Hoppers Crossing
With a median age of 37 and 40.6% born overseas, Hoppers Crossing is experiencing active gentrification (score 63) alongside an aging demographic shift (+5.4% seniors over the past decade). The suburb has more than doubled in price from $321.5k (2013) to $634.5k, yet household income sits at the national 51st percentile, signaling affordability squeeze as working families age in place.
Population
37,216
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,580/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
49
Median House
$634K
Apr-Jun 2024
Family buyers face a 23.4% mortgage-to-income ratio ($1,600 monthly on $634.5k median) versus 21.5% rent stress for renters. The housing stock heavily favors family living: 84.8% detached, 35.6% homes with 4+ bedrooms. Price appreciation of 97.4% since 2013 (5% CAGR) has outpaced the 6.9% real income growth, pushing affordability from 21.2 years of income (2011) to 29.5 years (2021). First-time buyers seeking larger homes near schools will compete with investors in this mortgage-belt segment.
For Buyers
Family buyers face a 23.4% mortgage-to-income ratio ($1,600 monthly on $634.5k median) versus 21.5% rent stress for renters. The housing stock heavily favors family living: 84.8% detached, 35.6% homes with 4+ bedrooms. Price appreciation of 97.4% since 2013 (5% CAGR) has outpaced the 6.9% real income growth, pushing affordability from 21.2 years of income (2011) to 29.5 years (2021). First-time buyers seeking larger homes near schools will compete with investors in this mortgage-belt segment.
For Investors
Renters comprise 27% of households, with 5.7% vacancy and $340 weekly rent across properties where 34.8% are owned outright. The 83% rent growth over the past decade signals strong yield potential, though 1.37% annual population growth and balanced migration (44 internal, 15 overseas annually) suggest moderate expansion. Active development (24 approvals in 12 months, including a $910k childcare centre) signals infrastructure maturation rather than explosive growth. Investor returns depend on capturing families trading up.
Development Activity
Total DAs
81
Last 12 Months
49
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+250.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
$1.5M
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Hoppers Crossing iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St James the Apostle School
Prep-6 · 387 students
Cambridge Primary School
Prep-6 · 660 students
Baden Powell P-9 College
Prep-9 · 827 students
Bellbridge Primary School
Prep-6 · 583 students
Woodville Primary School
Prep-6 · 348 students
Demographics
The population skews 3 years older than the national median (37 vs 40 nationally), with the 15-year share declining -3.9 points while seniors increased +5.4 points. University qualification (32.5%) exceeds the national average (+2.4 pp), yet it sits below VIC averages. Overseas-born residents (40.6%, +19 pp vs national) anchor strong migrant communities: Indian (8.1%), Arabic (1.6%), and Punjabi (1.5%) speakers form substantive populations. Household composition is family-centric: 12,425 couples with children vs 6,464 childless couples.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
84.8%
Houses
7.8%
Townhouse
7.3%
Apartment
Tenure
The suburb's 97.4% price growth since 2013 reflects both macro and local factors. The Q4 2023 to Q2 2024 trajectory ($615k, $625k, $634.5k) shows moderate seasonal appreciation. Ownership is split: 34.8% own outright, 38.3% mortgaged, 27% renting. Bedrooms cluster at 3-bed (55.7%) and 4-bed (35.6%), ideal for expanding families. Relative to household income of $1,580 weekly, the median price represents 7.8 years of gross household income, below the 29.5-year ratio once accounting for deposit and financing, reflecting modest affordability compared to inner Melbourne but compressed versus decade-old baselines.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General (Apr-Jun 2024)
Mortgage / mo
$1,600
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (year ending Sep 2025), Homes Victoria bond data (year-ending median). Census 2021 median: $340.
$490
Bond data year ending Sep 2025 · houses $460 · units $405
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$691
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.7%
Unoccupied
765
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.4%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
21.0%
Couples, no children
30,787
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare (16.2%, 1,677 workers) and Education (10.3%, 1,065) dominate, followed by Construction, Transport, and Retail. Professionals comprise 31% of occupations, with Clerical/Admin and Machinery/Drivers close behind. The unemployment rate (8.1%) exceeds national averages, and only 63.9% are employed full-time, suggesting labor market maturity. SEIFA disadvantage indices rank Hoppers Crossing in the bottom third: IRSD decile 3 (relative disadvantage) and IRSAD decile 4 (advantage/disadvantage index), indicating lower socioeconomic advantage despite median household income at 51st percentile nationally.
Unemployment
6.3%
Labour Force
10,757
Unemployed
678
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.9%
Part-time
28.0%
Participation
56.0%
Employed
15,508
Occupations
Top Industries
University
32.5%
Postgraduate
9.9%
Born Overseas
40.6%
Dwellings
12,573
Transport to Work
Crime rates (90.5 per 1,000 residents) rank significantly above national averages, with property offences (62.5% of crimes) dominating. Public transport usage is minimal (4.5%), reflecting 86.4% car dependency, typical for western Melbourne. Schools span from government to Catholic sectors, with ICSEA scores clustering 975 to 1037 (academically above-average across 9 schools, 4,887 total enrolment). St James the Apostle (ICSEA 1,037, 387 students) and Cambridge Primary (1,036, 660) lead, while The Grange P-12 (1,919 enrolment, ICSEA 973) anchors secondary provision. SEIFA liveability (IRSAD decile 4) reflects working-family stability offset by crime and car-dependent infrastructure.
Drive
86.4%
Public Transport
4.5%
Walk / Cycle
1.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.37%/yr
(+43 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth averages 1.37% annually (43 persons), placing the suburb on a steady maturation curve with no COVID dip. The forecast calls for 1.37% trend continuation, reaching 3,385 residents by 2031 from 3,147 in 2025. Migration is balanced: internal (44 annually) outpaces overseas (15), reducing reliance on immigration. Gentrification is active (score 63): young share down 3.9 pp, seniors up 5.4 pp, affordability worsening, yet real income grew 6.9% over the period. This paints a settled, slowly aging community where existing families deepen roots rather than a dynamic growth corridor.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+15
Net Internal / yr
+44
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +22% since 2011, Accelerating: -0% → 22%
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
3,367
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
90.5
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 Hoppers Crossing compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hoppers Crossing a good suburb to live in?
Hoppers Crossing suits families seeking detached homes (84.8%) with strong schools and established communities. Crime (90.5 per 1k) runs higher than national averages, and car dependency (86.4%) requires planning. The aging trajectory (+5.4% seniors over 10 years) signals stability for older couples. At $634.5k median and 23.4% mortgage-to-income stress, affordability is tightening but manageable for dual-income households.
What is the median house price in Hoppers Crossing?
The median house price is $634,500 (Apr-Jun 2024), up 97.4% from $321,500 in 2013. Recent quarterly momentum: $615k (Q4 2023) → $625k (Q1 2024) → $634.5k (Q2 2024). Growth compounds at 5% CAGR over 14 years, outpacing real income growth of 6.9% over the past decade, squeezing affordability ratios from 21.2 to 29.5 years of household income.
What schools are in Hoppers Crossing?
Nine schools serve the suburb (4,887 total enrolment). Top performers: St James the Apostle (Catholic, ICSEA 1037, 387 pupils) and Cambridge Primary (Government, 1036, 660). The Grange P-12 is the largest secondary (1919, ICSEA 973). Baden Powell P-9 (Government, ICSEA 1006, 827) and Hoppers Crossing Secondary (Government, 975, 1467) complete the mainstream offer. ICSEA scores range 951 to 1037, above-average academically.
Is Hoppers Crossing safe?
Crime rate is 90.5 incidents per 1,000 residents, above the national average. Property and deception offences account for 62.5% of incidents (2,106 of 3,367 total), while crimes against the person represent 15.4%. The suburb is not among Victoria's safest, but property offences often reflect opportunistic rather than violent crime. Neighbourhood-specific variation is typical; police data and local insight should guide decision-making.
Is Hoppers Crossing good for property investment?
Investment appeal hinges on yield vs price trajectory. Weekly rent ($340) offers ~2.75% gross yield on the $634.5k median, slightly above national averages. However, 1.37% annual population growth and balanced migration (44 internal + 15 overseas annually) suggest moderate capital gains. The 27% rental occupancy, 5.7% vacancy, and 24 development approvals in 12 months signal mature market dynamics. Best returns likely from capturing family upsizing demand rather than speculation.
How is Hoppers Crossing's population changing?
Population grew 17.4% over the past decade (to 37,216 in 2026) but is stabilizing. Forecast growth is 1.37% annually, reaching 3,385 by 2031 (3,147 in 2025). The demographic profile is shifting: young residents (-3.9 pp share) are replaced by seniors (+5.4 pp), reflecting aging-in-place dynamics. Migration is balanced internally (44 average annual) over overseas (15), a maturation pattern typical of established suburbs.
What languages are spoken in Hoppers Crossing?
40.6% of residents were born overseas, anchoring multicultural communities. Top languages after English: Arabic (613, 1.6%), Punjabi (560, 1.5%), Hindi (408, 1.1%), and Mandarin (382, 1.0%). Indian ancestry (8.1% of population) and Islamic faith (8.9%) represent the largest non-Christian groups. This reflects strong South Asian and Middle Eastern migration, reshaping the traditionally Anglo-Irish community (English/Irish together comprised 28.7% of ancestry responses).
What is the economic outlook for Hoppers Crossing?
Healthcare (16.2%, 1,677 workers) and Education (10.3%, 1,065) are growth anchors, supported by Construction and Transport. Unemployment (8.1%) exceeds national averages, and full-time employment (63.9%) reflects labor market maturity. Real income grew 6.9% over the past decade, yet SEIFA advantage decile 4 (below-average) and disadvantage decile 3 signal working-family dominance. Affordability squeeze (29.5 years of income) will pressure discretionary spending and wage-demand dynamics.
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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