Canterbury, VIC: suburb profile

The population of Canterbury VIC is 7,800 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Canterbury is $1,102 per week ($57,304 per year). Median rent in Canterbury is $515 per week ($2,232 per month). Canterbury has a median age of 46 years, older than the national median of 38. Canterbury has a population density of 2,480 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Canterbury is China. The most common religion is No religion (44.6% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Mandarin. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Canterbury is $3,500.

There were 281 recorded offences in Canterbury in 2025-25, a rate of 36 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (113 offences).

Population
7,800
Census 2021
Median income
$1,102/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$515/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
46years
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.

Canterbury vs the typical VIC suburb

The median personal income in Canterbury is $1,102 a week, 44% above the typical VIC suburb ($767). That ranks 63rd of 1,274 VIC suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $515 a week, $199 more than the typical VIC suburb. Rent takes 17.9% of the median household income here, against 19.1% in the typical VIC suburb. The median resident is 46, 3 years older 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.
MeasureCanterburyTypical VICDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$1,102/wk$767/wk +44%$766/wk
Household income$2,877/wk$1,687/wk +71%$1,637/wk
Rent$515/wk$316/wk +63%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$3,500/mo$1,723/mo +103%$1,733/mo
Median age4643 +3 yrs42
Rent share of household income17.9%19.1% −1.2 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 Canterbury, the typical VIC suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Canterbury Population

7,800 residents at the 2021 Census.

Canterbury Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$1,102/wk
$57,304 per year
Ranked 697 of 14,663
Median Rent
$515/wk
$2,232 per month
Ranked 535 of 14,663
Median Age
46years
8 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$3,500/mo
Avg household size: 2.7 · 0.8 per bedroom

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

Canterbury Rent Prices & Affordability

18% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $2,877/wk
Median rent $515/wk
Rent to income 17.9%

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

Median rent in Canterbury against your income

About $12,467 a month
Median rent $515/wk
Left after rent $2,362/wk
Rent share 17.9%

Canterbury Schools

42
schools nearby
21
government
1152
avg ICSEA score
22,937
total students
Camberwell Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 552 students
1194
ICSEA
Camberwell Grammar School Independent
Combined · Prep-12 · 1,346 students
1192
ICSEA
Canterbury Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 639 students
1192
ICSEA
Hartwell Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 570 students
1191
ICSEA
Fintona Girls' School Independent
Combined · Prep-12 · 533 students
1191
ICSEA
Kew East Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 404 students
1183
ICSEA
Camberwell South Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 423 students
1183
ICSEA
Camberwell Girls Grammar School Independent
Combined · Prep-12 · 777 students
1180
ICSEA
Our Holy Redeemer School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 198 students
1180
ICSEA
Carey Baptist Grammar School Independent
Combined · Prep-12 · 2,564 students
1177
ICSEA
St Cecilia's School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 258 students
1172
ICSEA
Balwyn Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 574 students
1171
ICSEA
St Dominic's School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 146 students
1169
ICSEA
Surrey Hills Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 358 students
1166
ICSEA
Auburn South Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 549 students
1165
ICSEA

Showing 15 of 42 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 Canterbury, with a map

Canterbury Map

Canterbury, Victoria Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Canterbury, Victoria: 37.8243°S, 145.0731°E

Canterbury Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (42)

People in Canterbury

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 47.3% (3,690) Female 52.7% (4,108)

Population Density

2,480
people per km²
7,800 people · 3.1 km²

Households

2.7
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$3,593
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

China
10.4%
England
3.3%
India
1.7%
Malaysia
1.7%
New Zealand
1.4%
Vietnam
1.1%
United States of America
1.0%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Mandarin
13.2%
Cantonese
2.3%
Greek
1.3%
Vietnamese
1.2%
Italian
0.9%
French
0.7%
Spanish
0.5%

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

Ancestry

English
30.1%
Australian
26.2%
Chinese
19.9%
Irish
11.8%
Scottish
10.8%
Italian
5.1%
German
3.6%
Indian
3.1%
Greek
2.7%
Vietnamese
1.6%
Dutch
1.3%

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

No religion
44.6%
Catholic
18.5%
Anglican
10.4%
Not stated
4.6%
Uniting Church
3.5%
Buddhism
2.9%
Eastern Orthodox
2.7%
Christian (other)
2.7%

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
57.3% 3,764
Separated
1.6% 102
Divorced
5.6% 368
Widowed
5.7% 372
Never married
29.9% 1,963

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
39.1%
Couple: no children
25.4%
Couple: no children under 15
25.3%
One parent: no children under 15
5.5%
One parent: children under 15
4.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
21.1%
2 persons
33.6%
3 persons
15.4%
4 persons
19.1%
5 persons
8.5%
6+ persons
2.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Canterbury

Housing Tenure

Of the 2,793 occupied private dwellings in Canterbury at the 2021 Census, 19.1% were rented, 47.8% owned outright and 30.3% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
2.0% 55 dwellings
Owned outright
47.8% 1,336 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
30.3% 845 dwellings
Rented
19.1% 534 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
0.7% 19 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
73.4%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
19.3%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
7.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
2.9%
2 bedrooms
19.8%
3 bedrooms
31.9%
4 bedrooms
30.8%
5 bedrooms
12.6%
6+ bedrooms
2.1%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
15.1%
$300-$449/mo
2.2%
$450-$599/mo
1.2%
$600-$799/mo
1.5%
$800-$999/mo
2.7%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
10.6%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
8.2%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
16.6%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
14.6%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
27.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
5.2%
1 vehicle
35.4%
2 vehicles
40.7%
3 vehicles
12.5%
4+ vehicles
6.1%

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

Work, income and education in Canterbury

Employment

Employed full-time
34.0% 2,091 people
Employed part-time
22.8% 1,399 people
Unemployed
2.4% 146 people
Not in labour force
40.9% 2,513 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
48.2%
Managers
25.9%
Clerical & Administrative
10.8%
Community & Personal Service
4.6%
Sales Workers
4.3%
Technicians & Trade Workers
4.2%
Labourers
1.5%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
0.6%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
3.1%
$1-$149/wk
0.7%
$150-$299/wk
1.0%
$300-$399/wk
1.3%
$400-$499/wk
2.9%
$500-$649/wk
3.4%
$650-$799/wk
3.5%
$800-$999/wk
3.4%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
4.5%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
5.7%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
3.7%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.0%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
8.7%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
5.2%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
6.3%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
4.8%
$4,000+/wk
37.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
13.6%
$1-$149/wk
5.0%
$150-$299/wk
4.5%
$300-$399/wk
2.1%
$400-$499/wk
1.9%
$500-$649/wk
2.4%
$650-$799/wk
6.1%
$800-$999/wk
6.2%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
7.2%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.5%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.5%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.0%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
11.7%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
4.6%
$3,500+/wk
16.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
63.0%
Did not go to work
20.9%
Train
5.1%
Walked only
3.7%
Car (passenger)
3.7%
Bicycle
1.4%
Tram/Light Rail
1.0%
Other
0.6%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.3%
Bus
0.1%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.1%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
88.3%
Year 11 or equivalent
5.8%
Year 10 or equivalent
4.6%
Year 9 or equivalent
1.3%

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
49.1%
Postgraduate Degree
24.2%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
12.4%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
7.1%
Certificate III/IV
6.6%
Certificate I/II
0.6%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
31.1%
Health
16.9%
Society & Culture
15.8%
Engineering
8.4%
Education
6.3%
Natural & Physical Sciences
5.6%
Information Technology
5.0%
Creative Arts
4.6%
Architecture & Building
3.6%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
1.9%
Agriculture & Environment
0.8%

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

School & University Attendance

Secondary: Other Non-Govt
28.6%
Primary: Government
22.6%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
12.8%
Secondary: Government
11.0%
Pre-school
7.6%
Secondary: Catholic
6.9%
Vocational Education
6.2%
Primary: Catholic
4.4%

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
92.1%
Has need for assistance
4.9%
Need for assistance not stated
3.1%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
567
Asthma
277
Heart disease
222
Arthritis
180
Diabetes
164
Cancer
142
Lung condition
91
Stroke
73
Kidney disease
65
Dementia
42

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
15.8% 1,004
Did not provide
84.2% 5,342

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
20.8% 1,323
Not a volunteer
79.2% 5,035

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 8
Previously served
2.3% 144
Never served
97.6% 6,199

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
32.5%
1 child
13.1%
2 children
33.0%
3 children
16.7%
4 children
4.0%
5+ children
0.7%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
43
1951: 1960
101
1961: 1970
158
1971: 1980
202
1981: 1990
376
1991: 2000
318
2001: 2010
559
2011: 2015
346
2016
69
2017
56
2018
54
2019
76
2020
35
2021
14

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

Population Mobility

11.8%
moved in the last year
35.8%
moved in the last 5 years
3.8%
unemployment rate (Census)
58.8%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
6,630
Moved from VIC
657
Moved: same area (SA2)
132
Moved from overseas
50
Moved from QLD
13
Moved from NSW
11
Moved from SA
6
Moved from ACT
4

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
24.0%
5: 14 hours
32.1%
15: 29 hours
15.1%
30+ hours
9.2%
Did not do domestic work
19.6%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
94.8%
Step family: no other children
4.0%
Blended family: no other children
0.9%
Intact family: other children present
0.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Canterbury Crime Statistics

281 reported offences in 2025-25, by category.

Theft
113
Break & Enter
66
Assault
28
Property Damage
20
Justice Procedures
20
Fraud
14
Drug Offences
9
Public Order
7
Weapons
3
Robbery
1

Total offences by year

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

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

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

St Helena
Income: $925/wk Rent: $163/wk $352/wk less rent
Traralgon East
Income: $915/wk Rent: $400/wk $115/wk less rent
Barwon Heads
Income: $1,030/wk Rent: $450/wk $65/wk less rent
Eaglemont
Income: $1,153/wk Rent: $453/wk $62/wk less rent
Deepdene (Vic.)
Income: $982/wk Rent: $501/wk $14/wk less rent
Lower Plenty
Income: $955/wk Rent: $400/wk $115/wk less rent
Williamstown (Vic.)
Income: $1,106/wk Rent: $450/wk $65/wk less rent
Ivanhoe East
Income: $1,191/wk Rent: $451/wk $64/wk less rent

Suburbs near Canterbury

The closest suburb to Canterbury is Camberwell (Vic.), 1.3 km away.

Camberwell (Vic.)
1.3 km away · income $1,043/wk · rent $486/wk
Deepdene (Vic.)
1.6 km away · income $982/wk · rent $501/wk
Balwyn
1.8 km away · income $850/wk · rent $451/wk
Hawthorn East
2.2 km away · income $1,244/wk · rent $415/wk
Surrey Hills
2.3 km away · income $1,081/wk · rent $462/wk
Mont Albert
3.1 km away · income $1,061/wk · rent $451/wk

Compare Canterbury (Vic.)

Frequently Asked Questions About Canterbury

What is the population of Canterbury VIC?

The population of Canterbury VIC is 7,800 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 2,480 people per km². Canterbury is ranked #919 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Canterbury?

The median personal income in Canterbury VIC is $1,102 per week, or $57,304 per year. The median household income is $2,877 per week. Family income is $3,593 per week. Canterbury is ranked #697 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Canterbury?

Median rent in Canterbury VIC is $515 per week ($2,232 per month). Rent represents 17.9% of household income, which is considered affordable. Canterbury ranks #535 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Canterbury?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Canterbury VIC is $3,500. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Canterbury?

The median age in Canterbury VIC is 46 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Canterbury a good suburb to live in?

Canterbury is a suburb in Victoria with a population of 7,800. The median income is $1,102/wk, which is above the typical VIC suburb ($767/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (17.9% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Melbourne Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 20468. All dollar figures in AUD.