West Footscray
West Footscray packs 11,729 residents into 3.75 sq km, giving it a density of 3,131.5 people per sq km while still retaining a 59.0% separate-house base. Unlike Footscray's activity-centre feel or Yarraville's village focus, it reads as a middle-ring residential market with a younger, highly educated profile: the median age is 35, which is 5.0 years below the national figure, and 52.8% hold university qualifications, 22.7 percentage points above national. A $1,015,000 median house price and 35.4% overseas-born population point to an inner-west suburb where demand is driven by access, education and cultural depth.
Population
11,729
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,989/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
13
Median House
$1.0M
Apr-Jun 2024
Homebuyers are paying a $1,015,000 median house price, but the latest value is still 3.5% below the 2021 peak of $1,051,500, giving some relief compared with the top of the cycle. The stock mix is practical rather than high-rise: 59.0% separate houses, 19.1% semi-detached homes and 21.5% apartments. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 40.1%, with 2-bedroom dwellings close behind at 36.6%, so the suburb suits couples and smaller families because most housing is not oversized. Mortgage costs sit at 24.7% of income, below common stress thresholds.
For Buyers
Homebuyers are paying a $1,015,000 median house price, but the latest value is still 3.5% below the 2021 peak of $1,051,500, giving some relief compared with the top of the cycle. The stock mix is practical rather than high-rise: 59.0% separate houses, 19.1% semi-detached homes and 21.5% apartments. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 40.1%, with 2-bedroom dwellings close behind at 36.6%, so the suburb suits couples and smaller families because most housing is not oversized. Mortgage costs sit at 24.7% of income, below common stress thresholds.
For Investors
West Footscray has a large rental pool, with 41.6% of households renting and median weekly rent at $351. That demand base is supported by 52.8% university attainment and a 35-year median age, but the 9.7% vacancy rate is higher than a tight rental market, so leasing strategy matters. Development pressure is moderate, with 15 applications in 12 months, mostly subdivisions rather than major towers. Average net overseas migration of 860 people a year supports demand, while net internal migration of -60 suggests turnover is driven more by arrivals than local household churn.
Development Activity
Total DAs
24
Last 12 Months
13
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+160.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in West Footscray iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Footscray West Primary School
Prep-6 · 672 students
OakTree College
11-12 · 19 students
Demographics
West Footscray is younger and more qualified than the national benchmark. The median age is 35, 5.0 years below national, and 52.8% of adults have university qualifications, 22.7 percentage points above national. Overseas-born residents make up 35.4%, which is 13.8 points above national, shaping a mix that includes English ancestry at 3,042 people, Irish at 1,296 and Vietnamese at 953. Household size is 2.4, slightly below the national average by 0.1, which fits the high share of 1 and 2-bedroom dwellings.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
59.0%
Houses
19.1%
Townhouse
21.5%
Apartment
Tenure
The housing market has risen strongly over the long run but is not at its peak. The median house price moved from $553,000 in 2013 to $1,015,000 in Apr-Jun 2024, an 83.5% gain and 4.4% CAGR over 14 years. Latest pricing is 3.5% lower than the 2021 peak of $1,051,500, which gives buyers more room than during the last high point. Tenure is mixed, with 22.4% owned outright, 36.0% mortgaged and 41.6% renting. Housing costs look manageable because rent takes 17.6% of income and mortgage payments take 24.7%.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,129
Rent / wk
$351
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$1,003
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.7%
Unoccupied
494
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
27.6%
Couples, no children
8,369
Total families
Economy & Employment
West Footscray's economy leans toward skilled service work. Healthcare employs 749 people or 15.4%, followed by Education at 631, Professional/Tech at 607, Public Admin at 471 and Construction at 338. Occupations reinforce that pattern, with 2,075 Professionals and 955 Managers. The unemployment rate is 6.0%, while 66.7% of employed residents work full time and participation is 65.2%. SEIFA is mixed: education and occupation ranks in decile 8, IRSAD in decile 7 and IRSD in decile 6, but economic resources sit lower in decile 3, likely reflecting the 41.6% rental share and varied incomes.
Unemployment
5.9%
Labour Force
15,155
Unemployed
901
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
66.7%
Part-time
27.3%
Participation
65.2%
Employed
5,955
Occupations
Top Industries
University
52.8%
Postgraduate
17.1%
Born Overseas
35.4%
Dwellings
4,590
Transport to Work
Livability is strongest for buyers who value inner-west access but still drive often. Car commuting is high at 76.5%, while 9.9% use public transport and 7.9% walk or cycle, so daily convenience depends on being close to stations and village strips. Schooling is compact, led by Footscray West Primary with ICSEA 1117 and a small Independent secondary option at ICSEA 966, across 2 local campuses and 691 combined enrolments. Safety is more mixed: the crime rate is 76.4 per 1,000, with 659 property and deception offences, while IRSAD decile 7 points to above-average advantage.
Drive
76.5%
Public Transport
9.9%
Walk / Cycle
7.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+2.05%/yr
(+429 people/yr)
EstablishedGrowth is positive but not one-dimensional. The annual trend is 2.05%, equal to about 429 additional people a year, and the medium path rises from 20,900 in 2026 to 23,047 by 2031. Migration is the main engine because average net overseas migration is +860 a year, compared with average net internal migration of -60. The shift profile is Mixed: rent growth is 34.0%, real income growth is 52.9% and the working-age share is up 6.6 points. Gentrification is labelled Early signs with a score of 36, so change is visible but not yet fully mature.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+860
Net Internal / yr
-60
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +49% since 2011, Strong overseas inflow +860/yr, COVID recovered (-4% dip → full recovery)
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
896
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
76.4
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 West Footscray compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is West Footscray a good suburb to live in?
Yes for many inner-west buyers, especially those wanting a younger and educated area. The median age is 35, university attainment is 52.8% and the suburb has 2 local schools, though the 76.4 crimes per 1,000 rate means street-by-street checks still matter.
What is the median house price in West Footscray?
The median house price in West Footscray is $1,015,000 for Apr-Jun 2024. That is 3.5% below the 2021 peak of $1,051,500, but still 83.5% higher than the $553,000 median recorded in 2013.
What schools are in West Footscray?
West Footscray has 2 local schools. Footscray West Primary School is a Government primary with ICSEA 1117 and 672 enrolments, while OakTree College is an Independent secondary with ICSEA 966 and 19 enrolments.
Is West Footscray safe?
West Footscray recorded 896 offences, equal to 76.4 crimes per 1,000 residents. Property and deception offences are the largest category at 659 incidents, well above crimes against the person at 80, so property security is the main issue to assess.
Is West Footscray good for property investment?
West Footscray has investment appeal because 41.6% of households rent and the forecast trend is 2.05% annual growth. The caution is the 9.7% vacancy rate, which is higher than a very tight market, so pricing and property quality are important.
How is West Footscray's population changing?
The forecast path is rising, with population moving from 20,900 in 2026 to 23,047 in 2031 under the medium scenario. Growth is led by average net overseas migration of +860 people a year, compared with average net internal migration of -60.
What languages are spoken in West Footscray?
West Footscray has a notably multicultural profile, with 35.4% of residents born overseas, 13.8 percentage points above the national figure. Recorded community languages include Italian with 100 speakers, Mandarin 87, Canton 78, Greek 77 and Arabic 70.
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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