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.
est. as @ -- *
ABS ERP | -- people | --
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
Melbourne CBD - North lies within the top 10% of areas nationally in terms of population growth performance according to AreaSearch analysis of short and medium-term trends
Melbourne CBD - North's population is around 23,609 as of February 2026. This reflects an increase of 6,739 people since the 2021 Census, which reported a population of 16,870 people. The change is inferred from the estimated resident population of 23,579 in June 2024 and an additional 74 validated new addresses since the Census date. This level of population equates to a density ratio of 42,158 persons per square kilometer, placing it in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth rate of 39.9% since the 2021 census exceeded the national average of 9.9%. Population growth was primarily driven by overseas migration contributing approximately 95.5% of overall population gains during recent periods.
AreaSearch is adopting ABS/Geoscience Australia projections released in 2024 with a base year of 2022 for each SA2 area. For areas not covered, AreaSearch utilises the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections released in 2023 with adjustments made employing a method of weighted aggregation of population growth from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. By 2041, the area is forecasted to grow by 11,857 persons based on the latest annual ERP population numbers, reflecting an increase of 50.1% in total over the 17 years.
Frequently Asked Questions - Population
Development
Residential development activity is lower than average in Melbourne CBD - North according to AreaSearch's national comparison of local real estate markets
Melbourne CBD - North has seen approximately six dwellings receiving development approval annually. Over the past five financial years, from FY21 to FY25, around 32 homes were approved, with none yet approved in FY26. On average, about 162.9 people moved to the area each year for every dwelling built during these five years, indicating significant demand exceeding new supply.
This has typically led to price growth and increased buyer competition. Commercial development approvals totalled $76.9 million this financial year, demonstrating strong commercial development activity in the area compared to Greater Melbourne. However, Melbourne CBD - North has less overall development activity than the national average, suggesting established nature and potential planning limitations.
By 2041, AreaSearch's latest quarterly estimate projects an additional 11,827 residents for the area. If current construction levels persist, housing supply may lag population growth, potentially intensifying buyer competition and underpinning price growth.
Frequently Asked Questions - Development
Infrastructure
Melbourne CBD - North has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 20% nationally
Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 19 projects likely impacting the area. Notable projects include Queen Victoria Market Precinct Renewal, Gurrowa Place - QVM Southern Precinct, Queens Place, and Level Crossing Removal Project. 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
Metro Tunnel Project
The Metro Tunnel is a city-shaping 9km twin-tunnel underground rail project featuring five new stations: Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall, and Anzac. The project enables a new end-to-end rail line from Sunbury to Cranbourne/Pakenham, utilizing High Capacity Signalling, platform screen doors, and new High Capacity Metro Trains to support turn-up-and-go services every 2-3 minutes during peak periods. While limited passenger services began on 30 November 2025 as part of a 'Summer Start' program, the project reached full operational integration on 1 February 2026. This 'Big Switch' introduced over 1,000 extra weekly services and a network-wide timetable overhaul, significantly increasing capacity across Melbourne's metropolitan rail network.
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.
Arts Centre Melbourne Ian Potter State Theatre Upgrades
A comprehensive refurbishment of the heritage-listed State Theatre, now renamed the Ian Potter State Theatre following a major philanthropic donation. The project includes significant accessibility improvements such as new lifts and wheelchair positions across all three levels. Key features involve the replacement of all seating, enhanced acoustics, upgraded theatre technology (lighting, sound, and broadcast infrastructure), and modernized air-conditioning. The expansion also adds a 16% increase to the building footprint, facilitating an expanded loading dock, a new flexible rehearsal studio, and updated back-of-house facilities. New hospitality outlets will be integrated into the northern and western facades.
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.
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.
Gurrowa Place - QVM Southern Precinct
$1.7 billion mixed-use urban renewal project by Lendlease, City of Melbourne, and Scape as part of the Queen Victoria Market Precinct Renewal. The development includes three new buildings: a next-generation office tower, over 1,100 build-to-rent apartments (including 130+ affordable homes), and a student accommodation tower with 1,150 beds. The project features the creation of Market Square, a 1.8-hectare public park, the restoration of the heritage Franklin Street Stores for retail and hospitality, and a new 220-space basement car park. Construction is expected to commence in 2026 with completion slated for 2031. Final federal heritage approval was secured in August 2025.
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 University City Campus - Law Building
Victoria University's heritage law campus housed in the restored former Public Records Office building at 295 Queen Street. Part of ISPT's $385 million City Campus development project completed in 2022, featuring the School of Law, law library, moot courts, and the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre. The heritage-listed building provides specialized legal education facilities in Melbourne's CBD legal precinct.
Employment
The labour market strength in Melbourne CBD - North positions it well ahead of most Australian regions
Melbourne CBD - North has an educated workforce with strong professional services representation. Its unemployment rate was 2.6% in the past year, with estimated employment growth of 6.3%. As of September 2025, 16,774 residents are employed at an unemployment rate of 2.0%, below Greater Melbourne's 4.7%.
Workforce participation is 74.9%, slightly higher than Greater Melbourne's 71.0%. A significant 32.8% of residents work from home, potentially influenced by Covid-19 lockdowns. Dominant employment sectors include accommodation & food, professional & technical, and retail trade, with notable specialization in accommodation & food at 3.8 times the regional level. Conversely, construction shows lower representation at 2.9%.
The area functions as an employment hub with 1.6 workers per resident. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 6.3% while labour force grew by 6.0%, reducing unemployment by 0.3 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne saw employment growth of 3.0%, labour force expansion of 3.3%, and a slight unemployment rise of 0.3 percentage points. National employment forecasts from May-25 project overall growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Melbourne CBD - North's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by 6.8% over five years and 13.6% over ten years, though this is a simplified extrapolation for illustrative purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions - Employment
Income
Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis
AreaSearch's data for financial year 2023 shows median income in Melbourne CBD - North SA2 at $29,650 and average income at $46,562. This is below the national average. Greater Melbourne has a median income of $57,688 and an average income of $75,164. By September 2025, estimated incomes would be approximately $32,096 (median) and $50,403 (average), based on Wage Price Index growth of 8.25%. Census data shows household, family, and personal incomes in Melbourne CBD - North fall between the 6th and 17th percentiles nationally. The income bracket of $800 - $1,499 dominates with 26.5% of residents (6,256 people), unlike metropolitan patterns where the $1,500 - $2,999 bracket dominates at 32.8%. Housing affordability pressures are severe; only 70.0% of income remains, ranking at the 3rd percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.
Frequently Asked Questions - Income
Housing
Melbourne CBD - North features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with a higher proportion of rental properties than the broader region
Dwelling structure in Melbourne CBD - North, as per the latest Census, comprised 0% houses and 100% other dwellings. In comparison, Melbourne metro had 67.9% houses and 32.1% other dwellings. Home ownership in Melbourne CBD - North was at 10.4%, with dwellings either mortgaged (9.3%) or rented (80.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,725, below the Melbourne metro average of $2,000. The median weekly rent figure was $361, compared to Melbourne metro's $390. Nationally, mortgage repayments were lower at $1,863 and rents were less at $375.
Frequently Asked Questions - Housing
Household Composition
Melbourne CBD - North features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size
Family households constitute 32.0% of all households, including 3.4% couples with children, 21.9% couples without children, and 2.6% single parent families. Non-family households comprise the remaining 68.0%, with lone person households at 47.7% and group households making up 20.2% of the total. The median household size is 1.7 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 2.6.
Frequently Asked Questions - Households
Local Schools & Education
Educational attainment in Melbourne CBD - North aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics
Educational attainment in Melbourne CBD - North is notably higher than broader benchmarks. As of 2021, 59.4% of residents aged 15 years or above hold university qualifications, compared to the national average of 30.4% and Victoria's average of 33.4%. This area's educational advantage is reflected in its high proportion of Bachelor degrees (37.5%), postgraduate qualifications (19.9%), and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational pathways account for 16.3% of qualifications among those aged 15 years or above, with advanced diplomas at 10.4% and certificates at 5.9%.
Educational participation is high, with 53.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education as of 2021. This includes tertiary education (36.2%), secondary education (1.2%), and primary education (1.1%).
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 Melbourne's CBD - North area found that there are currently 34 active transport stops operating. These stops offer a mix of light rail and bus services, with a total of 66 individual routes providing weekly passenger trips amounting to 37,911. The accessibility of transport in this residential area is rated as excellent, with residents typically located just 95 meters from the nearest stop. In terms of commuting patterns, walking is notably common at 28%, while train usage stands at 25%. Vehicle ownership averages 0.0 per dwelling, which is below the regional average. According to the 2021 Census, a high percentage of residents, specifically 32.8%, work from home, which may reflect COVID-19 conditions.
The service frequency across all routes averages 5,415 trips per day, equating to approximately 1115 weekly trips per individual stop.
Frequently Asked Questions - Transport
Transport Stops Detail
Health
Melbourne CBD - North's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups
Melbourne CBD - North shows excellent health outcomes according to AreaSearch's assessment. Mortality rates and chronic condition prevalence are very low across all age groups. Private health cover is extremely low at approximately 46% of the total population (~10,930 people), compared to 56.7% in Greater Melbourne and a national average of 55.7%.
The most prevalent medical conditions are mental health issues (5.8%) and asthma (4.3%), while 88.1% of residents report being completely clear of medical ailments, higher than the 72.6% across Greater Melbourne. The area has a lower proportion of seniors aged 65 and over at 3.2% (760 people), compared to 15.1% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are strong and align with national rankings for the general population.
Frequently Asked Questions - Health
Cultural Diversity
Melbourne CBD - North is among the most culturally diverse areas in the country based on AreaSearch assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics
Melbourne CBD - North has a population where 75.1% speak a language other than English at home, with 82.4% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion, accounting for 20.7%. Buddhism is notably higher than the Greater Melbourne average at 13.8%.
The top three ancestry groups are Chinese (43.5%), Other (18.4%), and English (8.5%). Korean (2.8%), Vietnamese (3.1%), and Indian (4.9%) are overrepresented compared to regional averages.
Frequently Asked Questions - Diversity
Age
Melbourne CBD - North hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide
The median age in Melbourne CBD-North is 26 years, which is notably lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and considerably younger than Australia's median age of 38. Compared to the Greater Melbourne average, the 25-34 cohort is significantly over-represented at 44.5% locally, while those aged 5-14 are under-represented at 1.3%. This concentration of individuals aged 25-34 is well above the national average of 14.4%. According to data from the 2021 Census, the proportion of individuals aged 25 to 34 has grown from 39.9% to 44.5%, while those aged 15 to 24 have declined from 38.1% to 33.9%. Looking ahead to 2041, demographic projections indicate significant shifts in Melbourne CBD-North's age structure, with the strongest projected growth for the 25-34 cohort at 54%, adding 5647 residents to reach a total of 16144.