Chart Color Schemes
This analysis uses ABS Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) boundaries, which can materially differ from Suburbs and Localities (SAL) even when sharing similar names.
SA2 boundaries are defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and are designed to represent communities for statistical reporting (e.g., census and ERP).
Suburbs and Localities (SAL) represent commonly-used suburb/locality names (postal-style areas) and may use different geographic boundaries. For comprehensive analysis, consider reviewing both boundary types if available.
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Sales Activity
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Sales Detail
Population
East Melbourne is positioned among the lower quartile of areas assessed nationally for population growth based on AreaSearch's assessment of recent, and medium term trends
East Melbourne's population was around 5,245 as of May 2026, a 7.1% increase from the 2021 Census figure of 4,896 people. This growth is inferred from ABS estimated resident population data for June 2025 and address validation since the Census date. The population density was 1,808 persons per square kilometer as of May 2026. East Melbourne's population growth rate of 7.1% since the census was close to Victoria's state average of 9.3%. Overseas migration was the primary driver of this growth. AreaSearch is using ABS/Geoscience Australia projections for each SA2 area, released in 2024 with a base year of 2022.
For areas not covered by this data, AreaSearch uses VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusted to SA2 levels. Based on these projections, East Melbourne is expected to have an above median population growth by 2041, with a projected increase of 786 persons, reflecting a total gain of 15.0% over the 16-year period from 2025 to 2041.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
The level of residential development activity in East Melbourne is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch
East Melbourne has seen approximately 13 new homes approved each year. Between the financial years FY21 and FY25, a total of 68 homes were approved, with no approvals so far in FY26. The population has fallen during this period, yet development activity has been adequate relative to population change, which is positive for buyers.
New properties are constructed at an average value of $1,708,000, indicating that developers target the premium market segment with higher-end properties. In the current financial year, $541.8 million in commercial approvals have been registered, showing strong commercial development momentum. Compared to Greater Melbourne, East Melbourne records significantly lower building activity (79.0% below regional average per person), which typically strengthens demand and prices for existing properties due to scarcity of new properties. This is also below the national average, suggesting the area's established nature and potential planning limitations. Recent development has been entirely comprised of townhouses or apartments, offering affordable entry pathways and attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers.
According to AreaSearch quarterly estimates, East Melbourne is forecasted to gain 786 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.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Development applications around East Melbourne
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SOURCE: Planning portals and council registers, compiled by AreaSearch. Distance & bearing measured from the suburb midpoint.
Infrastructure
East Melbourne has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 30% nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 78 projects likely to impact the area. Notable projects include Punt Road Oval Redevelopment, Simpson Street Residential Development, The Fox: NGV Contemporary, and 250 Albert Street. The following list details those most relevant.
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
Greenline Project
The Greenline Project is a transformational 4km urban renewal initiative creating a continuous promenade along the north bank of the Yarra River (Birrarung). It connects five precincts: Birrarung Marr, The Falls, River Park, Maritime, and Saltwater Wharf. As of mid-2026, the first major stage at Birrarung Marr is complete, featuring 450 metres of new boardwalks, native habitat restoration, and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung cultural design elements. Planning and detailed design are currently underway for the central riverfront sections, including Federation Wharf and Flinders Walk.
Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation
Australia's largest cultural infrastructure project, a $1.7 billion transformation of the Melbourne Arts Precinct. The project includes the construction of The Fox: NGV Contemporary, a new 30,000sqm gallery dedicated to contemporary art and design; the creation of Laak Boorndap, an 18,000sqm elevated urban garden; and a major refurbishment of the Arts Centre Melbourne's Theatres Building. Significant milestones in 2026 include the early reopening of the Ian Potter State Theatre in October, featuring upgraded accessibility, seating, and acoustics. The transformation aims to unify the precinct, improve back-of-house logistics with a new loading dock, and provide new public parklands and dining options.
The Fox: NGV Contemporary
Set to be Australia's largest gallery dedicated to contemporary art and design, The Fox: NGV Contemporary will span 30,000 square metres including more than 13,000 square metres of public exhibition space. Designed by Angelo Candalepas and Associates with a team of 20 leading architecture and engineering firms, the building will feature dramatic arched entries, a colossal 40-metre-high spherical orientating hall (the omphalos) and a dual-level rooftop terrace and sculpture garden with views over Melbourne. The gallery is the centrepiece of the Victorian Government's 1.7 billion dollar Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation, which also delivers the 18,000 square metre Laak Boorndap urban garden and major upgrades to Arts Centre Melbourne's Theatres Building. The former Carlton United Breweries building on the site was deconstructed in 2024, with 95 per cent of materials diverted from landfill. Lendlease was appointed head contractor in March 2025 and is delivering the gallery alongside part of the Laak Boorndap deck structure and precinct services. Piling works are progressing on the site, with construction expected to support around 11,000 jobs across the wider precinct project. The gallery is targeted for completion in 2028.
Ian Potter State Theatre Refurbishment
A major refurbishment of the heritage-listed State Theatre at Arts Centre Melbourne, renamed the Ian Potter State Theatre following a philanthropic donation from the Ian Potter Foundation. The first significant upgrade since the venue opened in 1984, the works expand the Theatres Building footprint by 16 percent and include new lifts and accessible seating across all three levels, full replacement of seating, refreshed interiors honouring John Truscott's original design, improved acoustics, new state-of-the-art lighting, sound and broadcast technology, and upgraded heating, cooling and fire protection systems. The project also delivers a doubled-size loading dock, a new flexible rehearsal space the same size as the State Theatre stage with an adjoining function room, a new accessible stage door, two new hospitality outlets opening onto the Laak Boorndap urban garden, and four new wheelchair accessible amenities plus two all-gender amenities in the foyers. Construction commenced in March 2024 with Lendlease as principal contractor and NH Architects leading the design. The theatre is now scheduled to reopen in October 2026, six months ahead of the original schedule, as the first completed milestone of the wider 1.7 billion dollar Melbourne Arts Precinct Transformation. My Fair Lady will be the first major musical to perform in the refurbished venue from November 2026, with The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia returning as resident companies.
Fitzroy Gasworks
The Fitzroy Gasworks is a 3.9-hectare urban renewal project transforming a former industrial site into a sustainable mixed-use precinct. The masterplan delivers approximately 1,400 new homes across three parcels, with at least 20% dedicated to affordable housing. Key components include the operational Wurun Senior Campus, the Bundha Sports Centre (opened February 2026), and extensive public open space. Construction on Parcel B commenced in April 2026, while Parcels A and C are scheduled to follow in 2027.
Punt Road Oval Redevelopment
A major transformation of the Richmond Football Club's home, featuring a new Jack Dyer Stand with a spectator capacity of 8,000. As of early 2026, construction is progressing with the car park structure nearing completion and the new stand footprint widening. The project includes elite training and administration facilities for AFL and AFLW teams, a realigned MCG-sized oval, and a three-level underground car park. It also houses the William Cooper Centre for community and indigenous programs, including the Korin Gamadji Institute and Melbourne Indigenous Transition School. The design incorporates salvaged bricks from the original historic stand to preserve the site's heritage.
Acteo Group Collingwood Showroom
A four-storey automotive sales and service facility designed by David Earle Architects for Acteo Group (Ateco). The development involves the amalgamation of several sites to create a flagship showroom hub for brands including Maserati, Renault, and Dodge Ram. The facility features ground-floor vehicle displays, upper-level workshops and repair stations, and rooftop vehicle storage, replacing a former pharmacy and industrial warehouse buildings.
40R - Rokeby Place
40R - Rokeby Place is a flagship commercial precinct in Collingwood featuring two 13-storey office towers. The development provides approximately 18,421 sqm of premium lettable area with floorplates ranging from 967 to 1,762 sqm. Key amenities include a business lounge, wellness center, rooftop garden with recreational facilities, and high-quality end-of-trip spaces. The project targets a 5.5-star NABERS rating and carbon-neutral operations, incorporating sustainable design elements like natural ventilation and reduced embodied carbon.
Employment
The labour market in East Melbourne shows considerable strength compared to most other Australian regions
East Melbourne has a highly educated workforce. Its unemployment rate is 3.4%. Over the past year, it has seen an estimated employment growth of 3.8%.
As of December 2025, 3631 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate of 1.3% lower than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.8%. Workforce participation is high at 75.8%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 69.9%. Census responses indicate that 54.1% of residents work from home. Employment is concentrated in professional & technical, health care & social assistance, and education & training sectors.
East Melbourne has a particular specialization in professional & technical jobs, with an employment share 2.1 times the regional level. However, construction employment is under-represented at 3.8%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 9.7%. The area functions as an employment hub with 4.2 workers per resident. Over the past year, employment increased by 3.8% while labour force grew by 4.5%, leading to a rise in unemployment of 0.7 percentage points. By comparison, Greater Melbourne recorded lower growth rates and increases in these metrics. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 suggest that East Melbourne's employment should increase by 7.6% over five years and 15.2% over ten years, based on industry-specific projections applied to the local employment mix.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
The economic profile demonstrates exceptional strength, placing the area among the top 10% nationally based on comprehensive AreaSearch income analysis
East Melbourne SA2 had a median taxpayer income of $78,554 and an average income of $144,989 in financial year 2023, according to postcode level ATO data aggregated by AreaSearch. This is notably higher than the national median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164 for Greater Melbourne. By March 2026, these figures are estimated to have increased to approximately $86,111 (median) and $158,937 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62%. The 2021 Census data ranks household, family, and personal incomes in East Melbourne between the 85th and 97th percentiles nationally. Income distribution shows that 30.1% of residents earn $1,500-$2,999 weekly. Economic strength is evident with 41.7% of households earning over $3,000 weekly, supporting high consumer spending. Despite high housing costs consuming 15.4% of income, disposable income remains at the 85th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 10th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
East Melbourne features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region
In East Melbourne, as per the latest Census data, 3.2% of dwellings were houses while 96.7% consisted of other types such as semi-detached homes, apartments, and 'other' dwellings. In contrast, Melbourne metropolitan area had 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in East Melbourne stood at 27.5%, with mortgaged properties at 18.3% and rented ones at 54.2%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,383, higher than the Melbourne metro average of $2,000. The median weekly rent in East Melbourne was $480 compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, East Melbourne's mortgage repayments were significantly higher at $2,383 versus Australia's average of $1,863, and rents were substantially above the national figure of $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
East Melbourne features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households constitute 49.9% of all households, including 9.6% composed of couples with children, 35.5% consisting of couples without children, and 3.3% comprising single parent families. Non-family households account for the remaining 50.1%, with lone person households making up 43.1% and group households representing 7.1%. The median household size is 1.8 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
East Melbourne performs slightly above the national average for education, showing competitive qualification levels and steady academic outcomes
East Melbourne's educational attainment is notably higher than national averages. As of 2021, 67.4% of residents aged 15 years and above hold university qualifications, compared to Australia's 30.4% and Victoria's 33.4%. University graduates make up the largest group at 39.8%, followed by postgraduates (21.8%) and graduate diploma holders (5.8%). Vocational qualifications account for 15.8% of those aged 15 years and above, with advanced diplomas at 9.5% and certificates at 6.3%.
In total, 20.7% of the population is actively engaged in education as of 2021, including 10.6% in tertiary studies, 3.1% in primary education, and 2.8% pursuing secondary education.
Frequently Asked Questions - Education
Schools Detail
Nearby Services & Amenities
Transport
Transport servicing is high compared to other areas nationally based on assessment of service frequency, route connectivity and accessibility
East Melbourne has 50 active public transport stops operating within its boundaries. These include a mix of light rail and bus services. A total of 47 individual routes service these stops, collectively providing 37,841 weekly passenger trips. The accessibility of transport in the area is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 156 meters from the nearest stop. As a primarily residential area, most residents commute outward using different modes of transportation. Cars remain the dominant mode at 46%, while walking accounts for 28% and train usage stands at 6%.
The average vehicle ownership per dwelling is 0.6, which is below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, a high percentage of residents, specifically 54.1%, work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions. The service frequency averages 5,405 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 756 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
The level of general health in East Melbourne is notably higher than the national average with both young and old age cohorts seeing low prevalence of common health conditions
East Melbourne shows superior health outcomes, as evaluated by AreaSearch through mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence. Both younger and older age groups exhibit low prevalence of common health conditions. Private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 85% of the total population (4,453 people), compared to 56.7% in Greater Melbourne and a national average of 55.7%.
The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues affecting 8.8% of residents and arthritis impacting 7.2%, while 69.4% report no medical ailments, compared to 72.6% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes for the under-65 population are better than average. East Melbourne has a higher proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 23.5% (1,233 people), compared to 15.0% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, ranking even higher than the general population nationally.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
The level of cultural diversity witnessed in East Melbourne was found to be slightly above average when compared nationally for a number of language and cultural background related metrics
East Melbourne, surveyed in June 2016, had a higher linguistic diversity than most areas, with 14.9% of residents speaking languages other than English at home. Birthplace-wise, 29.1% were born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion (39.7%), but Judaism showed notable overrepresentation at 0.7%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 1.0%.
In terms of ancestry, East Melbourne had higher proportions of English (27.3%) and Irish (12.8%) than regional averages (20.1% and 6.5% respectively). Scottish (9.9%), French (0.7%), and Polish (0.9%) groups were also notably overrepresented compared to regional figures (5.6%, 0.5%, and 0.8% respectively).
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
East Melbourne's median age exceeds the national pattern
East Melbourne has a median age of 41 years, which is higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and Australia's median of 38. The 25-34 age group is notably over-represented at 26.4% compared to the Greater Melbourne average, while those aged 5-14 are under-represented at 3.3%. This concentration in the 25-34 age group is well above the national average of 14.6%. Following the Census conducted on 28 August 2021, younger residents have shifted the median age down by 1.2 years to 41. Specifically, the percentage of residents aged 25 to 34 has increased from 23.4% to 26.4%, while those aged 75 to 84 rose from 6.6% to 9.1%. Conversely, the percentage of residents aged 55 to 64 decreased from 13.6% to 11.3%, and those aged 45 to 54 dropped from 11.3% to 9.0%. By 2041, demographic modeling suggests East Melbourne's age profile will significantly change. The 45-54 cohort is projected to grow by 50%, adding 235 residents to reach 710. Notably, the combined age groups of 65 and above are expected to account for 55% of total population growth, reflecting the area's aging demographic profile. In contrast, population declines are projected for those aged 0-4 and 15-24 years.