Emerald, VIC: suburb profile

The population of Emerald VIC is 5,890 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Emerald is $851 per week ($44,252 per year). Median rent in Emerald is $400 per week ($1,733 per month). Emerald has a median age of 43 years, older than the national median of 38. Emerald has a population density of 117 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Emerald is England. The most common religion is No religion (60.0% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Spanish. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Emerald is $2,000.

There were 265 recorded offences in Emerald in 2025-25, a rate of 45 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (76 offences).

Population
5,890
Census 2021
Median income
$851/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$400/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
43years
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.

Emerald vs the typical VIC suburb

The median personal income in Emerald is $851 a week, 11% above the typical VIC suburb ($767). That ranks 374th 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 18.9% of the median household income here, against 19.1% in the typical VIC suburb. The median resident is 43, the same age as in the typical VIC suburb.

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureEmeraldTypical VICDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$851/wk$767/wk +11%$766/wk
Household income$2,119/wk$1,687/wk +26%$1,637/wk
Rent$400/wk$316/wk +27%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,000/mo$1,723/mo +16%$1,733/mo
Median age4343 0 yrs42
Rent share of household income18.9%19.1% −0.2 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 Emerald, the typical VIC suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Emerald Population

5,890 residents at the 2021 Census.

Emerald Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$851/wk
$44,252 per year
Ranked 2,753 of 14,663
Median Rent
$400/wk
$1,733 per month
Ranked 1,854 of 14,663
Median Age
43years
5 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$2,000/mo
Avg household size: 2.8 · 0.8 per bedroom

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

Emerald Rent Prices & Affordability

19% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $2,119/wk
Median rent $400/wk
Rent to income 18.9%

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

Median rent in Emerald against your income

About $9,182 a month
Median rent $400/wk
Left after rent $1,719/wk
Rent share 18.9%

Emerald Schools

3
schools nearby
2
government
1033
avg ICSEA score
1,065
total students
Emerald Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 445 students
1061
ICSEA
Emerald Secondary College Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 620 students
1005
ICSEA
Dandenong Ranges Steiner School - School Road Campus Independent
Primary

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

All schools near Emerald, with a map

Emerald Map

Emerald, Victoria Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Emerald, Victoria: 37.9324°S, 145.4344°E

Emerald Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (3)

People in Emerald

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 49.7% (2,927) Female 50.3% (2,962)

Population Density

117
people per km²
5,890 people · 50.4 km²

Households

2.8
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$2,399
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
6.8%
New Zealand
1.2%
Netherlands
1.0%
Scotland
0.7%
Germany
0.6%
United States of America
0.3%
Italy
0.3%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Spanish
0.7%
German
0.5%
Japanese
0.5%
French
0.3%
Russian
0.2%
Greek
0.2%
Italian
0.2%

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

Ancestry

English
46.7%
Australian
37.9%
Scottish
12.7%
Irish
11.9%
German
5.0%
Dutch
4.9%
Italian
4.1%
Welsh
1.3%
Polish
1.3%
Greek
1.1%
Maltese
1.0%

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
60.0%
Catholic
12.5%
Anglican
10.1%
Not stated
5.2%
Christian (other)
2.9%
Uniting Church
2.0%
Baptist
1.1%
Eastern Orthodox
1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

0.6%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
52.8% 2,530
Separated
2.9% 141
Divorced
9.0% 429
Widowed
3.9% 188
Never married
31.4% 1,503

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
42.8%
Couple: no children
26.7%
Couple: no children under 15
21.6%
One parent: children under 15
4.5%
One parent: no children under 15
4.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
17.7%
2 persons
33.9%
3 persons
16.4%
4 persons
20.3%
5 persons
8.8%
6+ persons
3.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Emerald

Housing Tenure

Of the 2,012 occupied private dwellings in Emerald at the 2021 Census, 8.3% were rented, 39.0% owned outright and 51.4% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
0.8% 17 dwellings
Owned outright
39.0% 785 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
51.4% 1,034 dwellings
Rented
8.3% 168 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
0.7% 14 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
98.9%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
1.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
2.1%
2 bedrooms
8.8%
3 bedrooms
43.2%
4 bedrooms
34.7%
5 bedrooms
9.2%
6+ bedrooms
1.9%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
6.1%
$300-$449/mo
2.1%
$450-$599/mo
1.1%
$600-$799/mo
2.4%
$800-$999/mo
5.2%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
12.3%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
14.5%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
28.3%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
16.7%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
11.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
1.5%
1 vehicle
20.7%
2 vehicles
43.7%
3 vehicles
19.6%
4+ vehicles
14.5%

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

Work, income and education in Emerald

Employment

Employed full-time
39.5% 1,749 people
Employed part-time
24.7% 1,091 people
Unemployed
2.1% 95 people
Not in labour force
33.7% 1,490 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
27.5%
Technicians & Trade Workers
20.2%
Managers
15.5%
Clerical & Administrative
12.1%
Community & Personal Service
12.1%
Labourers
5.2%
Sales Workers
3.9%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
3.6%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.8%
$1-$149/wk
0.6%
$150-$299/wk
1.2%
$300-$399/wk
1.5%
$400-$499/wk
4.4%
$500-$649/wk
2.7%
$650-$799/wk
5.3%
$800-$999/wk
5.0%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
7.2%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.3%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.3%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.8%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
12.3%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
11.3%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
8.3%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
5.5%
$4,000+/wk
15.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
10.4%
$1-$149/wk
5.0%
$150-$299/wk
6.0%
$300-$399/wk
3.8%
$400-$499/wk
2.9%
$500-$649/wk
3.2%
$650-$799/wk
8.5%
$800-$999/wk
9.9%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.9%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.8%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.6%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.7%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
9.7%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
2.5%
$3,500+/wk
3.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
74.4%
Did not go to work
16.2%
Car (passenger)
5.1%
Walked only
1.7%
Truck
1.5%
Other
0.4%
Bus
0.4%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.2%
Train
0.2%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
64.5%
Year 10 or equivalent
15.6%
Year 11 or equivalent
14.6%
Year 9 or equivalent
5.3%

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

Certificate III/IV
35.1%
Bachelor Degree
27.9%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
20.7%
Postgraduate Degree
7.9%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
6.4%
Certificate I/II
1.8%

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

Field of Study

Engineering
17.4%
Management & Commerce
15.3%
Society & Culture
13.4%
Health
12.3%
Education
11.9%
Architecture & Building
10.1%
Creative Arts
6.5%
Agriculture & Environment
4.0%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
3.8%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.7%
Information Technology
2.6%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
35.1%
Secondary: Government
21.6%
Vocational Education
13.0%
Pre-school
11.0%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
9.3%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
4.3%
Secondary: Catholic
3.8%
Primary: Catholic
2.0%

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
91.1%
Has need for assistance
5.3%
Need for assistance not stated
3.7%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
542
Asthma
244
Arthritis
197
Heart disease
130
Diabetes
125
Lung condition
101
Cancer
86
Stroke
57
Kidney disease
48
Dementia
14

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
15.1% 697
Did not provide
84.9% 3,919

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
18.7% 864
Not a volunteer
81.3% 3,751

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 3
Previously served
2.5% 117
Never served
97.4% 4,514

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
29.8%
1 child
10.4%
2 children
32.9%
3 children
19.1%
4 children
6.5%
5+ children
1.4%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
26
1951: 1960
104
1961: 1970
204
1971: 1980
141
1981: 1990
130
1991: 2000
80
2001: 2010
138
2011: 2015
78
2016
10
2017
7
2018
17
2019
12
2020
11
2021
3

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

Population Mobility

9.0%
moved in the last year
28.9%
moved in the last 5 years
3.0%
unemployment rate (Census)
65.7%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
5,130
Moved from VIC
357
Moved: same area (SA2)
95
Moved from overseas
30
Moved from QLD
12
Moved from SA
11

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
21.2%
5: 14 hours
32.8%
15: 29 hours
16.9%
30+ hours
10.6%
Did not do domestic work
18.5%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
88.6%
Step family: no other children
6.3%
Blended family: no other children
3.1%
Other couple: children only
1.1%
Intact family: other children present
1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Emerald Crime Statistics

265 reported offences in 2025-25, by category.

Theft
76
Assault
50
Property Damage
36
Justice Procedures
32
Break & Enter
25
Fraud
14
Other
11
Weapons
9
Public Order
7
Drug Offences
5

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

Allansford
Income: $821/wk Rent: $268/wk $132/wk less rent
Ballarat North
Income: $723/wk Rent: $285/wk $115/wk less rent
Lucknow (Vic.)
Income: $708/wk Rent: $290/wk $110/wk less rent
Bendigo
Income: $821/wk Rent: $290/wk $110/wk less rent
Kinglake
Income: $788/wk Rent: $300/wk $100/wk less rent
Gordon (Vic.)
Income: $844/wk Rent: $320/wk $80/wk less rent
Yarragon
Income: $712/wk Rent: $320/wk $80/wk less rent
Badger Creek
Income: $683/wk Rent: $323/wk $77/wk less rent

Suburbs near Emerald

The closest suburb to Emerald is Kallista, 4.6 km away.

Kallista
4.6 km away · income $821/wk · rent $347/wk
The Patch
5.3 km away · income $874/wk · rent $415/wk
Selby
5.3 km away · income $898/wk · rent $400/wk
Monbulk
6.6 km away · income $759/wk · rent $369/wk
Cockatoo (Vic.)
6.6 km away · income $853/wk · rent $370/wk
Belgrave South
6.9 km away · income $843/wk · rent $450/wk

Compare Emerald (Vic.)

Frequently Asked Questions About Emerald

What is the population of Emerald VIC?

The population of Emerald VIC is 5,890 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 117 people per km². Emerald is ranked #1,330 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Emerald?

The median personal income in Emerald VIC is $851 per week, or $44,252 per year. The median household income is $2,119 per week. Family income is $2,399 per week. Emerald is ranked #2,753 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Emerald?

Median rent in Emerald VIC is $400 per week ($1,733 per month). Rent represents 18.9% of household income, which is considered affordable. Emerald ranks #1,854 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Emerald?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Emerald VIC is $2,000. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Emerald?

The median age in Emerald VIC is 43 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Emerald a good suburb to live in?

Emerald is a suburb in Victoria with a population of 5,890. The median income is $851/wk, which is above the typical VIC suburb ($767/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (18.9% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 20868. All dollar figures in AUD.