Williamstown North
A median house price of $1,410,000 paired with a 10.7% vacancy rate makes Williamstown North one of Melbourne's more unusual inner-west pockets. Household income sits at the 82.4th percentile nationally, well above average, yet nearly 38% of dwellings are rented. The suburb scores decile 9 on both IRSD and IRSAD, placing it in the top tier for advantage nationally. University qualifications reach 44.8%, which is 14.7 points above the national figure, and the median age of 42 runs 2 years older than the national benchmark. With just 1,622 residents across 1.79 square kilometres, it is a compact, higher-income locality where the aging trajectory and strong overseas migration inflow are reshaping who lives here.
Population
1,622
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,166/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
9
Median House
$1.4M
Apr-Jun 2024
The median house price of $1,410,000 as of April-June 2024 reflects a market that climbed 83.6% from the 2013 baseline of $768,000, a compound annual growth rate of 4.4% over 14 years. The recent trajectory is more volatile: prices peaked at $1,612,500 in July-September 2023 before pulling back 12.6% to the current level. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,383, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.4%, below the 30% stress threshold. Semi-detached dwellings dominate at 42.2% of stock, with separate houses at just 38.9% and apartments at 18.9%, so buyers wanting a freestanding home compete for scarce supply. Three-bedroom dwellings account for 48.9% of the market, and only 16.8% have four or more bedrooms.
For Buyers
The median house price of $1,410,000 as of April-June 2024 reflects a market that climbed 83.6% from the 2013 baseline of $768,000, a compound annual growth rate of 4.4% over 14 years. The recent trajectory is more volatile: prices peaked at $1,612,500 in July-September 2023 before pulling back 12.6% to the current level. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,383, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.4%, below the 30% stress threshold. Semi-detached dwellings dominate at 42.2% of stock, with separate houses at just 38.9% and apartments at 18.9%, so buyers wanting a freestanding home compete for scarce supply. Three-bedroom dwellings account for 48.9% of the market, and only 16.8% have four or more bedrooms.
For Investors
A renter share of 37.6% against median weekly rent of $400 gives a broad tenant base, though gross yield on a $1,410,000 median is thin at roughly 1.5%. The 10.7% vacancy rate is above typical Melbourne inner-west levels, signalling some oversupply in the rental segment, particularly relevant given that 18.9% of dwellings are apartments. Demand fundamentals are supported by strong overseas migration of 259 net arrivals per year, the primary growth driver compared to an internal migration deficit of 27 per year. Development activity is modest at 9 applications in the past 12 months, so new supply pressure is limited. Annual population growth of 0.6% is steady rather than rapid, meaning capital growth rather than rental yield compression should drive investor returns over the medium term.
Development Activity
Total DAs
12
Last 12 Months
9
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
Demographics
The median age of 42 is 2.0 years above the national figure, and the age trajectory is moving further in that direction: the senior share rose 5.2 points while the working-age share fell 3.0 points over the decade. University qualifications at 44.8% run 14.7 percentage points above national, consistent with a professional household profile. Overseas-born residents make up 26.6%, which is 5.0 points above the national average. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (567), Scottish (205) and Irish (204), with Italian heritage also present (104). Average household size is 2.3, marginally below the national figure of 2.5, and 26.6% of families are couples without children, reflecting the older demographic skew. The volunteering rate of 16.2% indicates community engagement above average for metropolitan Melbourne.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
38.9%
Houses
42.2%
Townhouse
18.9%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure is split almost evenly across ownership categories: 24.9% own outright, 37.5% carry a mortgage and 37.6% rent. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 25.4% sits below the 30% stress threshold, and the rent-to-income ratio of 18.5% is comfortably within affordable bounds, both below national stress benchmarks. Semi-detached dwellings at 42.2% define the streetscape, with separate houses at 38.9% and apartments at 18.9%. Three-bedroom configurations dominate at 48.9% and studio or one-bedroom dwellings represent 15.2%. From a long-run perspective, the median house price grew from $768,000 in 2013 to $1,410,000 as of mid-2024, an 83.6% gain, before retreating 12.6% from the peak of $1,612,500. That peak-to-present pullback suggests the market is absorbing post-2023 rate pressure.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,383
Rent / wk
$400
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$963
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
10.7%
Unoccupied
78
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.4%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
26.6%
Couples, no children
1,182
Total families
Economy & Employment
Employment is concentrated in knowledge and care sectors: Professional/Tech leads at 12.5% of workers (80 people), followed by Healthcare at 11.9% (76) and Education at 11.0% (70), with Construction at 10.8% (69) and Finance at 8.0% (51). By occupation, Professionals (249) and Managers (138) together account for the largest share of employed residents. The full-time employment rate of 65.4% is solid and unemployment sits at 6.2%, somewhat elevated relative to the suburb's high-income profile, partly because 414 residents are not in the labour force consistent with the older demographic. The suburb scores decile 9 on both IEO and IRSAD nationally, reflecting above-average education, occupational status and economic resources. Real income grew 17.7% over the decade.
Unemployment
2.2%
Labour Force
10,523
Unemployed
235
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.4%
Part-time
28.4%
Participation
62.6%
Employed
824
Occupations
Top Industries
University
44.8%
Postgraduate
13.3%
Born Overseas
26.6%
Dwellings
651
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high, with 82.6% of residents driving to work, above metropolitan Melbourne norms, while only 5.1% use public transport and 6.8% walk or cycle. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families draw on institutions in neighbouring Williamstown and Newport. Crime totals 223 incidents per year at a rate of 137.5 per 1,000 residents; property and deception offences account for 127 of those, the largest single category. The suburb scores decile 9 on IRSAD nationally, placing it in the top advantage tier. Rent stress is absent at a rent-to-income ratio of 18.5% and mortgage stress is not present at 25.4%, both below national stress thresholds. The need-for-assistance rate is 8.3%, which is moderate and consistent with the older median age of 42.
Drive
82.6%
Public Transport
5.1%
Walk / Cycle
6.8%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.6%/yr
(+103 people/yr)
EstablishedWilliamstown North is classified as an established suburb with steady rather than rapid growth: population expands at 0.6% annually, adding roughly 103 people per year. The broader SA2 area grew 7.9% over 10 years and reached 17,102 in 2025 after recovering from a 4.3% COVID dip. Medium forecasts project the SA2 population reaching 17,571 by 2031, sustained primarily by overseas migration of 259 net arrivals annually, which more than offsets internal net outflow of 27 per year. Rent growth of 45.2% over the period significantly outpaced population growth, tightening affordability for new tenants. The gentrification score of 24 signals early signs of transition, supported by population growth of 11% since 2011 and strong overseas inflow, though the suburb already sits at decile 9 advantage, limiting further structural uplift.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+259
Net Internal / yr
-27
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +11% since 2011, Strong overseas inflow +259/yr, COVID recovered (-4% dip → full recovery)
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
223
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
137.5
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 Williamstown North compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Williamstown North a good suburb to live in?
Williamstown North ranks in decile 9 on IRSAD and IEO nationally, placing it in the top advantage tier. Household income is in the 82.4th percentile and university qualifications at 44.8% run 14.7 points above the national figure. Car dependence is high at 82.6% and no schools sit within the suburb boundary, so families need to plan for local education options.
What is the median house price in Williamstown North?
The median house price is $1,410,000 as of April-June 2024. Prices rose 83.6% from $768,000 in 2013, a compound annual growth rate of 4.4% over 14 years. The market peaked at $1,612,500 in July-September 2023 and has since pulled back 12.6%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,383.
What schools are in Williamstown North?
No schools are recorded within the Williamstown North boundary in this dataset. Families typically access schools in neighbouring Williamstown and Newport. Despite this, the local adult population is highly educated, with 44.8% holding university qualifications, which is 14.7 points above the national average.
Is Williamstown North safe?
Williamstown North recorded 223 crimes in the most recent year, a rate of 137.5 per 1,000 residents. Property and deception offences account for 127 incidents, the largest category. As a reference point, the suburb scores decile 9 on IRSD, indicating it is among the least disadvantaged nationally, which generally correlates with lower vulnerability to crime.
Is Williamstown North good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $400 against a $1,410,000 median implies a gross yield near 1.5%, which is low. The 10.7% vacancy rate is above typical inner-Melbourne levels, so investors should factor in rental competition. Overseas migration of 259 net arrivals per year supports long-term demand. The 14-year compound price growth of 4.4% suggests the suburb favours capital growth over yield strategies.
How is Williamstown North's population changing?
The broader area grew 7.9% over 10 years and is forecast to reach 17,571 by 2031 at 0.6% annual growth. Overseas migration adds 259 net arrivals per year, the primary driver, while net internal migration runs at negative 27. The age profile is shifting, with the senior share up 5.2 points and the working-age share down 3.0 points over the decade.
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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