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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
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St Kilda West has an estimated 3,302 residents, up from 2,951 at the 2021 Census — a change of 351 people, or 11.9%. Overseas migration accounts for 100.0% of that increase. That puts 6,230 residents on each square kilometre. Population is estimated from ABS Estimated Resident Population releases and GNAF address data, re-based from the 2021 Census and updated annually.
Detail
As of Aug 2026, the suburb of St Kilda West has an estimated resident count of approximately 3,302, determined through AreaSearch's evaluation of broader ABS demographic releases and post-Census validated address counts. Compared to the 2,951 people recorded in the 2021 Census, this indicates an expansion of 351 people (11.9%). Following the ABS release of ERP data in June 2025 and ongoing address validation, AreaSearch derived this current 3,302 population figure. This population density stands at 6,230 persons per square kilometer, placing the suburb within the top 10% across the country and highlighting strong competition for local residential land.
Outpacing both the national rate and the 9.5% recorded across the state, the 11.9% expansion since the 2021 census establishes the area as a regional standout, with overseas migration serving as virtually the sole contributor to recent population increases. Demographic modelling incorporates 2024 ABS and Geoscience Australia SA2 projections based on 2022 benchmarks, supplemented where needed by 2023 Victorian State Government Regional/LGA figures aggregated to SA2 scales via weighted growth methods. Cohort-specific growth trajectories from these models are similarly projected across all localities for the years 2032 to 2041. Long-term forecasts place the suburb of St Kilda West in the top quartile of assessed locations, with aggregated SA2 estimates projecting an addition of 1,207 persons by 2041, representing an overall expansion of 36.5% across the 16 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Detail
There were no residential building permits issued across St Kilda West over the past five years, underscoring a fully developed locality where vacant sites for fresh construction are scarce. Such an absence of new dwelling stock generally bolsters existing home values, concentrating purchaser demand predominantly within the established housing market. Building activity in St Kilda West remains considerably subdued when contrasted with Greater Melbourne as well as national benchmarks. Although construction has shown some recent momentum, ongoing supply limitations reflect local planning constraints and neighborhood maturity, which consistently sustains pricing and demand for established residential stock.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around St Kilda West
SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
AreaSearch tracks 4 current infrastructure and development projects inside St Kilda West, worth an estimated $337 million. A further 148 sit in the immediately surrounding suburbs, taking the tracked pipeline within reach of the area to $27.4 billion. 51 are already under construction and 65 are due for completion within three years. The pipeline spans residential development, communities, precincts & urban renewal and business parks & technology hubs. Records are compiled from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, council planning portals and public announcements, reviewed and updated daily, then ranked by proximity, construction stage, completion horizon and project scale.
Detail
Strategic planning policies and infrastructure investment play a vital role in shaping future suburb dynamics. AreaSearch has recorded 8 key developments expected to influence the local area, headlined by 52 St Kilda Road, Fareham, St Kilda Marina Redevelopment, and The Gild St Kilda, with the primary initiatives outlined below.
Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.
INFRASTRUCTURE SEARCH
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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Infrastructure
Fareham
Gamuda Land's Fareham is a sustainable boutique apartment development at 95 St Kilda Road, St Kilda. The project is under construction, has topped out, and is planned for completion in mid 2026. Designed by BayleyWard and built by Markscon, it includes apartments, basement parking, ground floor retail, landscaped communal spaces, rooftop amenity, bay views, all-electric operation, rooftop solar, rainwater harvesting and a targeted average 8-Star NatHERS rating.
St Kilda Marina Redevelopment
Major redevelopment of St Kilda Marina into a modern destination with retail, accommodation, and public spaces. Following the withdrawal of the Australian Marina Development Corporation (AMDC) from the original 160 million dollar plan due to economic challenges and soil contamination, the City of Port Phillip has implemented a contingency plan. A 3.5-year interim lease is in place while the Council updates the site brief and prepares to procure a new long-term lease by 2026, aiming for a new lease commencement in October 2028.The redevelopment aims to modernise the marina, enhance public access, and provide updated retail and commercial spaces.
46-52 St Kilda Road
Boutique development designed by Ewert Leaf featuring 30 meticulously crafted apartments across 8 levels. Contemporary design with floor-to-ceiling glazing, premium Bosch appliances, and a choice of light or dark interior schemes. Offers 1, 2, and 3 bedroom layouts, located near St Kilda Beach and Albert Park Lake.
St Kilda Pier Foreshore Upgrade
City of Port Phillip foreshore works extending the St Kilda Pier landside entrance to Jacka Boulevard to create a new visitor arrival space and improve links between the pier, promenade, Catani Gardens, Bay Trail and nearby attractions. Works include a paved plaza, new planting and seating nooks, additional green space, upgraded car park entry and exit, wayfinding, public lighting, stormwater drainage, Bay Trail safety improvements, tour bus drop-off and pick-up facilities, and preparation for kiosk removal.Construction has commenced, Sea Baths car park entry works are complete, and further Jacka Boulevard foreshore works are continuing.
14 Alma Road Mixed-Use Development
A 15-storey mixed-use high-rise development featuring 94 residences, including one and two-bedroom apartments. The project includes ground-floor retail and food premises, three levels of basement parking for 78 vehicles, and a communal rooftop garden with organic waste facilities.
The Gild St Kilda
The Gild is a Fortis mixed-use residential and retail development on Fitzroy Street in St Kilda. The project comprises refined 1, 2 and 3 bedroom residences, penthouses, rooftop and resident amenity spaces, private dining and wellness-style shared areas, plus a curated ground-level retail and hospitality streetscape. Current public planning material indicates amendments to increase the scheme from 39 to 45 apartments and from 3 to 4 retail tenancies.
Raleigh Street Windsor Mixed-Use Development
Goldfields has secured planning approval for a residential and mixed-use project at 4 Raleigh Street, Windsor. Designed by Woods Bagot, the development features dual 12-storey residential towers accommodating approximately 348 apartments across 24,568 sqm of residential space. The scheme incorporates ground-floor retail and cafe activation alongside residential communal amenities such as a rooftop pool and wellness facilities.
3-15 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
A five-storey mixed-use development branded as 'Ondas villas' featuring 16 luxurious apartments (predominantly three-bedroom), ground floor retail space (327 sqm), and basement parking for 40 vehicles. The project, designed by Warren and Mahoney, retains the heritage facade of the existing Victorian and Interwar Moderne buildings. It includes a private concourse and a secret garden for residents.
2,199 residents of St Kilda West are employed, from a labour force of 2,292. Unemployment sits at 4.1%, with participation at 78.3%. Weighted for its industry mix, the area's sectors are forecast to grow about 7.4% nationally over five years. That reflects industry composition only and makes no allowance for local population growth. The working-day population is estimated at 2,857, about 87% of the resident population, so more people leave the area for work than travel in. Unemployment and labour force come from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, updated quarterly; the industry and occupation profile is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Statistical aggregations by AreaSearch highlight a well-qualified local labour pool in St Kilda West, marked by prominent representation in technology, an estimated annual job growth of 3.0%, and an unemployment rate of 4.1%. As of March 2026, employed residents numbered 2,199, with joblessness tracking 0.7% lower than the 4.8% recorded across Greater Melbourne. Furthermore, local labour force participation reached an exceptional 78.3%, well above the 70.1% seen across Greater Melbourne. Census data also indicated that 51.4% of workers operated from home, a figure influenced by Covid-19 restrictions. Resident employment is concentrated in professional & technical services, health care & social assistance, and education & training.
Professional & technical roles demonstrate notable concentration, accounting for a proportion 1.9 times that of the wider region, whereas retail trade is less prominent, capturing 6.0% of local workers compared to the 9.8% regional benchmark. Comparing Census resident workers to locally based jobs suggests that a substantial portion of the community travels outside the suburb for employment. According to AreaSearch synthesis of ABS and SALM figures across the year to March 2026, both total employment and the active labour force expanded by 3.0%, while the jobless rate held steady. By comparison, Greater Melbourne registered job gains of 2.1% and labour pool growth of 2.3%, alongside a 0.2 percentage point rise in unemployment. Projections from Jobs and Skills Australia as of Mar-26 provide additional context on future labor trends for St Kilda West across five and ten-year horizons. Nationally, workforce totals are projected to climb 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years, though individual sector trajectories vary. Aligning these sectoral projections with the resident workforce profile indicates potential local job increases of 7.4% over five years and 14.7% over ten years, based on illustrative weighted modelling without factoring in local population adjustments.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Median household income in St Kilda West is $1,983 a week (about $103,000 a year), with median personal income at $1,314 a week. ATO records put median taxable income at $66,327 a year against an average of $95,976. The average runs 45% above the median, a wider spread than most areas and a sign of a concentrated group of high earners. Household income is from the 2021 Census; taxable income is from ATO Taxation Statistics for the latest financial year available, indexed forward using the ABS Wage Price Index.
Detail
ATO statistics compiled by AreaSearch for financial year 2023 show taxpayer earnings in the suburb of St Kilda West reaching a median of $66,327 and an average of $95,976, placing the area in the nation's top tier against Greater Melbourne benchmarks of $57,688 (median) and $75,164 (average). Factoring in Wage Price Index appreciation of 9.62% since financial year 2023 yields updated estimates of approximately $72,708 for median income and $105,209 for average income as of March 2026. The 2021 Census positioned personal weekly earnings at the 94th percentile across Australia at $1,314, whereas household income sat at the 64th percentile.
The most common weekly earnings tier is $1,500 - 2,999, accounting for 32.0% of local earners (1,056 people), closely mirroring the 32.8% regional proportion. In addition, 31.4% of residents receive more than $3,000 weekly, supporting substantial economic capacity. Even with housing expenses absorbing 16.8% of earnings, after-housing disposable funds sit at the 63rd percentile, while the SEIFA index places the suburb in the 9th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
St Kilda West had 1,410 occupied dwellings at the 2021 Census, 8% detached houses and 71% apartments. 24% are owned with a mortgage, 53% rented and 23% owned outright. At that Census the median rent was $385 a week and the median mortgage repayment $2,300 a month, a total housing cost higher than 76% of areas nationally. Rent absorbs 19.4% of household income here and mortgage repayments 26.8%. Dwelling stock, tenure and housing costs are 2021 Census measures — the only source that counts dwellings at this boundary size.
Detail
According to the latest Census, the housing composition in St Kilda West is heavily skewed toward medium and high density, with 91.6% classified as other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings) and only 8.4% freestanding houses, contrasting sharply with Melbourne metro at 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Full home ownership stood at 22.7%, trailing metropolitan levels, while mortgaged properties accounted for 24.3% and rental tenures comprised 52.9%. Typical monthly mortgage payments were substantially elevated at $2,300 compared to the Melbourne metro median of $2,000 and the broader Australian average of $1,863.
Weekly rental costs averaged $385, sitting just under Melbourne metro's $390 but surpassing the national benchmark of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
St Kilda West counted 1,410 households at the 2021 Census, an estimated 1,578 today, averaging 1.9 people each. 18% are couples with children, fewer than in 91% of areas nationally, against 23% couples without children. 48% of households are people living alone, and families average 0.8 children. Household and family composition is measured only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
In St Kilda West, family residences represent 46.7% of households, consisting of 23.2% childless couples, 17.8% couples with children, and 4.9% one-parent families. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 53.3%, dominated by single-person occupants at 48.0% alongside 5.5% shared group residences. Overall, the locality records a median household size of 1.9 persons, well below the Greater Melbourne benchmark of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
58.3% of adults in St Kilda West hold a university qualification, including 34.5% with a bachelor degree and 18.3% with postgraduate qualifications, higher than 99% of areas nationally. A further 9.9% hold a vocational qualification. Qualifications come from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Academic credentials among St Kilda West residents aged 15+ well exceed wider averages, with 58.3% possessing higher education degrees versus 33.4% across VIC and 30.4% throughout Australia. Within this group, bachelor degrees make up 34.5%, postgraduate awards represent 18.3%, and graduate diplomas account for 5.5%. Additionally, technical and vocational training accounts for 20.5% of qualifications held by individuals aged 15+, consisting of 10.6% in advanced diplomas and 9.9% in certificates. A considerable proportion of the population is actively engaged in study, with 27.4% attending an educational institution. This enrollment base comprises 8.1% in higher education, 6.8% attending primary school, and 6.2% enrolled in secondary schooling.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Public transport in St Kilda West reaches 10 stops on 3 routes, timetabled for about 1,900 services a week. The typical home sits about 120 m from its nearest stop. Trams carry the largest share of public transport commuters. Households keep an average of 0.6 vehicles. Stop and service counts are built from operators' published GTFS timetables and refresh with each timetable release; vehicle ownership is from the 2021 Census.
Detail
Public transit infrastructure in St Kilda West comprises 10 operational stops accommodating both bus and light rail services. These points are connected by 3 separate routes that generate a combined 1,880 passenger trips each week, offering prime transit connectivity where residents are situated an average of 117 meters from their nearest boarding point. As an established residential enclave, outgoing commuting is standard; motor vehicles serve as the primary mode of travel for 62% of commuters, while 7% commute by bicycle and 6% travel on foot. Private vehicle availability sits at 0.6 per dwelling, below wider regional figures, and 51.4% of workers conducted their duties from home according to the 2021 Census under COVID-19 conditions.
Network operations deliver an average of 268 daily services across all transit lines, translating to around 188 weekly departures for each designated stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
72.9% of residents in St Kilda West report no long-term health condition, a healthier profile than 89% of areas nationally. 2.3% need daily assistance with core activities, and 64.6% hold private health cover. The standardised death rate runs at 3.6 per 1,000 residents. Health conditions, assistance needs and insurance are 2021 Census measures; the death rate comes from current ABS releases.
Detail
AreaSearch evaluations of chronic illnesses and mortality indicate positive health indicators across St Kilda West, featuring minimal rates of standard health conditions across all demographics. Uptake of private health insurance is particularly pronounced, covering roughly 65% of local residents (2,133 people), substantially outpacing both the Greater Melbourne figure of 56.7% and the national benchmark of 55.7%. Mental health conditions and asthma represent the most frequently reported diagnoses in the locality, affecting 9.6% and 8.0% of the community respectively, while 72.9% of residents reported having no chronic medical conditions, closely matching the 72.6% seen in Greater Melbourne.
The working-age cohort shows strong wellness measures with low long-term illness rates. Residents aged 65 and over make up 14.0% of the population (462 people), below the 15.1% regional level, with older community members demonstrating solid health metrics that align with broader nationwide standings.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
31.3% of St Kilda West residents were born overseas and 17.6% speak a language other than English at home. The largest reported ancestries are English (27.1%) and Australian (17.8%). Ancestry, language and country of birth are counted only by the Census, so these are 2021 figures.
Detail
Cultural diversity in St Kilda West exceeds most comparable areas, with 31.3% of the community born abroad and 17.6% using a language other than English in the home. Christianity constitutes the largest religious affiliation at 30.7% of residents. In addition, Judaism exhibits a distinct presence, representing 2.0% of local inhabitants compared to 1.0% across Greater Melbourne. Examining parental ancestry, English heritage leads St Kilda West at 27.1%, notably exceeding the 20.1% regional rate, followed by Australian at 17.8% and Irish at 11.5%, which is well above Greater Melbourne's 6.5%. Other ancestries also show distinct variations from regional norms, including Scottish at 9.4% (vs 5.6%), French at 1.0% (vs 0.5%), and Hungarian at 0.4% (vs 0.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
The median resident of St Kilda West is 39. That is 1 year younger than at the 2021 Census. 31.8% of residents are aged 15 to 34. Age cohorts are not raw Census counts: the Census split is re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections.
Detail
The demographic profile of St Kilda West leans heavily toward working-age individuals. Updated estimates to August 2026 show that 37.8% of the local population falls into the 25 - 44 age bracket, compared to 32.1% across Greater Melbourne, whereas the 0 - 24 cohort comprises 22.5% locally versus 30.5% regionally. As at August 2026, AreaSearch estimates a median age of 39, decreasing from 40 at the 2021 Census, which sits 2 years higher than Greater Melbourne's median of 37 recorded in that same Census. The most notable shift since the Census occurred in the 45 - 64 bracket, declining from 28.8% to an estimated 26.1%.
Looking ahead to 2041, this 45 - 64 cohort is projected to capture the bulk of demographic expansion, increasing by 551 residents (64%) to total 1,413.
Frequently Asked Questions - Age
Data & MethodBoundaries, Sources & Method for St Kilda West
9 of 14 data sections on this page were updated within the last 12 months — the newest current to Sep 2026.
Everything is aggregated to the Suburb (SAL) boundary shown above, on a 2021 Census baseline. Only 3 sections — housing, households and cultural diversity — still wait on the 2026 Census.
The ledger — source, cycle and currency by section
| Section | Source & update cycle | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| Updated within the last 12 months 9 sections | ||
| Population | ABS, GNAF, Geoscience Australia Annual (ABS ERP) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release) and updated with new dwellings from GNAF address data. Current to Aug 2026, with the 2021 Census supplying the small-area baseline. | ||
| Age profile | ABS, Geoscience Australia, State governments Annual | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Age cohorts are re-based to the latest ABS population estimates and state projections, current to Aug 2026. Each cohort is held as a Census baseline and a current estimate. | ||
| Development & approvals | ABS, GNAF Monthly (ABS approvals) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · Jul 2026 baseline |
| Property sales & rents | Valuer General, Rental Board, ABS Weekly sales, quarterly rents | Sep 2026 this month all 21 measures |
| Sales from the state Valuer General register, refreshed weekly, and rents from quarterly rental bond lodgements. Both are read live each time this page loads, current to Sep 2026. | ||
| Infrastructure projects | Infrastructure Australia, State agencies, Local governments Daily | Jun 2026 3 months ago all 4 projects tracked here |
| Project pipeline maintained continuously from Infrastructure Australia, state agencies, local government and public announcements. Records are added and revised daily; this area was last updated Jun 2026. | ||
| Employment | ABS, DEWR, JSA Quarterly (ABS SALM) | Mar 2026 6 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Unemployment and labour force from ABS Small Area Labour Markets, current to Mar 2026. The growth outlook applies Department of Employment (now Jobs and Skills Australia) forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to the local industry mix, so it measures sector composition rather than local expansion and makes no allowance for population growth. Job demand comes from the same agency via its Internet Vacancy Index; industry and occupation structure from the 2021 Census. | ||
| Education | ABS, ACARA Annual (ACARA) | Aug 2026 last month headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Transport | ABS, State Transport Departments Each timetable release | Jul 2026 2 months ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Services & amenities | Provider directories, ACECQA Continuous | Jul 2026 2 months ago all 14 measures |
| Annual and financial-year sources 2 sections | ||
| Income | ABS, ATO Annual (ATO) | FY 2023 3 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| ATO taxable income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index. Census household income provides the distribution detail. | ||
| Health | ABS, ATO Annual | 2024 2 years ago headline measures · 2021 Census baseline |
| Census-measured — next update: 2026 Census 3 sections No more current small-area source exists for these, so they are labelled as Census-measured rather than implied to be current. | ||
| Housing | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 30 measures |
| Households | ABS 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 18 measures |
| Cultural diversity | ABS, Geoscience Australia 5-yearly (Census) | 2021 Census next update 2026 all 44 measures |
"Currency" is the most recent release feeding that section. Where the Census supplies the structural baseline underneath a current headline figure, the row says so.
How the numbers are built
Population
The Census provides the small-area baseline, aggregated from mesh blocks to this boundary. It is then re-based to the ABS Estimated Resident Population (June 2025 release), and new dwellings built since Census night are counted from address data. The headline figure is therefore a current estimate for Aug 2026, not a 2021 count (2,951 at the 2021 Census → 3,302 now). Annual growth rates are compound (CAGR), not simple averages.
Age profile
Cohort shares are not raw Census counts. Every cohort is held as a pair — the Census baseline and a current estimate — and the split is re-based using ERP and state population projections, current to Aug 2026. Median age is the Census median plus modelled change since. Charts that show both are labelled "2021 Census vs Current Estimate".
Property sales
Sourced from the state valuation authority's sales register — current, not Census, and refreshed weekly. Medians are calculated from settled transactions in the period shown; periods with very low transaction counts are flagged or suppressed, because a handful of sales can move a median substantially.
Rents
Derived from state rental bond lodgement data, by dwelling type and bedroom count. Bonds are lodged at the start of a new tenancy, so this reflects new lettings, not the whole rented stock.
Development & infrastructure
Building approvals come from current ABS releases; development applications are collected from council and state planning portals; the infrastructure pipeline is compiled from Infrastructure Australia and local government sources. Applications are matched to this boundary by address or coordinates, so very recent lodgements may not yet appear.
Employment & income
Industry and occupation structure comes from the Census, but the headline labour-market indicators do not. Unemployment and labour force are derived from ABS Small Area Labour Markets (quarterly). The employment outlook applies Department of Employment forecasts for all 19 industry divisions to this area's own industry mix (the agency is now Jobs and Skills Australia), as does the Internet Vacancy Index used for job demand. Because it is weighted on industry composition alone, that outlook carries no allowance for local population growth — in fast-growing areas the real rise in local jobs will typically be higher. Income combines Census household income with ATO taxable-income statistics for FY 2023, indexed forward using the Wage Price Index.
Education, transport & amenities
School enrolments, ICSEA and performance come from ACARA's current release, not the Census. Public transport stops and service frequency are derived from GTFS timetable feeds published by state transport departments. Services and amenities are proximity and count scores built from provider directories, refreshed on their own cycle. The Census contributes only the travel-to-work and qualification measures.
Rankings and benchmarks. Where we rank this area, the comparison set is every area of the same boundary type — suburbs against suburbs, SA2s against SA2s. Benchmarks compare this area against its greater capital city region and the national figure for the same measure and period.
Limits worth knowing. Small areas carry larger error margins, and the ABS introduces small random adjustments to Census counts to protect confidentiality — so totals may not sum exactly. Estimates re-based from regional data describe the area's expected trajectory, not a direct count of it. Figures are indicative for research and are not financial, planning or valuation advice.
Cross-check us. The Census baseline for this boundary is at ABS 2021 Census QuickStats (SAL22345). QuickStats reports 2021 only — the figures on this page are more current wherever the ledger shows a later date.