Frankston
At 37,331 residents, Frankston combines a 39-year median age, a 73.5% separate-house share and a crime rate of 220.1 offences per 1,000 people. The median age is 1 year below the national figure, while overseas-born residents account for 24.2%, or 2.6 percentage points above the national level. That mix supports established-family demand without making the suburb uniformly older. Compared with nearby Seaford and Langwarrin, Frankston has a denser 19.78 sq km urban footprint at 1,887.4 residents per sq km, with a more varied housing profile and stronger services role. The trade-off is household income at the 39.5th percentile, below the midpoint, alongside a safety profile that warrants careful street-level checking.
Population
37,331
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,387/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
158
Median House
$880K
October to December 2025
The monthly mortgage figure is $1,733, while mortgage repayments equal 28.9% of household income and rent equals 24.7%. Housing remains predominantly detached, with 73.5% separate houses, but 20.3% semi-detached homes and 6.1% apartments create more choice than a purely low-density market. The 50.0% three-bedroom share suits established families, while 21.5% of dwellings have four or more bedrooms.
For Buyers
The monthly mortgage figure is $1,733, while mortgage repayments equal 28.9% of household income and rent equals 24.7%. Housing remains predominantly detached, with 73.5% separate houses, but 20.3% semi-detached homes and 6.1% apartments create more choice than a purely low-density market. The 50.0% three-bedroom share suits established families, while 21.5% of dwellings have four or more bedrooms.
For Investors
Frankston has a substantial rental base, with 39.8% of residents renting and a weekly median rent of $342. The 7.6% vacancy rate is an important variable to compare with current conditions in nearby suburbs because it can give renters more choice and limit short-term pricing pressure. Development activity is notable at 143 applications over 12 months, including proposals for two dwellings on one lot and four-lot subdivision. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, but the annual population trend is only 0.6%, making the 34.0% rent growth recorded across the shift indicators higher than the pace of resident growth. New supply may therefore support demand while also increasing competition between similar properties.
Development Activity
Total DAs
206
Last 12 Months
158
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+618.2%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Frankston
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Ballam Park Primary School
Frankston East Primary School
Frankston Heights Primary School
Frankston Primary School
Karingal Heights Primary School
Demographics
Frankston's population of 37,331 has a median age of 39, which is 1 year below the national figure, and an average household size of 2.2 people, or 0.3 below the national average. Smaller households reflect the 37.5% share of couples without children alongside 25.3% one-parent families. The suburb remains Anglo-leaning in ancestry reporting, led by English ancestry at 14,766 people, followed by Irish at 4,207 and Scottish at 3,999. No religion is the largest reported affiliation at 18,691, compared with 13,538 identifying with Christianity. Overseas-born residents represent 24.2%, 2.6 percentage points above the national level, while university participation is 25.8%, 4.3 points below national. Compared with nearby Seaford and Langwarrin, Frankston's larger population and service-centre role help explain its 22.8% turnover rate, although 77.2% stayed at the same address five years earlier.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
73.5%
Houses
20.3%
Townhouse
6.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Frankston's housing market has moved substantially higher over time. Compared with nearby Langwarrin's more traditionally detached suburban identity, Frankston's 73.5% separate-house share is complemented by 20.3% semi-detached dwellings and 6.1% apartments, giving buyers a broader mix. Tenure is divided between 26.1% owning outright, 33.2% with a mortgage and 39.8% renting. The bedroom profile is family-oriented, with 50.0% of homes containing three bedrooms and 21.5% containing four or more. This mix supports both owner-occupier and rental demand because households can move between detached, semi-detached and smaller formats.
Mortgage / mo
$1,733
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (year ending Sep 2025), Homes Victoria bond data (year-ending median). Census 2021 median: $342.
$550
Bond data year ending Sep 2025 · houses $570 · units $475
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$743
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.6%
Unoccupied
1,253
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.9%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
35.5%
Couples with children
37.5%
Couples, no children
25.3%
Single parent
9,611
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is Frankston's largest industry at 21.9%, employing 2,544 people, followed by construction at 13.0% and 1,515 workers, education at 11.7% and 1,365, retail at 7.6% and 888, and manufacturing at 7.0% and 810. The occupational mix includes 3,449 professionals, 2,832 trades workers and 2,399 community or personal service workers, linking the local economy to health, education, construction and essential services. The labour force is 18,279, with a 58.7% participation rate, 5.5% unemployment rate and 57.9% full-time employment rate. Weekly household income is $1,387, placing Frankston at the 39.5th percentile, below the midpoint. SEIFA results are uneven: IEO is decile 6, while IER is decile 2, with IRSD and IRSAD both at decile 4. Compared with its education and occupation position, the lower economic-resources decile points to household financial pressure that may not be visible from employment structure alone.
Unemployment
5.5%
Labour Force
18,279
Unemployed
1,009
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.9%
Part-time
34.7%
Participation
58.7%
Employed
17,270
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
25.8%
Postgraduate
5.7%
Born Overseas
24.2%
Dwellings
15,186
Transport to Work
Frankston is practical for households that drive, with 67.7% travelling as car drivers, compared with 2.3% using public transport and 2.8% walking or cycling. Working from home accounts for 22.9%, which may reduce commuting for some residents but does not remove the value of local road access. Families have access to 10 nearby schools spanning 8 government schools, 2 Catholic schools, 7 primary schools, 2 secondary schools and 1 special developmental school. Safety requires more attention than a low-crime setting: 8,216 offences equate to 220.1 per 1,000 residents, including 3,841 property and deception offences and 1,260 crimes against the person. Compare current police figures and the exact street before purchasing or renting. IRSAD is decile 4, while 7.9% of residents need assistance and the volunteering rate is 11.4%, indicating meaningful support needs alongside established community participation.
Drive
67.7%
Public Transport
2.3%
Walk / Cycle
2.8%
Work from Home
22.9%
Population Forecast
+0.6%/yr
(+151 people/yr)
EstablishedFrankston is an established market with a forecast annual growth trend of 0.6%, primarily driven by overseas migration. The wider area's population change is 9.3% over 10 years, indicating gradual expansion rather than a sudden growth surge. The shift trajectory is Mixed: rent growth is 34.0%, senior share has increased by 1.9 percentage points and real income growth is 17.3%. Rent growth is therefore higher than the 0.6% annual population trend, suggesting housing costs have moved faster than resident numbers. Gentrification signals are also divided, with a shift score of 36 labelled Early signs, while the separate gentrification score is 14 and labelled Not gentrifying. This combination supports a cautious outlook because overseas migration and development can sustain demand, but the modest annual trend and mixed trajectory point to steady change rather than a rapid transformation.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+254
Net Internal / yr
-76
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +12% since 2011, Strong overseas inflow +254/yr
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
8,216
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
220.1
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 Frankston compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Frankston a good suburb to live in?
Frankston can suit households seeking established services, family housing and coastal-region access. It has 37,331 residents, 73.5% separate houses and 10 nearby schools. The trade-offs are a 220.1 offences-per-1,000 crime rate and car-driver reliance of 67.7%, so compare streets, transport and daily amenities before choosing an address.
What schools are in Frankston?
Frankston has 10 nearby schools across government and Catholic sectors. The mix includes 7 primary schools, 2 secondary schools and 1 special developmental school. Government options include Frankston High School and Frankston Primary School, while Catholic options include John Paul College and St Francis Xavier School. Check enrolment zones against the exact address because boundaries can differ between schools.
Is Frankston safe?
Frankston recorded 8,216 offences at a rate of 220.1 per 1,000 residents. Property and deception offences were the largest category at 3,841, followed by justice procedures offences at 2,136 and crimes against the person at 1,260. Safety can vary by street and time, so compare current police figures and inspect the immediate area before signing a lease or contract.
Is Frankston good for property investment?
Frankston has 39.8% renters, a weekly median rent of $342 and a vacancy rate of 7.6%. Development activity reached 143 applications over 12 months, which can add supply and increase competition between similar dwellings. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, but the annual trend is 0.6%, so investors should compare rental yield, vacancy, borrowing costs and property condition rather than assume strong capital growth.
How is Frankston's population changing?
Frankston has a current population of 37,331 and a forecast annual growth trend of 0.6%, with overseas migration identified as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 9.3% over 10 years. The trajectory is Mixed, while the gentrification score is 14 and labelled Not gentrifying. A separate shift score of 36 is labelled Early signs, indicating gradual and uneven change rather than a single clear direction.
What development is occurring in Frankston?
Frankston recorded 143 development applications over 12 months. Recent examples include a proposal for 2 dwellings on one lot, a 4-lot subdivision and a planning permit for a rear double-storey dwelling. This activity can broaden housing supply, but buyers should compare the exact site with surrounding approvals, access arrangements and likely construction impacts before committing to a property.
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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