St Kilda (Vic.)

St Kilda has seen population growth performance typically on par with national averages when looking at short and medium term trends

Based on analysis of ABS population updates for the broader area, and new addresses validated by AreaSearch, the suburb of St Kilda (Vic.) had an estimated population of around 23,467 as of Feb 2026. This reflected an increase of 3,977 people (20.4%) since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 19,490 people. The change was inferred from the resident population of 22,785, estimated by AreaSearch following examination of the latest ERP data release by the ABS in June 2024, and an additional 933 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equated to a density ratio of 7,379 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch, indicating high demand for land in the area. St Kilda's 20.4% growth since the 2021 census exceeded both the national average (9.9%) and the state average, marking it as a growth leader in the region. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration, contributing approximately 94.0% of overall population gains during recent periods.

AreaSearch adopted ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with 2022 as the base year. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilized the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusting them using a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group were applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Looking ahead, significant population increases are forecast for the top quartile of statistical areas nationally, with the suburb expected to increase by 8,695 persons to 2041 based on aggregated SA2-level projections, reflecting a total increase of 33.2% over the 17 years.

Recent residential development output has been above average within St Kilda when compared nationally

AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows St Kilda had around 111 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years, totalling an estimated 556 homes. By FY26 so far, 25 approvals have been recorded. This averages to approximately 0.4 new residents per year arriving for each new home built between FY21 and FY25, suggesting supply is meeting or exceeding demand while supporting potential population growth. The average value of new dwellings developed is $703,000, indicating a focus on the premium segment with upmarket properties.

In FY26, commercial approvals amount to $19.9 million, reflecting balanced commercial development activity in St Kilda. Compared to Greater Melbourne, St Kilda has 54.0% lower building activity per person, which generally supports stronger demand and values for established properties. New building activity comprises 1.0% standalone homes and 99.0% medium and high-density housing, attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers due to affordable entry pathways. With around 209 people per approval, St Kilda reflects a developing area. According to AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate, St Kilda is projected to add 7,781 residents by 2041.

If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

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

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 52 projects that may affect the area. Notable projects include Neometro's 97 Alma Road development in Fareham, the St Kilda Pier Foreshore Upgrade, and 52 St Kilda Road. The following list details those most likely to be 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.

The employment landscape in St Kilda shows performance that lags behind national averages across key labour market indicators

St Kilda has an educated workforce, with the technology sector prominently represented. The unemployment rate was 6.5% as of September 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 4.7% over the past year based on AreaSearch's statistical area data aggregation. As of that date, 16,144 residents were employed while the unemployment rate was 1.8% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%.

Workforce participation in St Kilda was high at 80.9%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 71.0%. According to Census responses, 45.4% of residents worked from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. The leading employment industries were professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training. St Kilda had a notable specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share 1.5 times the regional level.

Conversely, manufacturing was under-represented at 3.8% compared to Greater Melbourne's 7.2%. The worker-to-resident ratio was 0.6, indicating above-average local employment opportunities as of the Census date. Over the year ending September 2025, employment increased by 4.7%, labour force grew by 5.1%, and unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points in St Kilda, according to AreaSearch's analysis of SALM and ABS data aggregated from broader statistical areas. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 3.0% and labour force growth of 3.3%, with a similar unemployment rise. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest potential future demand within St Kilda. These projections estimate national employment growth at 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these industry-specific projections to St Kilda's employment mix indicates local employment should increase by 7.0% over five years and 14.2% over ten years, though these are simple weighting extrapolations for illustrative purposes only and do not consider localized population projections.

Income analysis reveals strong economic positioning, with the area outperforming 60% of locations assessed nationally by AreaSearch

The suburb of St Kilda had a median taxpayer income of $61,356 and an average income of $88,073 in the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for financial year 2023. These figures are significantly higher than those of Greater Melbourne, which had a median income of $57,688 and an average income of $75,164 during the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25% since financial year 2023, estimated incomes for September 2025 would be approximately $66,418 (median) and $95,339 (average). According to Census 2021 income data, individual earnings in St Kilda stood at the 91st percentile nationally ($1,214 weekly), while household income ranked lower at the 51st percentile. Income analysis revealed that the predominant cohort in St Kilda spanned 35.0% of locals (8,213 people) with earnings in the $1,500 - 2,999 category, consistent with broader trends across the surrounding region where 32.8% fell into the same income bracket. Housing affordability pressures were severe, with only 80.7% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 48th percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking placed it in the 8th decile.

St Kilda features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region

St Kilda's dwelling structures, as per the latest Census, consisted of 5.5% houses and 94.5% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings), contrasting Melbourne metro's 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in St Kilda was 14.7%, with mortgaged dwellings at 23.4% and rented ones at 61.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,000, aligning with Melbourne metro's average, while the median weekly rent was $381, compared to Melbourne metro's $2,000 and $390 respectively. Nationally, St Kilda's mortgage repayments surpassed the Australian average of $1,863, and rents exceeded the national figure of $375.

St Kilda features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households account for 39.1% of all households, including 8.7% couples with children, 25.2% couples without children, and 4.2% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 60.9%, with lone person households at 52.7% and group households comprising 8.2%. The median household size is 1.7 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.

St Kilda demonstrates exceptional educational outcomes, ranking among the top 5% of areas nationally based on AreaSearch's comprehensive analysis of qualification and performance metrics

St Kilda's educational attainment is notably higher than national averages. Among residents aged 15 and above, 53.9% possess university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and Victoria's 33.4%. The area's most prevalent qualification is bachelor degrees at 34.0%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (15.4%) and graduate diplomas (4.5%). Vocational credentials are also prominent, with 25.7% of residents holding such qualifications; advanced diplomas account for 12.1%, while certificates make up 13.6%.

Educational participation is high in St Kilda, with 25.0% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.8% in tertiary education, 3.7% in primary education, and 2.9% pursuing secondary education.

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

St Kilda has 94 active public transport stops, offering a mix of light rail and bus services. These stops are served by 15 different routes, collectively facilitating 15,731 weekly passenger trips. Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 128 meters from the nearest stop. Most residents commute outward due to its residential nature. Car remains the dominant mode of transport at 56%, followed by walking at 10% and train at 9%. Vehicle ownership averages 0.4 per dwelling, below the regional average.

According to the 2021 Census, 45.4% of residents work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. Service frequency averages 2,247 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 167 weekly trips per stop.

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

St Kilda demonstrates above-average health outcomes based on AreaSearch's assessment of mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both young and old age cohorts show low prevalence of common health conditions. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 62% of the total population (14,441 people), compared to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne and 55.7% nationally.

The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues impacting 12.1% of residents and asthma affecting 7.8%. A total of 71.2% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among the working-age population are broadly typical. The area has 12.7% of residents aged 65 and over (2,980 people), lower than the 15.1% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, with national rankings even higher than the general population.

St Kilda was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

St Kilda's population showed higher cultural diversity compared to most local areas, with 21.8% speaking a language other than English at home and 40.1% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion in St Kilda, accounting for 28.8%. Judaism stood out as overrepresented, comprising 2.5% of St Kilda's population compared to Melbourne's regional average of 1.0%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (24.6%), Australian (15.2%), and Other (12.2%). Notably, French (1.4%) Polish (1.5%), and Russian (1.0%) ethnicities had higher representations in St Kilda compared to regional averages of 0.5%, 0.8%, and 0.4% respectively.

St Kilda's population is slightly younger than the national pattern

St Kilda's median age is nearly matching Greater Melbourne's average of 37 years, which is modestly under the Australian median of 38 years. Relative to Greater Melbourne, St Kilda has a higher concentration of 25-34 year-olds at 29.3%, but fewer 5-14 year-olds at 3.5%. This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is well above the national average of 14.4%. Between the 2021 Census and the present, the 15 to 24 age group has grown from 8.2% to 9.8%, while the 65 to 74 cohort increased from 6.9% to 8.1%. Conversely, the 45 to 54 cohort has declined from 13.4% to 12.0%, and the 25 to 34 group dropped from 30.4% to 29.3%. Demographic modeling suggests that St Kilda's age profile will evolve significantly by 2041, with the 45 to 54 cohort projected to grow by 71%, adding 1,995 residents to reach a total of 4,812.