Silvan
At a density of just 43.8 residents per square kilometre across 30 square kilometres, Silvan sits firmly in the Dandenong Ranges fringe where acreage living is the norm. Every dwelling is a separate house, 100% of the housing stock, which stands in contrast to mixed-tenure patterns found across metropolitan VIC. Household income ranks in the 82.1st percentile nationally, yet the suburb scores SEIFA decile 6 on education and occupation, reflecting a workforce weighted toward trades and agriculture rather than degree-entry professions. The combination of high income, low crime at 19.7 offences per 1,000 residents, and 87.1% of residents staying put between census periods describes a community that, once settled, tends not to leave.
Population
1,323
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,158/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
1
Median house price data is not recorded for Silvan in this period, so buyers should anchor on comparable Dandenong Ranges benchmarks. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167 and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 23.2%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Ownership tells the story: 46.1% of homes are owned outright, higher than national averages, signalling long-held family land rather than speculative turnover. Stock is almost entirely 3-bedroom (40.5%) and 4-plus-bedroom (45.7%), so buyers seeking large rural lots will find deep supply. The 10.9% renter share is low compared to metropolitan VIC, limiting competition from investor-held rental product.
For Buyers
Median house price data is not recorded for Silvan in this period, so buyers should anchor on comparable Dandenong Ranges benchmarks. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167 and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 23.2%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Ownership tells the story: 46.1% of homes are owned outright, higher than national averages, signalling long-held family land rather than speculative turnover. Stock is almost entirely 3-bedroom (40.5%) and 4-plus-bedroom (45.7%), so buyers seeking large rural lots will find deep supply. The 10.9% renter share is low compared to metropolitan VIC, limiting competition from investor-held rental product.
For Investors
With only 10.9% of dwellings rented, Silvan has a thin rental market. Vacancy at 7.1% is elevated relative to metropolitan benchmarks, meaning landlords face longer void periods. Weekly rent of $350 rose 44% over the decade, outpacing many metro suburbs. Net overseas migration adds around 34 residents annually to the broader SA2 area, while internal migration runs at negative 54, leaving modest net demand growth. Development is minimal, just 1 application in 12 months, so new supply pressure is low. Returns are likely to be slow and capital-driven rather than yield-focused, consistent with this low-turnover established suburb.
Development Activity
Total DAs
2
Last 12 Months
1
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Silvan iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Silvan Primary School
1-6 · 13 students
Demographics
Silvan's median age of 41 matches the national figure, though the senior share rose 4.9 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 3.1 points, an aging trajectory. Overseas-born residents make up 15.8%, which is 5.8 percentage points below national, reflecting the predominantly Australian-born character of the area. English ancestry leads at 545 residents, followed by Italian (171), Dutch (122) and Scottish (122). University qualifications reach 26.8%, which is 3.3 points below national, corresponding to the strong trades and agriculture base. Average household size of 3.0 persons is 0.5 above national, consistent with larger family homes on acreage.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
100.0%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
The entire housing stock is separate houses, with no apartments or semi-detached dwellings recorded, making Silvan one of the most exclusively detached markets in Victoria. Bedrooms lean large: 45.7% have 4 or more and 40.5% have 3, so compact 1-2 bedroom dwellings make up only about 14% of stock. Tenure is stable: 46.1% own outright, 43.0% carry a mortgage, and just 10.9% rent. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,167 and mortgage-to-income is 23.2%, both below stress thresholds. Rent-to-income at 16.2% is comfortable. With 87.1% of residents remaining between census periods, turnover is low and stock rarely comes to market.
Mortgage / mo
$2,167
Rent / wk
$350
HH Size
3.0
Personal Income / wk
$805
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.1%
Unoccupied
32
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
16.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
26.2%
Couples, no children
1,136
Total families
Economy & Employment
Construction is the leading employer at 17.8% of the workforce (79 workers), above the national proportion and reflecting both local building trades and proximity to Melbourne's outer growth corridor. Agriculture follows at 11.1% (49 workers), well above metropolitan norms, consistent with the Silvan horticultural belt. Healthcare and Education each account for around 10%, suggesting residents also commute to Ranges service towns. By occupation, Managers lead at 140 workers ahead of Professionals at 109, pointing to a self-employment and business-ownership orientation. Unemployment sits at 2.7%, below state and national averages, with a full-time employment rate of 61.3%. Real household income grew 17.5% over the decade.
Unemployment
2.4%
Labour Force
3,200
Unemployed
78
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.3%
Part-time
36.0%
Participation
62.5%
Employed
649
Occupations
Top Industries
University
26.8%
Postgraduate
5.4%
Born Overseas
15.8%
Dwellings
407
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high at 86.6% of commuters driving, above the national average and expected given the absence of rail in the Dandenong Ranges fringe. The crime rate of 19.7 offences per 1,000 residents is low compared to metropolitan Melbourne. Volunteering runs at 18.3% of residents, above national norms, pointing to an engaged community. SEIFA IRSD decile 8 confirms low relative disadvantage nationally and IRSAD decile 7 indicates above-average socioeconomic standing. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on schools in adjacent towns such as Monbulk and Belgrave. The 4.6% needing daily assistance (59 residents) is modest relative to the population size.
Drive
86.6%
Public Transport
N/A
Walk / Cycle
8.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.07%/yr
(+4 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth is very slow, with the annual trend at 0.07% or roughly 4 additional residents per year. The broader SA2 population sits at around 5,840 and is forecast to reach just 5,859 by 2031 under medium assumptions, essentially flat. Internal migration runs at negative 54 persons per year, partially offset by overseas migration of positive 34. The gentrification score is 0, classified as not gentrifying. Affordability has held stable since 2011, with the ratio around 46% in both years. Buyers should treat this as a low-speculative market where capital growth will track broad Melbourne movements rather than surge independently.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+34
Net Internal / yr
-54
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
26
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
19.7
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 Silvan compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Silvan a good suburb to live in?
Silvan suits buyers seeking large detached homes with low crime (19.7 offences per 1,000 residents) and stable neighbours: 87.1% of residents stayed put between census periods. Household income ranks in the 82.1st percentile nationally and SEIFA IRSD decile 8 confirms low disadvantage. The main trade-offs are high car dependency at 86.6% and limited local services.
What is the median house price in Silvan?
A formal median house price is not recorded for Silvan in current datasets. Mortgage repayments average $2,167 per month and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 23.2%, well below Melbourne metro stress levels. Weekly rent runs at $350, which rose 44% over the past decade.
What schools are in Silvan?
No schools are recorded within the Silvan suburb boundary in this dataset. Families typically use schools in nearby Monbulk, Belgrave and Mount Evelyn. Despite the absence of local schools, 26.8% of Silvan residents hold university qualifications, 3.3 points below the national figure.
Is Silvan safe?
Silvan recorded 26 total offences, giving a crime rate of 19.7 per 1,000 residents, which is low compared to metropolitan Melbourne benchmarks. The suburb scores SEIFA IRSD decile 8, placing it in the lower disadvantage tier nationally. The most common offence category is justice procedures, not property crime.
Is Silvan good for property investment?
Silvan has a thin rental market with only 10.9% of dwellings rented and a vacancy rate of 7.1%, above typical metro levels. Weekly rent of $350 grew 44% over the decade. Annual population growth is just 0.07%, so capital growth rather than rental yield or population-driven demand is the primary investment driver.
How is Silvan's population changing?
Silvan's population of 1,323 is growing at approximately 0.07% per year, adding roughly 4 residents annually. The suburb has an aging trajectory with the senior share rising 4.9 points over the decade. Net internal migration runs at negative 54 persons per year, partially offset by overseas migration of positive 34.
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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