Frankston
Frankston has doubled in price since 2013 (113.9% appreciation, 5.6% CAGR) despite sitting at the 39.5 percentile for household income nationally. Its attraction rests on three pillars: 73.5% detached housing stock, strong overseas migration (+254/yr offsetting domestic outflow), and 61 development permits in 12 months-one of Victoria's most active rebuild zones. However, crime sits 220.1 per 1,000 residents, well above the median, and 40.2% rent rather than own, limiting stability.
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
103
Median House
$748K
Apr-Jun 2024
The median house price of $748,500 (down 2.1% from 2022's $764,500 peak) sits at $1,733/month mortgage-equivalent to 28.9% of household income, within the comfort zone for households earning $1,387/week. Owner-occupancy splits into 26.4% outright ownership and 33.5% mortgaged; the remainder (40.2%) rent, reflecting mixed tenure. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 50%, typical of family-focused suburbs. Compared to national medians, Frankston remains accessible, attracting buyers priced out of inner Melbourne, though recent deceleration signals market cooling.
For Buyers
The median house price of $748,500 (down 2.1% from 2022's $764,500 peak) sits at $1,733/month mortgage-equivalent to 28.9% of household income, within the comfort zone for households earning $1,387/week. Owner-occupancy splits into 26.4% outright ownership and 33.5% mortgaged; the remainder (40.2%) rent, reflecting mixed tenure. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 50%, typical of family-focused suburbs. Compared to national medians, Frankston remains accessible, attracting buyers priced out of inner Melbourne, though recent deceleration signals market cooling.
For Investors
Rental yields remain competitive with $342/week ($17,784/year) generating 4.7% gross yield on the median price. Vacancy stands at 7.6%, indicating steady demand despite high renting prevalence. Development intensity-61 permits in 12 months, primarily multi-unit dwelling approvals-signals strong construction growth that may pressurise rents long-term. Net overseas migration of +254/year contrasts sharply with internal migration loss (-76/year), suggesting investor appeal lies in demographic inflows rather than local economic momentum. Turnover of 22.8% shows migration fluidity.
Development Activity
Total DAs
137
Last 12 Months
103
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+836.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Frankston iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Frankston High School
7-12 · 1964 students
Overport Primary School
Prep-6 · 680 students
John Paul College
7-12 · 1300 students
Frankston Heights Primary School
Prep-6 · 458 students
St Francis Xavier School
Prep-6 · 155 students
Demographics
Frankston's population of 37,331 skews 1 year older than national average (age 39 vs 40), with a median age slightly younger than peer suburbs. Only 25.8% hold university qualifications, 4.3 percentage points below the national average, reflecting a trade and service-focused workforce. However, 24.2% were born overseas (2.6pp above national), with Mandarin, Greek, and Russian speakers showing concentrated pockets. Family composition is conventional: 35.2% of families have children; 27.2% are couples without children. English ancestry dominates at 39.5%, consistent with Victoria's demographic baseline.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
73.5%
Houses
20.3%
Townhouse
6.1%
Apartment
Tenure
Detached housing comprises 73.5% of the stock (nearly 3 in 4), with semis at 20.3% and apartments just 6.1%-a structure that skews towards family permanence over high-density turnover. Bedrooms are predominantly 3 (50%) or 4+ (21.5%), reflecting suburban design. Only 26.4% own outright, below the national proportion, and mortgage stress sits at 28.9% of income-technically acceptable but leaving limited buffer. Rent stress (24.7%) affects renters; 7.6% vacancy offers tenants negotiating room. Price growth of 113.9% since 2013 has absorbed most wage growth in the district.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,733
Rent / wk
$342
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
27.2%
Couples, no children
26,609
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare drives 21.9% of employment (2,544 jobs), followed by construction (13.0%) and education (11.7%)-a mix anchored by care and building sectors. Professionals comprise 28% of occupations, community/personal workers 19%, and managers 15%; skilled and unskilled roles are near-equal. Seifa rankings are mixed: IRSAD (relative disadvantage) sits in decile 4 (mid-range), but IER (economic resources) plummets to decile 2, confirming low household income relative to liabilities. Unemployment is 5.9%, participation just 54.6%, with 10,493 not in the labour force-reflective of an aging demographic and part-time reliance.
Unemployment
7.5%
Labour Force
13,477
Unemployed
1,006
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
62.5%
Part-time
31.6%
Participation
54.6%
Employed
15,992
Occupations
Top Industries
University
25.8%
Postgraduate
5.7%
Born Overseas
24.2%
Dwellings
15,186
Transport to Work
Public transport usage is minimal at 2.9%, with 87.8% car-dependent-typical of outer suburban sprawl. Walking and cycling account for only 3.7%, requiring a vehicle for all practical mobility. Schools include Frankston High School (ICSEA 1067, 1,964 enrolment) and John Paul College (1,055, 1,300), both at or slightly above national average; primary options span ICSEA 963-1,058, showing mixed socioeconomic intake. Crime at 220.1 per 1,000 residents is among Victoria's highest, driven by property offences (3,841 incidents annually) and justice procedure breaches (2,136). IRSAD livability decile is 4-mid-range on disadvantage-warranting caution for families prioritizing safety.
Drive
87.8%
Public Transport
2.9%
Walk / Cycle
3.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.6%/yr
(+151 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation is growing at 0.6% annually (+151 persons/year), with forecast medium-case reaching 25,644 by 2031. Growth is almost entirely from overseas migration (+254/year net), as local migration runs negative (-76/year), indicating suburbanisation pressure from inner-city relocation rather than organic expansion. Rent has grown 34% since 2011, outpacing income (17.3% real growth), eroding affordability from 47.2 to 43.8 on the index-an improving but still-tight signal. Gentrification is in early signs (score 36): seniors' share rose 1.9pp while young adults fell 0.5pp, pointing to a gradual cohort shift rather than 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 suits price-conscious families wanting detached homes on $748,500 budgets (CAGR 5.6% since 2013). However, crime at 220.1 per 1k residents ranks among Victoria's worst, and 87.8% car-dependency limits walkability. Schools are average (ICSEA 1,015-1,067), and local migration is negative (-76/year), suggesting it attracts newcomers seeking affordability rather than lifestyle. Best for: first-time buyers or investors; avoid if safety is paramount.
What is the median house price in Frankston?
$748,500 (Apr-Jun 2024), down 2.1% from 2022's peak of $764,500. Over 11 years (2013-2024), the median rose 113.9%, a 5.6% compound annual growth rate. The mortgage on this price averages $1,733/month, or 28.9% of household weekly income ($1,387), within serviceability but leaving limited buffer.
What schools are in Frankston?
10 schools serve Frankston: Frankston High School (government, ICSEA 1,067, 1,964 enrolment) and McClelland Secondary College (981, 1,089) for secondary; Overport Primary (1,058, 680) and Frankston Heights Primary (1,043, 458) lead primary options. Catholic alternatives include John Paul College (ICSEA 1,055, 1,300). ICSEA scores range 963-1,067, slightly below the national mean of 1,000, indicating mixed academic intake.
Is Frankston safe?
No. Crime rates at 220.1 per 1,000 residents rank Frankston in Victoria's top 10% for offences. Property and deception crimes account for 3,841 of 8,216 annual incidents; justice procedure breaches add 2,136. This concentration reflects social disadvantage (IRSAD decile 4) and economic stress (39.5 percentile household income). Families should weigh this heavily against affordability.
Is Frankston good for property investment?
Modestly. Rental yield is 4.7% gross ($342/week on $748.5k), with 7.6% vacancy and 40.2% renting prevalence showing strong demand. However, net internal migration is -76/year (people leaving), offset by +254/year overseas inflow. Development intensity (61 permits in 12 months) signals construction growth but may pressurise rents. Best for yield-focused investors comfortable with demographic churn rather than capital appreciation.
How is Frankston's population changing?
Growing at just 0.6% annually (+151 persons/year), with 25,644 projected by 2031. Growth is entirely from overseas migration (+254/year net) as local migration runs -76/year, indicating people are relocating to suburbs further out. This pattern signals affordability pressure cascading downstream. Population rose 9.3% over 2011-2021, but aging (seniors +1.9pp) is offsetting youth decline (-0.5pp).
What languages are spoken in Frankston?
English dominates, but 24.2% born overseas include Mandarin (235 speakers), Greek (170), Russian (106), and Italian (92) communities. Asian language presence is modest compared to Melbourne's northern suburbs, reflecting Frankston's Anglo-leaning base (39.5% English ancestry). Multicultural services exist but are not extensive.
What development is happening in Frankston?
61 development permits were lodged in the 12 months to Apr-Jun 2024, primarily for multi-unit dwellings (e.g., 4 double-storey units) and subdivisions. This is one of Victoria's most active rebuild zones, suggesting opportunity for renovation or new construction. Development cost data is unavailable in council records, but the volume indicates planning momentum and potential population intensification, which may erode the detached-house character (currently 73.5%).
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.
Explore Frankston on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map