Chelsea, VIC: suburb profile

The population of Chelsea VIC is 8,347 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Chelsea is $951 per week ($49,452 per year). Median rent in Chelsea is $375 per week ($1,625 per month). Chelsea has a median age of 41 years, older than the national median of 38. Chelsea has a population density of 3,180 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Chelsea is England. The most common religion is No religion (46.9% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Greek. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Chelsea is $2,008.

There were 765 recorded offences in Chelsea in 2025-25, a rate of 92 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (295 offences).

Population
8,347
Census 2021
Median income
$951/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$375/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
41years
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.

Chelsea vs the typical VIC suburb

The median personal income in Chelsea is $951 a week, 24% above the typical VIC suburb ($767). That ranks 197th of 1,274 VIC suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $375 a week, $59 more than the typical VIC suburb. Rent takes 22.3% of the median household income here, against 19.1% in the typical VIC suburb. The median resident is 41, 2 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.
MeasureChelseaTypical VICDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$951/wk$767/wk +24%$766/wk
Household income$1,683/wk$1,687/wk −0%$1,637/wk
Rent$375/wk$316/wk +19%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,008/mo$1,723/mo +17%$1,733/mo
Median age4143 −2 yrs42
Rent share of household income22.3%19.1% +3.2 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 Chelsea, the typical VIC suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Chelsea Population

8,347 residents at the 2021 Census.

Chelsea Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$951/wk
$49,452 per year
Ranked 1,605 of 14,663
Median Rent
$375/wk
$1,625 per month
Ranked 2,632 of 14,663
Median Age
41years
3 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$2,008/mo
Avg household size: 2.2 · 0.8 per bedroom

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

Chelsea Rent Prices & Affordability

22% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,683/wk
Median rent $375/wk
Rent to income 22.3%

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

Median rent in Chelsea against your income

About $7,293 a month
Median rent $375/wk
Left after rent $1,308/wk
Rent share 22.3%

Chelsea Schools

12
schools nearby
10
government
1086
avg ICSEA score
4,607
total students
Cornish College Independent
Combined · Prep-12 · 664 students
1132
ICSEA
Edithvale Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 525 students
1100
ICSEA
Aspendale Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 477 students
1100
ICSEA
Aspendale Gardens Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 592 students
1095
ICSEA
St Joseph's School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 317 students
1084
ICSEA
Bonbeach Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 367 students
1077
ICSEA
Carrum Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 369 students
1075
ICSEA
Chelsea Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 360 students
1075
ICSEA
Patterson Lakes Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 521 students
1061
ICSEA
Chelsea Heights Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 415 students
1059
ICSEA
Oakwood School-Oakwood School VCAL Campus Government
Secondary
Westall Secondary College-LEEP Chelsea Government
Secondary

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

All schools near Chelsea, with a map

Chelsea Map

Chelsea, Victoria Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Chelsea, Victoria: 38.0496°S, 145.1216°E

Chelsea Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (12)

People in Chelsea

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 46.7% (3,895) Female 53.3% (4,451)

Population Density

3,180
people per km²
8,347 people · 2.6 km²

Households

2.2
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$2,374
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

England
4.8%
New Zealand
1.9%
India
1.4%
Philippines
0.9%
Scotland
0.9%
China
0.8%
South Africa
0.7%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Greek
1.8%
Russian
1.1%
Mandarin
1.1%
Italian
1.0%
Spanish
0.8%
French
0.6%
Serbian
0.5%

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

Ancestry

English
38.1%
Australian
30.9%
Irish
13.3%
Scottish
10.6%
Italian
5.7%
German
4.0%
Greek
3.3%
Chinese
2.8%
Dutch
2.0%
Indian
1.8%
Polish
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
46.9%
Catholic
23.1%
Anglican
7.9%
Not stated
6.1%
Eastern Orthodox
3.8%
Christian (other)
1.9%
Uniting Church
1.8%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

0.7%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
40.3% 2,790
Separated
3.6% 248
Divorced
11.9% 824
Widowed
7.0% 483
Never married
37.2% 2,574

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
43.0%
Couple: no children
28.9%
Couple: no children under 15
12.7%
One parent: no children under 15
9.2%
One parent: children under 15
6.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
36.0%
2 persons
32.9%
3 persons
14.4%
4 persons
12.3%
5 persons
3.7%
6+ persons
0.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Chelsea

Housing Tenure

Of the 3,606 occupied private dwellings in Chelsea at the 2021 Census, 31.6% were rented, 28.7% owned outright and 36.4% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.7% 60 dwellings
Owned outright
28.7% 1,035 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
36.4% 1,313 dwellings
Rented
31.6% 1,140 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.4% 51 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
59.8%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
26.8%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
13.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
3.4%
2 bedrooms
41.7%
3 bedrooms
41.1%
4 bedrooms
11.7%
5 bedrooms
1.7%
6+ bedrooms
0.3%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
4.4%
$300-$449/mo
0.9%
$450-$599/mo
1.6%
$600-$799/mo
2.2%
$800-$999/mo
3.9%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
12.5%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
16.3%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
28.9%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
14.6%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
14.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
8.5%
1 vehicle
45.4%
2 vehicles
37.1%
3 vehicles
6.5%
4+ vehicles
2.6%

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

Work, income and education in Chelsea

Employment

Employed full-time
41.6% 2,629 people
Employed part-time
20.9% 1,323 people
Unemployed
2.4% 152 people
Not in labour force
35.1% 2,223 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
35.3%
Managers
15.2%
Technicians & Trade Workers
14.8%
Clerical & Administrative
13.1%
Community & Personal Service
11.2%
Sales Workers
4.6%
Labourers
3.8%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
2.0%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
2.0%
$1-$149/wk
0.8%
$150-$299/wk
1.2%
$300-$399/wk
2.6%
$400-$499/wk
7.8%
$500-$649/wk
5.2%
$650-$799/wk
5.4%
$800-$999/wk
6.4%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
6.8%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.1%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.5%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.4%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
12.3%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
7.5%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
7.5%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
4.7%
$4,000+/wk
10.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
8.3%
$1-$149/wk
3.4%
$150-$299/wk
4.3%
$300-$399/wk
3.3%
$400-$499/wk
3.6%
$500-$649/wk
3.2%
$650-$799/wk
8.1%
$800-$999/wk
9.0%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.9%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
10.4%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
9.5%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.5%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
12.4%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
2.7%
$3,500+/wk
3.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
71.5%
Did not go to work
17.9%
Car (passenger)
3.5%
Walked only
2.0%
Train
1.8%
Bicycle
0.7%
Bus
0.6%
Truck
0.5%
Other
0.4%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.4%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.4%
Tram/Light Rail
0.2%
Ferry
0.1%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
69.0%
Year 10 or equivalent
13.0%
Year 11 or equivalent
12.8%
Year 9 or equivalent
5.2%

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
35.2%
Certificate III/IV
27.6%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
18.9%
Postgraduate Degree
10.7%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
5.8%
Certificate I/II
1.8%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
22.7%
Society & Culture
13.8%
Health
12.3%
Education
11.9%
Engineering
11.9%
Architecture & Building
7.8%
Creative Arts
5.8%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
4.3%
Information Technology
4.3%
Natural & Physical Sciences
3.7%
Agriculture & Environment
1.5%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
29.1%
Pre-school
16.2%
Secondary: Government
15.7%
Vocational Education
12.5%
Primary: Catholic
10.9%
Secondary: Catholic
8.0%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
4.7%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
3.0%

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
88.3%
Has need for assistance
7.3%
Need for assistance not stated
4.4%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
892
Asthma
346
Arthritis
237
Heart disease
203
Diabetes
197
Lung condition
175
Stroke
127
Cancer
112
Kidney disease
96
Dementia
32

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
14.0% 924
Did not provide
86.0% 5,655

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
13.5% 891
Not a volunteer
86.5% 5,701

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.0% 3
Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 4
Previously served
2.3% 155
Never served
97.5% 6,446

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
37.9%
1 child
16.0%
2 children
29.5%
3 children
11.7%
4 children
4.4%
5+ children
0.5%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
32
1951: 1960
124
1961: 1970
229
1971: 1980
205
1981: 1990
297
1991: 2000
255
2001: 2010
384
2011: 2015
263
2016
44
2017
55
2018
43
2019
47
2020
20
2021
5

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

Population Mobility

13.8%
moved in the last year
42.1%
moved in the last 5 years
3.5%
unemployment rate (Census)
63.5%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
6,788
Moved from VIC
821
Moved: same area (SA2)
181
Moved from overseas
44
Moved from NSW
13
Moved from QLD
6
Moved from SA
6

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
22.2%
5: 14 hours
31.8%
15: 29 hours
12.1%
30+ hours
7.8%
Did not do domestic work
26.1%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
90.0%
Step family: no other children
7.8%
Blended family: no other children
1.8%
Other couple: children only
0.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Chelsea Crime Statistics

765 reported offences in 2025-25, by category.

Theft
295
Assault
122
Justice Procedures
111
Property Damage
66
Break & Enter
44
Drug Offences
39
Fraud
38
Public Order
21
Weapons
20
Robbery
5
Traffic
3
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).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Elliminyt
Income: $804/wk Rent: $290/wk $85/wk less rent
Ballarat Central
Income: $821/wk Rent: $300/wk $75/wk less rent
Haven
Income: $912/wk Rent: $303/wk $72/wk less rent
Nar Nar Goon
Income: $776/wk Rent: $305/wk $70/wk less rent
Nyora (Vic.)
Income: $771/wk Rent: $315/wk $60/wk less rent
Lockwood South
Income: $816/wk Rent: $320/wk $55/wk less rent
Silvan
Income: $805/wk Rent: $350/wk $25/wk less rent
Gembrook
Income: $815/wk Rent: $360/wk $15/wk less rent

Suburbs near Chelsea

The closest suburb to Chelsea is Edithvale, 1.4 km away.

Edithvale
1.4 km away · income $1,021/wk · rent $429/wk
Chelsea Heights
1.5 km away · income $805/wk · rent $412/wk
Bonbeach
1.6 km away · income $975/wk · rent $391/wk
Patterson Lakes
2.8 km away · income $871/wk · rent $430/wk
Aspendale Gardens
3.0 km away · income $810/wk · rent $496/wk
Carrum
3.1 km away · income $925/wk · rent $406/wk

Compare Chelsea

Frequently Asked Questions About Chelsea

What is the population of Chelsea VIC?

The population of Chelsea VIC is 8,347 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 3,180 people per km². Chelsea is ranked #844 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Chelsea?

The median personal income in Chelsea VIC is $951 per week, or $49,452 per year. The median household income is $1,683 per week. Family income is $2,374 per week. Chelsea is ranked #1,605 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Chelsea?

Median rent in Chelsea VIC is $375 per week ($1,625 per month). Rent represents 22.3% of household income, which is considered affordable. Chelsea ranks #2,632 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Chelsea?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Chelsea VIC is $2,008. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Chelsea?

The median age in Chelsea VIC is 41 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Chelsea a good suburb to live in?

Chelsea is a suburb in Victoria with a population of 8,347. The median income is $951/wk, which is above the typical VIC suburb ($767/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (22.3% 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: 20537. All dollar figures in AUD.