Doveton
IRSAD decile 1 and household income at the 29th percentile ($1,273/week) make Doveton one of Melbourne's most disadvantaged suburbs, yet its 93.7% capital growth since 2013 ($302,000 to $585,000) and gentrification score of 58 signal the sharpest transition in this batch. Born overseas at 60.3% (38.7 points above national) and Islam as the second-largest religion (2,588, behind Christianity at 3,078) reflect a migrant-majority population where Serbian (233), Punjabi (120) and Arabic (104) lead non-English languages. The crime rate of 119.9 per 1,000 is very high, with property offences (551) and crimes against the person (259) dominating.
Population
9,603
Median Age
34.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,273/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
38
Median House
$585K
Apr-Jun 2024
Detached houses at 83.2% with three-bedrooms at 63.6% define the stock, offering an entry-level detached market rare this close to Melbourne's southeast. The $585,000 median (Apr-Jun 2024) is down 6.4% from the 2022 peak of $625,000, but the long-term CAGR of 4.8% over 14 years from a $302,000 base shows sustained growth. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,500 produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.2%, below the 30% stress line but higher than most similarly priced suburbs because incomes are lower. Only 23.4% own outright and 32.5% carry mortgages, with renters at 44.1%. Four-bedroom-plus homes at just 12.2% are scarce.
For Buyers
Detached houses at 83.2% with three-bedrooms at 63.6% define the stock, offering an entry-level detached market rare this close to Melbourne's southeast. The $585,000 median (Apr-Jun 2024) is down 6.4% from the 2022 peak of $625,000, but the long-term CAGR of 4.8% over 14 years from a $302,000 base shows sustained growth. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,500 produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.2%, below the 30% stress line but higher than most similarly priced suburbs because incomes are lower. Only 23.4% own outright and 32.5% carry mortgages, with renters at 44.1%. Four-bedroom-plus homes at just 12.2% are scarce.
For Investors
The 44.1% renter share provides an above-average tenant pool. Median weekly rent of $320 against a $585,000 median produces gross yield around 2.8%, below the national average but not unusual for Melbourne. The 7.9% vacancy rate is elevated. The CAGR of 4.8% over 14 years from $302,000 demonstrates steady long-term capital growth, though the 6.4% decline from peak to latest signals short-term softness. Overseas migration of 288 per year drives demand, offset by internal outflow of 210, creating a revolving-door dynamic. With 35 DAs in 12 months, development is moderate, mainly subdivisions.
Development Activity
Total DAs
86
Last 12 Months
38
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+58.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Doveton iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Holy Family School
Prep-6 · 109 students
Doveton College
Prep-9 · 892 students
Demographics
Born overseas at 60.3% (38.7 points above national) makes Doveton one of Melbourne's most diverse suburbs. The ancestry mix is heavily non-Anglo: 'Other' leads at 4,193, with English at 1,266, Indian at 548 and Serbian at 461. Serbian (233), Punjabi (120), Arabic (104), Sinhala (101) and Persian (80) lead non-English languages. Islam (2,588) and Hinduism (559) rank second and third behind Christianity (3,078). University qualifications at 26.2% sit 3.9 points below national, and Labourers (595) outnumber Professionals (337), inverting the typical occupation hierarchy. Median age of 34 is 6 years below national.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
83.2%
Houses
16.5%
Townhouse
0.3%
Apartment
Tenure
The $585,000 median sits 6.4% below the 2022 peak of $625,000, having declined from $617,500 (Oct-Dec 2023) through $595,000 to $585,000. Total growth since 2013 is 93.7% ($302,000 base), producing a CAGR of 4.8% over 14 years. Tenure splits between 23.4% outright, 32.5% mortgage and 44.1% renting. Three-bedroom homes at 63.6% dominate overwhelmingly, with two-bedrooms at 20.1% and four-bedroom-plus at just 12.2%. Houses at 83.2% lead, with semi-detached at 16.5% and apartments nearly absent at 0.3%. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.2% is elevated because low incomes amplify the stress calculation.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,500
Rent / wk
$320
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$581
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.9%
Unoccupied
272
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
17.3%
Couples, no children
6,927
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads at 18.9% (358 workers), with Manufacturing at 13.0% (245) and Construction at 12.0% (226) forming a significant blue-collar employment base. Retail at 8.0% and Transport at 7.9% follow. Labourers (595) and Machinery/Drivers (516) outnumber Professionals (337), a blue-collar occupation structure well below the Melbourne average for white-collar work. Unemployment at 10.2% is more than double the national rate, and participation at 47.0% is very low, with 3,136 people not in the labour force. The IRSAD decile 1 and IEO decile 2 confirm deep socio-economic disadvantage.
Unemployment
15.1%
Labour Force
6,077
Unemployed
915
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.6%
Part-time
26.2%
Participation
47.0%
Employed
3,257
Occupations
Top Industries
University
26.2%
Postgraduate
6.4%
Born Overseas
60.3%
Dwellings
3,184
Transport to Work
Car dependency is very high at 85.8%, with public transport at 4.1% and walking/cycling at 1.4%, below the Melbourne average. The crime rate of 119.9 per 1,000 is very high, with property offences (551) leading. Two schools serve the suburb: Holy Family School (ICSEA 975, 109 students, Catholic) and Doveton College (ICSEA 894, 892 students, Government Combined), both well below the national 1,000 benchmark. Doveton College at 894 is among the lowest ICSEA scores in this batch. IRSAD decile 1 confirms the highest level of socio-economic disadvantage.
Drive
85.8%
Public Transport
4.1%
Walk / Cycle
1.4%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.03%/yr
(+133 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth averages 1.03% per year (133 persons), moderate for outer Melbourne. The population dipped 2.3% during COVID (from 12,345 to 12,058) and has since fully recovered to 12,728. Overseas migration of 288 per year is the primary driver, offset by internal outflow of 210, meaning the suburb absorbs migrants who later move outward. The 16.0% population increase over the decade is at the national average. The gentrification score of 58 is high: real income grew 28.3%, the working-age share expanded by 3.3 points, and the senior share actually decreased by 1.1 points.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+288
Net Internal / yr
-210
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +21% since 2011, Net internal outflow -210/yr, Strong overseas inflow +288/yr, COVID recovered (-2% dip → full recovery)
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
1,151
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
119.9
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 Doveton compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Doveton a good suburb to live in?
Doveton is Melbourne's affordable entry point at $585,000 for detached 3-bedroom houses (83.2% of stock). The tradeoff is significant: IRSAD decile 1 (highest disadvantage), 119.9 crime rate per 1,000, and 10.2% unemployment. However, real income grew 28.3% over the decade, and the gentrification score of 58 indicates active transformation.
What is the median house price in Doveton?
The median is $585,000 (Apr-Jun 2024), down 6.4% from the 2022 peak of $625,000. The CAGR over 14 years is 4.8% from a $302,000 base in 2013 (93.7% total growth). Weekly rent is $320 and monthly mortgage repayments sit at $1,500. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.2% is elevated because incomes sit at the 29th percentile.
What schools are in Doveton?
Doveton has 2 schools, both below the national ICSEA benchmark. Doveton College (ICSEA 894, 892 students, Government, Combined) sits 106 points below the 1,000 baseline. Holy Family School (ICSEA 975, 109 students, Catholic) is closer but still 25 points below. The low ICSEA scores reflect the suburb's IRSAD decile 1 disadvantage.
Is Doveton safe?
The crime rate of 119.9 per 1,000 residents is very high. Property and deception offences account for 551 of 1,151 total crimes, with crimes against the person at 259 and justice procedures offences at 226. The IRSD decile 1 confirms high disadvantage. The 10.2% unemployment rate is more than double the national average.
Is Doveton good for property investment?
The 44.1% renter share provides a solid tenant pool above the national average. The CAGR of 4.8% over 14 years ($302,000 to $585,000) shows steady long-term growth. Gross yield is around 2.8% ($320/week on $585,000). The gentrification score of 58 (active) is the highest in this batch. Risks include 119.9 crime rate, 7.9% vacancy, and 6.4% decline from peak.
How is Doveton's population changing?
Growth is moderate at 1.03% per year (133 people). Overseas migration of 288 per year drives growth, offset by internal outflow of 210. The population dipped 2.3% during COVID and has since fully recovered. The medium forecast projects 13,641 by 2031. Real income grew 28.3% over the decade, the strongest gentrification signal.
What languages are spoken in Doveton?
Serbian (233), Punjabi (120), Arabic (104), Sinhala (101) and Persian (80) lead non-English languages. With 60.3% born overseas (38.7 points above national), Doveton is one of Melbourne's most diverse suburbs. Islam (2,588) is the second-largest religion, and Indian ancestry at 548 reflects the growing South Asian community.
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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