Mount Evelyn
With 97.9% detached houses spread across 16.99 square kilometres at a density of just 577 people per km2, Mount Evelyn reads more like a semi-rural township than a Melbourne suburb, despite sitting within the Yarra Ranges commuter belt. Construction leads employment at 19.6%, the highest of any sector and well above the national average, reflecting a local economy where trades and building dominate the professional workforce. Only 9.5% of households rent, roughly one-third the national average, creating one of the tightest rental markets in this dataset at a vacancy rate of 3.7%. The median house price sits 6.8% below its 2022 peak of $877,500.
Population
9,799
Median Age
38.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,045/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
2
Median House
$818K
Apr-Jun 2024
The $817,500 median represents a 101.4% gain from $406,000 in 2013, though prices remain 6.8% below the 2022 peak of $877,500, suggesting the post-pandemic correction has not fully reversed. Monthly mortgage repayments of $2,000 produce a comfortable mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.6%, well below the stress threshold, reflecting household incomes in the 76.6th percentile. Three-bedroom (46.3%) and four-plus-bedroom (41.9%) homes dominate in a 97.9% detached market. The turnover rate of 13.2% means listed stock is scarce. All four local schools exceed the ICSEA 1,000 benchmark, led by Mount Evelyn Christian School at 1,059.
For Buyers
The $817,500 median represents a 101.4% gain from $406,000 in 2013, though prices remain 6.8% below the 2022 peak of $877,500, suggesting the post-pandemic correction has not fully reversed. Monthly mortgage repayments of $2,000 produce a comfortable mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.6%, well below the stress threshold, reflecting household incomes in the 76.6th percentile. Three-bedroom (46.3%) and four-plus-bedroom (41.9%) homes dominate in a 97.9% detached market. The turnover rate of 13.2% means listed stock is scarce. All four local schools exceed the ICSEA 1,000 benchmark, led by Mount Evelyn Christian School at 1,059.
For Investors
The 9.5% renter share is exceptionally low, making tenant-pool depth a serious constraint. Median weekly rent of $365 against an $817,500 median produces a gross yield around 2.3%, low by national standards. The 3.7% vacancy rate is tight, meaning landlords who can secure tenants will not face long voids. Only 2 development applications in 12 months (one subdivision into 6 lots) indicate minimal new supply. Population growth is glacial at 0.21% per year (21 persons), limiting demand-side expansion. This is a capital-preservation location rather than a yield or growth play.
Development Activity
Total DAs
8
Last 12 Months
2
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-50.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Mount Evelyn iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Mount Evelyn Christian School
Prep-12 · 693 students
Birmingham Primary School
Prep-6 · 666 students
Mount Evelyn Primary School
Prep-6 · 397 students
St Mary's School
Prep-6 · 324 students
Demographics
English ancestry dominates at 4,486, with Scottish (1,141), Irish (1,132), and Dutch (614) forming a strong Anglo-European base. At just 12.9% born overseas (8.7 points below the national rate), Mount Evelyn is one of the least diverse suburbs in this dataset. University qualifications at 26.2% sit 3.9 points below the national average. The median age of 38 is 2 years below national, and the average household size of 2.8 exceeds the national 2.5, consistent with a family-oriented suburb. Couples with children (3,753) significantly outnumber couples without (1,948), and volunteering at 16.6% is above the national average.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
97.9%
Houses
2.0%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Mortgaged households at 57.7% dominate tenure, with outright owners at 32.8% and the tiny 9.5% renter share. The 97.9% detached-house share is among the highest nationally, with semi-detached at 2.0% and no recorded apartments. Three-bedroom homes (46.3%) and four-plus bedrooms (41.9%) account for 88.2% of stock. Prices evolved from $406,000 in 2013 to a peak of $877,500 in 2022, then corrected to $817,500 by mid-2024. The 14-year CAGR of 5.1% is moderate for Melbourne. Mortgage-to-income at 22.6% and rent-to-income at 17.8% are both well below stress thresholds, making Mount Evelyn affordable relative to income.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,000
Rent / wk
$365
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$828
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
3.7%
Unoccupied
131
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.6%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
22.9%
Couples, no children
8,524
Total families
Economy & Employment
Construction leads at 19.6% (689 workers), ahead of Healthcare at 16.4% (578) and Education at 12.8% (452). This construction dominance is unusual and reflects the suburb's position in a corridor of ongoing residential and infrastructure development. Manufacturing at 8.6% (301) is notable. Professionals (953) lead occupations, but Clerical/Admin (694), Managers (653), Community/Personal (621), and Labourers (507) are all clustered closely, indicating a broad occupational mix. Unemployment at 3.6% is below the national average, and participation at 64.7% is solid. The SEIFA IER decile 9 confirms strong economic resource access.
Unemployment
3.6%
Labour Force
5,784
Unemployed
210
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.3%
Part-time
35.1%
Participation
64.7%
Employed
4,889
Occupations
Top Industries
University
26.2%
Postgraduate
5.0%
Born Overseas
12.9%
Dwellings
3,373
Transport to Work
Four schools all exceed the national ICSEA benchmark: Mount Evelyn Christian School (Independent Combined, 1,059, 693 students), Birmingham Primary (Government, 1,040, 666 students), Mount Evelyn Primary (Government, 1,031, 397 students), and St Mary's (Catholic, 1,018, 324 students). Crime at 34.2 per 1,000 is below average, with property offences (104) and justice procedures (91) as the leading categories. Car dependence at 92.3% is extreme, with public transport at just 1.1%. The IRSD decile 8 confirms low relative disadvantage, and the IER decile 9 places the suburb in the top band for economic resources.
Drive
92.3%
Public Transport
1.1%
Walk / Cycle
1.4%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.21%/yr
(+21 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth is minimal at 0.21% per year (21 persons), reaching an estimated 10,043 in 2025. Internal migration runs at negative 81/year, meaning the suburb loses domestic residents, offset partially by overseas arrivals of 47/year. The 10-year population change of 4.6% is below the national average. The aging trajectory is pronounced: senior share expanded 6.2 percentage points while the young share contracted 2.6 points. Gentrification score is 0, reflecting an established residential area with no gentrification dynamics. Medium projections forecast 10,151 by 2031.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+47
Net Internal / yr
-81
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
335
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
34.2
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 Mount Evelyn compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mount Evelyn a good suburb to live in?
Mount Evelyn suits families wanting large detached homes (97.9% of stock) with low crime (34.2 per 1,000) and 4 above-benchmark schools. The $817,500 median produces a comfortable 22.6% mortgage-to-income ratio. The trade-off is extreme car dependence (92.3%) and limited public transport (1.1%), making it essential for a two-car household.
What is the median house price in Mount Evelyn?
The median is $817,500 (Apr-Jun 2024), sitting 6.8% below the 2022 peak of $877,500. Prices grew from $406,000 in 2013, a 14-year CAGR of 5.1%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000, and median weekly rent is $365. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.6% is well below the stress benchmark.
What schools are in Mount Evelyn?
Four schools serve the suburb, all above the national ICSEA 1,000 benchmark: Mount Evelyn Christian School (Independent, 1,059, 693 students), Birmingham Primary (Government, 1,040, 666 students), Mount Evelyn Primary (Government, 1,031, 397 students), and St Mary's (Catholic, 1,018, 324 students).
Is Mount Evelyn safe?
The crime rate is 34.2 per 1,000 residents (335 total offences), below the Melbourne average. Property and deception offences (104) and justice procedures (91) are the leading categories. The IRSD decile 8 indicates low relative disadvantage, and the 3.6% unemployment rate is below the national average.
Is Mount Evelyn good for property investment?
Gross yield is approximately 2.3% ($365/week on $817,500), and the renter pool is tiny at 9.5% of households. The 3.7% vacancy rate is tight, so existing rentals perform, but portfolio scaling is limited. Only 2 DAs in 12 months and population growth of 21 persons/year mean supply and demand both remain flat. The 6.8% discount from peak may attract value buyers.
How is Mount Evelyn's population changing?
Growth is minimal at 0.21% per year (21 persons), reaching an estimated 10,043 in 2025. Internal outflow of 81/year exceeds overseas arrivals of 47/year. The senior share expanded 6.2 percentage points over the decade, while the young share contracted 2.6 points. The median age of 38 is 2 years below national, but the aging trajectory is accelerating.
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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