West Melbourne
West Melbourne's population doubled (106.5%) over the past decade, growing at 3.76% annually (365 persons/year), making it one of Melbourne's fastest-transforming inner suburbs. The 22.4% vacancy rate, the highest in this 15-suburb analysis, sits alongside a 66.8% renter share, creating a landlord-challenging market despite the central location. Two-thirds of residents hold university degrees (66.6%, 36.5 points above national), yet household incomes rank only in the 63rd percentile because many are younger workers or international students. Crime is high at 160.5 per 1,000 residents, dominated by 804 property offences. Chinese ancestry (1,699) is the single largest heritage group.
Population
8,025
Median Age
31.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,788/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
91
Median House
$1.1M
Apr-Jun 2024
At $1,075,500 (Apr-Jun 2024), the median has dropped 22.5% from the 2022 peak of $1,387,500, a significant correction that offers buying opportunities in a CBD-fringe location. However, the median has also risen just 18.8% over 14 years from $905,000 (2013), a mere 1.2% CAGR, among the weakest long-term growth in Melbourne. Apartments dominate at 79.6%, with 49.5% two-bedroom and 33.1% studio/one-bedroom. Mortgage-to-income at 27.2% is elevated for the 63rd-percentile income level. Walking and cycling serve 36.7% of commuters, and only 43.1% drive, making this one of Melbourne's least car-dependent suburbs. Simonds Catholic College (ICSEA 1,053, 359 students) is the sole school.
For Buyers
At $1,075,500 (Apr-Jun 2024), the median has dropped 22.5% from the 2022 peak of $1,387,500, a significant correction that offers buying opportunities in a CBD-fringe location. However, the median has also risen just 18.8% over 14 years from $905,000 (2013), a mere 1.2% CAGR, among the weakest long-term growth in Melbourne. Apartments dominate at 79.6%, with 49.5% two-bedroom and 33.1% studio/one-bedroom. Mortgage-to-income at 27.2% is elevated for the 63rd-percentile income level. Walking and cycling serve 36.7% of commuters, and only 43.1% drive, making this one of Melbourne's least car-dependent suburbs. Simonds Catholic College (ICSEA 1,053, 359 students) is the sole school.
For Investors
The 22.4% vacancy rate is a critical warning, roughly 10 times higher than the balanced 2-3% range. Weekly rent of $388 on $1,075,500 gives a gross yield of about 1.9%. With 90 DAs in 12 months (the highest in this analysis), significant new supply is entering the market. Price correction of 22.5% from the 2022 peak shows the market has already repriced. On the positive side, population growth at 3.76% annually and net internal migration of +50/year (rare for inner Melbourne) signal genuine demand. Overseas migration adds 427 people/year. Rent fell 13.3% over the past decade, unusual in Melbourne, reflecting the apartment glut. Investors need to price for extended vacancies.
Development Activity
Total DAs
144
Last 12 Months
91
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+85.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
$12.4M
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in West Melbourne iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Simonds Catholic College
7-12 · 359 students
Demographics
Chinese ancestry at 1,699 is the largest single group, followed by English (1,495) and Irish (657). Born-overseas at 56.3% (34.7 points above national) makes West Melbourne one of Melbourne's most internationally diverse suburbs. Mandarin (473 speakers), Cantonese (126), Hindi (103), and Korean (86) are the top non-English languages. University education at 66.6% is 36.5 points above national, the second-highest in this analysis. The median age of 31 is 9 years below national, driven by young professionals and international students. Households average just 1.9 persons, 0.6 below national. The 58.1% residential turnover is extremely high, reflecting the transient inner-city rental population.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
1.2%
Houses
18.6%
Townhouse
79.6%
Apartment
Tenure
From $905,000 (2013) to $1,075,500 (Apr-Jun 2024), prices grew just 18.8% over 14 years (1.2% CAGR), dragged down by the 22.5% fall from the $1,387,500 peak in 2022. Renters dominate at 66.8%, with mortgaged households at 21.1% and outright owners at just 12.1%. Apartments at 79.6% and semi-detached at 18.6% leave only 1.2% as separate houses. Studio and 1-bedroom units at 33.1% and 2-bedroom at 49.5% dominate. Mortgage stress at 27.2% and rent stress at 21.7% are both manageable but reveal that even the inner-city premium does not translate to price stability. The SEIFA IEO decile of 10 contrasts sharply with the IER decile of 1, the widest education-resources gap in this analysis.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,106
Rent / wk
$388
HH Size
1.9
Personal Income / wk
$1,058
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
22.4%
Unoccupied
1,113
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
54.4%
Couples, no children
4,371
Total families
Economy & Employment
Professional/Tech leads at 20.9% (894 workers), followed by Healthcare (11.2%), Hospitality (9.8%), Education (9.0%), and Finance (8.1%). The hospitality share is higher than most suburbs, reflecting CBD-edge dining and entertainment. Professionals (2,087) dominate occupations, more than double the next category. Unemployment at 6.7% is above the Melbourne average, and the 71.2% participation rate is high thanks to the young population. The SEIFA IEO score of 1,150 (decile 10) versus IER score of 882 (decile 1) creates Melbourne's starkest contradiction: the most educated suburb that ranks among the least economically resourced, because young renters carry qualifications but not assets.
Unemployment
3.9%
Labour Force
7,141
Unemployed
282
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
66.1%
Part-time
27.2%
Participation
71.2%
Employed
4,942
Occupations
Top Industries
University
66.6%
Postgraduate
23.8%
Born Overseas
56.3%
Dwellings
3,851
Transport to Work
Crime is high at 160.5 per 1,000 (1,288 offences), with property and deception offences (804) the dominant category, followed by crimes against the person (158) and justice procedures (149). This rate reflects the inner-city, high-foot-traffic context. Simonds Catholic College (secondary, ICSEA 1,053, 359 students) is the sole school, scoring above the 1,000 benchmark. Public transport serves 15.4% and walking/cycling a remarkable 36.7%, while only 43.1% drive, making this one of Melbourne's most walkable suburbs. The SEIFA IRSAD decile of 9 reflects the educated-professional character, but the IER decile of 1 shows limited accumulated wealth.
Drive
43.1%
Public Transport
15.4%
Walk / Cycle
36.7%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+3.76%/yr
(+365 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation doubled over the past decade (106.5% growth), growing at 3.76% annually (365 people/year). The SA2 is projected to reach 11,519 by 2031 from 9,699 in 2025. Both internal (+50/year) and overseas (+427/year) migration are positive, a rare combination for inner Melbourne. However, 90 DAs in 12 months and a 22.4% vacancy rate suggest supply is outpacing demand in the short term. The gentrification stage is classified as new development rather than traditional gentrification. Rents actually fell 13.3% over the decade, the only suburb in this analysis with negative rent growth, reflecting the apartment oversupply. Working share grew 4.1 points, offsetting minimal aging.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+427
Net Internal / yr
+50
Gentrification Signal
New development
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
1,288
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
160.5
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 Melbourne compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is West Melbourne a good suburb to live in?
West Melbourne suits young professionals who prioritise walkability (36.7% walk or cycle) and CBD proximity over suburban safety metrics. Crime at 160.5 per 1,000 is high but typical for inner-city Melbourne. SEIFA IRSAD decile 9 reflects the educated population. The 22.4% vacancy rate means abundant rental choice but signals market softness.
What is the median house price in West Melbourne?
The median is $1,075,500 (Apr-Jun 2024), down 22.5% from the $1,387,500 peak in 2022. Over 14 years, growth was just 18.8% from $905,000 (1.2% CAGR), among Melbourne's weakest. The apartment-dominated stock (79.6%) drives this underperformance relative to house-dominated suburbs.
What schools are in West Melbourne?
One school: Simonds Catholic College (secondary, Catholic, ICSEA 1,053, 359 students), scoring above the national 1,000 benchmark. The suburb lacks a primary school, unusual for a population of 8,025. Families with younger children access schools in neighbouring North Melbourne or Kensington.
Is West Melbourne safe?
The crime rate of 160.5 per 1,000 is high. Of 1,288 total offences, 804 were property and deception crimes, 158 crimes against the person, and 149 justice procedure offences. This rate is typical for inner-city Melbourne where high foot traffic and commercial activity inflate property crime figures. The 58.1% residential turnover also reflects a transient population.
Is West Melbourne good for property investment?
Caution is essential. The 22.4% vacancy rate is roughly 10 times balanced levels, prices fell 22.5% from the 2022 peak, and rents dropped 13.3% over the decade. The 90 DAs in 12 months add more supply. However, population growth at 3.76% annually and positive internal migration (+50/year) suggest demand is building. This is a contrarian, long-term play.
How is West Melbourne's population changing?
The population doubled over the past decade (106.5% growth), growing at 3.76% annually (365 people/year). Overseas migration adds 427 people/year, and internal migration adds 50. Projected to reach 11,519 by 2031. The median age of 31 (9 years below national) and 1.9-person households reflect the young, single-professional demographic driving this growth.
What languages are spoken in West Melbourne?
With 56.3% born overseas (34.7 points above national), West Melbourne is one of Melbourne's most diverse suburbs. Mandarin (473 speakers), Cantonese (126), Hindi (103), Korean (86), and Italian (56) are the top non-English languages. Chinese ancestry (1,699) is the single largest heritage group, ahead of English (1,495).
What is the development activity in West Melbourne?
Extremely active with 90 DAs in 12 months, the highest in this analysis. Applications include permit amendments, building construction, and student accommodation changes. This volume for a suburb of 8,025 people signals intense development pressure, contributing to the 22.4% vacancy rate as new stock outpaces absorption.
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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