VIC 3043 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Gladstone Park

Nearly 96.3% of Gladstone Park's housing is detached houses, among the highest ratios in Melbourne's north, yet 44.2% of owners hold their properties outright with no mortgage. House prices have grown at 4.4% CAGR over 14 years, rising from $392,500 in 2013 to $715,000 in mid-2024. The suburb sits on an aging trajectory, with median age 2 years above the national figure and the senior share climbing 3.2 percentage points over the past decade, while real incomes fell 20.3% in the same period.

Gladstone Park urban fabric map

Population

8,213

Median Age

42.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,452/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

3

Median House

$715K

Apr-Jun 2024

3.86 km²· 2,125.5 people/km²· Family income $1,701/wk

The median house price of $715,000 sits well below Melbourne's metro median, making Gladstone Park more accessible than inner-ring alternatives. Prices dipped 3.4% from a $740,000 peak in late 2023, so buyers may find negotiation room. The stock is overwhelmingly 3-bedroom houses (62.8%), with 4-plus bedrooms at 33.3%, ideal for families needing space. However, mortgage stress is flagged at 31.2% of income, above the 30% threshold, because household incomes rank at only the 44.2nd percentile nationally. Buyer competition remains limited given the 13.1% turnover rate, meaning 86.9% of residents stayed put over 5 years.

For Buyers

The median house price of $715,000 sits well below Melbourne's metro median, making Gladstone Park more accessible than inner-ring alternatives. Prices dipped 3.4% from a $740,000 peak in late 2023, so buyers may find negotiation room. The stock is overwhelmingly 3-bedroom houses (62.8%), with 4-plus bedrooms at 33.3%, ideal for families needing space. However, mortgage stress is flagged at 31.2% of income, above the 30% threshold, because household incomes rank at only the 44.2nd percentile nationally. Buyer competition remains limited given the 13.1% turnover rate, meaning 86.9% of residents stayed put over 5 years.

For Investors

With 21.1% renting and weekly rent at $381, Gladstone Park yields roughly 2.8% gross, higher than many Melbourne suburbs. Vacancy at 5.2% is moderate. The low development count of just 4 DAs in 12 months means supply growth is minimal, supporting rents. However, the aging population (senior share up 3.2pp) and negative real income growth (-20.3% over the decade) limit future rent growth potential. Internal migration runs at +16 per year alongside overseas arrivals of +98, so tenant demand mainly comes from new migrants rather than domestic relocations.

Development Activity

Total DAs

6

Last 12 Months

3

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

0.0%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Other
6

Schools in Gladstone Park iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged

School of the Good Shepherd

ICSEA 1046 Primary Catholic

Prep-6 · 374 students

Gladstone Park Primary School

ICSEA 1011 Primary Government

Prep-6 · 408 students

Gladstone Views Primary School

ICSEA 997 Primary Government

Prep-6 · 312 students

Gladstone Park Secondary College

ICSEA 994 Secondary Government

7-12 · 1309 students

Demographics

Overseas-born residents make up 35.9%, which is 14.3 percentage points above the national average. Italian heritage is strong (1,081 residents), alongside Lebanese (474) roots. Arabic (370 speakers), Italian (152), and Greek (108) are the top community languages. The median age of 42 is 2 years above the national figure, and the university-educated share at 28.4% sits slightly below the national average. Islam is the second-largest religion at 580 adherents after Christianity (4,980), reflecting the multicultural fabric of Melbourne's northern corridor.

Age Distribution

0-14
17.1%
15-24
10.5%
25-44
25.6%
45-64
23.0%
65+
23.9%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
1.6%
2 bed
2.3%
3 bed
62.8%
4+ bed
33.3%

Dwelling Structure

96.3%

Houses

3.7%

Townhouse

N/A

Apartment

Tenure

Own 44.2% Mortgage 34.7% Rent 21.1%

Prices grew 82.2% over 14 years (CAGR 4.4%), from $392,500 in 2013 to $715,000. The recent trajectory shows a small correction: $740,000 peak in Q4 2023, then $702,500 in Q1 2024, settling at $715,000 by mid-2024. Ownership skews heavily toward outright owners at 44.2%, well above the national average, because many long-term Italian and Lebanese families bought decades ago. Renters at 21.1% are a minority. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 62.8% of stock, and studios/1-beds barely exist at 1.6%, reflecting the suburb's family-house character.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$1,961

Rent / wk

$381

HH Size

2.6

Personal Income / wk

$610

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

5.2%

Unoccupied

165

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

26.2%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

31.2% stressed

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Arabic
370
Italian
152
Greek
108
Sinhal
66
Mandarin
35
Canton
29

Ancestry

Other
1,830
English
1,800
Italian
1,081
Irish
639
Lebanese
474
Scottish
446

Household Composition

23.8%

Couples, no children

6,953

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare (14.0%), construction (13.7%), and education (12.2%) are the top 3 employers. Transport at 8.2% ranks unusually high, likely linked to proximity to Melbourne Airport. Unemployment at 7.7% is above both the state and national averages, and participation is low at 49.8%, with 2,867 residents not in the labour force. This partly reflects the older demographic. SEIFA scores cluster around decile 4, meaning Gladstone Park sits in the lower-middle band nationally. Labourers (344) rank as the 4th largest occupation group, higher than in most Melbourne suburbs.

Unemployment

5.3%

Labour Force

9,707

Unemployed

516

Quarterly Trend

Mar-24 Dec-25

Source: SALM Dec-25

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Overall advantage
4
Disadvantage
4
Economic resources
5
Education & occupation
4

Full-time

65.1%

Part-time

27.2%

Participation

49.8%

Employed

3,132

Occupations

Professionals 581
Clerical/Admin 533
Managers 355
Labourers 344
Community/Personal 342
Machinery/Drivers 296
Sales 287

Top Industries

Healthcare 14.0%
Construction 13.7%
Education 12.2%
Transport 8.2%
Public Admin 7.7%

University

28.4%

Postgraduate

5.2%

Born Overseas

35.9%

Dwellings

2,985

Transport to Work

Car dependence runs at 89.0%, with public transport usage at only 2.9%, far below the Melbourne average. Walking and cycling is minimal at 1.5%. Four schools serve the area: School of the Good Shepherd (Catholic, ICSEA 1046, 374 students), Gladstone Park Primary (ICSEA 1011, 408 students), Gladstone Views Primary (ICSEA 997, 312 students), and Gladstone Park Secondary College (ICSEA 994, 1,309 students). Crime sits at 56.1 per 1,000 residents, with property offences (266 incidents) the dominant category, below Melbourne's higher-crime suburbs.

Drive

89.0%

Public Transport

2.9%

Walk / Cycle

1.5%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+0.56%/yr

(+38 people/yr)

Established

Population grows slowly at 0.56% per year, adding about 38 people. Overseas migration (+98/yr) is the primary driver, while internal migration adds a modest +16 per year. The medium forecast projects population rising from about 6,650 in 2026 to 6,840 by 2031. The suburb lost 2.2% of its population over the past decade. Gentrification score sits at 15 (not gentrifying), but there are signs of acceleration. Real income declined 20.3%, the sharpest drop in many comparable suburbs, suggesting the economic base is weakening rather than upgrading.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Overseas Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+98

Net Internal / yr

+16

15

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

Accelerating: -5% → 11%

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

461

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

56.1

Offence Categories

Property and deception offences
266
Justice procedures offences
75
Crimes against the person
62
Public order and security offences
36

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Gladstone Park compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 6%
Household Income
Bottom 44%
Rent Level
Top 19%
Renters
Top 48%
Uni Educated
Top 38%
Public Transport
Bottom 46%
Born Overseas
Top 9%
Density
Top 7%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gladstone Park a good suburb to live in?

Gladstone Park sits in SEIFA IRSAD decile 4, placing it in the lower-middle band nationally. Crime at 56.1 per 1,000 is moderate. The suburb suits families wanting affordable detached housing (96.3% houses) with 4 nearby schools, though public transport access is low at 2.9%.

What is the median house price in Gladstone Park?

The median house price is $715,000 as of mid-2024, down 3.4% from its $740,000 peak in late 2023. Over 14 years, prices grew at a 4.4% CAGR from $392,500 in 2013. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,961.

What schools are in Gladstone Park?

There are 4 schools: School of the Good Shepherd (Catholic, ICSEA 1046), Gladstone Park Primary (Gov, ICSEA 1011), Gladstone Views Primary (Gov, ICSEA 997), and Gladstone Park Secondary College (Gov, ICSEA 994, 1,309 students). ICSEA scores cluster near the national median of 1000.

Is Gladstone Park safe?

The crime rate is 56.1 per 1,000 residents, below Melbourne's average for comparable middle-ring suburbs. Property and deception offences (266 incidents) make up the largest share. Crimes against the person totalled 62 incidents in the reporting period.

Is Gladstone Park good for property investment?

Gross rental yield is about 2.8% ($381/week rent vs $715,000 median), above many Melbourne suburbs. Vacancy at 5.2% is manageable. Only 4 DAs were lodged in 12 months, so new supply is negligible. The risk is weak income growth: real household income fell 20.3% over the past decade.

How is Gladstone Park's population changing?

Population grows at 0.56% annually, adding about 38 people per year. Overseas migration (+98/yr) drives growth, while the suburb is aging, with the senior share up 3.2 percentage points over the decade. Forecasts project about 6,840 residents by 2031.

What languages are spoken in Gladstone Park?

With 35.9% born overseas (14.3pp above national average), key community languages include Arabic (370 speakers), Italian (152), Greek (108), Sinhalese (66), and Mandarin (35). English remains the dominant language at home for the majority.

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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