Clifton Hill

Population growth drivers in Clifton Hill are strong compared to national averages based on AreaSearch's ranking of recent, and medium to long-term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch since the Census, Clifton Hill's population is estimated at around 7,098 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase of 492 people (7.4%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 6,606 people. The change is inferred from the resident population of 6,798, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024 and an additional 8 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 3,677 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. Over the past decade, Clifton Hill has demonstrated resilient growth patterns with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%, outpacing the SA3 area. Population growth for the suburb was primarily driven by overseas migration that contributed approximately 47.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, although all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth were positive factors.

AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, as released in 2024 with a base year of 2022. For any SA2 areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch is utilising the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are also applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Moving forward with demographic trends, exceptional growth, placing in the top 10 percent of national statistical areas, is predicted over the period with the suburb expected to increase by 4,488 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting an increase of 69.6% in total over the 17 years.

AreaSearch assessment of residential development activity positions Clifton Hill among the top 25% of areas assessed nationwide

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows Clifton Hill has had approximately 38 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years, totalling around 194 homes. No approvals have been recorded so far in FY26. On average, 4.5 new residents per year arrived per dwelling constructed between FY21 and FY25. Commercial approvals this financial year totalled $9.5 million.

Compared to Greater Melbourne, Clifton Hill has about three-quarters the rate of new dwelling approvals per person, placing it in the 71st percentile nationally. All approved constructions were attached dwellings. This shift from the area's existing housing (currently 24.0% houses) suggests decreasing developable sites and changing lifestyles. With around 186 people per dwelling approval, Clifton Hill exhibits growth area characteristics. Future projections estimate Clifton Hill will add approximately 4,940 residents by 2041.

At current development rates, housing supply may struggle to match population growth, potentially increasing buyer competition and supporting price increases.

Clifton Hill has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Infrastructure changes significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 27 projects that may impact the area. Notable projects include Fitzroy Gasworks Precinct, 267-269 Queens Parade Apartments, Heidelberg Road Local Area Plan, and YarraBend - Paperworks Building. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

Denotes AI-based impression for illustrative purposes only, not to be taken as definitive under any circumstances. Please follow links and conduct other investigations from the project's source for actual imagery. Developers and project owners wishing us to use original imagery please Contact Us and we will do so.

Employment performance in Clifton Hill exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators

Clifton Hill has an educated workforce, with the technology sector prominent. Its unemployment rate is 3.8%, lower than Greater Melbourne's 4.6%.

Employment growth over the past year was estimated at 6.4% based on AreaSearch data aggregation. As of June 2025, 4,878 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 0.8% below Greater Melbourne's rate. Workforce participation is higher than standard, at 73.6%. Dominant employment sectors include professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training.

Professional & technical jobs are particularly concentrated, at 1.9 times the regional average. Construction jobs are under-represented, at 5.7% compared to Greater Melbourne's 9.7%. Employment opportunities locally may be limited as indicated by Census data. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 6.4%, while labour force increased by 6.9%, leading to a slight unemployment rise of 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne had employment growth of 3.5% and labour force growth of 4.0%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from Sep-22 suggest Clifton Hill's employment should increase by 7.6% over five years and 15.3% over ten years based on industry-specific projections.

The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis

Clifton Hill had a median taxpayer income of $72,186 and an average income of $108,712 in the financial year 2022, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This places Clifton Hill in the top percentile nationally, contrasting with Greater Melbourne's median income of $54,892 and average income of $73,761 during the same period. By September 2025, current estimates suggest the median income would be approximately $80,964 and the average income around $121,931, based on a 12.16% growth in wages since financial year 2022 as per the Wage Price Index. The 2021 Census figures show that Clifton Hill's household, family, and personal incomes rank highly nationally, between the 94th and 96th percentiles. Income analysis reveals that 34.5% of locals (2,448 people) fall into the $4000+ income category, differing from the surrounding region where the $1,500 - 2,999 category is predominant at 32.8%. The locality exhibits significant affluence with 47.2% earning over $3,000 per week, supporting premium retail and service offerings. Housing accounts for 14.9% of income, while strong earnings place residents within the 94th percentile for disposable income. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.

Clifton Hill displays a diverse mix of dwelling types, with above-average rates of outright home ownership

Clifton Hill's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 23.8% houses and 76.2% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In contrast, Melbourne metro had 12.8% houses and 87.2% other dwellings. Home ownership in Clifton Hill was at 29.6%, with mortgaged dwellings at 30.8% and rented ones at 39.6%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,700, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,326. Median weekly rent in Clifton Hill was $550, compared to Melbourne metro's $451. Nationally, Clifton Hill's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,700 versus the Australian average of $1,863, and rents were substantially higher at $550 compared to the national figure of $375.

Clifton Hill features high concentrations of group households, with a higher-than-average median household size

Family households constitute 63.2% of all households, including 26.2% couples with children, 29.6% couples without children, and 6.4% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 36.8%, with lone person households at 27.6% and group households comprising 9.2%. The median household size is 2.3 people, larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.0.

Educational achievement in Clifton Hill places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

Clifton Hill's educational attainment notably exceeds national averages. Among residents aged 15 and above, 66.4% possess university qualifications, surpassing the Australian average of 30.4% and Victoria's average of 33.4%. This high level of educational achievement positions Clifton Hill favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent at 36.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (22.8%) and graduate diplomas (7.1%).

Technical qualifications account for 14.0% of educational achievements, with advanced diplomas (6.9%) and certificates (7.1%) being the primary contributors. Educational participation is notably high in Clifton Hill, with 26.8% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 8.5% in tertiary education, 8.1% in primary education, and 5.0% pursuing secondary education. The three schools in Clifton Hill have a combined enrollment of 1,001 students as of the latest data available. These schools demonstrate exceptional educational performance, with an ICSEA score of 1176, placing them among the most advantaged nationally. All three schools focus exclusively on primary education, with secondary options available in nearby areas. School capacity exceeds typical residential needs, with 14.1 places per 100 residents compared to the regional average of 10.3, indicating that Clifton Hill serves as an educational hub for the broader region.

Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility

Transport analysis indicates 24 active stops operating within Clifton Hill. These include train, light rail, and bus services. There are 10 routes serving these stops, providing a total of 6941 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated good, with residents located an average of 284 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 991 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 289 weekly trips per individual stop.

The level of general health in Clifton Hill is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions

Clifton Hill shows better-than-average health outcomes for both younger and older residents. Common health conditions have a low prevalence in this area.

Approximately 70% of Clifton Hill's total population (4938 people) has private health cover, compared to the national average of 55.3%. Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions, affecting 11.3% and 8.7% of residents respectively. A higher proportion of residents, 69.7%, report no medical ailments than in Greater Melbourne (70.6%). Clifton Hill has a larger senior population, with 14.4% aged 65 and over (1022 people), compared to Greater Melbourne's 12.1%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors are above average, mirroring the general population's health profile in the area.

The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Clifton Hill was found to be above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics

Clifton Hill's cultural diversity is above average, with 22.0% of its population born overseas and 13.0% speaking a language other than English at home. Christianity is the predominant religion in Clifton Hill, accounting for 25.8% of the population. Judaism is overrepresented compared to Greater Melbourne, comprising 1.1% versus 0.8%.

In terms of ancestry, the top three groups are English (26.7%), Australian (20.1%), and Irish (12.9%). Notably, Scottish ethnicity is higher in Clifton Hill at 9.8% compared to the regional average of 8.6%, while French is slightly lower at 0.7% versus 0.8%. Greek ethnicity is nearly equal between Clifton Hill and Greater Melbourne, with 2.7% and 2.8% respectively.

Clifton Hill's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

Clifton Hill has a median age of 37, which matches Greater Melbourne's figure and is comparable to Australia's median age of 38. The 25-34 age group makes up 21.1% of Clifton Hill's population, higher than Greater Melbourne's percentage but lower than the national average of 14.5%. The 15-24 age group comprises 9.3%, a growth from 7.8% in 2021. Meanwhile, the 55-64 cohort has decreased from 10.6% to 9.8% during this period. By 2041, demographic projections indicate significant changes in Clifton Hill's age structure, with the 45-54 group expected to grow by 124%, reaching 1,904 people from 851.