East Melbourne, VIC: suburb profile

The population of East Melbourne VIC is 4,896 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in East Melbourne is $1,532 per week ($79,664 per year). Median rent in East Melbourne is $480 per week ($2,080 per month). East Melbourne has a median age of 42 years, older than the national median of 38. East Melbourne has a population density of 2,638 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in East Melbourne is England. The most common religion is No religion (50.9% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Mandarin. The median monthly mortgage repayment in East Melbourne is $2,383.

There were 1,188 recorded offences in East Melbourne in 2025-25, a rate of 243 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (584 offences).

Population
4,896
Census 2021
Median income
$1,532/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$480/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
42years
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.

East Melbourne vs the typical VIC suburb

The median personal income in East Melbourne is $1,532 a week, 100% above the typical VIC suburb ($767). That ranks 4th of 1,274 VIC suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $480 a week, $164 more than the typical VIC suburb. Rent takes 20.5% of the median household income here, against 19.1% in the typical VIC suburb. The median resident is 42, 1 year 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.
MeasureEast MelbourneTypical VICDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$1,532/wk$767/wk +100%$766/wk
Household income$2,345/wk$1,687/wk +39%$1,637/wk
Rent$480/wk$316/wk +52%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,383/mo$1,723/mo +38%$1,733/mo
Median age4243 −1 yrs42
Rent share of household income20.5%19.1% +1.4 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 East Melbourne, the typical VIC suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

East Melbourne Population

4,896 residents at the 2021 Census.

East Melbourne Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$1,532/wk
$79,664 per year
Ranked 112 of 14,663
Median Rent
$480/wk
$2,080 per month
Ranked 769 of 14,663
Median Age
42years
4 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$2,383/mo
Avg household size: 1.8 · 0.9 per bedroom

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

East Melbourne Rent Prices & Affordability

20% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $2,345/wk
Median rent $480/wk
Rent to income 20.5%

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

Median rent in East Melbourne against your income

About $10,162 a month
Median rent $480/wk
Left after rent $1,865/wk
Rent share 20.5%

East Melbourne Schools

71
schools nearby
32
government
1078
avg ICSEA score
20,084
total students
Fitzroy Community School Independent
Primary · Prep-6 · 98 students
1221
ICSEA
Christ Church Grammar School Independent
Primary · Prep-6 · 287 students
1213
ICSEA
Melbourne High School Government
Secondary · 9-12 · 1,402 students
1195
ICSEA
MacRobertson Girls High School Government
Secondary · 9-12 · 1,195 students
1186
ICSEA
Clifton Hill Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 691 students
1186
ICSEA
Melbourne Girls Grammar Independent
Combined · Prep-12 · 1,046 students
1181
ICSEA
Melbourne Grammar School Independent
Combined · Prep-12 · 1,905 students
1177
ICSEA
Spensley Street Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 261 students
1170
ICSEA
Albert Park Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 430 students
1156
ICSEA
Galilee Regional Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 369 students
1154
ICSEA
South Yarra Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 435 students
1152
ICSEA
Richmond Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 316 students
1150
ICSEA
Carlton North Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 297 students
1148
ICSEA
South Melbourne Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 502 students
1144
ICSEA
Abbotsford Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 168 students
1143
ICSEA

Showing 15 of 71 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 East Melbourne, with a map

East Melbourne Map

East Melbourne, Victoria Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

East Melbourne, Victoria: 37.8154°S, 144.9814°E

East Melbourne Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (71)

People in East Melbourne

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.0% (2,353) Female 52.0% (2,545)

Population Density

2,638
people per km²
4,896 people · 1.9 km²

Households

1.8
Avg household size
0.9
Persons per bedroom
$3,733
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
4.4%
New Zealand
2.9%
China
2.0%
United States of America
1.4%
Malaysia
1.3%
Italy
0.9%
Ireland
0.8%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Mandarin
2.2%
Italian
1.4%
Greek
1.2%
Cantonese
1.2%
Spanish
0.9%
German
0.7%
French
0.6%

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

Ancestry

English
38.1%
Australian
23.3%
Irish
17.9%
Scottish
13.8%
Chinese
6.7%
Italian
6.4%
German
4.7%
Greek
2.6%
Indian
1.7%
Dutch
1.6%
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
50.9%
Catholic
18.5%
Anglican
8.6%
Not stated
7.6%
Eastern Orthodox
2.2%
Uniting Church
2.1%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.7%
Buddhism
1.5%

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
35.9% 1,658
Separated
2.6% 118
Divorced
8.9% 410
Widowed
3.7% 173
Never married
48.9% 2,259

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: no children
63.2%
Couple: children under 15
20.0%
Couple: no children under 15
10.1%
One parent: children under 15
3.6%
One parent: no children under 15
3.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
43.3%
2 persons
42.6%
3 persons
7.9%
4 persons
4.2%
5 persons
1.6%
6+ persons
0.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in East Melbourne

Housing Tenure

Of the 2,396 occupied private dwellings in East Melbourne at the 2021 Census, 52.8% were rented, 26.9% owned outright and 17.9% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.6% 38 dwellings
Owned outright
26.9% 645 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
17.9% 428 dwellings
Rented
52.8% 1,264 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
0.9% 21 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Semi-detached (2+ storey)
65.9%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
21.7%
Separate house
12.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
26.2%
2 bedrooms
43.1%
3 bedrooms
23.2%
4 bedrooms
6.1%
5 bedrooms
0.7%
6+ bedrooms
0.7%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
14.1%
$300-$449/mo
1.1%
$450-$599/mo
2.3%
$600-$799/mo
3.8%
$800-$999/mo
3.4%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
12.9%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
17.1%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
19.8%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
12.5%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
12.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
19.1%
1 vehicle
53.3%
2 vehicles
22.8%
3 vehicles
3.0%
4+ vehicles
1.9%

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

Work, income and education in East Melbourne

Employment

Employed full-time
50.0% 2,095 people
Employed part-time
20.0% 837 people
Unemployed
2.4% 102 people
Not in labour force
27.6% 1,156 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
55.3%
Managers
20.5%
Clerical & Administrative
9.4%
Community & Personal Service
5.0%
Technicians & Trade Workers
3.8%
Sales Workers
3.7%
Labourers
1.6%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
0.6%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.9%
$1-$149/wk
0.7%
$150-$299/wk
0.5%
$300-$399/wk
1.4%
$400-$499/wk
2.3%
$500-$649/wk
2.6%
$650-$799/wk
2.9%
$800-$999/wk
3.5%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
5.3%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.0%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.3%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.4%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
13.3%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
4.1%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
7.2%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
4.4%
$4,000+/wk
30.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
5.8%
$1-$149/wk
2.0%
$150-$299/wk
2.1%
$300-$399/wk
1.6%
$400-$499/wk
1.4%
$500-$649/wk
2.0%
$650-$799/wk
5.9%
$800-$999/wk
6.0%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
9.1%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
9.0%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
9.5%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
7.2%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
16.4%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
5.4%
$3,500+/wk
16.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
36.6%
Walked only
23.6%
Did not go to work
19.4%
Tram/Light Rail
7.9%
Bicycle
4.4%
Train
2.9%
Car (passenger)
2.3%
Bus
1.0%
Other
0.9%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.5%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.3%
Truck
0.2%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
88.5%
Year 11 or equivalent
6.0%
Year 10 or equivalent
4.7%
Year 9 or equivalent
0.8%

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
48.5%
Postgraduate Degree
26.5%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
11.5%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
7.1%
Certificate III/IV
5.8%
Certificate I/II
0.6%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
26.3%
Society & Culture
20.7%
Health
14.0%
Creative Arts
11.0%
Education
5.8%
Engineering
5.7%
Architecture & Building
5.2%
Natural & Physical Sciences
4.8%
Information Technology
3.2%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
2.3%
Agriculture & Environment
0.9%

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

School & University Attendance

Vocational Education
22.4%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
19.9%
Primary: Government
16.7%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
13.9%
Pre-school
12.9%
Secondary: Government
6.6%
Primary: Catholic
4.1%
Secondary: Catholic
3.5%

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
90.1%
Has need for assistance
3.8%
Need for assistance not stated
6.0%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
457
Asthma
183
Arthritis
135
Heart disease
128
Cancer
94
Diabetes
72
Lung condition
43
Kidney disease
42
Stroke
41
Dementia
23

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
13.0% 562
Did not provide
87.0% 3,761

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
23.1% 1,002
Not a volunteer
76.9% 3,338

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.1% 6
Current ADF: Reserves
0.2% 7
Previously served
2.1% 90
Never served
97.6% 4,238

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
62.1%
1 child
9.7%
2 children
15.9%
3 children
9.0%
4 children
2.7%
5+ children
0.6%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
26
1951: 1960
77
1961: 1970
106
1971: 1980
101
1981: 1990
166
1991: 2000
149
2001: 2010
211
2011: 2015
183
2016
49
2017
48
2018
63
2019
91
2020
31
2021
11

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

Population Mobility

24.7%
moved in the last year
60.4%
moved in the last 5 years
3.2%
unemployment rate (Census)
69.0%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
3,462
Moved from VIC
803
Moved: same area (SA2)
113
Moved from overseas
80
Moved from NSW
51
Moved from QLD
25
Moved from ACT
17
Moved from SA
15
Moved from WA
14
Moved from TAS
7
Moved from NT
4

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
30.0%
5: 14 hours
36.7%
15: 29 hours
11.0%
30+ hours
4.8%
Did not do domestic work
17.4%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
92.2%
Step family: no other children
7.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

East Melbourne Crime Statistics

1,188 reported offences in 2025-25, by category.

Theft
584
Property Damage
156
Assault
110
Break & Enter
87
Drug Offences
62
Public Order
53
Fraud
45
Justice Procedures
45
Weapons
35
Robbery
8
Other
2
Traffic
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 Kilda West
Income: $1,314/wk Rent: $385/wk $95/wk less rent
Armadale (Vic.)
Income: $1,354/wk Rent: $421/wk $59/wk less rent
South Kingsville
Income: $1,259/wk Rent: $381/wk $99/wk less rent
Spotswood
Income: $1,229/wk Rent: $456/wk $24/wk less rent
Seddon (Vic.)
Income: $1,274/wk Rent: $460/wk $20/wk less rent
Windsor (Vic.)
Income: $1,278/wk Rent: $411/wk $69/wk less rent
Collingwood (Vic.)
Income: $1,338/wk Rent: $425/wk $55/wk less rent
Abbotsford (Vic.)
Income: $1,354/wk Rent: $425/wk $55/wk less rent

Suburbs near East Melbourne

The closest suburb to East Melbourne is Melbourne, 1.6 km away.

Melbourne
1.6 km away · income $864/wk · rent $381/wk
Collingwood (Vic.)
1.6 km away · income $1,338/wk · rent $425/wk
Fitzroy (Vic.)
1.6 km away · income $1,265/wk · rent $451/wk
Cremorne (Vic.)
1.9 km away · income $1,574/wk · rent $550/wk
Richmond (Vic.)
2.0 km away · income $1,356/wk · rent $441/wk
Carlton (Vic.)
2.1 km away · income $659/wk · rent $365/wk

Compare East Melbourne

Frequently Asked Questions About East Melbourne

What is the population of East Melbourne VIC?

The population of East Melbourne VIC is 4,896 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 2,638 people per km². East Melbourne is ranked #1,605 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in East Melbourne?

The median personal income in East Melbourne VIC is $1,532 per week, or $79,664 per year. The median household income is $2,345 per week. Family income is $3,733 per week. East Melbourne is ranked #112 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in East Melbourne?

Median rent in East Melbourne VIC is $480 per week ($2,080 per month). Rent represents 20.5% of household income, which is considered affordable. East Melbourne ranks #769 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in East Melbourne?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in East Melbourne VIC is $2,383. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in East Melbourne?

The median age in East Melbourne VIC is 42 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is East Melbourne a good suburb to live in?

East Melbourne is a suburb in Victoria with a population of 4,896. The median income is $1,532/wk, which is above the typical VIC suburb ($767/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (20.5% 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: 20830. All dollar figures in AUD.