Oakleigh
Oakleigh's crime rate of 172.8 per 1,000 is the highest in this cohort, yet the suburb simultaneously holds SEIFA education decile 8 and household incomes in the 72nd percentile. This paradox reflects Oakleigh's role as a commercial-residential hybrid: the retail strip and station precinct generate property offences (1,017 of 1,459 total crimes) that inflate per-capita statistics beyond what residential areas alone would produce. Greek heritage is central to the suburb's identity, with 1,375 Greek-ancestry residents and 509 Greek speakers. The $1,340,500 median sits 6.3% below the July 2023 peak of $1,430,000, while 750 overseas migrants arrive net per year.
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
48
Median House
$1.3M
Apr-Jun 2024
At a median of $1,340,500, Oakleigh competes with neighbouring suburbs like Carnegie and Hughesdale. Prices have softened 6.3% from the $1,430,000 peak in mid-2023. Detached houses at 61.9% are supplemented by apartments (25.7%) and semi-detached (12.3%), offering more typology diversity than many Melbourne suburbs at this price point. The 4.2% CAGR over 14 years (from $753,500 in 2013) shows steady appreciation. Mortgage stress at 25.2% is manageable but higher than the national average. Three-bedroom homes make up 37.1% of stock, and 24.0% have 4+ bedrooms, while 30.3% are two-bedroom, reflecting the apartment influence.
For Buyers
At a median of $1,340,500, Oakleigh competes with neighbouring suburbs like Carnegie and Hughesdale. Prices have softened 6.3% from the $1,430,000 peak in mid-2023. Detached houses at 61.9% are supplemented by apartments (25.7%) and semi-detached (12.3%), offering more typology diversity than many Melbourne suburbs at this price point. The 4.2% CAGR over 14 years (from $753,500 in 2013) shows steady appreciation. Mortgage stress at 25.2% is manageable but higher than the national average. Three-bedroom homes make up 37.1% of stock, and 24.0% have 4+ bedrooms, while 30.3% are two-bedroom, reflecting the apartment influence.
For Investors
The 35.5% renter share provides a strong tenant base, but the 12.3% vacancy rate is the highest in this cohort and a serious concern, likely reflecting apartment oversupply near the station precinct. Weekly rent of $410 against the $1,340,500 median produces a thin gross yield under 2%. Overseas migration of 750 per year should gradually absorb vacant stock, but the internal outflow of 267 per year partially offsets this. Rent grew 25.8% over the decade. The 48 development applications in 12 months include heritage dwelling alterations and change-of-use permits, indicating ongoing mixed-use evolution rather than pure residential construction.
Development Activity
Total DAs
63
Last 12 Months
48
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+433.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Oakleigh iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Sacred Heart School
Prep-6 · 195 students
Oakleigh Primary School
Prep-6 · 451 students
Oakleigh Grammar
Prep-12 · 724 students
Demographics
Greek heritage distinguishes Oakleigh: 1,375 residents claim Greek ancestry and 509 speak Greek at home, making it one of Melbourne's most prominent Greek-Australian suburbs. Chinese ancestry follows at 916, with Mandarin (245 speakers) as the second non-English language. Born-overseas residents total 40.2%, 18.6 points above national. University attainment at 53.9% is 23.8 points above national, and professionals dominate occupations (1,429). The median age of 38 is 2 years below national. Household size of 2.5 matches the national average. The 27.9% residential turnover is higher than most established suburbs, consistent with the renter and migrant profile.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
61.9%
Houses
12.3%
Townhouse
25.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Prices grew from $753,500 in 2013 to a peak of $1,430,000 in mid-2023, then corrected to $1,340,500 (down 6.3% from peak). Over 14 years, the CAGR was 4.2%. Detached houses account for 61.9%, apartments 25.7%, and semi-detached 12.3%. The 25.7% apartment share is notably high for a middle-ring suburb. Two-bedroom dwellings make up 30.3% of stock. Ownership splits: 32.3% outright, 32.2% mortgage, 35.5% renting. The 12.3% vacancy rate is significantly elevated compared to the national average, likely reflecting recent apartment completions. Mortgage stress at 25.2% is moderate, and the affordability ratio improved from 61.5% in 2011 to 49.3% in 2021.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,100
Rent / wk
$410
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
26.6%
Couples, no children
6,479
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare (14.9%), education (13.9%), and professional services (13.8%) form a nearly equal top-three, creating a diversified knowledge-economy base. Retail at 7.9% reflects the active Oakleigh shopping strip. Professionals lead occupations (1,429), well ahead of managers (651) and clerical workers (590). Unemployment at 5.6% is near the national rate. The SEIFA profile shows an interesting pattern: IEO decile 8 (education, top 30%) and IRSAD decile 8 (overall advantage), but IER decile 5 (economic resources, middle). This gap means the educated population has moderate rather than high financial reserves, possibly because housing costs absorb disposable income.
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
65.0%
Part-time
29.4%
Participation
62.4%
Employed
4,243
Occupations
Top Industries
University
53.9%
Postgraduate
17.7%
Born Overseas
40.2%
Dwellings
3,257
Transport to Work
Three schools serve the area: Sacred Heart (Catholic primary, ICSEA 1140, 195 students), Oakleigh Primary (government, ICSEA 1120, 451 students), and Oakleigh Grammar (independent combined, ICSEA 1078, 724 students). All three score well above the national median of 1000. The crime rate of 172.8 per 1,000 is high, though property offences (1,017) drive the bulk, likely concentrated in the commercial precinct. Public transport at 9.1% reflects train station access, higher than most suburbs in this batch. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 8 places Oakleigh in the top 30% nationally for overall advantage.
Drive
79.6%
Public Transport
9.1%
Walk / Cycle
5.3%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.07%/yr
(+273 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grows at 1.07% per year, adding 273 residents annually. Overseas migration drives growth at 750 net per year, while 267 leave internally, producing a net gain. This pattern (overseas in, locals out) is typical of gentrifying Melbourne suburbs where newcomers replace established residents. Medium projections show 26,662 by 2031, up from 25,427 in 2025. Early gentrification signals include 20% population growth since 2011, strong overseas inflows, and accelerating growth from 7% to 12%. The working-age share grew 2.5 points while young families declined 1.2 points, consistent with a suburb transitioning toward higher-density living.
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
Is Oakleigh a good suburb to live in?
Oakleigh offers strong schools (all 3 above ICSEA 1070), Greek-Australian cultural identity, and train access (9.1% public transport). The $1,340,500 median is significant but 6.3% below peak. SEIFA decile 8 confirms above-average advantage. The 172.8 crime rate is high, though dominated by property offences in the commercial strip rather than residential crime.
What is the median house price in Oakleigh?
The median house price is $1,340,500 as of mid-2024, down 6.3% from the $1,430,000 peak in mid-2023. Over 14 years, the CAGR was 4.2%, growing from $753,500 in 2013. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,100, with mortgage-to-income at 25.2%. Apartments at 25.7% of stock offer cheaper entry points.
What schools are in Oakleigh?
Oakleigh has 3 schools: Sacred Heart (Catholic primary, ICSEA 1140, 195 students), Oakleigh Primary (government, ICSEA 1120, 451 students), and Oakleigh Grammar (independent combined, ICSEA 1078, 724 students). All score 78-140 points above the national ICSEA median of 1000.
Is Oakleigh safe?
The crime rate of 172.8 per 1,000 residents is high. Property and deception offences make up 1,017 of 1,459 total crimes (70%), likely concentrated around the retail strip and station. Crimes against the person total 173, and drug offences 71. The residential areas are more settled, but the commercial precinct elevates the overall statistics.
Is Oakleigh good for property investment?
The 35.5% renter share supports demand, but the 12.3% vacancy rate is concerning, suggesting apartment oversupply. Gross yield is under 2% ($410 weekly on $1,340,500). Net overseas migration of 750 per year should gradually absorb excess stock. Capital growth slowed to 4.2% CAGR over 14 years, and prices are 6.3% below peak. This suits patient capital-growth investors, not yield seekers.
How is Oakleigh's population changing?
Population grows at 1.07% per year (273 people annually), driven by 750 net overseas arrivals while 267 leave internally. This migrant-in, established-resident-out pattern is a gentrification signal. Population has grown 20% since 2011, accelerating from 7% to 12%. Projections show 26,662 by 2031, up from 25,427 in 2025.
What languages are spoken in Oakleigh?
Greek is the dominant non-English language with 509 speakers, reflecting Oakleigh's well-known Greek-Australian community (1,375 Greek-ancestry residents). Mandarin follows at 245, then Italian (70), Cantonese (66), and Hindi (51). With 40.2% born overseas, Oakleigh's linguistic diversity is 18.6 percentage points above the national overseas-born average.
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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