Oakleigh
Oakleigh's standout contrast is a 12.3% rental vacancy rate alongside a 172.8 per 1,000 crime rate, so convenience and risk need to be weighed together. This matters because a changing housing market can still require careful street-level checks. The suburb has 8,442 residents, a median age of 38, and household income at the 72.1 percentile. Its 40.2% overseas-born share is 18.6 percentage points above the national comparison, while university attainment at 53.9% is 23.8 points higher. Compared with nearby Clayton and Huntingdale, Oakleigh is more established and centre-oriented, with Greek and Chinese influences, strong professional employment, and 73 development applications.
Population
8,442
Median Age
38.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,926/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
76
Median House
$1.4M
October to December 2025
The monthly mortgage figure is $2,100, equal to 25.2% of household income, while rent is $410 per week and rent stress is not flagged. Separate houses make up 61.9% of dwellings, higher than apartments at 25.7%, while 12.3% semi-detached stock widens the choice. This mix matters because the 37.1% three-bedroom and 24.0% four-bedroom share supports upgrading, while 35.0% renting indicates a substantial buyer pipeline. Compared with an apartment-led market, Oakleigh provides more conventional family housing.
For Buyers
The monthly mortgage figure is $2,100, equal to 25.2% of household income, while rent is $410 per week and rent stress is not flagged. Separate houses make up 61.9% of dwellings, higher than apartments at 25.7%, while 12.3% semi-detached stock widens the choice. This mix matters because the 37.1% three-bedroom and 24.0% four-bedroom share supports upgrading, while 35.0% renting indicates a substantial buyer pipeline. Compared with an apartment-led market, Oakleigh provides more conventional family housing.
For Investors
Oakleigh presents a mixed rental case. The 35.0% renting share is higher than the 31.8% owned-outright share, creating a substantial tenant base, and weekly rent is $410. However, vacancy is 12.3%, so leasing competition may be softer than in a tightly supplied market. The combination matters because a 25.7% apartment share and 27.9% turnover rate can widen tenant choice while also increasing competition between landlords. Development activity is notable at 73 applications in 12 months, including an 8-dwelling triple-storey proposal, which may add future competing stock. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver, supporting demand, but investors should test street-level vacancy, property type and holding costs rather than assume uniform performance.
Development Activity
Total DAs
93
Last 12 Months
76
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+744.4%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Oakleigh
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Oakleigh Grammar
Oakleigh Primary School
Sacred Heart School
Demographics
Oakleigh has a median age of 38, which is 2 years below the national comparison, and 53.9% of residents hold university qualifications, 23.8 percentage points above the national figure. Overseas-born residents comprise 40.2%, or 18.6 points higher than nationally, helping explain the presence of Greek, Mandarin, Italian, Canton and Hindi languages. Greek ancestry counts 1,375 people and Chinese ancestry 916, alongside English ancestry at 1,769. Average household size is 2.5, equal to the national comparison, while couples with children represent 45.7% of families and couples without children 37.5%. Compared with nearby Clayton's student-oriented character and Huntingdale's smaller local-centre setting, Oakleigh has a more settled multilingual makeup that supports family and professional housing demand.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
61.9%
Houses
12.3%
Townhouse
25.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is split across 31.8% outright ownership, 31.7% mortgages and 35.0% renting, so no single housing pathway dominates. Separate houses account for 61.9%, above apartments at 25.7%, and mortgage costs equal 25.2% of household income. This split matters because buyers can choose between established houses, semi-detached homes at 12.3% and smaller dwellings. Compared with nearby Clayton and Huntingdale, the price level makes dwelling type and renovation scope especially important.
Mortgage / mo
$2,100
Rent / wkiMedian weekly rent for new bonds (year ending Sep 2025), Homes Victoria bond data (year-ending median). Census 2021 median: $410.
$620
Bond data year ending Sep 2025 · houses $630 · units $580
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$865
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
12.3%
Unoccupied
458
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
45.7%
Couples with children
37.5%
Couples, no children
13.8%
Single parent
2,255
Total families
Economy & Employment
Oakleigh's employment base is led by healthcare at 14.9% or 488 workers, education at 13.9% or 455, and professional and technical services at 13.8% or 452. Retail contributes 7.9% and construction 7.4%, so local demand spans care, knowledge, consumer and building work. Professionals number 1,429 and managers 651, helping explain household income at the 72.1 percentile. Labour-force participation is 66.1%, unemployment is 5.3%, and full-time employment is 61.1%. SEIFA is mixed: the education and occupation index is decile 8, above the midpoint; economic resources is decile 5; disadvantage is decile 7; and advantage is decile 8. This spread matters because strong qualifications and professional employment do not translate evenly into household resources.
Unemployment
5.3%
Labour Force
4,765
Unemployed
253
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.1%
Part-time
32.9%
Participation
66.1%
Employed
4,512
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
53.9%
Postgraduate
17.7%
Born Overseas
40.2%
Dwellings
3,257
Transport to Work
Oakleigh has practical local coverage, with 3 schools spanning government, Catholic and independent sectors: 2 primary options and 1 Pri/Sec campus. Enrolment zones should still be checked against the exact address because boundaries can cut across the suburb. Daily travel is mixed, with 47.2% driving a car, 5.5% using public transport and 40.5% working from home, so convenience depends on whether a household commutes regularly. Recorded crime totals 1,459 incidents, including 1,017 property and deception offences, at 172.8 per 1,000 residents. That rate warrants checking the immediate street and time-of-day pattern. IRSAD is decile 8, above the midpoint, supporting a generally advantaged socioeconomic setting even though safety is a clear consideration.
Drive
47.2%
Public Transport
5.5%
Walk / Cycle
3.1%
Work from Home
40.5%
Population Forecast
+1.07%/yr
(+273 people/yr)
EstablishedOakleigh's growth outlook is measured at 1.07% annually, above a flat-growth profile, with overseas migration named as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 13.3% over 10 years, while the shift trajectory is Mixed. Rents have grown 25.8%, real incomes 27.3%, and the working-age share has moved 2.5% higher, suggesting demand is being reinforced by both migration and employment. The gentrification indicator scores 32 and is at Early signs, while the broader shift measure records 45 and Active. A 73-application development pipeline means change is already visible, but the established designation and 0.2% senior-share movement point to gradual rather than wholesale turnover. Compared with a rapid-growth fringe market, Oakleigh's trajectory is more incremental because it is already built up.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+750
Net Internal / yr
-267
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +20% since 2011, Net internal outflow -267/yr, Strong overseas inflow +750/yr, Accelerating: 7% → 12%
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
1,459
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
172.8
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 compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
What schools are in Oakleigh?
Oakleigh has 3 schools: Sacred Heart School and Oakleigh Primary School are primary campuses, while Oakleigh Grammar covers primary and secondary years in the independent sector. The mix includes 2 primary options, plus Catholic, government and independent provision. Confirm enrolment zones for the address.
Is Oakleigh safe?
Oakleigh recorded 1,459 offences at a rate of 172.8 per 1,000 residents. Property and deception offences accounted for 1,017 incidents, far more than the 173 crimes against the person. Treat safety as street-specific and inspect lighting, activity, parking areas and travel routes at the times you would use them.
Is Oakleigh good for property investment?
Oakleigh may suit investors seeking an established tenant market, with 35.0% renting and weekly rent of $410. Vacancy is 12.3%, so competition for tenants may be less intense than in a tightly supplied area. Development activity reached 73 applications in 12 months, making dwelling type and future competing stock important.
How is Oakleigh's population changing?
Oakleigh has 8,442 residents today. Population change across the wider area is 13.3% over 10 years, with a 1.07% annual growth trend and overseas migration as the primary driver. The forecast shift is Mixed, while the senior share changed by 0.2%, pointing to continued change without a wholesale age reset.
What languages are spoken in Oakleigh?
Greek is the leading recorded language after English, with 509 speakers, followed by Mandarin at 245, Italian at 70, Canton at 66 and Hindi at 51. The overseas-born share is 40.2%, which is 18.6 percentage points above the national comparison, so multilingual services and community networks are relevant to local life.
What development is happening in Oakleigh?
Development activity is substantial, with 73 applications recorded over 12 months. One example is a planning permit for 8 triple-storey dwellings and tree removal. This pipeline can increase housing choice, but it can also bring construction disruption and future competing stock, so investors and neighbours should check the exact proposal and timing.
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), Valuer-General Victoria (house prices), state education open registers (school locations), 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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