Monbulk
Monbulk's most striking characteristic is how few of its 3,651 residents actually rent: just 14.8%, compared to national averages well above 30%. That low renter share is linked to an ownership culture reinforced by the suburb's SEIFA IRSD decile 8 standing, indicating below-average disadvantage. The median house price reached $895,000 in Apr-Jun 2024, up from $395,000 in 2013, a 126.6% rise over 14 years at a 6.0% compound annual growth rate. Car dependency runs at 88.8%, higher than most metropolitan suburbs, reflecting the rural fringe setting across 19.88 square kilometres with a density of just 183.6 persons per km2.
Population
3,651
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,722/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$895K
Apr-Jun 2024
The $895,000 median house price is at current peak, with the price series running from $395,000 in 2013 to $835,000 in late 2023 before reaching this level. Separate houses account for 96.7% of dwellings, so buyers are almost exclusively purchasing detached homes. The bedroom profile skews large: 37.6% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms and 46.3% have 3 bedrooms, making this suited to families rather than downsizers. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,915, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.7%, below the 30% stress threshold despite the near-$900K median. Outright owners make up 38.9% of households, above the national average, suggesting a mature, stable ownership base. The 46.3% on mortgages indicates active buyer demand at these price levels.
For Buyers
The $895,000 median house price is at current peak, with the price series running from $395,000 in 2013 to $835,000 in late 2023 before reaching this level. Separate houses account for 96.7% of dwellings, so buyers are almost exclusively purchasing detached homes. The bedroom profile skews large: 37.6% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms and 46.3% have 3 bedrooms, making this suited to families rather than downsizers. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,915, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.7%, below the 30% stress threshold despite the near-$900K median. Outright owners make up 38.9% of households, above the national average, suggesting a mature, stable ownership base. The 46.3% on mortgages indicates active buyer demand at these price levels.
For Investors
With only 14.8% of households renting, the landlord pool is small relative to most suburbs, and the 5.6% vacancy rate is elevated enough to warrant scrutiny before purchasing for yield. Weekly rent sits at $369, low against the $895,000 median, implying a gross yield near 2.1%. Migration trends show net internal loss averaging 54 residents per year and net overseas gain of just 34, meaning population growth is negligible at 0.07% annually. Development activity recorded zero applications in the past 12 months, consistent with an established low-density area where rezoning is rare. The 126.6% price gain since 2013 is a positive capital growth signal, but the aging demographic trajectory and thin rental market mean investors rely on long-term land appreciation rather than rental income.
Schools in Monbulk iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Paul's School
Prep-6 · 115 students
Monbulk College
7-12 · 583 students
Monbulk Primary School
Prep-6 · 214 students
Demographics
The median age is 41, roughly equal to the national figure. The aging trajectory is notable: the senior share rose 4.9 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 3.1 points, and young adult share declined 0.8 points. Overseas-born residents account for 16.4%, which is 5.2 percentage points below the national figure, reflecting an Anglo-Celtic dominated population where English (1,669), Irish (412) and Scottish (408) ancestries lead. Dutch ancestry ranks fourth at 321, an unusual concentration compared to most Australian suburbs. Average household size is 2.7, slightly above the national average of 2.5. University qualifications reach 28.2%, which is 1.9 points below national, while the volunteering rate of 18.9% indicates a civically engaged community.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
96.7%
Houses
3.0%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
The housing stock is almost entirely separate houses at 96.7%, with semi-detached at 3.0% and no measurable apartment presence. Tenure splits into 38.9% owning outright, 46.3% on a mortgage and just 14.8% renting, which is very low compared to national rental levels near 32%. The price series from 2013 to Apr-Jun 2024 shows a CAGR of 6.0% over 14 years, reaching $895,000 at current peak with no decline from peak to latest. The bedroom profile is family-oriented: 46.3% three-bedroom and 37.6% four-plus-bedroom. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,915 on a household weekly income of $1,722 give a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.7%, which stays below stress territory. Rent-to-income at 21.4% is also comfortable for tenants.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,915
Rent / wk
$369
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$759
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.6%
Unoccupied
77
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
24.0%
Couples, no children
3,053
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the leading industry at 17.5% of employed residents (207 workers), followed by Construction at 15.9% (188) and Education at 11.7% (138). The high Construction share is above typical suburban levels, likely reflecting trade workers who service the broader Dandenong Ranges area. By occupation, Professionals (323) lead, followed by Managers (263), Community and Personal workers (213) and Clerical/Admin (197). Unemployment sits at 3.6%, low compared to national averages, while the full-time employment rate among employed persons is 60.0%. The participation rate of 57.1% is moderate, partly because 1,000 residents are not in the labour force, consistent with the aging demographic profile. SEIFA IRSAD decile 7 and IRSD decile 8 indicate moderate to above-average economic advantage nationally.
Unemployment
2.4%
Labour Force
3,200
Unemployed
78
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.0%
Part-time
36.4%
Participation
57.1%
Employed
1,618
Occupations
Top Industries
University
28.2%
Postgraduate
6.5%
Born Overseas
16.4%
Dwellings
1,291
Transport to Work
Car travel dominates at 88.8% of commuters, well above metro averages, because public transport reaches only 1.7% of workers in this semi-rural setting. Walking and cycling account for 5.2%, high for a low-density suburb, likely reflecting school runs and local trails rather than work commutes. The crime rate is 46.6 incidents per 1,000 residents, with property offences leading at 77 incidents and crimes against the person at 39. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families depend on nearby Belgrave, Upwey and Emerald schools. SEIFA IRSAD decile 7 places Monbulk above average nationally for socioeconomic advantage. Need-for-assistance rate is 4.7% (163 residents), moderate for an aging population. Housing stress metrics are benign, with both mortgage-to-income at 25.7% and rent-to-income at 21.4% comfortably below stress thresholds.
Drive
88.8%
Public Transport
1.7%
Walk / Cycle
5.2%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.07%/yr
(+4 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth is marginal at 0.07% per year, adding about 4 residents annually. The SA2-level historical series shows the broader area at 5,782 in 2023 rising to 5,840 in 2025, and medium forecasts project 5,859 by 2031, essentially flat. Internal migration is negative at a net loss of 54 per year, partly offset by overseas migration gain of 34. The gentrification score is low at 25 on the broader shift measure, with the detailed assessment classifying the suburb as not gentrifying. Rent growth of 44.0% and real income growth of 17.5% over the decade show improving affordability conditions for owners, while affordability as a share of income has held stable at around 46%. The slow-growth, aging-trajectory signals mean significant price uplift depends on Melbourne fringe demand rather than local population pressure.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+34
Net Internal / yr
-54
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
170
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
46.6
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 Monbulk compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Monbulk a good suburb to live in?
Monbulk rates decile 8 on IRSD and decile 7 on IRSAD, placing it above average nationally for low disadvantage and socioeconomic advantage. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.7% and rent-to-income of 21.4% are both below stress thresholds. Car dependency is high at 88.8% of commuters, so the area suits residents who prefer a low-density, semi-rural lifestyle over urban convenience.
What is the median house price in Monbulk?
The median house price reached $895,000 in Apr-Jun 2024, which is also the current peak. This compares to $395,000 in 2013, a 126.6% rise over 14 years at a 6.0% CAGR. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,915, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.7%, below the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Monbulk?
No schools are recorded within the Monbulk boundary in this dataset. The suburb has a median age of 41 and 37.6% of homes have 4 or more bedrooms, indicating a family-oriented population that relies on schools in neighbouring Belgrave, Upwey and Emerald. University qualifications among residents reach 28.2%.
Is Monbulk safe?
The recorded crime rate is 46.6 incidents per 1,000 residents, with 170 total incidents. Property and deception offences account for the largest share at 77 incidents, followed by crimes against the person at 39. The suburb scores SEIFA IRSD decile 8, indicating below-average disadvantage nationally, which correlates with lower crime risk compared to higher-disadvantage areas.
Is Monbulk good for property investment?
The capital growth case is supported by a 126.6% price rise from $395,000 in 2013 to $895,000 in 2024, a 6.0% CAGR. However, the rental yield is thin: weekly rent of $369 against an $895,000 median implies about 2.1% gross yield. The 5.6% vacancy rate is elevated and only 14.8% of households rent, limiting the tenant pool. Returns depend on continued land value appreciation rather than yield.
How is Monbulk's population changing?
Growth is almost flat at 0.07% annually, adding about 4 residents per year. The broader SA2 area grew from 5,782 in 2023 to 5,840 in 2025, and medium forecasts project 5,859 by 2031. The main demographic shift is aging: the senior share rose 4.9 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 3.1 points. Net internal migration is negative at minus 54 per year.
What is the employment situation in Monbulk?
Unemployment is 3.6%, below typical national rates. Healthcare employs the largest share at 17.5% of workers (207 residents), followed by Construction at 15.9% (188) and Education at 11.7% (138). The full-time employment rate is 60.0% among employed persons, and the participation rate is 57.1%, lower than national averages because 1,000 residents are not in the labour force.
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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