Suburb profile · Australian Capital Territory
Melba has an estimated 3,429 residents, up 1.4% since the 2021 Census, with 25 projects tracked in the area around Melba.
Updated 28 Aug 2026.
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01Profile
The analysis, national rankings and who lives there.
Conveniently situated 10.6 kilometres northwest from Canberra CBD, the suburb of Melba is an established residential enclave characterised by its scenic natural beauty, green reserves, parks, and walking trails. As of Aug 2026, the estimated resident population (ERP) for the suburb of Melba is approximately 3,429, reflecting modest growth from the 3,383 residents recorded during the 2021 Census as determined from annual SA2-level ERP releases and quarterly national address updates. The community exhibits a balanced age profile with notable educational attainment, high median household income, and an affluent resident base enjoying strong purchasing power.
Local property dynamics are defined by a severely limited dwelling supply alongside an established housing stock that includes a prominent semi-detached footprint. The workforce is characterised by significant participation in the public administration and education sectors, supporting a stable economic foundation.
Estimated resident population by year (ABS, not Census counts): 3,378 in 2006 and 3,424 in 2025. The dashed segment ends at the AreaSearch estimate for Aug 2026: 3,429 (ABS June 2025 base).
Share of residents in each age band (ABS age profile, scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate). Largest: 5 to 14, 14.6%.
Share of households in each weekly household income band (2021 Census). Largest: $1,500 - 2,999, 31%.
Melba ranks in the 98th percentile nationally for transport & access and the 87th for income.
Each bar and spoke is a national percentile; the dashed ring is the typical area. 99th = higher than 99 in every 100 neighbourhood-sized areas across Australia (ABS SA2 areas). Higher means more of the measure, not necessarily better. Orange marks the top three measures where a higher percentile is better; not Age, Housing or Housing Cost.
02Market and pipeline
Rents, sale prices and what is being built.
AreaSearch tracks 25 projects in and around Melba, 6 of them under construction.
Ethos is the second stage of Per Se Developments' Cirrus lakeside precinct at Belconnen.
Major expansion of University of Canberra sports facilities, including the development of Sports Hub 2, new aquatic centre, indoor sports…
A $520 million mixed-use town centre precinct comprising 550 for-sale apartments and 325 build-to-rent units across two towers (20 and 24…
Planned ACT Government community health centre for the growing West Belconnen and Ginninderry region.
Comprehensive upgrade of existing community facilities including expanded library services, community meeting spaces, youth programs area…
The ACT Government is progressing planning for the expansion and modernisation of the Belconnen Basketball Stadium.
Mixed-use precinct at Belconnen Town Centre comprising 435 apartments across buildings of 12 to 18 storeys, a 144-room hotel, ground-floor…
RF Corval has proposed a major mixed-use redevelopment at 40 Cameron Avenue comprising two towers of 24 and 27 storeys.
Belconnen Lakeshore is an ACT Government land release and urban renewal project on the Lake Ginninderra foreshore at Emu Inlet.
Major mixed-use redevelopment of the former Belconnen Bowling Club site and surrounding land in Belconnen Town Centre.
Macnamara is the second residential suburb in the Ginninderry Joint Venture, a 6 Star Green Star community on the western edge of Belconnen.
Completed residential tower with 150 apartments featuring modern amenities, ground-floor retail, and integrated parking.
Images marked AI impression are illustrative only and not photographs of the project; follow the project links for actual imagery. Original imagery? Contact us.
Estimated completion year of the 16 projects in and around the area that are not yet completed and have one: 2026 4, 2027 3, 2028 4, 2029 0, 2030 0, 2031 0, 2032 1, 2033 1, 2034 0, 2035 3. 1 have no completion year.
AreaSearch has tracked 1 substantial development application lodged in and around Melba over the period covered (about 1.9 years). Coverage varies by council.
Status of the 1 tracked applications: 1 approved, 0 under assessment, 0 other (refused, withdrawn or no status).
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracked applications | 1 | Tracked by AreaSearch, in and around the area, period covered (about 1.9 years) | |
| Tracked, last 12 months | 0 | Tracked by AreaSearch, in and around the area | |
| ABS building approvals | 1.0 per 1,000 people | ABS building approvals | 11th percentile nationally |
| Average approvals a year | 4 | ABS building approvals | 9th percentile nationally |
| Applications approved | 1 | Tracked by AreaSearch, in and around the area, period covered (about 1.9 years) |
Key infrastructure and planning changes likely to influence the suburb of Melba include: Ginninderry Masterplanned Community - Strathnairn & Macnamara (Construction); Ginninderry Estate - Strathnairn & Macnamara (Stages 1-7+) (Construction); Belconnen Lakeshore - Connected Waterfront Precinct (Planning); New Northside Hospital (Planning); and Canberra Light Rail Stage 3: Belconnen to City (Planning). These projects represent significant developments that will shape the area's future infrastructure landscape.
Infrastructure development impacting the suburb of Melba spans multiple sectors including Transport & Logistics, Health & Medical, and Communities, among others.
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Residential development activity is lower than average in Melba according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets.
Dwelling approval activity in the suburb of Melba area has seen 9 residential approvals over the past two financial years, based on AreaSearch's SA2 aggregation method. The suburb of Melba's current population of 3,429 has been supported by 4 approvals on average over recent years.
The suburb of Melba has seen 0.1 approval per 100 people in recent years, compared to 0.9 approvals in the broader region. This means that one dwelling has been approved for every 2268 people in the suburb of Melba, compared to one for every 147 in the broader region.
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Looking at development activity over the past five years, the suburb of Melba's approval levels have been significantly below the yearly average of 4, showing a notable downturn in recent development.
Over the past five years, the population in the suburb of Melba has grown by approximately 46 people, while 24 residential approvals were recorded. This equates to a ratio of 1.9 people added for each new dwelling approval. This suggests a balanced relationship between population growth and housing supply.
03People
Population, age, income, work, education and more.
99th = higher than 99 in every 100 neighbourhood-sized areas across Australia (ABS SA2 areas). Higher means more of the measure, not necessarily better.
An assessment of population growth drivers in Melba reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,429 | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, from the ABS June 2025 base | |
| Growth since 2021 Census | +1.4% | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, against the 2021 Census | 16th percentile nationally |
| Population density | 1,486 per km² | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, from the ABS June 2025 base | 60th percentile nationally |
| Average yearly growth, 2020 to 2025 | +0.7% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 | |
| Average yearly growth, 2015 to 2025 | +0.7% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population at the 2021 Census | 3,383 | 2021 Census | |
| Residents added since the 2021 Census | 46 | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026, against the 2021 Census | |
| Average yearly growth, 2022 to 2025 | +0.8% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 | |
| Population growth, 2024 to 2025 | +0.4% | ABS estimated resident population series to June 2025 | |
| Land area | 2.31 km² | AreaSearch boundary analysis |
Total population for the suburb of Melba was estimated to be approximately 3,429 as at Aug 2026. This is based upon an estimated resident population of 3,424 from the ABS up to June 2025.
The suburb of Melba has added approximately 46 people and shown a 1.36% increase from the 3,383 people recorded at the 2021 Census period.
The population density in the suburb of Melba is estimated at 1,484 persons per square kilometre based on the latest population estimate.
Over the past 10 years, the population in the suburb of Melba has shown a compound annual growth rate of 0.7% per annum.
Population growth in the suburb of Melba is driven by: Overseas migration (65.0%), Natural increase (35.0%), Interstate migration (0.0%). The primary driver is Overseas migration, contributing 65.0% of overall population gains.
Melba's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38 years | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | 43rd percentile nationally |
| Aged 65 and over | 17.1% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Children under 15 | 20.3% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 15 to 34 | 26.0% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 25 to 64 | 49.2% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age at the 2021 Census | 38 years | 2021 Census | |
| Aged 0 to 4 | 5.7% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 5 to 14 | 14.6% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 15 to 24 | 13.8% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 25 to 34 | 12.2% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 35 to 44 | 13.9% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 45 to 54 | 12.3% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 55 to 64 | 10.8% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 65 to 74 | 8.1% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 75 to 84 | 7.0% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate | |
| Aged 85 and over | 2.0% | ABS estimated resident population age profile (June 2025), scaled to the Aug 2026 AreaSearch estimate |
AreaSearch estimates the median age in the suburb of Melba at 38 years as at August 2026. That is in line with the 2021 Census figure of 38 years, on an age profile AreaSearch re-estimates for population change recorded since the Census.
At an estimated 38 years as at August 2026, Melba is 3 years older than the Australian Capital Territory 2021 Census average (35 years) and equal to the national Census average.
On AreaSearch estimates updated to August 2026, the most over-represented age group in the suburb of Melba compared to the Australian Capital Territory region is the 5 - 14 group, making up 14.6% of the population.
On AreaSearch estimates updated to August 2026, the most under-represented age group in the suburb of Melba compared to the Australian Capital Territory region is the 25 - 34 group, making up 12.2% of the population.
Yes, certain age groups in the suburb of Melba show significant variance compared to the Australian Capital Territory region. The most over-represented age group is 75-84 year-olds (7.0% vs 5.1%).
AreaSearch estimates children aged 0-14 years at 20.3% of the population in the suburb of Melba as at August 2026.
AreaSearch estimates people aged 65 and over at 17.1% of the population in the suburb of Melba as at August 2026.
Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 87% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median taxable income (ATO) | $65,611 a year | ATO FY-23, annual | 81st percentile nationally |
| Average taxable income | $74,164 a year | ATO FY-23, annual |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Census household income / week | $2,326 | 2021 Census, weekly | 84th percentile nationally |
| Census personal income / week | $1,118 | 2021 Census, weekly | 86th percentile nationally |
| High-income households | 38.1% | 2021 Census | |
| Census family income / week | $2,767 | 2021 Census, weekly | |
| Low-income households | 14.1% | 2021 Census |
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to March 2026, the estimated median taxable income in the suburb of Melba is approximately $72,461. The official ATO data from FY-23 recorded a median of $65,611.
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to March 2026, the estimated average taxable income in the suburb of Melba is approximately $81,907. The official ATO data from FY-23 recorded an average of $74,164.
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to March 2026, the estimated median taxable income in the suburb of Melba is approximately $72,461 compared to $79,744 in Australian Capital Territory. The official ATO data from FY-23 shows $65,611 and $72,206 respectively.
Based on Wage Price Index adjustments to March 2026, the estimated average taxable income in the suburb of Melba is approximately $81,907 compared to $94,957 in Australian Capital Territory. The official ATO data from FY-23 shows $74,164 and $85,981 respectively.
As per the 2021 Census, the income bracket containing the largest proportion (~31.0% / 1,062 persons) of the suburb of Melba's population is the $1,500 - 2,999 cohort.
The largest income cohort in the suburb of Melba is the $1,500 - 2,999 group, representing about 31.0% of the population. In comparison, Australian Capital Territory's largest income cohort is the $1,500 - 2,999 group, representing 34.3% of its population, according to the 2021 Census.
The 2021 Census data indicates that the median household income in the suburb of Melba is $2,326/wk.
According to the 2021 Census, the median family income in the suburb of Melba is $2,767/wk.
The 2021 Census shows that the median personal income in the suburb of Melba is $1,118/wk.
According to AreaSearch's aggregation of the latest postcode level ATO data released for FY-23, the suburb of Melba had a median income among taxpayers of $65,611 with the average level standing at $74,164. This is higher than average nationally and compares to levels of $72,206 and $85,981 across Australian Capital Territory respectively. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 10.44% since FY-23, current estimates would be approximately $72,461 (median) and $81,907 (average) as of March 2026.
The estimated disposable income in the suburb of Melba is $8,803 per year according to AreaSearch analysis.
The suburb of Melba's disposable income is $8,803 compared to $8,812 for Australian Capital Territory, based on AreaSearch analysis.
AreaSearch assessment indicates Melba faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate | 6.8% | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Workforce participation | 65.3% | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Employed residents | 1,670 | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Daytime population | 2,775 | AreaSearch estimate of residents and workers present on a weekday | |
| Labour force | 1,792 | ABS and DEWR labour data, compiled by AreaSearch |
As of March 2026, the suburb of Melba has approximately 1,670 employed residents with an unemployment rate of 6.8%. The unemployment rate is moderate, indicating some available workforce capacity. The area faces employment challenges compared to other regions nationally.
As of March 2026, the unemployment rate in the suburb of Melba stands at 6.8%, which is 2.8 percentage points above Australian Capital Territory's rate of 4.1%. This higher unemployment rate may indicate local labour market challenges. For comparison, the national unemployment rate is 4.2%.
The employment landscape in the suburb of Melba is dominated by several key sectors. The largest employers are public administration & safety (25.9% of employment), education & training (12.6%), and professional & technical (12.1%). These three sectors alone account for 50.6% of local employment, indicating significant concentration. Other significant employers include health care & social assistance and construction.
Over the past year to March 2026, the suburb of Melba has experienced a decline in employment, with total jobs decreasing while the labour force increased. As a result, the unemployment rate has risen. By comparison, Australian Capital Territory saw employment increased and its unemployment rate rose.
The workforce participation rate in the suburb of Melba is 65.3%, which represents the proportion of working-age residents who are either employed or actively seeking work. This healthy participation rate reflects good employment opportunities and workforce engagement. The local rate trailing the Australian Capital Territory average of 70.6%, suggesting potential for increased workforce participation.
The suburb of Melba shows notable specialisation in education & training, which employs 12.6% of the local workforce compared to 9.6% regionally. This moderate specialisation indicates some local strength in the sector. The area also shows above-average employment in 1 other sectors, contributing to a distinctive economic profile.
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The suburb of Melba's employment market shows weaker performance compared to most areas nationally. This suggests the need for targeted economic development initiatives. Recent job advertisement trends show the broader employment region saw a 18.9% decline, ranking 37th out of 37 regions nationally.
Melba shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor qualifications | 23.9% | 2021 Census | 73rd percentile nationally |
| Postgraduate qualifications | 11.9% | 2021 Census | 82nd percentile nationally |
| University qualifications | 40.3% | 2021 Census | |
| Vocational qualifications | 18.1% | 2021 Census | 30th percentile nationally |
| Graduate diploma or certificate | 4.5% | 2021 Census | 89th percentile nationally |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced diploma or diploma | 11.4% | 2021 Census | 67th percentile nationally |
| No post-school qualification | 30.1% | 2021 Census | |
| Residents attending an educational institution | 31.7% | 2021 Census | |
| Residents attending university or other higher education | 5.8% | 2021 Census | 68th percentile nationally |
| Residents attending primary school | 12.0% | 2021 Census | 80th percentile nationally |
| Residents attending secondary school | 7.5% | 2021 Census | 38th percentile nationally |
40.3% of people aged 15 and over in the suburb of Melba have university qualifications, compared to 46.8% in the broader region.
30.1% of people aged 15 and over in the suburb of Melba have no formal qualifications, compared to 28.6% regionally.
The suburb of Melba ranks in the 76th percentile nationally for education based on AreaSearch's analysis of qualification and performance metrics.
The most common qualifications in the suburb of Melba are: Bachelor Degree (23.9%), Certificate (18.1%), Postgraduate (11.9%).
31.7% of the population in the suburb of Melba is currently engaged in formal education, with 12.0% in primary school, 7.5% in secondary school, 5.8% at university.
The average ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) score for schools in the suburb of Melba is 1040, indicating average socio-educational advantage (national average is 1000).
There are 3 schools within the suburb of Melba, with a combined enrollment of approximately 1,342 students.
The suburb of Melba includes 1 primary school, 2 secondary schools.
Melba has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household size | 2.7 people | 2021 Census | 71st percentile nationally |
| Lone-person households | 21.0% | 2021 Census | 32nd percentile nationally |
| Couples with children | 36.9% | 2021 Census | 71st percentile nationally |
| Couples without children | 27.6% | 2021 Census | 56th percentile nationally |
| One-parent families | 11.1% | 2021 Census | 57th percentile nationally |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group households | 2.7% | 2021 Census | 48th percentile nationally |
| Households at the 2021 Census | 1,198 | 2021 Census | |
| Estimated households | 1,214 | AreaSearch estimate, Aug 2026 | |
| Family households | 76.5% | 2021 Census | 69th percentile nationally |
| Average children per family | 1.7 per family | 2021 Census | 61st percentile nationally |
As of the 2021 Census, the suburb of Melba had 1,198 households. Based on population growth patterns, this has grown by approximately 1.3% to an estimated 1,214 households today.
The median household size in the suburb of Melba is 2.7 people. This compares to 2.5 in Australian Capital Territory and reflects the area's household composition mix.
Family households dominate at 76.5% of all households. The remaining households consist of lone person households (21.0%), group households (2.7%), and other household types (0.0%).
Among the 916 family households, 36.9% are couples with children, 27.6% are couples without children at home, and 11.1% are single parent families. This mix shapes local demand for schools, family services, and housing types.
Compared to Australian Capital Territory, the suburb of Melba shows distinct household patterns. Family households are notably over-represented at 76.5% (versus 69.6% regionally). This family-oriented profile influences local demand for family homes, schools, and children's services.
Families in the suburb of Melba have an average of 1.7 children, slightly above the Australian Capital Territory average of 1.4. This influences local demand for child-related services and larger family homes.
Marriage patterns reveal 50.8% of the adult population are currently married, while 33.8% have never married. This compares to 46.8% married and 39.2% never married across Australian Capital Territory.
Single-person households represent 21.0% of all households in the suburb of Melba, similar to the regional average of 25.7%. This affects demand for smaller dwellings and single-person accommodation.
Group households (unrelated people sharing) account for 2.7% of households, well below the Australian Capital Territory average of 4.7%. This low rate suggests limited student or young professional shared accommodation.
The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Melba was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Born overseas | 21.9% | 2021 Census | 46th percentile nationally |
| Speak another language at home | 16.5% | 2021 Census | 56th percentile nationally |
| English only at home | 83.5% | 2021 Census | 43rd percentile nationally |
| Australian citizens | 91.0% | 2021 Census | 84th percentile nationally |
| Born in Australia | 78.1% | 2021 Census | 53rd percentile nationally |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents | 1.6% | 2021 Census | 54th percentile nationally |
Melba was found to be above average in terms of cultural diversity, with 21.9% of its population born overseas and 16.5% speaking a language other than English at home.
The main religion in Melba was found to be Christianity, which makes up 45.4% of people in Melba. However, the most apparent overrepresentation was in Other, which comprises 1.2% of the population, compared to 1.4% across Australian Capital Territory.
In terms of ancestry (country of birth of parents), the top three represented groups in Melba are Australian, comprising 27.2% of the population, English, comprising 24.9% of the population, and Irish, comprising 9.2% of the population. Additionally, there are notable divergences in the representation of certain other ethnic groups: Welsh is notably overrepresented at 0.7% of Melba (vs 0.6% regionally), Croatian at 0.8% (vs 0.9%) and Serbian at 0.4% (vs 0.4%).
21.9% of the suburb of Melba population was born overseas, compared to 29.9% regionally.
16.5% of the population in the suburb of Melba speaks a language other than English at home, compared to 25.6% in the wider region.
1.6% of the suburb of Melba population identifies as Australian Aboriginal, compared to 1.4% in the region.
91.0% of the suburb of Melba population holds citizenship, compared to 85.8% in the wider region.
04Place
Housing, health, transport, local services and the reports on them.
Melba is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rented homes | 20.6% | 2021 Census | 28th percentile nationally |
| Owned outright | 35.5% | 2021 Census | 56th percentile nationally |
| Detached houses | 80.8% | 2021 Census | 40th percentile nationally |
| Median mortgage repayment | $2,100 a month | 2021 Census, monthly | 72nd percentile nationally |
| Owned with a mortgage | 43.8% | 2021 Census | 76th percentile nationally |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-detached, terrace and townhouses | 17.6% | 2021 Census | 79th percentile nationally |
| Median weekly rent paid, 2021 Census | $400 | 2021 Census, weekly | 66th percentile nationally |
| Median rent as a share of median household income | 17.2% | 2021 Census, ratio calculated by AreaSearch | 17th percentile nationally |
| Median mortgage repayment as a share of household income | 20.8% | 2021 Census, ratio calculated by AreaSearch | 21st percentile nationally |
| People per bedroom | 0.8 per bedroom | 2021 Census | 72nd percentile nationally |
In the suburb of Melba, 35.5% of homes are owned outright, 43.8% are owned with a mortgage, and 20.6% are rented.
According to the latest data, 80.8% of dwellings in the suburb of Melba are houses.
In the suburb of Melba, 1.6% of dwellings are apartments or units, with an additional 17.6% being semi-detached dwellings.
Outright home ownership in the suburb of Melba stands at 35.5%, compared to 27.3% in Australian Capital Territory.
The median monthly mortgage repayment in the suburb of Melba is $2,100, compared to $2,080 in Australian Capital Territory.
The aggregate monthly housing cost in the suburb of Melba is $1,276, which represents the average monthly cost across all housing types.
In the suburb of Melba, households with mortgages typically spend 20.8% of their income on mortgage repayments, while renters spend 17.2% of their income on rent.
The average persons per bedroom ratio in the suburb of Melba is 0.8, indicating the level of household density.
Housing affordability in the suburb of Melba shows mortgage holders spending 20.8% of income on repayments (vs 20.2% regionally), while renters spend 17.2% of income on rent (vs 19.0% regionally).
The dwelling mix in the suburb of Melba consists of 80.8% detached houses, 17.6% semi-detached dwellings, 1.6% apartments, and 0.0% other dwelling types.
Housing in Melba consumes approximately 12.7% of median household income ($10,072 monthly), indicating costs are highly affordable. The generally accepted benchmark is that housing should not exceed 30% of household income.
Development activity remains minimal in this area with fewer than 5 recent applications recorded.
Health outcomes in Melba are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private health cover | 56.5% | ATO FY 2023, private health cover | 66th percentile nationally |
| No long-term health condition | 65.9% | 2021 Census | 31st percentile nationally |
| Need help with daily activities | 5.2% | 2021 Census | 47th percentile nationally |
| No long-term health condition, under 65 | 72.0% | 2021 Census | 22nd percentile nationally |
| Three or more long-term health conditions, under 65 | 1.7% | 2021 Census | 66th percentile nationally |
Around 56.5% of people in the suburb of Melba are covered by private health insurance, which compares to 62.4% in the broader region of Australian Capital Territory.
In the suburb of Melba, 5.2% of the population is identified as requiring ongoing medical assistance. This figure is slightly different from the regional average, where 4.6% of people in Australian Capital Territory require similar assistance.
9.6% of people in the suburb of Melba are diagnosed with asthma. In comparison, 8.1% of the population across Australian Capital Territory is affected by asthma.
Diabetes affects 4.0% of the suburb of Melba population, while in the surrounding region, 3.5% of people are diagnosed with diabetes.
3.1% of people in the suburb of Melba have heart disease. Across the region of Australian Capital Territory, 2.8% of the population is affected by heart disease.
In the suburb of Melba, 56.5% of the population are estimated to have private health insurance. Comparatively, Australian Capital Territory sees an estimated private health coverage rate of 62.4%.
Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport access | 98 out of 100 | AreaSearch transport analysis of timetable data | 98th percentile nationally |
| Public transport stops | 42 | Public transport timetable (GTFS) data, compiled by AreaSearch | 37th percentile nationally |
| Weekly public transport trips | 6,666 | Public transport timetable (GTFS) data, compiled by AreaSearch | 87th percentile nationally |
| People per public transport stop | 82 | Public transport timetable (GTFS) data, compiled by AreaSearch | |
| Public transport routes | 120 | Public transport timetable (GTFS) data, compiled by AreaSearch |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles per dwelling | 1.5 per dwelling | 2021 Census | |
| Working residents who worked from home | 14.3% | 2021 Census, taken during COVID-19 restrictions |
There are 42 public transport stops within the suburb of Melba.
The suburb of Melba has 6,666 weekly trips across 120 routes, averaging 952 trips per day.
On average, residential properties are 157 metres from the nearest transport stop.
From the typical resident, the nearest child care centre is 502 m away and the nearest school 544 m.
Distance from the typical resident to the nearest of each service. Every bar starts at 0 m. The nearest is orange.
Public transport 42 stops nearby (40 bus and 2 other), 6,666 weekly trips, access rating 98 out of 100.
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amenity score | 35 out of 100 | AreaSearch proximity analysis | 35th percentile nationally |
| Nearest child care | 502 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest school | 544 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest supermarket | 713 m | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest pharmacy | 1.4 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident |
| Measure | Value | Source and date | National percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest dentist | 1.4 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest GP | 1.5 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest fitness centre | 2.0 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest bank | 3.4 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest shopping centre | 3.5 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest government service | 3.6 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident | |
| Nearest hospital | 3.7 km | AreaSearch proximity analysis, from the typical resident |
Sector reports that go deeper on these services: child care, medical, retail, aged care and specialist disability accommodation (SDA).
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05Reports and tools
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06About this profile
Where the figures come from, downloads and nearby areas.
Residential development activity is lower than average in Melba according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets.
Melba has moderate levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 29% nationally.
No headline figures are reported for this area.
An assessment of population growth drivers in Melba reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends.
Melba's population aligns closely with national norms in age terms.
Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 87% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch.
AreaSearch assessment indicates Melba faces employment challenges relative to the majority of Australian markets.
Melba shows strong educational performance, ranking in the upper quartile nationally when assessed across multiple qualification and achievement indicators.
Melba has a typical household mix, with a higher-than-average median household size.
The level of cultural diversity witnessed in Melba was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics.
Melba is characterized by a predominantly suburban housing profile, with above-average rates of outright home ownership.
Health outcomes in Melba are marginally below the national average with common health conditions slightly more prevalent than average across both younger and older age cohorts.
Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility.
Amenity provision was found to be below the typical area assessed nationally by AreaSearch, based on counts and proximity analysis.
Melba has an estimated 3,429 residents, up 1.4% since the 2021 Census, with 25 projects tracked in the area around Melba.
Latest estimate as at Aug 2026; other figures from the 2021 Census, ATO FY-23 and AreaSearch estimates where labelled. Updated 28 Aug 2026.
Sources: ABS Census 2021, ABS estimated resident population, ATO taxation statistics, state rental bonds and property sales records where published, and AreaSearch analysis for Melba.
Data currency
Refreshed . Population and age estimated to Aug 2026 and taxable income FY 2023. Housing, households and cultural diversity are from the 2021 Census (next update with the 2026 Census results).
Infrastructure projects and development applications also include sites in the surrounding area, and are labelled as such. Other sections were compiled 28 Aug 2026 from sources that update on their own cycles; "See the evidence" lists each source and its cycle.
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 a complete picture, consider both boundary types where available.
Main sources: ABS, Geoscience Australia, GNAF, ATO, State governments, Valuer General, Rental Board and Infrastructure Australia.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL80094). QuickStats reports 2021 only; the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.
This page uses Suburbs and Localities (SAL) boundaries (suburb-style geography). SAL represents commonly-known suburb names used in addresses, while Statistical Areas (SA2) are designed for census and statistical reporting. Even when sharing the same name, SAL and SA2 boundaries often cover different geographic areas with different populations.
AreaSearch compiles this page from official and industry sources, including ABS, Geoscience Australia, GNAF, ATO, State governments, Valuer General, Rental Board and Infrastructure Australia, then calculates statistics for the boundary shown, and ranks, growth rates and benchmarks itself. Property sales come from the state valuation authority, rents from state rental bond lodgements, development applications from council and state planning portals, school data from ACARA, and public transport from state transport departments. Infrastructure projects and development applications also include sites in the surrounding area, labelled as such.
No. Most of this page is built beyond the Census. Dated for this area: population (Aug 2026), age profile (Aug 2026) and income (FY 2023). Compiled with this profile from sources that publish on their own cycles: development and approvals, property sales and rents, infrastructure projects, employment, education, transport, health and services and amenities. Only housing, households and cultural diversity remain wholly Census-based, because no more current small-area dataset exists for those measures.
Key demographics and figures for Melba from the 2021 Census, ATO taxpayer data and AreaSearch estimates and analysis. Each topic has its own table of key figures beside the section it belongs to, and each row names its source and date. The percentile compares Melba with every neighbourhood-sized area across Australia (ABS SA2 areas): a higher percentile means more of that measure than most, not necessarily better.
Source: AreaSearch (areasearch.com.au) compiled from ABS Census 2021, ATO and other public sources.