Heatherton
At $1,300,000, Heatherton's median house price sits well above the Melbourne middle-ring average, yet the suburb records a crime rate of 98.7 incidents per 1,000 people, a contradiction worth unpacking. The explanation lies in composition: 82.2% separate houses on 7.12 square kilometres of low-density land, combined with a commercial and industrial fringe that generates property and deception offences (176 of 279 total). Household income places residents in the 79th percentile nationally, and SEIFA scores land in decile 8 across three of four indexes, signalling a well-resourced area that generates most of its demand from established families rather than first-time buyers.
Population
2,826
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,088/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
4
Median House
$1.3M
Apr-Jun 2024
The current median of $1,300,000 (Apr-Jun 2024) reflects a 106.3% rise from $630,000 in 2013, a compound annual growth rate of 5.3% over 14 years. Prices dipped to $1,100,000 in early 2024 before recovering, suggesting some short-term volatility around that level. Separate houses dominate at 82.2% of stock, with 36.9% of dwellings having four or more bedrooms and 46.4% having three, which suits growing families. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,224, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.6%, below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners account for 29.8% and mortgage holders 42.7%, the mortgage-belt pattern typical of suburbs where established families are still paying down post-upgrade purchases.
For Buyers
The current median of $1,300,000 (Apr-Jun 2024) reflects a 106.3% rise from $630,000 in 2013, a compound annual growth rate of 5.3% over 14 years. Prices dipped to $1,100,000 in early 2024 before recovering, suggesting some short-term volatility around that level. Separate houses dominate at 82.2% of stock, with 36.9% of dwellings having four or more bedrooms and 46.4% having three, which suits growing families. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,224, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.6%, below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners account for 29.8% and mortgage holders 42.7%, the mortgage-belt pattern typical of suburbs where established families are still paying down post-upgrade purchases.
For Investors
Renters make up 27.5% of households, providing a reasonable but not deep tenant pool relative to the $1,300,000 median. Weekly rent of $471 implies a gross yield near 1.9%, low by yield-focused standards but consistent with a capital-growth-oriented market. The vacancy rate of 4.3% is above the tight 2-3% threshold that typically supports rent rises, so competition for tenants is not as strong as in nearby denser suburbs. Net internal migration averages 116 residents a year and net overseas migration adds 82, a balanced inflow that supports gradual demand growth at 1.19% per annum. With only 4 development applications in the past 12 months, new supply pressure is minimal, which protects existing stock values over the medium term.
Development Activity
Total DAs
4
Last 12 Months
4
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 41 matches the national figure almost exactly, placing Heatherton in an aging trajectory rather than a rejuvenating one: the senior share rose 5.9 points over the decade while the young adult share fell 3.3 points. Overseas-born residents reach 38.4%, which is 16.8 percentage points above the national rate, reflecting multicultural settlement across several generations. English ancestry leads at 671 residents, followed by Chinese (268), Irish (232) and Italian (189). The top non-English languages are Mandarin (53 speakers), Russian (48) and Greek (42). University qualifications reach 44.1%, running 14 points above the national figure, which aligns with the concentration of Professionals (377) and Managers (270) in the local workforce.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
82.2%
Houses
10.6%
Townhouse
7.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure in Heatherton is mortgage-belt in character: 42.7% carry a mortgage, 29.8% own outright and 27.5% rent, compared with the national renter share of around 31%. Stock is predominantly detached housing at 82.2%, with semi-detached at 10.6% and apartments at just 7.2%. The four-plus-bedroom segment accounts for 36.9% of dwellings, well above typical metropolitan averages, which reflects the spacious block sizes that characterise the suburb. The price record runs from $630,000 in 2013 to the current $1,300,000, a 106.3% cumulative gain. Rent-to-income sits at 22.6%, below the 30% stress level, meaning renting is affordable relative to local incomes despite the above-average house price. The IER decile of 7 versus IRSD decile 8 points to solid but not exceptional physical asset wealth across households.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,224
Rent / wk
$471
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$891
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.3%
Unoccupied
44
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.6%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
18.2%
Couples, no children
2,392
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant employer at 19.6% of the local workforce (201 workers), reflecting proximity to Clayton's medical precinct and Monash Health facilities. Professional and Technical services follow at 12.7% (130 workers), then Education at 9.2%, Construction at 8.1% and Retail at 7.8%. By occupation, Professionals (377) and Managers (270) lead, consistent with the IEO decile 8 score for education and occupational advantage. Full-time employment runs at 65.3% and the unemployment rate is 5.6%, slightly higher than inner-city benchmarks, which may reflect the mixed industrial-residential character of the area. Real incomes grew 13.1% over the decade. Household income sits in the 79th percentile nationally, indicating above-average but not elite economic standing.
Unemployment
6.8%
Labour Force
5,637
Unemployed
381
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.3%
Part-time
29.1%
Participation
64.6%
Employed
1,372
Occupations
Top Industries
University
44.1%
Postgraduate
12.3%
Born Overseas
38.4%
Dwellings
959
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high at 85.6% using private vehicles, compared with higher public-transport uptake in inner suburbs, because Heatherton has no train station and bus frequencies are limited. Only 3.5% use public transport and 4.1% walk or cycle. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families draw on institutions in neighbouring Moorabbin, Clayton and Cheltenham. The IRSAD decile of 8 places Heatherton in the upper advantage tier nationally, indicating low levels of household disadvantage. The crime rate of 98.7 per 1,000 residents sits higher than the typical suburban rate, but the dominant category is property and deception offences (176 cases), driven partly by commercial activity rather than residential crime. Volunteering stands at 11.7% and 4.1% of residents need daily assistance, both close to average.
Drive
85.6%
Public Transport
3.5%
Walk / Cycle
4.1%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.19%/yr
(+149 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth has averaged 1.19% annually, equivalent to 149 persons per year, placing it above the national average of around 1%. The 10-year population change of 14.3% confirms consistent, steady expansion rather than boom-bust cycles. Medium forecasts project the broader SA2 population reaching 13,309 by 2031, up from 12,472 in 2025. The primary migration driver is balanced, with internal migration contributing 116 net residents and overseas migration 82 per year. Gentrification is at early-signs stage with a score of 36, supported by the signals of 19% population growth since 2011 and accelerating arrival rates. Affordability improved from 45.8% of income in 2011 to 41.9% in 2021, a meaningful easing that has attracted a higher proportion of white-collar buyers over the period.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+82
Net Internal / yr
+116
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +19% since 2011, Net internal migration +116/yr, Accelerating: 4% → 14%
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
279
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
98.7
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 Heatherton compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Heatherton a good suburb to live in?
Heatherton scores decile 8 on three of four SEIFA indexes, placing it in the upper advantage tier nationally. Household incomes sit in the 79th percentile, mortgage stress is low at 24.6% of income, and 82.2% of dwellings are separate houses on generous blocks. The main trade-offs are limited public transport at 3.5% usage and a crime rate of 98.7 per 1,000 residents.
What is the median house price in Heatherton?
The median house price is $1,300,000 as of Apr-Jun 2024, up from $630,000 in 2013, a 106.3% gain over 14 years. Weekly rent averages $471 and monthly mortgage repayments run approximately $2,224, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.6%.
What schools are in Heatherton?
No schools are recorded inside the Heatherton suburb boundary in this dataset. Families typically use schools in neighbouring suburbs such as Clayton, Moorabbin and Cheltenham. Locally, 44.1% of residents hold university qualifications, 14 percentage points above the national figure.
Is Heatherton safe?
Heatherton records 279 total incidents at a rate of 98.7 per 1,000 residents. The largest category is property and deception offences at 176 cases, partly driven by commercial land uses in the suburb rather than purely residential crime. Crimes against the person number 42, which is lower in proportion. The IRSD advantage decile of 8 indicates low overall disadvantage.
Is Heatherton good for property investment?
House prices rose 106.3% from $630,000 to $1,300,000 between 2013 and 2024, a CAGR of 5.3%. Rental yield is near 1.9% on a $471 weekly rent, with a vacancy rate of 4.3%. Net migration of around 198 residents per year supports demand, and only 4 development applications in the past 12 months limits new supply. Returns favour capital growth over income.
How is Heatherton's population changing?
Population grew 14.3% over 10 years, above the national average, at an annual rate of 1.19%. The broader SA2 is forecast to reach 13,309 residents by 2031. The age profile is shifting toward older residents, with the senior share up 5.9 points over the decade, while younger cohort shares have declined.
What languages are spoken in Heatherton?
About 38.4% of Heatherton residents were born overseas, which is 16.8 percentage points above the national rate. The main non-English languages spoken at home are Mandarin (53 speakers), Russian (48), Greek (42) and Cantonese (25), reflecting a multicultural community across multiple generations.
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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