Darley
Construction is the top employer at 16.4% (480 workers), roughly double the national average for the sector, reflecting Darley's position on Melbourne's western growth corridor where tradies live close to greenfield development sites. The median house price of $616,300 has fallen 17.8% from its $749,500 peak in mid-2023, one of the steeper corrections in the western suburbs. Detached housing at 93.2% and four-plus bedroom homes at 49.8% define a low-density, family-oriented stock. Just 14.4% of residents were born overseas, 7.2 percentage points below the national average, making Darley markedly less diverse than most Melbourne suburbs. Residential stability is high, with 84.3% of residents remaining at the same address over the Census period.
Population
9,190
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,951/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
2
Median House
$616K
Apr-Jun 2024
The $616,300 median offers a significant discount to Melbourne's metro average, though the 17.8% decline from the mid-2023 peak of $749,500 means recent buyers are in negative equity territory. Over the longer term, the CAGR of 4.6% across 14 years of data (from $330,500 in 2013) shows steady appreciation. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,733 against $1,951/week household income produce a 20.5% mortgage-to-income ratio, well below the stress benchmark. The stock is overwhelmingly family-sized: 49.8% four-plus bedrooms and 44.4% three-bedrooms, with studios/one-bedrooms at just 1.2%. Mortgage holders at 53.9% dominate tenure, and Darley Primary School (ICSEA 988, 505 students) sits close to the national benchmark.
For Buyers
The $616,300 median offers a significant discount to Melbourne's metro average, though the 17.8% decline from the mid-2023 peak of $749,500 means recent buyers are in negative equity territory. Over the longer term, the CAGR of 4.6% across 14 years of data (from $330,500 in 2013) shows steady appreciation. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,733 against $1,951/week household income produce a 20.5% mortgage-to-income ratio, well below the stress benchmark. The stock is overwhelmingly family-sized: 49.8% four-plus bedrooms and 44.4% three-bedrooms, with studios/one-bedrooms at just 1.2%. Mortgage holders at 53.9% dominate tenure, and Darley Primary School (ICSEA 988, 505 students) sits close to the national benchmark.
For Investors
Renters at 17.3% form one of the smallest tenant pools in this cohort, limiting the addressable market for investors. The vacancy rate of 4.1% is tight, partially offsetting the low renter share. At $320/week rent against a $616,300 median, the gross yield of approximately 2.7% is below average nationally. Only 2 development applications were lodged in 12 months (both subdivisions), indicating minimal new supply pressure. The 15.7% turnover rate is low, meaning tenants tend to stay longer, reducing void costs. The 17.8% price decline from peak creates a potential entry point, but the rural-fringe location at 341 people/km2 density limits future densification upside.
Development Activity
Total DAs
9
Last 12 Months
2
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-60.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Darley iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Darley Primary School
Prep-6 · 505 students
Demographics
English ancestry dominates at 3,693, followed by Irish (1,042) and Scottish (1,023), with Italian (398) rounding out the top non-British heritage. Just 14.4% were born overseas, 7.2 points below the national average, making Darley notably homogeneous for a Melbourne suburb. Average household size of 2.8 exceeds the 2.5 national norm, and couples with children (3,426) outnumber couples without (1,752) by nearly 2:1. Punjabi (52 speakers) leads non-English languages, but absolute numbers are very low. The median age of 37 is 3 years below the national figure. The 12.2% volunteering rate sits below the national median, lower than expected for a stable, Anglo-dominant community.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
93.2%
Houses
6.8%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Detached houses account for 93.2% of stock, with semi-detached at 6.8% and no recorded apartments. The bedroom mix is overwhelmingly large: 49.8% four-plus bedrooms and 44.4% three-bedrooms, leaving under 6% for smaller configurations. Mortgage holders dominate at 53.9%, with outright owners at 28.8% and renters at just 17.3%. The median house price has dropped from $749,500 (peak, mid-2023) to $616,300 (mid-2024), a 17.8% correction. The long-term CAGR of 4.6% across 14 years of sales data remains solid. At 26.95 km2 and 341 people/km2, Darley has the density profile of a semi-rural suburb, limiting densification potential under current zoning.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,733
Rent / wk
$320
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$821
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.1%
Unoccupied
134
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
16.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.5%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
22.3%
Couples, no children
7,869
Total families
Economy & Employment
Construction leads employment at 16.4% (480 workers), higher than the Victorian state average, because the western corridor growth front is close enough for daily commuting. Healthcare (14.7%, 430) and Education (14.6%, 427) follow closely, with Public Admin at 9.6% (280) and Manufacturing at 6.3% (185). Professionals (737) edge out Clerical/Admin (676), while Labourers (430) rank fifth, consistent with the construction-heavy economy. Unemployment at 4.2% is moderate, and full-time employment at 65.4% is solid. SEIFA data is unavailable for this suburb, preventing precise socio-economic benchmarking, but the occupational and income mix suggest a solid middle-income profile.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.4%
Part-time
30.4%
Participation
63.0%
Employed
4,373
Occupations
Top Industries
University
23.4%
Postgraduate
4.7%
Born Overseas
14.4%
Dwellings
3,139
Transport to Work
Car dependence is extreme at 90.5%, with public transport at just 1.9% and walking/cycling at 1.1%, reflecting Darley's semi-rural density of 341 people/km2. Darley Primary School (ICSEA 988, 505 students, Government) sits just below the national 1,000 benchmark. The crime rate of 60.7 per 1,000 residents is based on 558 total offences, with property/deception (232) and justice procedures (134) as top categories. The 7.0% need-assistance rate (620 people) is above the national average. Mortgage-to-income at 20.5% and rent-to-income at 16.4% are both low, indicating minimal financial stress. The 84.3% residential stability rate, higher than the national average, suggests a settled community.
Drive
90.5%
Public Transport
1.9%
Walk / Cycle
1.1%
Work from Home
N/A
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
558
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
60.7
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 Darley compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Darley a good suburb to live in?
Darley suits families who want large homes ($616,300 median, 93.2% detached, 49.8% four-plus bedrooms) with low mortgage stress (20.5%). Trade-offs include 90.5% car dependence, a crime rate of 60.7 per 1,000, and limited public transport (1.9%). The 84.3% stability rate signals a settled, family-oriented community.
What is the median house price in Darley?
The median is $616,300 (Apr-Jun 2024), down 17.8% from the $749,500 peak in mid-2023. The long-term CAGR is 4.6% across 14 years from $330,500 in 2013. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,733 produce a 20.5% mortgage-to-income ratio. Median weekly rent is $320.
What schools are in Darley?
Darley has 1 school: Darley Primary School (ICSEA 988, 505 students, Government). The ICSEA score sits just below the national 1,000 benchmark. Secondary students typically attend schools in nearby Bacchus Marsh.
Is Darley safe?
The crime rate is 60.7 per 1,000 residents (558 total offences). Property and deception offences lead at 232, followed by justice procedures (134) and crimes against the person (125). Drug offences at 43 are relatively low. The rate is moderate compared to Melbourne metropolitan averages.
Is Darley good for property investment?
The 17.3% renter share is very low, limiting the tenant pool. Gross yield of approximately 2.7% ($320/week on $616,300) is below average. The 17.8% price correction from peak may present a buying opportunity, and the tight 4.1% vacancy rate means existing tenants are stable. Only 2 DAs were lodged in 12 months.
How is Darley's population changing?
Detailed growth data is limited, but the 15.7% turnover rate is low, and 84.3% of residents stayed at the same address. Only 14.4% were born overseas, 7.2 points below the national average. The suburb's population is 9,190, with couples with children (3,426) dominating the household structure.
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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