St Kilda East

An assessment of population growth drivers in St Kilda East reveals an overall ranking slightly below national averages considering recent, and medium term trends

St Kilda East's population is approximately 17,352 as of November 2025. This figure represents an increase of 1,539 people since the 2021 Census, which recorded a population of 15,813. The growth is inferred from the estimated resident population of 17,332 in June 2024 and the addition of 101 new validated addresses since the Census date. This results in a density ratio of 7,200 persons per square kilometer, placing St Kilda East in the top 10% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch. The area's population growth of 9.7% since the 2021 census exceeds the national average of 8.9%. Overseas migration contributed approximately 80.8% of overall population gains during recent periods, driving primary growth in St Kilda East.

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 released in 2023, adjusted using a method of weighted aggregation from LGA to SA2 levels. Growth rates by age group are applied across all areas for years 2032 to 2041. Based on these projections, St Kilda East is expected to increase its population by 4,162 persons to 2041, reflecting a total increase of 23.9% over the 17-year period.

The level of residential development activity in St Kilda East is very low in comparison to the average area assessed nationally by AreaSearch

St Kilda East has seen approximately 30 dwelling approvals per year over the past five financial years, totalling 154 homes. As of FY26, there has been one recorded approval. The population has decreased during this period, yet housing supply has remained adequate relative to demand, maintaining a balanced market with good buyer choice. New homes are being built at an average construction cost value of $457,000, which is higher than regional norms due to quality-focused development.

In FY26, $6.3 million in commercial approvals have been registered, indicating limited commercial development focus. Compared to Greater Melbourne, St Kilda East has significantly less development activity, 84.0% below the regional average per person. This constrained new construction typically reinforces demand and pricing for existing properties. This trend is also lower than national averages, suggesting market maturity and possible development constraints. Recent construction comprises 12.0% standalone homes and 88.0% medium to high-density housing, attracting downsizers, investors, and first-time purchasers due to affordable entry pathways. With around 4826 people per dwelling approval, St Kilda East reflects a highly mature market.

By 2041, the area is expected to grow by 4,142 residents. If current development rates continue, housing supply may not keep pace with population growth, potentially increasing competition among buyers and supporting stronger price growth.

St Kilda East has strong levels of nearby infrastructure activity, ranking in the top 40% nationally

Changes to local infrastructure significantly impact an area's performance. AreaSearch identified 31 projects likely affecting the region. Notable ones are Coles Carlisle Street Precinct Development, Small Parks Program - Balaclava/St Kilda East, 191-193 Carlisle Street Mixed Development, and 97 Alma Road by Neometro. The following list details those most relevant.

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

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The labour market in St Kilda East demonstrates typical performance when compared to similar areas across Australia

St Kilda East has a highly educated workforce with significant representation in the technology sector. Its unemployment rate was 5.2% as of September 2021, with an estimated employment growth of 5.0% over the past year.

As of September 2025, 12,086 residents are employed, and the unemployment rate is 0.5% higher than Greater Melbourne's rate of 4.7%. Workforce participation in St Kilda East is high at 75.4%, compared to Greater Melbourne's 64.1%. The dominant employment sectors among residents include professional & technical services, health care & social assistance, and education & training. Notably, the area has a strong specialization in professional & technical services, with an employment share of 1.5 times the regional level.

However, manufacturing is under-represented, with only 3.7% of St Kilda East's workforce compared to 7.2% in Greater Melbourne. Over the year to September 2025, employment increased by 5.0%, while labour force grew by 4.9%, leading to a slight decrease in unemployment rate by 0.1 percentage points. In contrast, Greater Melbourne experienced employment growth of 3.0% and labour force growth of 3.3%, with an increase in unemployment rate by 0.3 percentage points. State-level data as of 25-Nov-22 shows that Victoria's employment grew by 1.13% year-on-year, adding 41,950 jobs, with the state unemployment rate at 4.7%, compared to the national rate of 4.3%. Jobs and Skills Australia's national employment forecasts from May-25 project overall employment growth of 6.6% over five years and 13.7% over ten years. Applying these projections to St Kilda East's employment mix suggests local employment should increase by approximately 7.1% over five years and 14.3% over ten years, based on a simple weighting extrapolation for illustrative purposes.

Income metrics indicate excellent economic conditions, with the area achieving higher performance than 75% of national locations assessed by AreaSearch

AreaSearch's latest postcode level ATO data for financial year ending June 2022 indicates that St Kilda East SA2 had a median income of $62,268 and an average income of $90,601. This is higher than Greater Melbourne's median income of $54,892 and average income of $73,761 in the same period. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 12.16% from financial year ending June 2022 to September 2025, current estimates for St Kilda East SA2 would be approximately $69,840 (median) and $101,618 (average). Census data shows individual earnings in the area rank at the 91st percentile nationally ($1,210 weekly), but household income ranks lower at the 64th percentile. Income brackets reveal that 34.2% of locals (5,934 people) fall into the $1,500 - 2,999 category, which is similar to the metropolitan region's 32.8%. High housing costs consume 17.2% of income in St Kilda East SA2, however strong earnings place disposable income at the 63rd percentile nationally. The area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the 9th decile.

St Kilda East features a more urban dwelling mix with significant apartment living, with ownership patterns similar to the broader region

St Kilda East's dwelling structure, as per the latest Census, had 14.5% houses and 85.4% other dwellings (semi-detached, apartments, 'other' dwellings). In comparison, Melbourne metro had 8.7% houses and 91.3% other dwellings. Home ownership in St Kilda East was at 18.4%, with mortgaged dwellings at 29.4% and rented ones at 52.1%. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $2,100, below Melbourne metro's average of $2,170. Median weekly rent in St Kilda East was $384, compared to Melbourne metro's $420. Nationally, St Kilda East's mortgage repayments were higher at $2,100 versus Australia's average of $1,863, while rents were also higher at $384 compared to the national figure of $375.

St Kilda East features high concentrations of lone person households and group households, with a fairly typical median household size

Family households account for 47.0% of all households, including 15.5% couples with children, 24.6% couples without children, and 5.6% single parent families. Non-family households constitute the remaining 53.0%, with lone person households at 42.7% and group households comprising 10.3%. The median household size is 1.9 people, which aligns with the Greater Melbourne average.

Educational achievement in St Kilda East places it within the top 10% nationally, reflecting strong academic performance and high qualification levels across the community

In St Kilda East, the educational attainment is notably higher than national averages. As of a recent report, 55.4% of residents aged 15 years and above hold university qualifications, surpassing Australia's average of 30.4% and Victoria's at 33.4%. This indicates a significant educational advantage for the area, positioning it favourably for knowledge-based opportunities. Bachelor degrees are the most prevalent, held by 35.7% of residents, followed by postgraduate qualifications (14.9%) and graduate diplomas (4.8%).

Vocational pathways make up 22.8% of qualifications among those aged 15 years and above, with advanced diplomas at 11.1% and certificates at 11.7%. Educational participation is notably high, with 28.5% of residents currently enrolled in formal education. This includes 9.9% in tertiary education, 6.3% in primary education, and 4.4% pursuing secondary education.

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

Public transport analysis reveals 51 active transport stops operating within St Kilda East. These include a mix of train, light rail, and bus services. They are serviced by 10 individual routes, collectively providing 6,307 weekly passenger trips.

Transport accessibility is rated as excellent, with residents typically located 168 meters from the nearest transport stop. Service frequency averages 901 trips per day across all routes, equating to approximately 123 weekly trips per individual stop.

St Kilda East's residents boast exceedingly positive health performance metrics with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups

Health outcomes data shows excellent results across St Kilda East, with very low prevalence of common health conditions across all age groups. The rate of private health cover is exceptionally high at approximately 67% of the total population (11,573 people), compared to 73.1% across Greater Melbourne and a national average of 55.3%. The most common medical conditions in the area are mental health issues and asthma, affecting 11.4% and 7.7% of residents respectively.

A total of 72.9% of residents declare themselves completely clear of medical ailments, compared to 73.3% across Greater Melbourne. The area has 10.4% of residents aged 65 and over (1,804 people), which is lower than the 14.3% in Greater Melbourne. Health outcomes among seniors are particularly strong, broadly in line with the general population's health profile.

St Kilda East was found to be more culturally diverse than the vast majority of local markets in Australia, upon assessment of a range of language and cultural background related metrics

St Kilda East had a higher cultural diversity than most local areas, with 22.8% speaking a language other than English at home and 34.3% born overseas. Christianity was the predominant religion, making up 25.6%. Judaism was notably overrepresented at 12.5%, compared to Greater Melbourne's average of 3.7%.

The top three ancestry groups were English (22.4%), Australian (17.9%), and Other (14.8%). Polish (2.6%) and Russian (1.5%) were overrepresented, while Hungarian was slightly higher at 0.8% compared to regional averages of 1.5%, 0.9%, and 0.4% respectively.

St Kilda East hosts a young demographic, positioning it in the bottom quartile nationwide

St Kilda East's median age is 34 years, which is lower than Greater Melbourne's average of 37 and Australia's national average of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, St Kilda East has a higher proportion of residents aged 25-34 (28.7%), but fewer residents aged 5-14 (6.3%). This concentration of 25-34 year-olds is significantly higher than the national average of 14.5%. Between the 2021 Census and the latest data, the proportion of residents aged 15-24 has increased from 10.4% to 11.5%, while those aged 25-34 have risen from 27.7% to 28.7%. Conversely, the proportion of residents aged 5-14 has decreased from 7.5% to 6.3%, and those aged 45-54 have dropped from 12.7% to 11.7%. By 2041, population forecasts indicate substantial demographic changes in St Kilda East. The 45-54 age group is projected to grow by 51%, adding 1,028 residents to reach a total of 3,052. In contrast, the 0-4 age group is expected to show minimal growth of just 8% (59 people).