VIC 3195 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Parkdale

A $1,510,000 median house price and household incomes in the 81.3 percentile place Parkdale well above the national middle, but it remains low rise: 54.7% separate houses and 35.1% semi detached homes. Compared with nearby Mentone and Mordialloc, Parkdale reads as more residential and owner weighted, with 38.5% owned outright and only 22.6% renting. The population of 12,308 is older than national by 3.0 years, supporting a settled, premium bay side pattern.

Parkdale urban fabric map

Population

12,308

Median Age

43.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$2,130/wk

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

59

Median House

$1.5M

Apr-Jun 2024

3.57 km²· 3,449.6 people/km²· Family income $2,829/wk

Homebuyers face a high entry point, with the median house price at $1,510,000 in Apr-Jun 2024, but values are 5.2% below the 2022 peak. The suburb suits buyers wanting established homes because 54.7% of dwellings are separate houses and 41.2% have 3 bedrooms, while 29.1% have 4 or more. Mortgage payments absorb 25.7% of income, below stress levels, helped by household incomes in the 81.3 percentile.

For Buyers

Homebuyers face a high entry point, with the median house price at $1,510,000 in Apr-Jun 2024, but values are 5.2% below the 2022 peak. The suburb suits buyers wanting established homes because 54.7% of dwellings are separate houses and 41.2% have 3 bedrooms, while 29.1% have 4 or more. Mortgage payments absorb 25.7% of income, below stress levels, helped by household incomes in the 81.3 percentile.

For Investors

Investor appeal is more about scarcity and owner occupier depth than high rental turnover. Renting is 22.6%, lower than the 38.5% owned outright share and 38.9% mortgage share, so rental stock is relatively limited. The median rent is $410 a week, while the 6.5% vacancy rate is higher than a tight leasing market. Demand is supported by overseas migration averaging +343 people a year vs internal migration at -118, with 18 development applications in 12 months.

Development Activity

Total DAs

73

Last 12 Months

59

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

+742.9%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Subdivision
17
Other
16
New Dwelling
13
Tree Removal
6
Renovation / Extension
5
Multi-Dwelling / Townhouse
4
Swimming Pool / Spa
2
Granny Flat / Secondary Dwelling
1

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

Parkdale Primary School

ICSEA 1133 Primary Government

Prep-6 · 631 students

Parktone Primary School

ICSEA 1101 Primary Government

Prep-6 · 411 students

St John Vianney's School

ICSEA 1099 Primary Catholic

Prep-6 · 164 students

Demographics

Parkdale skews older and more educated than the national benchmark, with a median age of 43, which is 3.0 years above national, and 45.6% university attainment, 15.5 percentage points above national. Overseas born residents are 22.2%, only 0.6 points above national, so the ancestry base remains strongly Anglo-European: English 4,871, Irish 1,825, Scottish 1,427 and Italian 717. Smaller language groups include Greek 138 and Mandarin 82.

Age Distribution

0-14
17.9%
15-24
12.1%
25-44
22.6%
45-64
29.4%
65+
18.1%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
5.4%
2 bed
24.3%
3 bed
41.2%
4+ bed
29.1%

Dwelling Structure

54.7%

Houses

35.1%

Townhouse

9.8%

Apartment

Tenure

Own 38.5% Mortgage 38.9% Rent 22.6%

Parkdale's housing market has nearly doubled over the long run, rising from a $760,000 median in 2013 to $1,510,000 in Apr-Jun 2024, a 98.7% gain and 5.0% annual growth over 14 years. It is still 5.2% below the 2022 peak of $1,592,500, giving buyers a better entry than the top of the cycle. Ownership is deep, with 38.5% owned outright and 38.9% mortgaged, because family scale stock dominates: 41.2% are 3 bedroom homes and 29.1% have 4 plus bedrooms.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$2,366

Rent / wk

$410

HH Size

2.5

Personal Income / wk

$974

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

6.5%

Unoccupied

330

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

19.2%

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

25.7%

Community Profile

Languages Spoken at Home

Greek
138
Mandarin
82
Italian
67
Russian
60
Arabic
26
Serbian
26

Ancestry

English
4,871
Irish
1,825
Scottish
1,427
Other
1,158
Italian
717
Greek
500

Household Composition

23.7%

Couples, no children

10,139

Total families

Economy & Employment

Parkdale's economy is white collar and service led, with Healthcare at 16.1% of local workers, Education 14.1%, Professional/Tech 11.9%, Construction 10.8% and Public Admin 7.0%. Professionals number 1,970 and Managers 1,178, which helps explain the strong household income percentile of 81.3. Labour conditions are solid, with 62.9% full time employment, 64.2% participation and 4.2% unemployment. SEIFA ranks are high: IEO decile 8, IER decile 8, IRSD decile 9 and IRSAD decile 9.

Unemployment

4.4%

Labour Force

13,290

Unemployed

581

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
9
Disadvantage
9
Economic resources
8
Education & occupation
8

Full-time

62.9%

Part-time

32.9%

Participation

64.2%

Employed

6,222

Occupations

Professionals 1,970
Managers 1,178
Clerical/Admin 930
Community/Personal 610
Sales 608
Labourers 305
Machinery/Drivers 172

Top Industries

Healthcare 16.1%
Education 14.1%
Professional/Tech 11.9%
Construction 10.8%
Public Admin 7.0%

University

45.6%

Postgraduate

12.0%

Born Overseas

22.2%

Dwellings

4,742

Transport to Work

Livability is anchored by schools, car access and low disadvantage. There are 3 local primary schools across Government and Catholic sectors, with ICSEA scores from 1,099 to 1,133; Parkdale Primary leads at 1,133 with 631 students, followed by Parktone Primary at 1,101 with 411. Daily travel is car based because 85.4% drive, compared with 4.1% using public transport and 5.0% walking or cycling. Crime is 44.6 per 1,000 residents, and IRSAD decile 9 sits above the state middle.

Drive

85.4%

Public Transport

4.1%

Walk / Cycle

5.0%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+0.93%/yr

(+208 people/yr)

Established

Parkdale's growth outlook is measured rather than rapid. The annual trend is 0.93%, equal to about 208 people a year, with the medium path rising from 22,676 in 2026 to 23,713 in 2031. Compared with the -118 average annual internal migration result, overseas migration at +343 a year is the clear primary driver. The gentrification score is 15 and the stage is Not gentrifying, while the shift trajectory is Mixed, with rent growth of 33.3% and senior share up 2.2 points.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Overseas Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+343

Net Internal / yr

-118

15

Gentrification Signal

Not gentrifying

Population +15% since 2011, Net internal outflow -118/yr, Strong overseas inflow +343/yr

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

549

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

44.6

Offence Categories

Property and deception offences
356
Crimes against the person
100
Justice procedures offences
41
Drug offences
30

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

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

How Parkdale compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 3%
Household Income
Top 19%
Rent Level
Top 14%
Apartments
Top 30%
Renters
Top 44%
Uni Educated
Top 12%
Public Transport
Top 42%
Born Overseas
Top 25%
Density
Top 2%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Parkdale a good suburb to live in?

Yes, Parkdale suits households seeking a premium, established bayside setting. It has a $1,510,000 median house price, 3 local primary schools and IRSAD decile 9, which is above the state middle for advantage.

What is the median house price in Parkdale?

The median house price in Parkdale is $1,510,000 for Apr-Jun 2024. That is 5.2% below the 2022 peak of $1,592,500 but 98.7% higher than the 2013 median of $760,000.

What schools are in Parkdale?

Parkdale has 3 local primary schools: Parkdale Primary School, Parktone Primary School and St John Vianney's School. ICSEA scores range from 1,099 to 1,133, with Government and Catholic options.

Is Parkdale safe?

Parkdale recorded 549 offences, equal to 44.6 per 1,000 residents. Property and deception offences were the largest category at 356, followed by 100 crimes against the person.

Is Parkdale good for property investment?

Parkdale is stronger for long term capital quality than high rental yield. The suburb has 22.6% renting, a $410 median weekly rent and a 6.5% vacancy rate, with 18 development applications in 12 months.

How is Parkdale's population changing?

Parkdale is growing gradually, with a forecast annual trend of 0.93% or about 208 people a year. Overseas migration averages +343 people annually, compared with internal migration of -118.

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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