VIC 3081 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Heidelberg Heights

At 35 years, Heidelberg Heights has a median age 5 years below the national comparison, while 50.5% of residents hold university qualifications, 20.4 percentage points above the national figure. Its 6,758 residents occupy 2.09 square kilometres at a density of 3,238.3 people per square kilometre. English ancestry leads at 1,845 people, followed by Irish at 722 and Italian at 659. The overseas-born share is 30.6%, 9 percentage points above national, supporting Mandarin, Greek, Arabic and Italian language communities. Housing is mixed, with 61.9% separate houses and 33.4% semi-detached dwellings. Compared with Heidelberg and Ivanhoe, its appeal is more closely tied to established housing, professional employment and access to Melbourne's north-eastern corridor than to apartment-led living.

Heidelberg Heights urban fabric map

Population

6,758

Median Age

35.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,817/wk

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

23

Median House

$1.1M

October to December 2025

2.09 km²· 3,238.3 people/km²· Family income $2,341/wk

A typical monthly mortgage figure is $2,167, equal to 27.5% of household income, with no mortgage stress flag. The housing mix suits families and renovators, with 61.9% separate houses, 33.4% semi-detached homes and 46.4% three-bedroom properties.

For Buyers

A typical monthly mortgage figure is $2,167, equal to 27.5% of household income, with no mortgage stress flag. The housing mix suits families and renovators, with 61.9% separate houses, 33.4% semi-detached homes and 46.4% three-bedroom properties.

For Investors

Heidelberg Heights has a large renter base, with 42.4% of households renting compared with 24.1% owning outright. Weekly rent is $381, creating an established tenant market, although the 10.8% vacancy rate is high and may mean leasing conditions vary between properties. Three-bedroom homes make up 46.4% of the housing stock, which aligns with demand from households seeking more space than a small apartment. Development activity is also material, with 24 applications recorded over 12 months, including examples for 6-lot and 7-lot subdivisions. Compared with the suburb's earlier price base, the current value is stronger, but investors should allow for competition from new subdivision supply and vacancy risk.

Development Activity

Total DAs

46

Last 12 Months

23

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+76.9%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Subdivision
20
Other
10
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
5
Tree Removal
1

Demographics

Heidelberg Heights has a median age of 35, which is 5 years below the national comparison, and an average household size of 2.3 people, 0.2 below the national figure. The education profile is comparatively strong: 50.5% of residents have university qualifications, 20.4 percentage points above national. Residents born overseas account for 30.6%, 9 percentage points above national, with Mandarin spoken by 96 people, Greek by 90, Arabic and Italian by 66 each, and Cantonese by 59. English ancestry is recorded for 1,845 people, with Irish at 722 and Scottish at 531. Household composition is mixed, including 680 couples with children, 670 couples without children and 340 one-parent families. Compared with Heidelberg and Ivanhoe, the suburb's profile reflects a younger, more varied household base alongside established European and newer migrant connections.

Age Distribution

0-14
16.6%
15-24
10.7%
25-44
37.3%
45-64
23.5%
65+
12.1%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
3.8%
2 bed
35.8%
3 bed
46.4%
4+ bed
14.0%

Dwelling Structure

61.9%

Houses

33.4%

Townhouse

4.7%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 24.1% Mortgage 32.5% Rent 42.4% Other 1.0%

Heidelberg Heights combines detached and medium-density housing, with 61.9% separate houses, 33.4% semi-detached dwellings and 4.7% apartments. The dominant formats are 3-bedroom homes at 46.4% and 2-bedroom homes at 35.8%, while 4-bedroom-plus properties account for 14.0%. Tenure is divided between 24.1% owned outright, 32.5% mortgaged and 42.4% rented, indicating a substantial mobile and rental-oriented segment. Household income is $1,817 per week and sits at the 65.5th percentile, which helps explain why mortgage costs remain below the 30% stress threshold at 27.5%.

Mortgage / mo

$2,167

Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.

$381

Census 2021

HH Size

2.3

Personal Income / wk

$923

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

10.8%

Unoccupied

332

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

21.0%

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

27.5%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Mandarin
96
Greek
90
Arabic
66
Italian
66
Canton
59
Sinhal
24

Ancestry

English
1,845
Other
1,188
Irish
722
Italian
659
Scottish
531
Chinese
490

Household Composition

39.1%

Couples with children

38.5%

Couples, no children

19.6%

Single parent

1,739

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare is the leading industry in Heidelberg Heights, employing 603 people and representing 22.2% of workers, followed by education at 336 people and 12.3%, professional and technical services at 318 and 11.7%, public administration at 203 and 7.5%, and construction at 202 and 7.4%. The occupation mix supports this structure, led by 1,214 professionals, 478 managers, 432 clerical and administrative workers, 416 trades workers and 358 community and personal service workers. Labour-force participation is 66.9%, unemployment is 5.0%, and 59.1% of employed residents work full time. Household income of $1,817 per week is above the midpoint and ranks at the 65.5th percentile. Compared with a purely residential employment profile, the concentration in healthcare, education and professional work gives the suburb a broader economic base, while construction activity connects to ongoing subdivision demand.

Unemployment

5.0%

Labour Force

3,775

Unemployed

189

Source: ABS Census 2021

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

Full-time

59.1%

Part-time

33.1%

Participation

66.9%

Employed

3,586

Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021

Occupations

Professionals 1,214
Managers 478
Clerical/Admin 432
Trades 416
Community/Personal 358
Sales 244
Labourers 224
Machinery/Drivers 150

Top Industries

Healthcare 22.2%
Education 12.3%
Professional/Tech 11.7%
Public Admin 7.5%
Construction 7.4%

University

50.5%

Postgraduate

15.7%

Born Overseas

30.6%

Dwellings

2,753

Transport to Work

Daily travel in Heidelberg Heights is car-oriented, with 54.5% of residents driving to work compared with 3.0% using public transport and 3.9% walking or cycling. Working from home is significant at 36.0%, which may reduce commuting pressure for some households. Recorded crime totals 726 incidents, equal to 107.4 offences per 1,000 residents. Property and deception offences are the largest category at 424, higher than crimes against the person at 113, followed by justice procedures at 82 and drug offences at 69. These figures support checking individual streets, lighting, parking and security before purchasing or renting. The suburb's 2.09 square kilometre footprint creates a compact setting, while its 3,238.3 people per square kilometre density supports access to established services. School choices should be checked against the exact address because enrolment zones can cross suburb boundaries.

Drive

54.5%

Public Transport

3.0%

Walk / Cycle

3.9%

Work from Home

36.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

726

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

107.4

Offence Categories

Property and deception offences
424
Crimes against the person
113
Justice procedures offences
82
Drug offences
69

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

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

How Heidelberg Heights compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 8%
Household Income
Top 34%
Rent Level
Top 19%
Apartments
Top 12%
Renters
Top 10%
Uni Educated
Top 9%
Public Transport
Top 44%
Born Overseas
Top 13%
Density
Top 3%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Heidelberg Heights a good suburb to live in?

Heidelberg Heights can suit households seeking established houses, professional employment and a younger age profile. The median age is 35, 36.0% work from home, and 61.9% of dwellings are separate houses. Its crime rate is 107.4 per 1,000 residents, so buyers should compare streets and property security carefully. The suburb is also 2.09 square kilometres, giving it a compact urban feel.

What schools are in Heidelberg Heights?

School selection should be checked for the exact property address because enrolment zones and nearby options can differ across the 2.09 square kilometre suburb and adjoining areas. Families should confirm government, Catholic and independent choices, transport routes and current intake rules before committing to a home. Heidelberg Heights has 6,758 residents, so demand for local education services can vary by pocket.

Is Heidelberg Heights safe?

Recorded crime is 107.4 offences per 1,000 residents, with 726 incidents in total. Property and deception offences accounted for 424 incidents, higher than crimes against the person at 113, while justice procedures offences reached 82 and drug offences 69. Safety can vary between streets, so inspect the immediate area at different times and review lighting, access and security around each property.

How is Heidelberg Heights's population changing?

Heidelberg Heights currently has 6,758 residents, with a median age of 35 and an average household size of 2.3 people. Residential turnover is 27.1%, while 72.9% of residents stayed at the same address. The 30.6% overseas-born share and 50.5% university qualification rate point to a changing professional and migrant mix, while 24 development applications may gradually alter housing capacity.

What languages are spoken in Heidelberg Heights?

Mandarin is spoken by 96 people, Greek by 90, Arabic by 66, Italian by 66 and Cantonese by 59. These language groups sit within an overseas-born population share of 30.6%, which is 9 percentage points above the national comparison. English, Irish, Italian and Scottish ancestries are also prominent, with English ancestry recorded for 1,845 people.

What development is occurring in Heidelberg Heights?

There were 24 development applications in the previous 12 months, indicating active subdivision interest. Examples include proposals for 6-lot and 7-lot subdivisions, along with another 6-lot application that referenced a Section 173 agreement. This activity may increase smaller-lot housing and future rental choice, although each proposal remains subject to planning approval and delivery timing.

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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