Melbourne (Vic.)

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According to population updates from the ABS for the surrounding region, combined with address records verified by Districts since the Census, the resident count for the suburb of Melbourne is projected to be 74,776 as of May 2026. This indicates a rise of 19,835 individuals (36.1%) from the 2021 Census, which registered 54,941 people. This estimation is based on a resident base of 74,685 calculated by Districts using the ABS June 2025 release of ERP figures, alongside an additional 581 validated new addresses since the Census date. This population size yields a density of 11,346 persons per square kilometer, placing the locality in the top 10% of all national areas evaluated by Districts, demonstrating that local land is a highly coveted asset. The 36.1% rate of expansion in the suburb of Melbourne since the 2021 census outstripped the state average (9.3%) and the country as a whole, positioning it as a leading growth zone. Demographic expansion was heavily supported by arrivals from overseas, accounting for roughly 96.0% of the total population growth in recent times, though natural increase and interstate arrivals also registered positive contributions.

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The local workforce is characterized by high levels of education, with a strong presence in professional fields, a low unemployment rate of 3.6%, and estimated annual jobs growth of 3.7%, based on Districts figures. As of March 2026, 53,762 local residents are employed. The jobless rate sits 1.2% below the Greater Melbourne average of 4.8%, while the participation rate of 76.9% is significantly higher than the metropolitan benchmark of 70.2%. Census figures show that 39.4% of working residents operated from home, though this may have been influenced by pandemic-related restrictions.

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According to the latest ATO postcode statistics released for financial year 2023, Melbourne taxpayers have a median income of $42,612 and an average of $67,203. This matches national benchmarks, compared to a median of $57,688 and an average of $75,164 across Greater Melbourne. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be roughly $46,711 for the median and $73,668 for the average as of March 2026. Census records indicate that individual weekly income is in the 61st percentile ($864), while household earnings are in the 32nd percentile. The largest income bracket is the 31.5% of taxpayers earning between $1,500 - 2,999 weekly (23,554 residents), which is similar to the metropolitan average of 32.8% for this cohort. Household budget pressures are high, with only 76.8% of income remaining after housing costs, placing the area in the 22nd percentile, while the SEIFA index for income ranks in the 8th decile.

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The mix of housing types in Melbourne at the time of the Census consisted of 0.1% detached houses and 99.9% other dwelling types such as apartments and semi-detached units, compared to metropolitan averages of 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership rates were low compared to the wider metropolis, standing at 13.1%, with the remaining properties occupied by residents with a mortgage (13.6%) or renting tenants (73.3%). The median mortgage payment of $1,800 monthly was below the metropolitan benchmark, while the median weekly rent was $381, compared to metropolitan averages of $2,000 and $390. Across the nation, local mortgage payments are lower than the Australian median of $1,863, whereas rental costs exceed the national benchmark of $375.

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Family units account for 37.5% of local households, consisting of 5.7% couples with children, 25.6% couples without children, and 3.1% single parents. The remaining 62.5% are non-family households, with single person households representing 47.2% and group households making up 15.3% of the total. The median household size is 1.7 people, which is smaller than the metropolitan average of 2.6.

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Educational qualification levels in Melbourne are high compared to broader averages, with 61.1% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% nationally and 33.4% across Victoria. This gives the local workforce a strong foundation for knowledge-based roles. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 37.7%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 20.6% and graduate diplomas at 2.8%. Vocational education accounts for 18.3% of credentials among residents aged 15 and over, comprising advanced diplomas at 11.0% and certificates at 7.3%.

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Local public transport infrastructure consists of 206 active stops, including a combination of train, light rail, and bus services. These stops are connected to 92 separate routes, which support 69,302 passenger trips weekly. Accessibility is high, with residents living an average of 95 meters from their nearest transport stop. As the area is mostly residential, the majority of commuters travel out of the suburb, with walking being a common option at 25%, and 22% using trains. Vehicle ownership is low, averaging 0.1 cars per household, which is below the metropolitan benchmark. Working from home was recorded for 39.4% of residents in the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era workplace arrangements.

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Local health outcomes are positive, based on Districts assessments of mortality rates and chronic health conditions, showing a low occurrence of common illnesses across all age groups. Private health insurance coverage is slightly higher than the average SA2 area, standing at approximately 53% of the population (~39,930 people), compared to 56.7% for Greater Melbourne.

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The locality is highly multicultural, with 60.2% of residents speaking a non-English language at home and 70.6% born overseas. The most common religion is Christianity, representing 25.6% of residents. However, Buddhism shows a notable local concentration, accounting for 10.2% of the population, which is higher than the Greater Melbourne average of 4.2%.

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The median age of Melbourne residents is 27 years, which is lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and the national median of 38 years. Compared to the wider metropolitan area, there is a high concentration of residents aged 25 - 34 (39.9%) and a small proportion of children aged 5 - 14 (1.6%). The local concentration of 25 - 34 year olds is higher than the national average of 14.6%. The local demographic has become younger since the 2021 Census, with the median age dropping 1.6 years from 29 to 27. The 15 to 24 age bracket rose from 24.5% to 28.2% of the population, while the 25 to 34 group increased from 38.3% to 39.9%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 group fell from 6.8% to 5.5% and the 55 to 64 group decreased from 5.1% to 3.9%. Demographic forecasts suggest the local age profile will change by 2041, with the 25 to 34 age bracket projected to grow by 9,474 people (32%), increasing from 29,835 to 39,310.

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Melbourne currently has an estimated 1,046 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 702 children aged 0-2 and 463 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 5% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 35% by 2041 (to approximately 1,415 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,286. Birth rates in the area have averaged 3.9 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a low rate (among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.