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This analysis uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries, which can materially differ from Statistical Areas (SA2) even when sharing the same name.
SAL boundaries are defined by Australia Post and the Australian Bureau of Statistics to represent commonly-known suburb names used in postal addresses.
Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census data collection and may combine multiple suburbs or use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
est. as @ -- *
2021 Census | -- people
Sales Activity
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Population
An assessment of population growth drivers in East Melbourne reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends
As of May 2026, the estimated population of the suburb of East Melbourne is around 5,245, reflecting a 7.1% increase since the 2021 Census which reported a population of 4,896. This estimate was made by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2025 and address validation since the Census date. The population density ratio is 2,819 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the upper quartile relative to national locations assessed by AreaSearch. East Melbourne's growth rate since census is within 2.2 percentage points of the state (9.3%), demonstrating competitive growth fundamentals. Overseas migration was the primary driver of population gains during recent periods. AreaSearch adopts ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.
For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023 with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Population projections indicate an above median growth for the suburb, expecting an increase of 791 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 15.1% over the 16-year period.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
The level of residential development activity in East Melbourne is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch
AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers allocated from statistical area data shows East Melbourne has experienced around 13 dwelling approvals annually over the past five financial years to June 2021, totalling an estimated 66 homes. As of July 2021, no approvals have been recorded for FY-26. The population decline in recent years has maintained adequate housing supply relative to demand, resulting in a balanced market with good buyer choice.
Commercial development approvals totalled $541.8 million this financial year, indicating robust local business investment. Compared to Greater Melbourne, East Melbourne shows reduced construction activity at 80.0% below the regional average per person. This limited new supply generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties. The area's activity is also under the national average, suggesting its established nature and potential planning limitations. Recent building activity consists entirely of townhouses or apartments, promoting higher-density living and affordability for downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers. As of June 2021, East Melbourne has approximately 3439 people per dwelling approval, indicating an established market.
AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate forecasts a population gain of 791 residents by 2041. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around East Melbourne
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| Lodged | Address | Description | Type | Distance | Status |
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Infrastructure
East Melbourne has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally
Changes in local infrastructure significantly affect an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 47 projects potentially impacting the region. Notable initiatives include Punt Road Oval Redevelopment, Simpson Street Residential Development, 250 Albert Street, and Fitzroy Gasworks. The following list details those likely to be most relevant.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Greenline Project
The Greenline Project is a transformational 4km urban renewal initiative creating a continuous promenade along the north bank of the Yarra River (Birrarung). It connects five precincts: Birrarung Marr, The Falls, River Park, Maritime, and Saltwater Wharf. As of mid-2026, the first major stage at Birrarung Marr is complete, featuring 450 metres of new boardwalks, native habitat restoration, and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung cultural design elements. Planning and detailed design are currently underway for the central riverfront sections, including Federation Wharf and Flinders Walk.
Fitzroy Gasworks
The Fitzroy Gasworks is a 3.9-hectare urban renewal project transforming a former industrial site into a sustainable mixed-use precinct. The masterplan delivers approximately 1,400 new homes across three parcels, with at least 20% dedicated to affordable housing. Key components include the operational Wurun Senior Campus, the Bundha Sports Centre (opened February 2026), and extensive public open space. Construction on Parcel B commenced in April 2026, while Parcels A and C are scheduled to follow in 2027.
The Fox: NGV Contemporary
Set to be Australia's largest gallery dedicated to contemporary art and design, The Fox: NGV Contemporary will span 30,000 square metres including more than 13,000 square metres of public exhibition space. Designed by Angelo Candalepas and Associates with a team of 20 leading architecture and engineering firms, the building will feature dramatic arched entries, a colossal 40-metre-high spherical orientating hall (the omphalos) and a dual-level rooftop terrace and sculpture garden with views over Melbourne. The gallery is the centrepiece of the Victorian Government's 1.7 billion dollar Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation, which also delivers the 18,000 square metre Laak Boorndap urban garden and major upgrades to Arts Centre Melbourne's Theatres Building. The former Carlton United Breweries building on the site was deconstructed in 2024, with 95 per cent of materials diverted from landfill. Lendlease was appointed head contractor in March 2025 and is delivering the gallery alongside part of the Laak Boorndap deck structure and precinct services. Piling works are progressing on the site, with construction expected to support around 11,000 jobs across the wider precinct project. The gallery is targeted for completion in 2028.
Ian Potter State Theatre Refurbishment
A major refurbishment of the heritage-listed State Theatre at Arts Centre Melbourne, renamed the Ian Potter State Theatre following a philanthropic donation from the Ian Potter Foundation. The first significant upgrade since the venue opened in 1984, the works expand the Theatres Building footprint by 16 percent and include new lifts and accessible seating across all three levels, full replacement of seating, refreshed interiors honouring John Truscott's original design, improved acoustics, new state-of-the-art lighting, sound and broadcast technology, and upgraded heating, cooling and fire protection systems. The project also delivers a doubled-size loading dock, a new flexible rehearsal space the same size as the State Theatre stage with an adjoining function room, a new accessible stage door, two new hospitality outlets opening onto the Laak Boorndap urban garden, and four new wheelchair accessible amenities plus two all-gender amenities in the foyers. Construction commenced in March 2024 with Lendlease as principal contractor and NH Architects leading the design. The theatre is now scheduled to reopen in October 2026, six months ahead of the original schedule, as the first completed milestone of the wider 1.7 billion dollar Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation. My Fair Lady will be the first major musical to perform in the refurbished venue from November 2026, with The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia returning as resident companies.
Punt Road Oval Redevelopment
A major transformation of the Richmond Football Club's home, featuring a new Jack Dyer Stand with a spectator capacity of 8,000. As of early 2026, construction is progressing with the car park structure nearing completion and the new stand footprint widening. The project includes elite training and administration facilities for AFL and AFLW teams, a realigned MCG-sized oval, and a three-level underground car park. It also houses the William Cooper Centre for community and indigenous programs, including the Korin Gamadji Institute and Melbourne Indigenous Transition School. The design incorporates salvaged bricks from the original historic stand to preserve the site's heritage.
Acteo Group Collingwood Showroom
A four-storey automotive sales and service facility designed by David Earle Architects for Acteo Group (Ateco). The development involves the amalgamation of several sites to create a flagship showroom hub for brands including Maserati, Renault, and Dodge Ram. The facility features ground-floor vehicle displays, upper-level workshops and repair stations, and rooftop vehicle storage, replacing a former pharmacy and industrial warehouse buildings.
40R - Rokeby Place
40R - Rokeby Place is a flagship commercial precinct in Collingwood featuring two 13-storey office towers. The development provides approximately 18,421 sqm of premium lettable area with floorplates ranging from 967 to 1,762 sqm. Key amenities include a business lounge, wellness center, rooftop garden with recreational facilities, and high-quality end-of-trip spaces. The project targets a 5.5-star NABERS rating and carbon-neutral operations, incorporating sustainable design elements like natural ventilation and reduced embodied carbon.
90-100 Bridge Road, Richmond
A six-storey mixed-use development featuring 1,639 sqm of specialist medical suites across the first four floors, 1,253 sqm of premium office space, and 89 sqm of ground-floor retail. Designed by Wardle (formerly John Wardle Architects), the project involves the demolition of existing structures to create a contemporary healthcare and commercial hub on an amalgamated 941.7 sqm site. The building includes two basement levels with 19 car parking spaces and extensive end-of-trip facilities. A portion of the office space is designated as a satellite office for the legal firm Arnold, Thomas and Becker.
Employment
Employment conditions in East Melbourne demonstrate strong performance, ranking among the top 35% of areas assessed nationally
East Melbourne has a highly educated workforce with professional services well represented. The unemployment rate was 3.4% as of December 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 3.8% over the past year. This is based on AreaSearch aggregation of statistical area data.
As of that date, 3,631 residents were in work while the unemployment rate was 1.3% lower than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%. Workforce participation was high at 75.7%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. According to Census responses, 54.1% of residents worked from home, though Covid-19 lockdown impacts should be considered. The dominant employment sectors were professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training.
East Melbourne shows strong specialization in professional & technical services with an employment share of 2.1 times the regional level. Conversely, construction has limited presence at 3.8% compared to the regional level of 9.7%. As at the Census, there were 3.9 workers for every resident, indicating that the area functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents and attracting workers from surrounding areas. During the year to December 2025, employment levels increased by 3.8% and labour force increased by 4.5%, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.7 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded employment growth of 2.4%, labour force growth of 2.8%, with unemployment rising 0.3 percentage points. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that East Melbourne's employment should increase by 7.6% over five years and 15.2% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes and not taking into account localised population projections.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis
According to AreaSearch's aggregation of latest postcode level ATO data released for financial year 2023, East Melbourne had a median income among taxpayers of $78,074. The average income stood at $175,491. This places East Melbourne in the top percentile nationally compared to Greater Melbourne's levels of $57,688 and $75,164 respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates for East Melbourne would be approximately $85,585 (median) and $192,373 (average) as of March 2026. Census data reveals household, family, and personal incomes all rank highly in East Melbourne, between the 85th and 97th percentiles nationally. The earnings profile shows that the $1,500 - 2,999 income bracket dominates with 30.1% of residents (1,578 people). This pattern is similar to metropolitan regions where 32.8% occupy this range. A substantial proportion of high earners, at 41.7%, indicates strong economic capacity throughout the suburb. High housing costs consume 15.4% of income, yet strong earnings place disposable income at the 85th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
East Melbourne features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region
East Melbourne's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 3.2% houses and 96.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In contrast, Melbourne metropolitan area had 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in East Melbourne was 27.5%, with mortgaged dwellings at 18.3% and rented ones at 54.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $2,383, higher than Melbourne metro's average of $2,000. Median weekly rent in East Melbourne was $480, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, East Melbourne's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $1,863 and rents substantially above the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
East Melbourne features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households constitute 49.9% of all households, including 9.6% couples with children, 35.5% couples without children, and 3.3% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 50.1%, with lone person households at 43.1% and group households making up 7.1%. The median household size is 1.8 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Educational achievement in East Melbourne places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community
East Melbourne has a notably higher educational attainment than national and state averages. As of 2016, 67.4% of its residents aged 15 and above held university qualifications, compared to 30.4% nationally and 33.4% in Victoria. The area's most common qualification is the Bachelor degree (39.8%), followed by postgraduate qualifications (21.8%) and graduate diplomas (5.8%). Vocational pathways account for 15.8%, with advanced diplomas making up 9.5% and certificates 6.3%.
In total, 20.7% of the population is actively engaged in formal education as of 2016. This includes 10.6% in tertiary education, 3.1% in primary education, and 2.8% pursuing secondary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
East Melbourne has 37 active public transport stops serving a mix of light rail and buses. These stops are covered by 38 different routes that facilitate 24,868 weekly passenger trips collectively. Residents enjoy excellent transport accessibility, with an average distance of 156 meters to the nearest stop. As a predominantly residential area, most commuters travel outward. Cars remain the primary mode of transport at 46%, followed by walking at 28% and trains at 6%. The average vehicle ownership per dwelling is 0.6, lower than the regional average.
According to the 2021 Census, a high proportion of residents, specifically 54.1%, work from home, which may be influenced by COVID-19 conditions. Across all routes, service frequency averages 3,552 trips per day, equating to approximately 672 weekly trips per stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
East Melbourne's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups
East Melbourne's health outcomes data shows excellent results, as assessed by AreaSearch using mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. The area has a very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 96% of the total population (5,014 people), compared to 56.7% in Greater Melbourne and 55.7% nationally.
Mental health issues affect 8.8% of residents, while arthritis impacts 7.2%. A total of 69.4% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. The under-65 population has better than average health outcomes. East Melbourne has 23.5% of residents aged 65 and over (1,232 people), higher than the 15.0% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are strong and align with national rankings for the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
The level of cultural diversity witnessed in East Melbourne was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics
East Melbourne, surveyed in June 2016, exhibited higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 14.9% of residents speaking a language other than English at home and 29.1% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, comprising 39.7% of the population. Notably, Judaism was overrepresented, making up 0.7% compared to 1.0% in Greater Melbourne.
In terms of ancestry, the top three groups were English (27.3%, substantially higher than the regional average of 20.1%), Australian (16.7%) and Irish (12.8%, significantly higher than the regional average of 6.5%). Other ethnicities with notable differences included Scottish (9.9% vs regional 5.6%), French (0.7% vs 0.5%) and Polish (0.9% vs 0.8%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
East Melbourne's median age exceeds the national pattern
East Melbourne has a median age of 41 years, which is higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years and Australia's median of 38 years. Compared to Greater Melbourne, East Melbourne has an over-representation of the 25-34 cohort (26.5% locally) and an under-representation of the 5-14 year-olds (3.3%). This concentration of the 25-34 age group is significantly higher than the national average of 14.6%. Following the Census in 2021, younger residents caused a decrease in median age by 1.2 years to 41 years. Specifically, the 25 to 34 age group increased from 23.4% to 26.5%, while the 75 to 84 cohort rose from 6.6% to 9.1%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort decreased from 11.3% to 9.0%, and the 55 to 64 group dropped from 13.6% to 11.3%. By 2041, demographic modeling predicts significant changes in East Melbourne's age profile. The 45 to 54 cohort is projected to grow by 50%, adding 236 residents and reaching a total of 709. Notably, the combined 65+ age groups will account for 56% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic trend. In contrast, population declines are projected for the 0 to 4 and 15 to 24 cohorts.