Cairnlea, VIC: suburb profile

The population of Cairnlea VIC is 10,038 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Cairnlea is $658 per week ($34,216 per year). Median rent in Cairnlea is $400 per week ($1,733 per month). Cairnlea has a median age of 36 years, younger than the national median of 38. Cairnlea has a population density of 2,278 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Cairnlea is Vietnam. The most common religion is Catholic (27.4% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Vietnamese. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Cairnlea is $1,883.

There were 436 recorded offences in Cairnlea in 2025-25, a rate of 43 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (168 offences).

Population
10,038
Census 2021
Median income
$658/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$400/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
36years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (crimestatistics.vic.gov.au), 2025-25.

Cairnlea vs the typical VIC suburb

The median personal income in Cairnlea is $658 a week, 14% below the typical VIC suburb ($767). That ranks 972nd of 1,274 VIC suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $400 a week, $84 more than the typical VIC suburb. Rent takes 19.4% of the median household income here, against 19.1% in the typical VIC suburb. The median resident is 36, 7 years younger than in the typical VIC suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureCairnleaTypical VICDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$658/wk$767/wk −14%$766/wk
Household income$2,062/wk$1,687/wk +22%$1,637/wk
Rent$400/wk$316/wk +27%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,883/mo$1,723/mo +9%$1,733/mo
Median age3643 −7 yrs42
Rent share of household income19.4%19.1% +0.3 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Cairnlea, the typical VIC suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Cairnlea Population

10,038 residents at the 2021 Census.

Cairnlea Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$658/wk
$34,216 per year
Ranked 6,188 of 14,663
Median Rent
$400/wk
$1,733 per month
Ranked 1,854 of 14,663
Median Age
36years
2 years younger than the national median
Mortgage
$1,883/mo
Avg household size: 3.4 · 0.9 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Cairnlea Rent Prices & Affordability

19% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $2,062/wk
Median rent $400/wk
Rent to income 19.4%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Cairnlea against your income

About $8,935 a month
Median rent $400/wk
Left after rent $1,662/wk
Rent share 19.4%

Cairnlea Schools

36
schools nearby
24
government
979
avg ICSEA score
12,152
total students
St Theresa's School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 229 students
1076
ICSEA
Albion Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 189 students
1031
ICSEA
St Paul's Kealba Catholic School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 257 students
1025
ICSEA
Cairnlea Park Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 776 students
1023
ICSEA
St Paul's School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 515 students
1015
ICSEA
St Peter Chanel School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 506 students
1012
ICSEA
University Park Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 229 students
999
ICSEA
Marian College Catholic
Secondary · 7-12 · 856 students
999
ICSEA
Mother of God School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 107 students
995
ICSEA
Deer Park West Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 389 students
989
ICSEA
Ardeer Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 139 students
986
ICSEA
St Albans Meadows Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 425 students
984
ICSEA
Holy Eucharist School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 548 students
972
ICSEA
Movelle Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 124 students
969
ICSEA
Jackson School Government
Combined · U · 322 students
969
ICSEA

Showing 15 of 36 schools.

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Cairnlea, with a map

Cairnlea Map

Cairnlea, Victoria Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Cairnlea, Victoria: 37.7587°S, 144.7905°E

Cairnlea Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (36)

People in Cairnlea

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 49.2% (4,940) Female 50.8% (5,103)

Population Density

2,278
people per km²
10,038 people · 4.4 km²

Households

3.4
Avg household size
0.9
Persons per bedroom
$1,998
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

Vietnam
21.0%
Philippines
4.5%
India
2.6%
North Macedonia
1.7%
Bosnia and Herzegovina
1.4%
China
1.3%
Pakistan
1.3%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Vietnamese
31.3%
Cantonese
4.0%
Tagalog
2.5%
Macedonian
2.5%
Punjabi
1.7%
Arabic
1.7%
Mandarin
1.5%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

Vietnamese
30.0%
Chinese
12.4%
Australian
9.3%
Filipino
6.9%
English
6.4%
Maltese
4.2%
Italian
3.4%
Macedonian
3.2%
Indian
3.2%
Greek
2.1%
Croatian
1.5%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

Catholic
27.4%
No religion
21.5%
Buddhism
19.5%
Islam
9.8%
Not stated
5.2%
Eastern Orthodox
4.3%
Christian (other)
3.2%
Hinduism
2.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

0.2%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
50.7% 4,109
Separated
2.8% 228
Divorced
6.8% 554
Widowed
3.3% 264
Never married
36.5% 2,957

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
42.1%
Couple: no children under 15
28.0%
Couple: no children
14.4%
One parent: children under 15
7.9%
One parent: no children under 15
7.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
10.6%
2 persons
21.7%
3 persons
19.2%
4 persons
25.0%
5 persons
13.2%
6+ persons
10.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Cairnlea

Housing Tenure

Of the 2,808 occupied private dwellings in Cairnlea at the 2021 Census, 15.0% were rented, 32.8% owned outright and 49.2% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.2% 34 dwellings
Owned outright
32.8% 920 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
49.2% 1,381 dwellings
Rented
15.0% 420 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.8% 50 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
92.0%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
7.0%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
1.6%
2 bedrooms
3.1%
3 bedrooms
30.5%
4 bedrooms
51.0%
5 bedrooms
12.2%
6+ bedrooms
1.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
8.1%
$300-$449/mo
2.5%
$450-$599/mo
2.7%
$600-$799/mo
3.2%
$800-$999/mo
3.1%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
14.1%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
15.8%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
28.7%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
12.2%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
9.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
2.8%
1 vehicle
22.3%
2 vehicles
42.8%
3 vehicles
20.2%
4+ vehicles
11.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Cairnlea

Employment

Employed full-time
37.3% 2,769 people
Employed part-time
21.2% 1,576 people
Unemployed
4.5% 336 people
Not in labour force
37.0% 2,748 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
28.0%
Clerical & Administrative
16.6%
Technicians & Trade Workers
13.6%
Managers
11.2%
Community & Personal Service
10.4%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
7.8%
Labourers
6.2%
Sales Workers
6.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
2.8%
$1-$149/wk
0.4%
$150-$299/wk
1.0%
$300-$399/wk
1.4%
$400-$499/wk
3.1%
$500-$649/wk
2.5%
$650-$799/wk
5.2%
$800-$999/wk
5.2%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
6.5%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.5%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.7%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.3%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
13.7%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
10.9%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
8.4%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
5.8%
$4,000+/wk
12.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
19.9%
$1-$149/wk
4.3%
$150-$299/wk
8.1%
$300-$399/wk
4.6%
$400-$499/wk
3.0%
$500-$649/wk
2.3%
$650-$799/wk
8.1%
$800-$999/wk
10.7%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.1%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.9%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.7%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.1%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
5.9%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.0%
$3,500+/wk
1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
74.9%
Did not go to work
12.6%
Car (passenger)
6.7%
Train
2.6%
Truck
1.0%
Walked only
0.8%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.5%
Other
0.4%
Bus
0.4%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
80.2%
Year 10 or equivalent
9.3%
Year 11 or equivalent
6.8%
Year 9 or equivalent
3.7%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Bachelor Degree
42.5%
Certificate III/IV
24.3%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
19.4%
Postgraduate Degree
8.2%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
3.4%
Certificate I/II
2.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
26.2%
Engineering
16.5%
Health
11.8%
Society & Culture
11.7%
Information Technology
6.8%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
6.8%
Education
6.6%
Natural & Physical Sciences
5.4%
Architecture & Building
4.9%
Creative Arts
2.7%
Agriculture & Environment
0.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
27.3%
Secondary: Government
24.4%
Secondary: Catholic
12.1%
Primary: Catholic
11.0%
Vocational Education
8.5%
Pre-school
7.8%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
5.1%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
3.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
89.8%
Has need for assistance
6.0%
Need for assistance not stated
4.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
447
Asthma
399
Diabetes
317
Arthritis
142
Heart disease
120
Kidney disease
92
Stroke
80
Cancer
68
Lung condition
58
Dementia
17

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
12.7% 978
Did not provide
87.3% 6,713

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
7.7% 593
Not a volunteer
92.3% 7,134

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.1% 7
Current ADF: Reserves
0.0% 3
Previously served
0.4% 34
Never served
99.4% 7,730

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
35.0%
1 child
11.6%
2 children
29.8%
3 children
16.1%
4 children
5.8%
5+ children
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
9
1951: 1960
25
1961: 1970
181
1971: 1980
468
1981: 1990
1,395
1991: 2000
1,134
2001: 2010
954
2011: 2015
426
2016
88
2017
95
2018
98
2019
103
2020
41
2021
24

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

6.7%
moved in the last year
24.2%
moved in the last 5 years
6.6%
unemployment rate (Census)
62.1%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
8,996
Moved from VIC
433
Moved: same area (SA2)
118
Moved from overseas
58
Moved from QLD
11
Moved from NSW
9

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
20.4%
5: 14 hours
21.1%
15: 29 hours
9.0%
30+ hours
7.8%
Did not do domestic work
41.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
91.0%
Step family: no other children
4.6%
Blended family: no other children
2.6%
Intact family: other children present
1.4%
Other couple: children only
0.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Cairnlea Crime Statistics

436 reported offences in 2025-25, by category.

Theft
168
Justice Procedures
75
Assault
61
Break & Enter
40
Property Damage
37
Drug Offences
21
Fraud
14
Weapons
8
Public Order
5
Robbery
4
Traffic
2
Other
1

Total offences by year

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (crimestatistics.vic.gov.au).

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Income: $615/wk Rent: $220/wk $180/wk less rent
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Income: $636/wk Rent: $320/wk $80/wk less rent
Woori Yallock
Income: $743/wk Rent: $346/wk $54/wk less rent
Hallam
Income: $602/wk Rent: $361/wk $39/wk less rent
Hadfield
Income: $697/wk Rent: $370/wk $30/wk less rent
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Income: $722/wk Rent: $375/wk $25/wk less rent
Corio
Income: $537/wk Rent: $280/wk $120/wk less rent
Mount Pleasant (Vic.)
Income: $690/wk Rent: $280/wk $120/wk less rent

Suburbs near Cairnlea

The closest suburb to Cairnlea is Deer Park, 1.7 km away.

Deer Park
1.7 km away · income $619/wk · rent $350/wk
St Albans (Vic.)
1.7 km away · income $491/wk · rent $325/wk
Ardeer
2.2 km away · income $698/wk · rent $340/wk
Albanvale
2.4 km away · income $488/wk · rent $325/wk
Albion (Vic.)
3.0 km away · income $708/wk · rent $301/wk
Kings Park (Vic.)
3.2 km away · income $479/wk · rent $321/wk

Compare Cairnlea

Frequently Asked Questions About Cairnlea

What is the population of Cairnlea VIC?

The population of Cairnlea VIC is 10,038 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 2,278 people per km². Cairnlea is ranked #641 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Cairnlea?

The median personal income in Cairnlea VIC is $658 per week, or $34,216 per year. The median household income is $2,062 per week. Family income is $1,998 per week. Cairnlea is ranked #6,188 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Cairnlea?

Median rent in Cairnlea VIC is $400 per week ($1,733 per month). Rent represents 19.4% of household income, which is considered affordable. Cairnlea ranks #1,854 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Cairnlea?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Cairnlea VIC is $1,883. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Cairnlea?

The median age in Cairnlea VIC is 36 years. This is younger than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Cairnlea a good suburb to live in?

Cairnlea is a suburb in Victoria with a population of 10,038. The median income is $658/wk, which is below the typical VIC suburb ($767/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (19.4% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Melbourne Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 20441. All dollar figures in AUD.