
Part-time
34.2%
Participation
65.0%
Employed
4,224
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
49.3%
Postgraduate
16.4%
Born Overseas
32.6%
Dwellings
3,066
Transport to Work
Day-to-day living suits households that value a low-rise setting and home-based flexibility. Separate houses make up 75.7% of dwellings, 44.2% of residents work from home, and car driving is the main listed commute mode at 43.7%; public transport is 5.2%, so access is more car-oriented than transit-led. Families should check nearby school options against the exact address, including enrolment zones, sector and travel times. Safety is the main caution: recorded crime is 122.5 incidents per 1,000 people, including 640 property and deception offences and 147 crimes against the person. SEIFA IRSAD is in decile 7, while disadvantage is decile 6, suggesting moderate overall resources but uneven experiences. Compared with denser inner-north suburbs, Coburg North provides more detached space but requires a closer look at car dependence and local safety.
Drive
43.7%
Public Transport
5.2%
Walk / Cycle
4.1%
Work from Home
44.2%
Population Forecast
+1.4%/yr
(+125 people/yr)
EstablishedGrowth is established rather than greenfield. The annual trend is 1.4%, with overseas migration the primary driver, while population change across the wider area is forecast at 28.1% over 10 years. The shift trajectory is Mixed, and the shift model records gentrification as Active with a score of 54; a separate forecast signal places gentrification at Early signs with a score of 20, suggesting change is present but not uniform. Prices have risen 113.0% since 2013 and rents 42.7% across the shift period, supporting continued pressure on established housing. The affordability measure moved from 60.7 in 2011 to 45.5 in 2021, while 48 development applications point to ongoing renewal. Compared with a fast-expanding outer suburb, Coburg North's 1.4% pace is moderate.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+158
Net Internal / yr
-71
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +30% since 2011, COVID recovered (-2% dip → full recovery)
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
1,020
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
122.5
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 Coburg North compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coburg North a good suburb to live in?
It suits buyers seeking established, detached housing: 75.7% of dwellings are separate houses and 44.2% of residents work from home. The trade-offs are a 122.5 per 1,000 crime rate and car-led commuting, with 43.7% driving to work versus 5.2% using public transport.
What schools are in Coburg North?
School decisions should be made from the exact address because catchments and travel times can differ across suburb boundaries. Coburg North has 8,327 residents, but that figure does not determine eligibility. Check nearby government, Catholic and independent options, then confirm enrolment rules and availability.
Is Coburg North safe?
Safety warrants a closer look. Recorded crime is 122.5 incidents per 1,000 people, including 640 property and deception offences and 147 crimes against the person. Compare the exact streets and recent local conditions before choosing a home, especially if off-street parking or security is important.
Is Coburg North good for property investment?
It can suit a long-term investor who accepts established-market conditions. Weekly rent is $401, vacancy is 8.5%, and 31.2% of households rent. Annual forecast growth is 1.4%, while 48 development applications indicate ongoing activity that should be assessed case by case.
How is Coburg North's population changing?
The wider area is forecast to record 28.1% population change over 10 years, with annual growth of 1.4% driven primarily by overseas migration. The shift trajectory is Mixed, while the gentrification stage is Active with a score of 54, pointing to change without a uniform direction.
What languages are spoken in Coburg North?
Italian is the most common listed non-English language at 253 speakers, followed by Arabic at 192, Greek at 158, Mandarin at 109 and Nepali at 72. Overseas-born residents make up 32.6%, which is 11.0 percentage points above the national comparison.
What development is happening in Coburg North?
There were 48 development applications in the past 12 months, including proposals for dance and yoga, martial arts and a chemical store room. Because the application types and impacts differ, review individual permits, construction timing and likely effects on parking, noise and amenity.
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). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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