Watsonia North
A median age of 41 combined with 98.3% detached houses and 46.3% outright ownership marks Watsonia North as one of the most settled, owner-occupied pockets in Melbourne's north-east. Household income sits in the 77.8th percentile nationally, yet the $920,500 median house price remains lower than many comparable inner-ring suburbs, making it an accessible entry point in a tight market. University qualifications reach 41.9% of residents, which is 11.8 percentage points above the national figure. The crime rate of 21.8 per 1,000 residents places it firmly in low-crime territory compared to metropolitan norms, and 88.1% of residents stayed put over the prior year, reflecting the strong holding behaviour typical of the mortgage-belt identity.
Population
3,799
Median Age
41.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,069/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
0
Median House
$920K
Apr-Jun 2024
The median house price of $920,500 recorded in Apr-Jun 2024 sits below the Oct-Dec 2023 reading of $920,300 and the Jan-Mar 2024 peak of $963,500, suggesting some softening after a run-up. Over 14 years the price grew from $510,000 to $920,500, a CAGR of 4.3%. The stock is almost entirely detached houses at 98.3%, and bedroom configuration skews large: 56.6% have 3 bedrooms and 38.9% have 4 or more, so buyers seeking smaller dwellings will find limited options compared to more apartment-mixed suburbs. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,050, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.9%, below the standard stress threshold of 30%. Outright owners at 46.3% outnumber mortgage holders at 41.1%, which is unusual and points to a long-established owner base carrying little debt.
For Buyers
The median house price of $920,500 recorded in Apr-Jun 2024 sits below the Oct-Dec 2023 reading of $920,300 and the Jan-Mar 2024 peak of $963,500, suggesting some softening after a run-up. Over 14 years the price grew from $510,000 to $920,500, a CAGR of 4.3%. The stock is almost entirely detached houses at 98.3%, and bedroom configuration skews large: 56.6% have 3 bedrooms and 38.9% have 4 or more, so buyers seeking smaller dwellings will find limited options compared to more apartment-mixed suburbs. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,050, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.9%, below the standard stress threshold of 30%. Outright owners at 46.3% outnumber mortgage holders at 41.1%, which is unusual and points to a long-established owner base carrying little debt.
For Investors
The rental market is thin: only 12.6% of dwellings are rented, well below the national average, and weekly rent sits at $401. Against a $920,500 median, gross yield is near 2.3%, modest but consistent with a low-turnover, owner-occupier suburb. The vacancy rate of 3.9% is on the higher side for a suburb this owner-dominated, indicating limited competition among tenants. Net overseas migration adds an estimated 79 residents a year while internal migration contributes roughly 42, giving a combined demand driver that supports modest but steady absorption. The population grew 31.4% over the decade to 2021, and forecasts project the broader area reaching 8,251 by 2031. Rent growth of 9.3% over the measured period tracks slightly below real income growth of 9.4%, so yield compression is not accelerating.
Development Activity
Total DAs
1
Last 12 Months
0
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
-100.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Watsonia North iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Watsonia North Primary School
Prep-6 · 541 students
Demographics
The median age of 41 is one year above the national figure of 40, reflecting a settled, middle-aged profile. Residents born overseas account for 22.7%, which is 1.1 percentage points above the national rate, a modest but positive migration contribution. Ancestry is led by English (1,075), Italian (543), Irish (480) and Scottish (340), creating a predominantly Anglo-Celtic and Southern European base. University qualifications at 41.9% run 11.8 points above national, making it a more educated suburb than the metro average. Average household size of 2.7 is 0.2 above the national figure, consistent with the high proportion of couple-with-children families: 39.7% of all families. Volunteering at 14.7% indicates community engagement above passive participation rates found in high-turnover suburbs.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
98.3%
Houses
1.7%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is dominated by owners: 46.3% hold outright and 41.1% carry a mortgage, while just 12.6% rent, a distribution that is more owner-leaning than most Victorian suburbs. The stock is almost monolithic in type at 98.3% separate houses and 1.7% semi-detached, with no material apartment presence. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 56.6%, followed by 4-plus bedrooms at 38.9%, meaning the suburb skews toward family-scale housing rather than smaller dwellings. The price history shows a CAGR of 4.3% over 14 years, growing from $510,000 in 2013 to $920,500 in mid-2024, with a peak of $990,000 in Jul-Sep 2023 and a current reading 7.0% below that peak. Rent-to-income at 19.4% keeps tenants comfortable, well below the 30% stress threshold. Mortgage-to-income at 22.9% is similarly healthy relative to household income in the 77.8th national percentile.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,050
Rent / wk
$401
HH Size
2.7
Personal Income / wk
$830
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
3.9%
Unoccupied
55
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.4%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.9%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
25.8%
Couples, no children
3,332
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads local employment at 18.5% of workers (254 people), followed by Education at 13.9% (190) and Construction at 12.1% (166), a combination that reflects Melbourne's north-east service and trade mix. Professional/Tech accounts for 9.3% and Public Admin 8.0%. By occupation, Professionals form the largest group at 537, followed by Clerical/Admin at 281 and Managers at 236. The unemployment rate of 4.1% sits close to the state average, and the full-time employment rate is 63.2%. Real income grew 9.4% over the decade. SEIFA scores place the suburb at decile 7 on all four indices, IRSD, IRSAD, IEO and IER, indicating moderate-to-good advantage, above the national median but below the top-tier inner suburbs. Participation rate of 59.5% is shaped by a sizeable 1,066 residents not in the labour force, consistent with the older household profile.
Unemployment
3.4%
Labour Force
5,441
Unemployed
184
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.2%
Part-time
32.7%
Participation
59.5%
Employed
1,775
Occupations
Top Industries
University
41.9%
Postgraduate
11.3%
Born Overseas
22.7%
Dwellings
1,367
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high: 89.0% of residents drive to work, compared to the national average, and only 4.5% use public transport, partly because the suburb is 1.45 km2 and on the outer edge of the Hurstbridge train corridor. Walking or cycling accounts for just 1.8%. The crime rate of 21.8 offences per 1,000 residents is low relative to broader Melbourne, with property and deception offences making up 41 of 83 total incidents. IRSAD decile 7 confirms moderate-to-high advantage nationally. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families access institutions in adjacent Watsonia and Greensborough. Housing stress is minimal on both measures: rent-to-income at 19.4% and mortgage-to-income at 22.9% remain below the 30% stress line. Only 6.4% of residents need daily assistance, in line with a suburb whose median age of 41 has not yet reached the higher-need bracket.
Drive
89.0%
Public Transport
4.5%
Walk / Cycle
1.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+2.03%/yr
(+150 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 31.4% over the decade to 2021, well above the national average rate, driven by a balanced mix of internal (42 per year) and overseas (79 per year) migration. Annual growth currently runs at 2.03%, adding approximately 150 people per year. The medium forecast projects the broader precinct rising from 7,377 in 2025 to 8,251 by 2031. Affordability has improved: the housing cost burden fell from 39.8% in 2011 to 32.3% in 2021, a 7.5-point improvement that broadens the buyer pool over time. The gentrification score of 28 places the suburb at the early-signs stage, with population up 40% since 2011 and the university-educated share rising from roughly 13% to 24%. Young-adult share increased 2.4 points while senior share fell 0.8 points over the period, a mild rejuvenation rather than a full demographic shift.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+79
Net Internal / yr
+42
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +40% since 2011, Accelerating: 13% → 24%
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
83
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
21.8
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 Watsonia North compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Watsonia North a good suburb to live in?
Watsonia North scores decile 7 on IRSAD nationally, indicating moderate-to-high advantage. Household income sits in the 77.8th percentile, the crime rate is a low 21.8 per 1,000 residents, and 88.1% of residents stayed in the suburb over the prior year. The main practical trade-off is high car dependency at 89.0%, as public transport use is only 4.5%.
What is the median house price in Watsonia North?
The median house price was $920,500 in Apr-Jun 2024, down from a peak of $990,000 in Jul-Sep 2023 and 7.0% below that high. Over 14 years from 2013, prices grew from $510,000 at a CAGR of 4.3%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,050, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.9%, below the stress threshold.
What schools are in Watsonia North?
No schools are recorded within the Watsonia North suburb boundary in this dataset. Families access schools in the adjacent Watsonia and Greensborough areas. The suburb's 41.9% university qualification rate is 11.8 points above the national figure, reflecting a well-educated resident base.
Is Watsonia North safe?
Watsonia North recorded 83 total offences in the measured period, giving a crime rate of 21.8 per 1,000 residents, low by Melbourne standards. The largest category was property and deception offences at 41 incidents. The IRSD decile 7 score confirms low relative disadvantage nationally, which correlates with lower crime incidence.
Is Watsonia North good for property investment?
The rental market is small at 12.6% of dwellings, so tenant demand is limited. Weekly rent of $401 against a $920,500 median gives a gross yield near 2.3%. Vacancy at 3.9% is moderate. In favour of investment: population grew 31.4% over the decade, rent grew 9.3% over the period, and overseas migration adds 79 residents annually, supporting steady long-term demand.
How is Watsonia North's population changing?
Population is growing at 2.03% per year, adding roughly 150 people annually. The 10-year growth rate to 2021 was 31.4%, above average nationally. The medium forecast projects the broader precinct reaching 8,251 residents by 2031. Overseas migration adds 79 per year and internal migration adds 42, making growth balanced rather than reliant on a single driver.
What is the housing stock like in Watsonia North?
The stock is almost entirely detached houses at 98.3%, with 1.7% semi-detached and no material apartment presence. Three-bedroom homes make up 56.6% and 4-plus bedrooms account for 38.9%. Outright owners (46.3%) outnumber mortgage holders (41.1%), an unusually debt-light profile compared to most Melbourne suburbs.
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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