VIC 3180 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Knoxfield

Knoxfield's $930,000 median house price sits 12.1% below the Oct-Dec 2023 peak of $1,058,500, the sharpest recent correction in this batch. The decline coincides with a demographic shift: overseas migration at 210 per year is replacing internal outflow of 168 per year, changing the suburb's composition. Chinese ancestry (1,417) is the second-largest group after English (2,129), and 37.3% are born overseas, 15.7 points above national. University qualifications at 42.4% are 12.3 points above average, and the IRSD decile 8 confirms low deprivation. The crime rate of 59.6 per 1,000, dominated by 288 property offences, is the key livability concern.

Knoxfield urban fabric map

Population

7,645

Median Age

41.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,762/wk

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

38

Median House

$930K

Apr-Jun 2024

5.67 km²· 1,348.6 people/km²· Family income $2,065/wk

The $930,000 median (Apr-Jun 2024) is down from $1,058,500 in late 2023, a 12.1% correction. Over 14 years, prices grew from $500,000 (CAGR 4.5%). Detached houses at 79.3% dominate, with semi-detached at 20.4% and apartments at just 0.3%. Three-bedroom homes make up 54.8%, with 4+ bedrooms at 34.2%. Monthly mortgage of $2,000 produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.2%, below the stress threshold. Three schools serve the suburb: Knox Park Primary (government, ICSEA 1,061), Fairhills High (government, ICSEA 994) and Darrang Primary (government, ICSEA 974). Car dependency at 89.9% is high, with public transport at just 2.4%.

For Buyers

The $930,000 median (Apr-Jun 2024) is down from $1,058,500 in late 2023, a 12.1% correction. Over 14 years, prices grew from $500,000 (CAGR 4.5%). Detached houses at 79.3% dominate, with semi-detached at 20.4% and apartments at just 0.3%. Three-bedroom homes make up 54.8%, with 4+ bedrooms at 34.2%. Monthly mortgage of $2,000 produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.2%, below the stress threshold. Three schools serve the suburb: Knox Park Primary (government, ICSEA 1,061), Fairhills High (government, ICSEA 994) and Darrang Primary (government, ICSEA 974). Car dependency at 89.9% is high, with public transport at just 2.4%.

For Investors

Renters at 23.3% form a moderate tenant pool. Weekly rent of $421 against the $930,000 median delivers gross yield of approximately 2.4%, below the national average. The 4.7% vacancy rate is close to equilibrium, tighter than many eastern Melbourne suburbs. Development activity is moderate at 30 DAs in 12 months, including multi-dwelling proposals. Net overseas migration of 210 per year sustains demand, though internal outflow of 168 reduces it. Population grows at 1.21% per year (209 persons). The 12.1% price correction from peak may attract value buyers, though the crime rate of 59.6 per 1,000 is a tenant consideration, particularly the 288 property offences.

Development Activity

Total DAs

53

Last 12 Months

38

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+533.3%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Other
14
Renovation / Extension
9
Subdivision
6
Tree Removal
6
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
4
New Dwelling
2
Deck / Pergola / Patio
2
Hospitality / Food Premises
1

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

Knox Park Primary School

ICSEA 1061 Primary Government

Prep-6 · 312 students

Fairhills High School

ICSEA 994 Secondary Government

7-12 · 404 students

Darrang Primary School

ICSEA 974 Primary Government

Prep-6 · 64 students

Demographics

The median age of 41 is 1 year above the national median. Overseas-born at 37.3% is 15.7 points above national, driven by Chinese (1,417), Sri Lankan (Sinhalese 66 speakers) and Persian communities alongside the English (2,129) and Irish (622) base. Mandarin (370) and Cantonese (156) are the top non-English languages. University qualifications at 42.4% are 12.3 points above national. Average household size of 2.6 is close to national. Couples with children (2,558) outnumber childless couples (1,667). The aging trajectory is mild: senior share up 3.3 points, working-age share down 2.4 points. Residential stability is high at 82.6% staying in place.

Age Distribution

0-14
16.7%
15-24
12.0%
25-44
26.9%
45-64
24.7%
65+
19.6%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
0.6%
2 bed
10.3%
3 bed
54.8%
4+ bed
34.2%

Dwelling Structure

79.3%

Houses

20.4%

Townhouse

0.3%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 37.8% Mortgage 39.0% Rent 23.3%

Mortgage holders at 39.0% slightly lead outright owners at 37.8%, with renters at 23.3%. The 76.8% combined ownership rate is solid. Stock is 79.3% detached, 20.4% semi-detached and 0.3% apartments. Three-bedroom homes at 54.8% dominate. The 14-year price series shows growth from $500,000 to $930,000 (CAGR 4.5%), peaking at $1,058,500 before the current 12.1% correction. Mortgage-to-income at 26.2% and rent-to-income at 23.9% are both below stress thresholds. The IRSD decile 8 confirms low deprivation, while the IRSAD decile 7 places it in the upper third nationally.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$2,000

Rent / wk

$421

HH Size

2.6

Personal Income / wk

$764

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

4.7%

Unoccupied

139

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

23.9%

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

26.2%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Mandarin
370
Canton
156
Sinhal
66
Greek
39
Persian ED
39
Guj
38

Ancestry

English
2,129
Chinese
1,417
Other
951
Irish
622
Scottish
566
Indian
341

Household Composition

25.6%

Couples, no children

6,523

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare leads at 17.5% (467 workers), followed by Education at 12.0% (321), Construction and Professional/Tech tied at 10.7% (286 and 285), and Manufacturing at 8.2% (219). The manufacturing presence is higher than most eastern Melbourne suburbs, reflecting Knox's industrial corridor. Professionals (933) dominate occupations, with Clerical/Admin (561) and Managers (469) following. Full-time employment at 64.8% is above average, unemployment at 4.9% is close to national, and participation at 59.2% is moderate. All 4 SEIFA deciles (IEO 7, IER 8, IRSD 8, IRSAD 7) sit above the national midpoint, confirming upper-middle socioeconomic standing.

Unemployment

3.8%

Labour Force

9,735

Unemployed

373

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
7
Disadvantage
8
Economic resources
8
Education & occupation
7

Full-time

64.8%

Part-time

30.3%

Participation

59.2%

Employed

3,590

Occupations

Professionals 933
Clerical/Admin 561
Managers 469
Community/Personal 413
Sales 334
Labourers 290
Machinery/Drivers 224

Top Industries

Healthcare 17.5%
Education 12.0%
Construction 10.7%
Professional/Tech 10.7%
Manufacturing 8.2%

University

42.4%

Postgraduate

11.1%

Born Overseas

37.3%

Dwellings

2,839

Transport to Work

The crime rate of 59.6 per 1,000 is above the Victorian average. Property offences dominate at 288 (63.2% of 456 total), with crimes against the person at 69 and drug offences at 41. Three schools serve the suburb: Knox Park Primary (government, ICSEA 1,061, 312 students) scores above the benchmark, while Fairhills High (ICSEA 994) and Darrang Primary (ICSEA 974) score below it. Car dependency at 89.9% is high, with public transport at 2.4%. The IRSAD decile 7 places Knoxfield in the upper third nationally. Volunteering at 13.9% is below average.

Drive

89.9%

Public Transport

2.4%

Walk / Cycle

2.0%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+1.21%/yr

(+209 people/yr)

Established

Population grows at 1.21% per year (209 persons). The 10-year change was 27.4%. Medium forecasts project 18,698 by 2031 from 17,232 in 2025. Overseas migration at 210 per year is the primary driver, with internal outflow of 168 per year partially offsetting it. The gentrification score is 19 (not gentrifying), because growth comes from overseas arrivals rather than domestic upgraders. Rent grew 30.8% over the decade, above real income growth of 7.7%, indicating mild affordability erosion. Affordability was stable from 54.4% (2011) to 53.7% (2021). The aging trajectory is moderate: senior share up 3.3 points, working-age share down 2.4 points.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Overseas Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+210

Net Internal / yr

-168

19

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

Population +28% since 2011, Net internal outflow -168/yr, Strong overseas inflow +210/yr

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

456

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

59.6

Offence Categories

Property and deception offences
288
Crimes against the person
69
Drug offences
41
Justice procedures offences
29

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

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

How Knoxfield compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 7%
Household Income
Top 38%
Rent Level
Top 12%
Apartments
Bottom 4%
Renters
Top 42%
Uni Educated
Top 16%
Public Transport
Bottom 39%
Born Overseas
Top 8%
Density
Top 12%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Knoxfield a good suburb to live in?

Knoxfield sits in IRSAD decile 7, above the national midpoint. University qualifications at 42.4% are 12.3 points above average. Three schools serve the area, with Knox Park Primary scoring ICSEA 1,061. The trade-off is a crime rate of 59.6 per 1,000 residents, dominated by 288 property offences, and high car dependency at 89.9%.

What is the median house price in Knoxfield?

The median is $930,000 (Apr-Jun 2024), down 12.1% from the $1,058,500 peak in late 2023. Over 14 years, prices grew from $500,000 at a CAGR of 4.5%. Monthly mortgage of $2,000 produces a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.2%. Weekly rent is $421.

What schools are in Knoxfield?

Three government schools operate in Knoxfield: Knox Park Primary (ICSEA 1,061, 312 students), Fairhills High School (ICSEA 994, 404 students) and Darrang Primary (ICSEA 974, 64 students). Knox Park scores above the national 1,000 benchmark, while the other two sit slightly below.

Is Knoxfield safe?

The crime rate is 59.6 per 1,000 residents, with 456 total offences. Property offences at 288 account for 63.2%, crimes against the person 69 (15.1%), and drug offences 41 (9.0%). This rate is above the Victorian average and warrants consideration alongside the IRSD decile 8, which indicates low deprivation.

Is Knoxfield good for property investment?

Gross yield is approximately 2.4% ($421/week on $930,000), below average. The 4.7% vacancy rate is tight, suggesting reliable tenancy. The 12.1% price correction from peak may offer a value entry point. Population grows at 1.21% per year, driven by overseas migration of 210 per year. Development activity at 30 DAs in 12 months signals moderate supply.

How is Knoxfield's population changing?

Population grows at 1.21% per year (209 persons), with medium forecasts projecting 18,698 by 2031. The 10-year change was 27.4%. Overseas migration at 210 per year drives growth, while 168 residents leave annually for other parts of Australia. The overseas-born share of 37.3% is 15.7 points above national.

What languages are spoken in Knoxfield?

With 37.3% born overseas, Knoxfield is linguistically diverse. Mandarin (370 speakers) leads, followed by Cantonese (156), Sinhalese (66), Greek (39) and Persian (39). Chinese ancestry (1,417) is the second-largest group after English (2,129), reflecting strong East Asian migration.

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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