South Yarra
A premium, apartment-led inner-city market houses 25,028 residents across 3.55 square kilometres, producing density of 7,055.1 people per square kilometre. At 33, the median age is 7 years below the national figure, while 65.9% hold a university qualification, 35.8 percentage points above national. Apartments account for 79.6% of dwellings and renters 62.3%, giving South Yarra a more compact and renter-heavy profile than the more house-oriented reputation of nearby Toorak. Prahran is the closer comparison for its younger inner-city feel. This pattern reflects central apartment supply and a mobile resident base, with turnover at 45.7%.
Population
25,028
Median Age
33.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,063/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
331
Median House
$2.0M
October to December 2025
Buyers need to approach South Yarra as a premium apartment market rather than a conventional family-house market. That creates a lower entry point than at the peak, although the suburb remains expensive. Apartments make up 79.6% of dwellings, with 46.7% containing 2 bedrooms and 32.3% containing 0-1 bedrooms, so the stock suits singles, couples and downsizers more than large families. Compared with nearby Toorak, the smaller-format housing profile is a practical distinction. Monthly mortgage cost is $2,100, and mortgage stress is not flagged at 23.5% of household income.
For Buyers
Buyers need to approach South Yarra as a premium apartment market rather than a conventional family-house market. That creates a lower entry point than at the peak, although the suburb remains expensive. Apartments make up 79.6% of dwellings, with 46.7% containing 2 bedrooms and 32.3% containing 0-1 bedrooms, so the stock suits singles, couples and downsizers more than large families. Compared with nearby Toorak, the smaller-format housing profile is a practical distinction. Monthly mortgage cost is $2,100, and mortgage stress is not flagged at 23.5% of household income.
For Investors
South Yarra has a renter-led demand base: 62.3% of residents rent, versus 18.0% who own outright and 17.8% who have a mortgage. Weekly rent is $415, while the vacancy rate is a high 21.3%, so landlords have access to a large tenant pool but may face more leasing competition than in a tightly held market. The 332 development matters recorded over 12 months point to continuing supply and potential amenity change, which can limit scarcity even as the suburb remains popular. Growth is running at 2.9% annually and is driven by overseas migration, while rent growth is 10.4%. That combination is more relevant to investors prioritising tenant depth and long-term growth than immediate scarcity, making apartment selection and building quality important.
Development Activity
Total DAs
428
Last 12 Months
331
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+284.9%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
$1.3M
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in South Yarra
Open-register school locations for education access. This is not a school-quality ranking.
Melbourne Girls Grammar
Christ Church Grammar School
South Yarra Primary School
Centre for Higher Education Studies
Melbourne High School
Demographics
South Yarra's demographic profile is young, highly educated and internationally connected. The median age is 33, or 7 years below national, and 65.9% of residents have university qualifications, 35.8 percentage points above national. Overseas-born residents account for 40.3%, which is 18.7 points above national, while average household size is 1.7, or 0.8 below national. Couples without children represent 64.4% of families, a pattern reinforced by 79.6% apartment housing and a dense urban setting. English ancestry is recorded for 7,845 people and Chinese ancestry for 2,573, while Mandarin is spoken by 516 residents. Compared with Toorak, South Yarra is more youthful and mobile, with turnover at 45.7%; Prahran is the closer demographic comparison.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
7.4%
Houses
12.8%
Townhouse
79.6%
Apartment
Tenure
South Yarra's housing cycle has been strong over the long run but volatile recently. The dwelling mix is unusually concentrated: 79.6% apartments, 7.4% separate houses and 12.8% semi-detached homes. Renting is 62.3%, compared with 18.0% outright ownership and 17.8% mortgages. Compared with Toorak's house-led image, South Yarra has more compact housing because smaller dwellings align with its 1.7-person households.
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: $415.
$620
Bond data year ending Sep 2025 · houses $1,100 · units $700
HH Size
1.7
Personal Income / wk
$1,395
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
21.3%
Unoccupied
3,544
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.5%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
21.2%
Couples with children
64.4%
Couples, no children
10.7%
Single parent
5,553
Total families
Economy & Employment
South Yarra's earning base is professional and service-oriented. Professional/Tech accounts for 22.5% of industry employment, followed by Healthcare at 13.7%, Education at 9.0%, Finance at 8.4% and Retail at 7.1%. The occupational mix reinforces that position: 7,430 Professionals and 3,079 Managers, compared with 1,752 Clerical/Admin workers. Participation is 72.9%, unemployment is 4.0% and full-time employment is 70.2%, supporting a relatively strong labour profile. Weekly household income is $2,063, at the 77.7th percentile. SEIFA is unusually split, with IEO and IRSAD in decile 10, IRSD in decile 9, but IER in decile 2. The contrast is consistent with high education and occupational advantage alongside a renter-heavy market, where 62.3% rent and only 18.0% own outright.
Unemployment
4.0%
Labour Force
16,965
Unemployed
686
Source: ABS Census 2021
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
70.2%
Part-time
24.6%
Participation
72.9%
Employed
16,279
Full-time and part-time are shares of the employed. Source: ABS Census 2021
Occupations
Top Industries
University
65.9%
Postgraduate
20.9%
Born Overseas
40.3%
Dwellings
13,067
Transport to Work
South Yarra suits residents who value central access, compact housing and a strong work-from-home pattern. Public transport accounts for 9.6% of commuting measures, walking or cycling 11.2%, driving 23.6% and working from home 54.4%; compared with a car-dependent setting, that mix supports less reliance on daily driving. Six schools in and around the suburb span 3 government and 3 independent providers, covering primary, secondary, combined primary/secondary and special education types. Enrolment zones should be checked against the exact address. Safety requires attention: the recorded crime rate is 129.8 per 1,000, with 3,249 offences, including 2,157 property and deception offences versus 439 crimes against the person. The 7,055.1 density and IRSAD decile 10 reflect a highly urban setting, while property offences are higher than person-related offences.
Drive
23.6%
Public Transport
9.6%
Walk / Cycle
11.2%
Work from Home
54.4%
Population Forecast
+2.9%/yr
(+399 people/yr)
High GrowthSouth Yarra has a high-growth outlook, with an annual trend of 2.9% and overseas migration as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 90.5% over 10 years, while the shift trajectory is labelled Stable, so momentum is strong without a clear change in demographic direction. Gentrification signals are restrained: one measure records New development with a score of 0, while the shift measure records Not gentrifying with a score of 5. Rent growth is 10.4%, real income growth is 3.9% and affordability improved from 34.9% in 2011 to 30.2% in 2021. Compared with a flat-growth setting, the 2.9% trend and overseas migration point to continuing demand because new residents and development keep the apartment market active.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+689
Net Internal / yr
-155
Gentrification Signal
New development
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
3,249
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
129.8
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 South Yarra compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Yarra a good suburb to live in?
South Yarra suits people seeking inner-city access, apartment living and proximity to established services. It has 25,028 residents, density of 7,055.1 people per square kilometre, 79.6% apartment housing and 54.4% working from home. Compared with quieter, lower-density suburbs, it has a more mobile and renter-oriented lifestyle.
What schools are in South Yarra?
There are 6 listed schools in and around South Yarra, covering government and independent sectors. The mix includes primary, secondary, combined primary/secondary and special education settings, including South Yarra Primary School and Melbourne High School. Enrolment zones and eligibility should be checked for the exact address.
Is South Yarra safe?
South Yarra recorded 3,249 offences at a rate of 129.8 per 1,000 people. Property and deception offences accounted for 2,157 cases, compared with 439 crimes against the person. Safety can vary by street and time, so buyers and renters should review recent local incidents before choosing an address.
Is South Yarra good for property investment?
South Yarra has a strong renter base, with 62.3% renting, weekly rent of $415 and annual rent growth of 10.4%. However, vacancy is a high 21.3% and 332 development matters were recorded over 12 months. The 2.9% annual growth trend and overseas migration support demand, while new apartment supply can increase competition.
How is South Yarra's population changing?
South Yarra's current population is 25,028. Growth is classified as high, with an annual trend of 2.9% and overseas migration as the primary driver. Population change across the wider area is 90.5% over 10 years, while the demographic trajectory is labelled Stable.
What languages are spoken in South Yarra?
South Yarra has an overseas-born share of 40.3%, or 18.7 percentage points above national. Mandarin is spoken by 516 residents, followed by Greek at 181, Cantonese at 166, French at 138 and Italian at 130. English ancestry remains the largest recorded ancestry group at 7,845 people.
Is South Yarra experiencing substantial development?
Yes. South Yarra recorded 332 development matters over 12 months, indicating an active planning environment. The suburb is apartment-dominant, with 79.6% of dwellings in apartments, and the growth outlook is 2.9% annually. New supply may improve amenity but can also increase competition between similar properties.
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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