Chart Color Schemes
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
Curious about local property values? Filter the chart to assess the volume and appreciation (including resales) trends and regional comparisons, or scroll to the map below view this information at an individual property level.
Find a Recent Sale
Sales Detail
Population
West Melbourne lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends
The West Melbourne statistical area's population was estimated at 10,133 as of Nov 2025. This reflects an increase from the 8,025 people recorded in the 2021 Census, marking a growth of 26.3%. The change is inferred from AreaSearch's estimation of the resident population at 9,918 following examination of ABS data released Jun 2024, along with an additional 83 validated new addresses since the Census date. This results in a population density ratio of 1,568 persons per square kilometer, higher than the national average assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth exceeded both the national average (9.7%) and state averages since the 2021 census, making it a growth leader. Overseas migration contributed approximately 82.0% of overall population gains during recent periods, with all drivers including interstate migration and natural growth being positive factors.
AreaSearch uses ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023, adjusted using weighted aggregation methods to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group from these aggregations are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. According to aggregated SA2-level projections, the West Melbourne (SA2) is predicted to grow exceptionally over the period, expanding by 5,934 persons to reach a total of 16,067 by 2041, reflecting a gain of 57.5% in population over the 17 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
Recent residential development output has been above average within West Melbourne when compared nationally
AreaSearch analysis of ABS building approval numbers shows West Melbourne has seen approximately 197 new homes approved annually over the past five financial years. This totals an estimated 985 homes from FY-20 to FY-24. By FY-26198 approvals have been recorded. Over these five years, an average of 2.3 people per year moved to West Melbourne for each new home constructed, indicating strong demand supporting property values.
New homes are being built at an average expected construction cost value of $572,000, suggesting developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In FY-26, commercial development approvals amounted to $47.0 million, demonstrating robust commercial development momentum in West Melbourne compared to Greater Melbourne, where construction activity is 78% higher per person. This focus on denser living creates more affordable entry points and caters to downsizers, investors, and first-home buyers, with approximately 720 people per dwelling approval. AreaSearch projects West Melbourne will add 5,829 residents by 2041, with current construction rates appearing balanced with future demand, fostering steady market conditions without excessive price pressure.
Future projections show West Melbourne adding 5,829 residents by 2041 (from the latest AreaSearch quarterly estimate). Present construction rates appear balanced with future demand, fostering steady market conditions without excessive price pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Infrastructure
West Melbourne has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally
Area infrastructure significantly impacts local performance. AreaSearch identified 143 relevant projects. Notable ones are Errol Street Private Hospital, Abbotsford Street Social Housing, West End Mixed-Use Precinct, and WOBO North Melbourne. Below is a list of projects likely most impactful.
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
Errol Street Private Hospital
An 8-level private hospital facility located within the Parkville Biomedical Precinct. The development includes 223 overnight beds, 10 ICU beds, 7 operating theatres, and comprehensive medical services including imaging, pathology, and specialist consulting suites. The project was fast-tracked via the Victorian Government Development Facilitation Program to bolster healthcare infrastructure near the Royal Women's and Royal Children's Hospitals.
Elysium Fields
A $1.7 billion biosphere-inspired wellness precinct in Docklands featuring 1,100 luxury apartments, a 200-plus room luxury hotel, and Australia's largest Saint Haven private wellness club. The development includes the Elysian Reverse Ageing Medical Clinic, ancient bathhouses, and extensive public gardens under a futuristic glass dome. Built across multiple towers, the project integrates advanced health technologies like cryotherapy, MRI diagnostics, and circadian lighting within residential units. Early construction works on the first stage commenced in early 2025 with Hamilton Marino appointed as the lead builder.
Australian Institute for Infectious Disease (AIID)
A $650 million state-of-the-art infectious disease research facility spanning 15 storeys in the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct. The institute will house over 1,000 researchers and feature high-containment PC3 laboratories, a human infection challenge unit, robotic biobanking, and the Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics. The project is a collaboration between the University of Melbourne, Doherty Institute, and Burnet Institute, supported by the Victorian Government to enhance Australia's sovereign pandemic response capabilities.
Arden Precinct Urban Renewal
The Arden Precinct is a 45-hectare urban renewal project in North Melbourne designed to transform underutilised industrial land into a high-density innovation and employment hub. Anchored by the Arden Metro Station, which officially opened on November 30, 2025, the precinct is slated to accommodate 34,000 jobs and 20,000 residents by 2050. Key features include a focus on life sciences, digital technology, and health sectors, complemented by the planned relocation of the Royal Melbourne and Royal Women's Hospitals. The development includes over 8 hectares of green open space, a new government primary school, and approximately 15,000 to 20,000 dwellings delivered over a 30-year timeline.
Level Crossing Removal Project
State-wide program to remove 110 level crossings across metropolitan Melbourne by 2030, with 88 already removed. The project aims to deliver safer roads, reduce congestion, and provide more reliable train services by rebuilding or upgrading 54 stations and creating over 31 MCGs of new community open space.
Queen Victoria Market Precinct Renewal
A transformative multi-stage program to modernize Australia's largest 19th-century market. The flagship southern precinct, Gurrowa Place, is a $1.7 billion mixed-use development delivered by Lendlease and Scape. It features three towers providing build-to-rent apartments, student accommodation, and affordable housing. Key elements include the 1.8-hectare Market Square public park replacing the current open-air car park, restoration of the heritage Franklin Street Stores into retail and hospitality, and a new 220-space basement car park. Heritage shed restorations and core trader facilities were largely completed by 2024, with site works for the southern towers commencing in 2026.
Victoria Harbour Precinct
A major urban renewal precinct in Docklands delivering a mix of residential, commercial, and retail spaces. Current active phases include the Collins Wharf waterfront neighbourhood (featuring Ancora, Regatta, and Aluna residences) and a major Build-to-Rent tower at 899 Collins Street. The precinct aims to deliver over 2,300 new homes in its current construction wave.
Abbotsford Street Social Housing
Redevelopment of 112 outdated homes into 340+ new homes including 127 social homes, 85 affordable homes, and 128+ private dwellings. Features universal design, community facilities, and sustainable building practices.
Employment
Employment performance in West Melbourne exceeds national averages across key labour market indicators
West Melbourne has a highly educated workforce with professional services well represented. The unemployment rate was 4.2% in the past year, with an estimated employment growth of 6.0%.
As of September 2025, 7,337 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 4.3%, 0.4% below Greater Melbourne's rate. Workforce participation is high at 75.5%. Leading industries include professional & technical (1.9 times the regional average), accommodation & food, and health care & social assistance. Construction is under-represented with only 4.5% of West Melbourne's workforce compared to 9.7% in Greater Melbourne.
The worker-to-resident ratio is 0.7, indicating ample local employment opportunities. Between September 2024 and September 2025, employment increased by 6.0%, labour force by 5.5%, reducing the unemployment rate by 0.4 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne's employment grew by 3.0%, with a slight increase in unemployment. State-wide, Victoria added 41,950 jobs between November 2024 and November 2025, growing employment by 1.13% year-on-year, with an unemployment rate of 4.7%. National forecasts from May-25 project total employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to West Melbourne's industry mix suggests local employment could increase by 7.1% over five years and 14.1% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income levels align closely with national averages, indicating typical economic conditions for Australian communities according to AreaSearch analysis
The suburb of West Melbourne had a median taxpayer income of $53,328 and an average income of $71,318 according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch for the financial year 2023. This is higher than national averages, which were $57,688 median and $75,164 average for Greater Melbourne. By September 2025, estimates based on an 8.25% Wage Price Index growth suggest median income would be approximately $57,728 and average income around $77,202. West Melbourne's individual earnings rank at the 83rd percentile nationally ($1,058 weekly), but household income ranks lower at the 52nd percentile. The dominant earnings bracket is $1,500 - 2,999, with 35.4% of residents (3,587 people). This pattern mirrors regional levels where 32.8% occupy this range. Housing affordability pressures are severe, with only 79.7% of income remaining after housing costs, ranking at the 47th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
West Melbourne features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region
In West Melbourne, as per the latest Census evaluation, dwelling structures comprised 1.2% houses and 98.7% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This differed from Melbourne metro's structure of 2.2% houses and 97.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in West Melbourne stood at 12.0%, with mortgaged dwellings at 21.1% and rented ones at 66.9%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,106, higher than the Melbourne metro average of $1,962. The median weekly rent figure in West Melbourne was $388, compared to Melbourne metro's $396. Nationally, West Melbourne's mortgage repayments were significantly higher than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents exceeded the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
West Melbourne features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a higher-than-average median household size
Family households constitute 47.7% of all households, including 11.2% couples with children, 30.6% couples without children, and 4.0% single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 52.3%, with lone person households at 39.0% and group households comprising 13.3%. The median household size is 1.9 people, which is larger than the Greater Melbourne average of 1.8.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
The educational profile of West Melbourne exceeds national averages, with above-average qualification levels and academic performance metrics
West Melbourne's residents aged 15+ have a higher educational attainment than national averages. 62.6% hold university qualifications compared to Australia's 30.4% and Victoria's 33.4%. Bachelor degrees are most common at 37.9%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (21.0%) and graduate diplomas (3.7%). Vocational pathways account for 17.2%, with advanced diplomas at 9.2% and certificates at 8.0%.
Educational participation is high, with 35.7% currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 18.1% in tertiary education, 3.4% in primary education, and 3.1% 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
The analysis of public transport in West Melbourne indicates that there are currently 50 active transport stops operating. These stops offer a mix of train, light rail, and bus services. There are 29 individual routes servicing these stops, collectively providing 21,676 weekly passenger trips.
The accessibility of transport is rated as excellent, with residents typically located at an average distance of 111 meters from the nearest transport stop. The service frequency averages 3,096 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 433 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
West Melbourne's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups
West Melbourne's health outcomes show exceptional results with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups.
The private health cover rate is approximately 55%, covering about 5,574 people. Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent medical conditions in the area, affecting 8.6% and 6.7% of residents respectively. Approximately 80.5% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 79.8% across Greater Melbourne. West Melbourne has 4.4% of its population aged 65 and over (445 people), lower than the 6.8% in Greater Melbourne. While health outcomes among seniors are strong, they require more attention than those in the broader population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
West Melbourne is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics
West Melbourne's population is culturally diverse, with 48.5% speaking a language other than English at home and 56.3% born overseas. Christianity is the main religion, comprising 24.7%. Buddhism is overrepresented at 5.7%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 7.0%.
The top three ancestry groups are Chinese (17.4%), Other (16.8%), and English (15.3%). Korean (2.1%) and Spanish (0.8%) are notably overrepresented, while Russian is slightly overrepresented at 0.6%.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
West Melbourne hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide
West Melbourne has a median age of 32 years, which is younger than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and significantly lower than Australia's national average of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, West Melbourne has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (38.5%) but fewer residents aged 5-14 (4.2%). This concentration is notably higher than the national average of 14.5%. According to post-2021 Census data, the 35-44 age group has increased from 17.2% to 18.9% of West Melbourne's population. Conversely, the 25-34 cohort has decreased from 40.5% to 38.5%. Demographic projections indicate significant changes in West Melbourne's age profile by 2041. The 25-34 age group is projected to grow strongly at a rate of 39%, adding 1,516 residents to reach a total of 5,418.