Melton West
Melton West's population surged roughly 50% over the past decade, yet real incomes declined by 3.4%, a rare combination that signals rapid growth without economic upgrading. The crime rate of 128.1 per 1,000 residents and SEIFA IRSAD decile of 2 confirm the socioeconomic strain. House prices rose 83.9% from $285,500 in 2013 to $525,000 in 2024 (4.4% CAGR over 14 years), but this still keeps Melton West among Melbourne's most affordable outer suburbs. The 93.8% detached housing stock and 45.7% mortgage rate define a mortgage-belt suburb in every sense.
Population
8,784
Median Age
36.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,450/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
5
Median House
$525K
Apr-Jun 2024
At $525,000, Melton West is one of Melbourne's cheapest detached housing markets. Prices dipped from a peak of $563,000 in Jul-Sep 2023 to $525,000 in Apr-Jun 2024 (down 6.7%), a notable correction. Mortgage stress at 23.9% is manageable, and 50.8% of homes have 3 bedrooms while 44.6% have 4+. Five schools serve the suburb, with St Francis Catholic College (ICSEA 1012, 1,846 students) and St Catherine of Siena (ICSEA 1002, 522 students) scoring just above the national average. Property offences (567 of 1,125 total crimes) are the dominant crime category.
For Buyers
At $525,000, Melton West is one of Melbourne's cheapest detached housing markets. Prices dipped from a peak of $563,000 in Jul-Sep 2023 to $525,000 in Apr-Jun 2024 (down 6.7%), a notable correction. Mortgage stress at 23.9% is manageable, and 50.8% of homes have 3 bedrooms while 44.6% have 4+. Five schools serve the suburb, with St Francis Catholic College (ICSEA 1012, 1,846 students) and St Catherine of Siena (ICSEA 1002, 522 students) scoring just above the national average. Property offences (567 of 1,125 total crimes) are the dominant crime category.
For Investors
The 4.9% vacancy rate is slightly above equilibrium, and 23.8% of residents rent, a smaller tenant pool than many Melbourne growth corridors. Weekly rent of $320 against a $525,000 median gives a gross yield around 3.2%. Population growth of 2.66% annually (605 people/year) and overseas migration (+154/year) drive demand, but affordability is worsening (mortgage-to-income rose from 43.4% to 46.9% between 2011-2021). The gentrification score of 11-19 indicates no meaningful upgrading. Only 5 development applications were lodged in 12 months.
Development Activity
Total DAs
11
Last 12 Months
5
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+150.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Melton West iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Francis Catholic College
7-12 · 1846 students
St Catherine of Siena School
Prep-6 · 522 students
OneSchool Global Vic
3-12 · 556 students
Wedge Park Primary School
Prep-6 · 848 students
Melton West Primary School
Prep-6 · 520 students
Demographics
English ancestry leads (2,748), with no single migrant group dominating the other/unspecified category (1,443). Scottish (657), Irish (654), and ancestry not stated (621) follow. At 28.1% born overseas (6.5 points above the national average), the suburb is less diverse than Melbourne's inner ring. Punjabi (96 speakers), Arabic (43), Hindi (41), Samoan (40), and Urdu (36) are the top non-English languages. University attainment at 19.9% is over 10 points below the national average. The 8.9% needing daily assistance is well above the national rate.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
93.8%
Houses
6.2%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Prices tracked from $285,500 in 2013 to a peak of $563,000 in Jul-Sep 2023 before falling 6.7% to $525,000. The tenure split is 30.5% outright, 45.7% mortgaged, and 23.8% renting. At 93.8% detached housing, apartment stock is effectively zero. Three-bedroom (50.8%) and 4+ bedroom (44.6%) homes dominate. Mortgage stress at 23.9% is below the 30% threshold, but affordability has been worsening, with mortgage-to-income rising from 43.4% in 2011 to 46.9% in 2021. Rent-to-income at 22.1% remains comfortable.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,500
Rent / wk
$320
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$636
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.9%
Unoccupied
152
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.9%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
21.4%
Couples, no children
7,267
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare (16.6%), construction (13.2%), education (10.9%), retail (9.2%), and transport (8.5%) are the top 5 employers. Community/personal service workers and clerical/admin workers tie as the largest occupational groups (509 each), with machinery/drivers (478) and labourers (437) close behind, reflecting a blue-collar workforce. Unemployment at 8.1% exceeds the national average. The SEIFA IEO decile of 2 indicates very low educational and occupational outcomes. The 8.9% volunteering rate is below the national average, and participation at 52.7% is moderate.
Unemployment
8.6%
Labour Force
12,238
Unemployed
1,052
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.4%
Part-time
28.5%
Participation
52.7%
Employed
3,357
Occupations
Top Industries
University
19.9%
Postgraduate
4.2%
Born Overseas
28.1%
Dwellings
2,956
Transport to Work
Five schools serve the suburb with ICSEA scores ranging from 925 (Melton West Primary) to 1012 (St Francis Catholic College, 1,846 students). Crime at 128.1 per 1,000 is dominated by property and deception offences (567), with 221 crimes against persons. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 2 places Melton West in the bottom 20% nationally. Public transport at 2.3% is very low, with 89.2% driving. However, with only 1.6% walking or cycling, the suburb lacks pedestrian infrastructure. The 8.9% needing assistance rate is above the national benchmark.
Drive
89.2%
Public Transport
2.3%
Walk / Cycle
1.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+2.66%/yr
(+605 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew from about 22,199 in 2023 to 22,710 in 2025, with the medium forecast projecting roughly 27,124 by 2031 (2.66% annual growth, 605 people/year). Population surged approximately 50% since 2011. Despite this rapid growth, net internal migration is negative at -122/year, meaning existing residents are leaving while overseas arrivals (+154/year) and natural increase drive expansion. Real income declined 3.4% over the decade, well below the national average, making Melton West one of the few suburbs where wages fell in real terms. The gentrification score of 19 confirms no upgrading.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+154
Net Internal / yr
-122
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +56% since 2011, Net internal outflow -122/yr
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
1,125
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
128.1
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 Melton West compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Melton West a good suburb to live in?
Melton West sits in the 2nd SEIFA IRSAD decile (bottom 20%) with a crime rate of 128.1 per 1,000 residents. Affordability at $525,000 is among Melbourne's cheapest for detached housing, and mortgage stress at 23.9% is manageable. Five schools serve the area, with 2 scoring above the ICSEA average of 1000.
What is the median house price in Melton West?
The median is $525,000 as of Apr-Jun 2024, down 6.7% from a peak of $563,000 in Jul-Sep 2023. Over 14 years, prices rose 83.9% from $285,500 in 2013 (4.4% CAGR). Mortgage stress at 23.9% stays below the 30% threshold.
What schools are in Melton West?
Five schools serve the suburb: St Francis Catholic College (Secondary, ICSEA 1012, 1,846 students), St Catherine of Siena (Primary, ICSEA 1002, 522), OneSchool Global Vic (Combined, ICSEA 984, 556), Wedge Park Primary (ICSEA 976, 848), and Melton West Primary (ICSEA 925, 520). The top 2 score just above the national average.
Is Melton West safe?
Melton West has a crime rate of 128.1 per 1,000 residents, with property and deception offences (567 incidents) being the most common, followed by 221 crimes against persons. The SEIFA IRSD decile of 2 and 8.1% unemployment are both factors correlated with higher crime rates.
Is Melton West good for property investment?
The 4.9% vacancy rate is slightly elevated, and the 3.2% gross yield ($320 rent vs $525,000 median) is below the national average. Population growth of 2.66% annually (605 people/year) drives demand, but real incomes declined 3.4% over the decade, and the 6.7% price correction from peak suggests caution.
How is Melton West's population changing?
Population grew roughly 50% since 2011, with the forecast projecting about 27,124 by 2031. Internal migration is negative at -122/year, meaning existing residents are leaving while overseas arrivals (+154/year) and natural increase drive growth. Real incomes declined 3.4% over the decade despite rapid population expansion.
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.
Explore Melton West on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map