Mount Melville
A 17.3% vacancy rate in a suburb that scores decile 10 on IRSD and decile 9 on IRSAD tells a specific story about Mount Melville: high advantage coexists with genuinely undersupplied rental demand. With just 1,007 residents across 2.85 km2, this small Albany suburb sits in the top decile nationally for relative socioeconomic advantage, yet household incomes land only at the 45.1st percentile, below the national median. The population skews old at a median age of 48, which is 8 years above the national figure, and 96.9% of dwellings are separate houses, an unusually detached-dominant stock for a suburb of this profile.
Population
1,007
Median Age
48.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,468/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$377K
Estimated from rent (2025)
Mount Melville's median house price is estimated at $377,000 based on 2025 rental data, substantially lower than state and national medians, making entry accessible relative to the suburb's decile 9 socioeconomic standing. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,356, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 21.3%, below the 30% stress threshold. Detached houses dominate at 96.9% of stock, with only 3.1% semi-detached and effectively no apartments, so buyers are competing for a single dwelling type. The bedroom split leans toward 3-bedroom homes at 57.4%, followed by 2-bedroom at 22.5% and 4-plus at 18.5%. Outright owners at 35.3% outnumber renters at 31.9% and mortgage holders at 32.8%, which is consistent with an older, established-wealth demographic rather than a high-turnover market.
For Buyers
Mount Melville's median house price is estimated at $377,000 based on 2025 rental data, substantially lower than state and national medians, making entry accessible relative to the suburb's decile 9 socioeconomic standing. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,356, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 21.3%, below the 30% stress threshold. Detached houses dominate at 96.9% of stock, with only 3.1% semi-detached and effectively no apartments, so buyers are competing for a single dwelling type. The bedroom split leans toward 3-bedroom homes at 57.4%, followed by 2-bedroom at 22.5% and 4-plus at 18.5%. Outright owners at 35.3% outnumber renters at 31.9% and mortgage holders at 32.8%, which is consistent with an older, established-wealth demographic rather than a high-turnover market.
For Investors
The 17.3% vacancy rate is the key risk for investors, well above what most suburban markets carry, suggesting rental supply exceeds current demand in this small 1,007-person suburb. Weekly rent sits at $320, and the rent-to-income ratio of 21.8% implies tenants are not under pressure, but the high vacancy limits the ability to push rents higher. The suburb's gentrification score has reached 40 with the stage classified as Active, supported by overseas migration contributing a net 258 arrivals per year at the broader Albany SA2 level. Population growth at 1.08% annually and a 12.9% rise over 10 years are positive signals, and the gentrification signals include population growth of 18% since 2011 and accelerating internal migration. Against these tailwinds, investors should price in extended vacancy periods given the current 17.3% rate.
Demographics
The median age of 48 is 8 years above the national figure, and the senior share has grown 1.6 points while the working-age share fell 1.4 points over the decade, confirming an aging trajectory. Only 23.3% of residents were born overseas, which is 1.7 points above national, a modest international presence. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic: English (497), Irish (126) and Scottish (125) are the three largest groups, with Italian at 60. University qualifications reach 30.7%, which is 0.6 points above the national rate, broadly in line with national norms despite the suburb's top-decile SEIFA ranking. Average household size is 2.0, which is 0.5 below national, driven by the high proportion of couples without children at 41.8% of families and virtually no one-parent households recorded.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
96.9%
Houses
3.1%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is split fairly evenly: 35.3% own outright, 32.8% hold a mortgage and 31.9% rent, a more balanced distribution than suburbs dominated by either owners or renters. Outright ownership tracking above mortgage holders reflects the older, established demographic. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 96.9%, with 3.1% semi-detached and no recorded apartment component, an unusually homogeneous profile. The 17.3% vacancy rate stands out, meaning roughly 1-in-6 dwellings sits empty, above national averages and a signal of either seasonal use or thin local demand. The estimated median price of $377,000 compares favourably with broader Perth and national medians, giving the suburb an affordability advantage relative to its decile 9 socioeconomic position. Bedroom distribution is three-bedroom dominant at 57.4%, followed by two-bedroom at 22.5%.
Mortgage / mo
$1,356
Rent / wk
$320
HH Size
2.0
Personal Income / wk
$828
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
17.3%
Unoccupied
95
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.3%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
41.8%
Couples, no children
674
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads the local employment base at 24.4% of workers (86 people), reflecting the broader Albany regional hospital catchment, followed by Education at 14.2% (50 workers) and Construction at 8.2% (29 workers). By occupation, Professionals top the list at 123 workers, ahead of Clerical and Admin at 70 and Labourers at 70, with Managers at 61. The unemployment rate is 3.1%, below typical national benchmarks, and the full-time employment rate of 57.7% means more than half the workforce holds full-time roles. The participation rate of 59.9% is restrained by the 283 residents not in the labour force, consistent with the aging median age of 48. The suburb scores decile 9 on IRSAD and IEO and decile 10 on IRSD, confirming low disadvantage and high educational-occupational standing despite household incomes sitting at the 45.1st percentile nationally.
Unemployment
1.4%
Labour Force
11,119
Unemployed
153
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.7%
Part-time
39.2%
Participation
59.9%
Employed
503
Occupations
Top Industries
University
30.7%
Postgraduate
5.7%
Born Overseas
23.3%
Dwellings
448
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 89.3% using private vehicles for commuting, while 4.7% walk or cycle, above the national norm for regional suburbs. Public transport data is not recorded, consistent with the car-oriented regional Albany setting. The suburb scores decile 10 on IRSD, the top advantage tier nationally, and decile 9 on IRSAD, meaning very low rates of deprivation across the resident base. Community participation is strong: 23.6% of residents volunteer, above typical national rates. Only 4.9% of residents (47 people) need daily assistance. No schools are recorded inside the Mount Melville boundary in this dataset, so families rely on nearby Albany schools. Rent-to-income at 21.8% keeps the renter cohort comfortable, and neither rent nor mortgage stress thresholds are triggered at current income levels.
Drive
89.3%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
4.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.08%/yr
(+209 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation in the broader Albany SA2 has grown from 18,543 in 2023 to 19,369 in 2025 and medium forecasts reach 20,305 by 2031, an annual growth rate of 1.08%. The 10-year population change for Mount Melville itself is 12.9%, above many comparable regional WA suburbs. The dominant growth driver is overseas migration at a net 258 arrivals per year, outpacing internal migration at 71 per year. Gentrification is classified as Active with a score of 40, supported by population growth of 18% since 2011 and accelerating net migration. Real incomes grew 9.8% over the decade and affordability has improved, with mortgage-to-income falling from 48.8% in 2011 to 42.2% in 2021. Community stability is high: 77.1% of residents stayed in the same address over the five-year period, against a turnover rate of 22.9%.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+258
Net Internal / yr
+71
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +18% since 2011, Net internal migration +71/yr, Strong overseas inflow +258/yr, Accelerating: 3% → 15%
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Mount Melville compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mount Melville a good suburb to live in?
Mount Melville ranks in decile 10 on IRSD and decile 9 on IRSAD, placing it in the top tier for low disadvantage nationally. Unemployment is 3.1% and 23.6% of residents volunteer, a sign of community engagement. The main trade-offs are high car dependence at 89.3% and a 17.3% vacancy rate that reflects thin local rental demand.
What is the median house price in Mount Melville?
The median house price is estimated at $377,000 based on 2025 rental data. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,356 and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 21.3%, well below the 30% stress threshold, making the suburb accessible relative to its top-decile SEIFA standing.
What schools are in Mount Melville?
No schools are recorded inside the Mount Melville boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in the broader Albany area. Local residents are educated, with 30.7% holding university qualifications, slightly above the national rate of around 30%.
Is Mount Melville safe?
Detailed crime statistics are not available for Mount Melville in this dataset. As an indirect indicator, the suburb scores decile 10 on IRSD, the top national advantage tier for low disadvantage, and only 4.9% of its 1,007 residents (47 people) need daily assistance, both consistent with a low-disadvantage, stable community.
Is Mount Melville good for property investment?
The investment case is mixed. The median price of $377,000 is accessible and gentrification is classified as Active with a score of 40, supported by 18% population growth since 2011. However, a 17.3% vacancy rate is high by national standards, and rent of $320 per week against the current median implies a modest gross yield. Investors should factor in likely vacancy periods.
How is Mount Melville's population changing?
The broader Albany SA2 population grew from 18,543 in 2023 to 19,369 in 2025, and forecasts reach 20,305 by 2031 at 1.08% annually. Mount Melville's 10-year population change is 12.9%. Overseas migration drives growth at a net 258 arrivals per year, outpacing internal migration at 71 per year.
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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