Melbourne CBD - North
Statistical Area - sa2

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 approximately 23,645 as of August 2025. This figure represents a 40.2% increase since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 16,870 people. The estimated resident population in June 2024 was 23,579, with an additional 74 validated new addresses since the Census date contributing to this growth. This results in a population density ratio of 42,223 persons per square kilometer, placing Melbourne CBD - North among the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's growth exceeded both the national average (8.6%) and state averages since the 2021 Census. Overseas migration drove this growth, contributing approximately 95.5% of overall population gains in recent periods.

However, natural growth and interstate migration also played positive roles. AreaSearch uses 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 employs the VIC State Government's Regional/LGA projections from 2023, adjusting using a weighted aggregation method from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Future trends indicate exceptional growth, with Melbourne CBD - North predicted to grow by 11,857 persons to 2041 based on the latest population numbers, reflecting a total increase of 49.9% over the 17-year period.

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 received approximately six dwelling approvals per year. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reports that 32 homes were approved between the financial years FY-21 and FY-25, with none yet recorded in FY-26. On average, this area sees about 162.9 new residents for each home built over these five years. This supply lag indicates heightened competition among buyers and pricing pressures due to demand outstripping supply.

Commercial development approvals total $76.9 million so far this financial year, suggesting strong local business investment. Compared to Greater Melbourne, Melbourne CBD - North has significantly less development activity, which typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing dwellings. This area is below the national average in terms of development, reflecting its established nature and potential planning limitations.

By 2041, projections indicate Melbourne CBD - North will add 11,791 residents. If current construction levels continue, housing supply may lag population growth, further intensifying buyer competition and supporting price growth.

Melbourne CBD - North has very high levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 10% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly influence an area's performance. AreaSearch has identified 23 projects likely to impact the area. Key projects include the Metro Tunnel Project, Gurrowa Place - QVM Southern Precinct, Queen Victoria Market Precinct Renewal, and Queens Place. The following list details those most relevant.

Professional plan users can use the search below to filter and access additional projects.

AreaSearch analysis reveals Melbourne CBD - North significantly outperforming the majority of regions assessed nationwide

Melbourne CBD - North has a highly educated workforce with strong representation in professional services. The unemployment rate was 2.8% as of June 2025, with an estimated employment growth of 7.2% over the past year.

This is lower than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.6%. Workforce participation was at 66.2%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. The dominant employment sectors were accommodation & food (3.8 times the regional level), professional & technical, and retail trade. Construction showed lower representation at 2.9% versus the regional average of 9.7%.

There were 1.6 workers for every resident as at the Census, indicating it functions as an employment hub hosting more jobs than residents. Over the 12 months to June 2025, employment increased by 7.2%, while labour force increased by 7.1%, with unemployment remaining essentially unchanged. This compares to Greater Melbourne where employment grew by 3.5%. State-level data to Sep-25 shows VIC employment grew by 1.08% year-on-year, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%. National employment forecasts from May 2025 suggest an expansion of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to Melbourne CBD - North's employment mix suggests local growth of approximately 6.8% over five years and 13.6% over ten years.

Income metrics place the area in the bottom 10% of locations nationally according to AreaSearch analysis

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year 2022 shows that Melbourne CBD - North has an income below the national average. The median income is $30,966 while the average income stands at $47,396. In contrast, Greater Melbourne has a median income of $54,892 and an average income of $73,761. Using Wage Price Index growth of 10.11% since financial year 2022, the current estimates for Melbourne CBD - North would be approximately $34,097 (median) and $52,188 (average) as of March 2025. Census data reveals that household, family, and personal incomes in Melbourne CBD - North all fall between the 7th and 17th percentiles nationally. Income analysis shows that the $800 - 1,499 bracket dominates with 26.5% of residents (6,265 people), unlike patterns across the metropolitan region where the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with 32.8%. Housing affordability pressures are severe in Melbourne CBD - North, with only 70.0% of income remaining, ranking at the 4th percentile. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 7th decile.

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 evaluated at the latest Census, comprised 0% houses and 100% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). This contrasts with Melbourne metro's 2.2% houses and 97.8% other dwellings. Home ownership in Melbourne CBD - North was at 10.4%, with the remainder of dwellings either mortgaged (9.3%) or rented (80.3%). The median monthly mortgage repayment in the area was $1,725, lower than Melbourne metro's average of $1,962. Median weekly rent figure was recorded at $361, compared to Melbourne metro's $396. Nationally, Melbourne CBD - North's mortgage repayments are lower than the Australian average of $1,863, while rents are less than the national figure of $375.

Melbourne CBD - North features high concentrations of group households and lone person households, with a lower-than-average median household size

Family households are the largest group, accounting for 32.0% of all households. They consist of 3.4% couples with children, 21.9% couples without children, and 2.6% single parent families. Non-family households make up the remaining 68.0%, with lone person households at 47.7% and group households comprising 20.2%. The median household size is 1.7 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne average of 1.8.

Educational attainment in Melbourne CBD - North aligns closely with national averages, showing typical qualification patterns and performance metrics

Educational attainment in Melbourne CBD - North shows 59.4% of residents aged 15+ have university qualifications, exceeding national (30.4%) and Victorian (33.4%) averages. Bachelor degrees are the most common at 37.5%, followed by postgraduate qualifications (19.9%) and graduate diplomas (2.0%). Vocational pathways account for 16.3% of qualifications, with advanced diplomas at 10.4% and certificates at 5.9%. Current educational participation is high at 53.5%, including 36.2% in tertiary education, 1.2% in secondary education, and 1.1% in primary education.

Eltham College - Lonsdale Street Campus serves the area but has no enrolled students. All schools offer integrated K-12 education for academic continuity. No schools are located within Melbourne CBD - North, requiring residents to travel to nearby areas for educational services. Note: 'n/a' enrolment figures refer to parent campus information.

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

Analysis shows 31 active transport stops operating within Melbourne CBD - North. These include train, light rail, and bus services. There are 65 individual routes servicing these stops, collectively providing 29,873 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated excellent, with residents typically located 95 meters from the nearest stop. Service frequency averages 4,267 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 963 weekly trips per individual stop.

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 has low prevalence rates for common health conditions across all age groups. Private health cover stands at approximately 46%, covering around 10,876 people, compared to Greater Melbourne's 56%. Nationally, this figure is 55.3%.

Mental health issues and asthma are the most prevalent conditions in the area, affecting 5.8% and 4.3% of residents respectively. About 88.1% report no medical ailments, higher than Greater Melbourne's 79.8%. The area has fewer seniors; 2.9%, or around 690 people, compared to Greater Melbourne's 6.8%. Despite this, health outcomes among seniors align with the general population's profile.

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 one of the most culturally diverse populations in Australia, with 75.1% speaking a language other than English at home and 82.4% born overseas. Christianity is the predominant religion in Melbourne CBD-North, accounting for 20.7%. However, Buddhism stands out with 13.8%, significantly higher than Greater Melbourne's average of 7.0%.

In terms of ancestry, Chinese people make up 43.5%, which is substantially higher than the regional average of 19.1%. Other ancestry comprises 18.4%, while English ancestry is at 8.5%, notably lower than the regional average of 16.1%. There are notable differences in other ethnic groups: Korean (2.8% vs 1.5%), Vietnamese (3.1% vs 2.0%), and Indian (4.9% vs 5.5%).

Melbourne CBD - North hosts a very young demographic, ranking in the bottom 10% of areas nationwide

Melbourne CBD - North has a median age of 25 years, which is lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and the national average of 38. It has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (43.8%) compared to Greater Melbourne but fewer residents aged 5-14 (1.3%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is higher than the national figure of 14.5%. According to the 2021 Census, the 25-34 age group has increased from 39.9% to 43.8%, while the 15-24 cohort has decreased from 38.1% to 35.2%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate that the 25-34 age cohort is projected to grow significantly, increasing by 5,787 people (56%) from 10,356 to 16,144.