VIC 3174 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Noble Park

Nearly two-thirds of Noble Park's 32,257 residents were born overseas, placing it 42 percentage points above the national average. That migrant concentration drives a distinctive profile: university attainment runs 9 points above the national rate despite household incomes sitting at the 39th percentile nationally, because many arrivals hold qualifications earned abroad. Median house prices reached $785,000 in mid-2024, up 96% from $400,000 in 2013, yet the IRSD disadvantage decile sits at 2 out of 10. The gap between educational capital and income reflects a labour-market integration lag more than permanent disadvantage.

Noble Park urban fabric map

Population

32,257

Median Age

35.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,382/wk

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

36

Median House

$785K

Apr-Jun 2024

8.55 km²· 3,771.4 people/km²· Family income $1,545/wk

The median house price was $785,000 in April-June 2024, at the current peak after a 96.2% rise from $400,000 in 2013. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,647 represent 27.5% of household income, below the 30% stress threshold, making Noble Park more accessible than many inner-southeast suburbs at comparable commute distances. Separate houses account for 65.1% of stock, with 47.9% of dwellings having 3 bedrooms, 29.6% having 2 bedrooms, and 15.8% having 4 or more. Apartments are 18.9% of supply. At this price point buyers get detached housing that would cost $300,000-$500,000 more in Clayton or Oakleigh 5 km north.

For Buyers

The median house price was $785,000 in April-June 2024, at the current peak after a 96.2% rise from $400,000 in 2013. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,647 represent 27.5% of household income, below the 30% stress threshold, making Noble Park more accessible than many inner-southeast suburbs at comparable commute distances. Separate houses account for 65.1% of stock, with 47.9% of dwellings having 3 bedrooms, 29.6% having 2 bedrooms, and 15.8% having 4 or more. Apartments are 18.9% of supply. At this price point buyers get detached housing that would cost $300,000-$500,000 more in Clayton or Oakleigh 5 km north.

For Investors

Noble Park's rental market is one of the more active in the southeast corridor: 41.7% of households rent, above the VIC average, with median weekly rent at $341. The vacancy rate of 7.8% is higher than typical rental markets, which may reflect the transient nature of new arrivals or affordability pressure compressing take-up. Over the last 10 years, rents grew 32.4%, roughly in line with income growth of 28.7% in real terms. Net overseas migration adds 486 people per year on a sustained basis, underpinning rental demand even as 297 residents per year depart internally. With 36 development approvals in the past 12 months, new supply is moderate rather than excessive for a suburb of this size.

Development Activity

Total DAs

73

Last 12 Months

36

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+140.0%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Other
36
Subdivision
14
Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
1

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

St Anthony's School

ICSEA 1020 Primary Catholic

Prep-6 · 292 students

Harrisfield Primary School

ICSEA 1017 Primary Government

Prep-6 · 240 students

Carwatha College P-12

ICSEA 976 Combined Government

Prep-12 · 681 students

Yarraman Oaks Primary School

ICSEA 965 Primary Government

Prep-6 · 214 students

Wallarano Primary School

ICSEA 962 Primary Government

Prep-6 · 606 students

Demographics

At a median age of 35, Noble Park skews 5 years younger than the national median, driven by working-age overseas migrants. The 63.9% overseas-born share, 42.3 percentage points above the national average, makes this one of Victoria's most internationally diverse suburbs. Vietnamese (4,132) and Chinese (3,005) ancestries are the largest recorded groups, with Khmer spoken by 1,246 residents and Punjabi by 933, reflecting successive waves of Southeast Asian and South Asian migration. Buddhism (5,896 residents) and Islam (3,587) together represent a larger combined faith population than in most Melbourne suburbs of similar size, shaping local retail, places of worship, and community services.

Age Distribution

0-14
16.3%
15-24
12.6%
25-44
34.4%
45-64
21.3%
65+
15.4%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
6.6%
2 bed
29.6%
3 bed
47.9%
4+ bed
15.8%

Dwelling Structure

65.1%

Houses

16.0%

Townhouse

18.9%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 27.8% Mortgage 30.5% Rent 41.7%

Noble Park's price trajectory spans 14 years of compound growth: from $400,000 in 2013 to $785,000 by mid-2024, a 4.9% CAGR. Outright ownership stands at 27.8% and mortgage holders at 30.5%, while renters at 41.7% are overrepresented compared to Melbourne broadly. Mortgage servicing at 27.5% of income remains below the 30% stress threshold despite the high price-to-income ratio. Three-bedroom homes make up 47.9% of all dwellings, aligning with the suburb's family and shared-household structure at an average size of 2.7 persons per household.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$1,647

Rent / wk

$341

HH Size

2.7

Personal Income / wk

$628

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

7.8%

Unoccupied

939

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

24.7%

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

27.5%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Khmer
1,246
Punjabi
933
Sinhal
483
Mandarin
335
Canton
300
Hindi
259

Ancestry

Other
12,108
Vietnamese
4,132
English
3,744
Chinese
3,005
Ancestry NS
2,516
Indian
2,389

Household Composition

22.0%

Couples, no children

23,970

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare employs 20.4% of Noble Park's workforce, the largest industry by a clear margin, followed by Manufacturing at 11.9%, Retail at 7.7%, and Professional/Tech at 7.7%. The occupational profile leans manual: Labourers (2,819) outnumber Professionals (2,081). Unemployment sits at 7.8%, above the national average, and labour force participation at 53.4% is below average, partly because many overseas-born residents are navigating credential recognition or language transition. The IRSD disadvantage decile of 2 reflects these structural conditions rather than a permanent state.

Unemployment

6.0%

Labour Force

3,910

Unemployed

236

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
2
Disadvantage
2
Economic resources
2
Education & occupation
4

Full-time

61.7%

Part-time

30.5%

Participation

53.4%

Employed

13,285

Occupations

Labourers 2,819
Professionals 2,081
Community/Personal 1,876
Machinery/Drivers 1,866
Clerical/Admin 1,369
Sales 975
Managers 902

Top Industries

Healthcare 20.4%
Manufacturing 11.9%
Retail 7.7%
Professional/Tech 7.7%
Education 7.5%

University

39.1%

Postgraduate

11.6%

Born Overseas

63.9%

Dwellings

11,057

Transport to Work

Noble Park has 7 schools, covering primary through year 12. Carwatha College P-12 (Government, ICSEA 976, 681 enrolments) is the main P-12 pathway; St Anthony's (Catholic, ICSEA 1020) and Harrisfield Primary (Government, ICSEA 1017) rank above the suburb average socioeconomically. The crime rate of 85.2 per 1,000 residents is elevated compared to southeastern Melbourne peers, with 1,391 property and deception offences out of 2,749 total. The IRSAD decile of 3 places Noble Park in the lower third nationally. Car dependence is high at 82.4% of commuters driving, versus only 6.3% using public transport.

Drive

82.4%

Public Transport

6.3%

Walk / Cycle

1.5%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+0.99%/yr

(+138 people/yr)

Established

Noble Park's population grew 12.1% over the decade to 2025, driven almost entirely by overseas migration at 486 net arrivals per year. Internal migration runs negative at minus 297 per year, reflecting a pattern where residents who gain income mobility move to higher-income suburbs, consistent with Noble Park's role as a migration landing zone. The medium forecast projects growth to 14,695 in the model area by 2031 at 0.99% annually. The gentrification score of 26 signals early-stage change: affordability improved from 57.6% to 48.2% of income between 2011 and 2021, but displacement pressure remains low compared to inner-ring Melbourne.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Overseas Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+486

Net Internal / yr

-297

26

Gentrification Signal

Early signs

Population +17% since 2011, Net internal outflow -297/yr, Strong overseas inflow +486/yr, COVID recovered (-5% dip → full recovery)

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

2,749

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

85.2

Offence Categories

Property and deception offences
1,391
Crimes against the person
534
Justice procedures offences
528
Drug offences
192

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

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

How Noble Park compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 0%
Household Income
Bottom 39%
Rent Level
Top 29%
Apartments
Top 19%
Renters
Top 14%
Uni Educated
Top 19%
Public Transport
Top 26%
Born Overseas
Top 0%
Density
Top 2%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Noble Park a good suburb to live in?

Noble Park suits households seeking affordable detached housing within 30 km of the Melbourne CBD. With a median house price of $785,000 and mortgage repayments at 27.5% of income, it sits below the 30% stress threshold. Crime rates are above the southeastern average at 85.2 per 1,000 residents, which is worth factoring in, but the suburb's strong community networks and improving affordability trend make it a practical choice for families, especially new Australians.

What is the median house price in Noble Park?

The median house price was $785,000 in April-June 2024, up 96.2% from $400,000 in 2013. That equates to a compound annual growth rate of 4.9% over 14 years. Prices have held at current peak levels across three consecutive quarters of available data.

What schools are in Noble Park?

Noble Park has 7 schools. Carwatha College P-12 (Government, ICSEA 976, 681 students) covers prep to year 12. Primary options include St Anthony's (Catholic, ICSEA 1020, 292 students), Harrisfield (Government, ICSEA 1017, 240 students), Wallarano (Government, ICSEA 962, 606 students), Yarraman Oaks (Government, ICSEA 965, 214 students), and Noble Park Primary (Government, ICSEA 943, 292 students). Noble Park Secondary College (ICSEA 902, 592 students) is the dedicated government secondary.

Is Noble Park safe?

Noble Park's crime rate of 85.2 incidents per 1,000 residents is above the typical southeastern Melbourne suburban range. Property and deception offences account for 1,391 of 2,749 total recorded incidents, making property crime the dominant category. Crimes against the person total 534. Residents should apply standard urban precautions; the rate is not exceptional for a high-density, high-turnover suburb.

Is Noble Park good for property investment?

Noble Park has delivered 4.9% CAGR on house prices over 14 years, from $400,000 to $785,000. The rental market is active with 41.7% of households renting, and net overseas migration of 486 per year sustains demand. Rent grew 32.4% over the past decade. The vacancy rate of 7.8% is on the higher side, so rental yield and tenant quality should be assessed carefully before committing.

How is Noble Park's population changing?

Noble Park's population has grown 12.1% over the past decade, reaching 32,257. Overseas migration drives growth at 486 net arrivals per year, while internal migration runs at minus 297 annually as mobile residents move to higher-income suburbs. The medium forecast projects continued growth to around 14,695 in the DA Leads model zone by 2031, at roughly 1% per year.

What languages are spoken in Noble Park?

With 63.9% of residents born overseas, Noble Park is one of Melbourne's most linguistically diverse suburbs. Khmer is spoken by 1,246 residents, Punjabi by 933, Sinhala by 483, Mandarin by 335, and Cantonese by 300. Vietnamese and Chinese ancestries are the two largest recorded groups, reflecting decades of Southeast Asian and South Asian migration to this part of Melbourne's southeast.

Is Noble Park seeing new development activity?

Yes. Noble Park recorded 36 planning applications in the past 12 months, including subdivisions and multi-lot developments, which is moderate activity for a suburb of this size. Several applications involve 6-lot subdivisions and multi-dwelling configurations, consistent with gentle densification rather than large-scale apartment development. Buyers and investors should check Council's planning portal for specific sites before purchasing.

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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