Oakleigh South
University qualifications at 50.5% run 20.4 percentage points above the national average, placing Oakleigh South in the top tier for tertiary education, yet the SEIFA IRSAD decile of just 5 indicates only median socioeconomic advantage. This gap between human capital and area-level affluence partly reflects the high overseas-born share (47.2%, 25.6 points above national), where credentialed migrants may face income discounting. Real incomes grew 19.4% over the decade, the strongest growth in this batch, and the $1,245,500 median house price confirms the suburb's re-pricing. The senior share expanded by 7.8 percentage points, the largest age-structure shift in this group.
Population
9,851
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,915/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
36
Median House
$1.2M
Apr-Jun 2024
The $1,245,500 median sits near its Jan-Mar 2024 peak of $1,255,000, just 0.8% below, after rising from $603,000 in 2013, a 14-year CAGR of 5.3%. Detached houses at 83.6% dominate, with three-bedroom homes (48.7%) the most common format. Monthly mortgage repayments of $2,200 produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.5%, below the stress threshold. Oakleigh South Primary School's ICSEA of 1,163 ranks well above the national benchmark, a draw for families. Walking and cycling at 3.1% plus public transport at 6.7% provide limited non-car alternatives, with 84.5% driving to work.
For Buyers
The $1,245,500 median sits near its Jan-Mar 2024 peak of $1,255,000, just 0.8% below, after rising from $603,000 in 2013, a 14-year CAGR of 5.3%. Detached houses at 83.6% dominate, with three-bedroom homes (48.7%) the most common format. Monthly mortgage repayments of $2,200 produce a mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.5%, below the stress threshold. Oakleigh South Primary School's ICSEA of 1,163 ranks well above the national benchmark, a draw for families. Walking and cycling at 3.1% plus public transport at 6.7% provide limited non-car alternatives, with 84.5% driving to work.
For Investors
Renters account for 23.8% of households, with median weekly rent of $418 against a $1,245,500 median, producing a thin gross yield around 1.7%. The vacancy rate of 6.2% is elevated, suggesting supply marginally exceeds demand in the rental market. 35 development applications in 12 months, predominantly dual-dwelling subdivisions, indicate active densification. Overseas migration averages 210/year, but internal outflow of 158/year creates a revolving-door dynamic. The net result is a declining population at 0.41% per year, which challenges the rental demand thesis despite the strong migrant inflow.
Development Activity
Total DAs
47
Last 12 Months
36
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+500.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Oakleigh South iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Oakleigh South Primary School
Prep-6 · 1038 students
Huntingdale Primary School
Prep-6 · 414 students
South Oakleigh College
7-12 · 950 students
Demographics
Greek (1,395), Chinese (1,269), and Indian (885) ancestries reflect a genuinely multicultural suburb, while English (1,695) remains the largest single group. At 47.2% born overseas, nearly half the population arrived from abroad, 25.6 points above the national rate. Greek (594), Mandarin (360), Hindi (144), Italian (107), and Cantonese (86) are the leading non-English languages. The median age of 40 matches the national average, but the senior share expanded by 7.8 percentage points while the working-age share contracted by 3.8 points. Couples with children (3,260) outnumber couples without (1,941), and average household size is 2.7.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
83.6%
Houses
10.1%
Townhouse
6.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Outright owners at 39.3% and mortgage holders at 36.8% mean 76.1% of households own or are buying, well above the national average. Renters at 23.8% are a minority. Detached houses dominate at 83.6%, with apartments at 6.3% and semi-detached at 10.1%. Three-bedroom homes (48.7%) lead, followed by four-plus (31.1%) and two-bedroom (18.3%). The median rose from $1,233,000 (Oct-Dec 2023) to $1,255,000 (Jan-Mar 2024), then eased to $1,245,500. The 14-year growth from $603,000 in 2013 represents a 106.6% gain, though recent quarters show flattening. Rent-to-income at 21.8% is moderate.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,200
Rent / wk
$418
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$770
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
6.2%
Unoccupied
238
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.5%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
23.8%
Couples, no children
8,160
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads at 15.6% (553 workers), Professional/Technical at 13.3% (471), and Education at 10.9% (387). Professionals (1,361) dominate occupations, more than double Clerical/Admin (699), reflecting the suburb's highly educated workforce. Managers (647) and Community/Personal (474) follow. The 4.6% unemployment rate is near the national average, and participation at 58.7% is reasonable. The SEIFA IEO decile 6 seems low given 50.5% university qualifications; this likely reflects the aggregate nature of SEIFA, where migrant income discounting suppresses area-level scores despite high individual credentials.
Unemployment
3.6%
Labour Force
6,180
Unemployed
221
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
64.0%
Part-time
31.4%
Participation
58.7%
Employed
4,597
Occupations
Top Industries
University
50.5%
Postgraduate
16.2%
Born Overseas
47.2%
Dwellings
3,581
Transport to Work
Three schools span the ICSEA range above the national benchmark: Oakleigh South Primary (Government, 1,163, 1,038 students) ranks particularly high, Huntingdale Primary (Government, 1,120, 414 students) follows, and South Oakleigh College secondary (Government, 1,052, 950 students) serves the older years. All three are government-sector, providing strong public options. Crime at 55.6 per 1,000 is moderate, with property offences (350) comprising 64% of the total 548 incidents. The IRSAD decile 5 and IRSD decile 4 place the suburb in the middle band of advantage, which understates the educational quality and income trajectory.
Drive
84.5%
Public Transport
6.7%
Walk / Cycle
3.1%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
-0.41%/yr
(-48 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation is declining at 0.41% per year (negative 48 persons), and the 2025 estimate of 11,741 remains 3.9% below the pre-COVID peak of 12,222. The COVID dip of 4.7% has not recovered (0.6% recovery only). Overseas migration of 210/year is strong, but internal outflow of 158/year and aging demographics produce net contraction. The 10-year change of negative 0.9% confirms structural decline. Gentrification score is 10 (not gentrifying), though 35 DAs in 12 months suggest physical transformation via dual-dwelling subdivision even as population shrinks.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+210
Net Internal / yr
-158
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -158/yr, Strong overseas inflow +210/yr
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
548
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
55.6
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 Oakleigh South compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oakleigh South a good suburb to live in?
Oakleigh South suits educated, multicultural families, with 50.5% holding university qualifications (20.4 points above national) and 3 government schools all above the ICSEA 1,000 benchmark. The $1,245,500 median is premium, but the mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.5% stays below the stress threshold. Crime at 55.6 per 1,000 is moderate.
What is the median house price in Oakleigh South?
The median is $1,245,500 (Apr-Jun 2024), near its peak of $1,255,000 (Jan-Mar 2024). Prices grew from $603,000 in 2013, a 14-year CAGR of 5.3%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,200, and median weekly rent is $418. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 26.5% is below the stress benchmark.
What schools are in Oakleigh South?
Three government schools serve the suburb, all above the national ICSEA benchmark: Oakleigh South Primary (1,163, 1,038 students), Huntingdale Primary (1,120, 414 students), and South Oakleigh College secondary (1,052, 950 students). Oakleigh South Primary's ICSEA of 1,163 ranks in the top tier for government primaries.
Is Oakleigh South safe?
The crime rate is 55.6 per 1,000 residents (548 total offences). Property and deception offences (350 incidents, 64%) dominate, followed by crimes against the person (78) and justice procedures (75). This is moderate by Melbourne suburban standards, and the IRSD decile 4 indicates middling relative disadvantage.
Is Oakleigh South good for property investment?
Gross yield is thin at approximately 1.7% ($418/week on $1,245,500), and the 6.2% vacancy rate signals soft rental demand. 35 DAs in 12 months (mostly dual-dwelling subdivisions) add supply. Capital growth has been strong long-term (CAGR 5.3% over 14 years), but the population is declining at 0.41% per year, which limits near-term demand uplift.
How is Oakleigh South's population changing?
Population is declining at 0.41% per year (negative 48 persons). The 2025 estimate of 11,741 remains 3.9% below the pre-COVID peak of 12,222. Overseas migration adds 210/year, but internal outflow of 158/year and aging (senior share up 7.8 points) drive net contraction. Medium projections forecast 11,388 by 2031.
What languages are spoken in Oakleigh South?
Greek (594 speakers), Mandarin (360), Hindi (144), Italian (107), and Cantonese (86) lead non-English languages. With 47.2% born overseas (25.6 points above national), Oakleigh South is one of Melbourne's most internationally diverse suburbs. Greek and Chinese ancestry groups each exceed 1,200 residents.
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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