Harkness, VIC: suburb profile

The population of Harkness VIC is 12,463 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Harkness is $789 per week ($41,028 per year). Median rent in Harkness is $350 per week ($1,517 per month). Harkness has a median age of 30 years, younger than the national median of 38. Harkness has a population density of 746 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Harkness is India. The most common religion is No religion (31.5% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Punjabi. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Harkness is $1,700.

There were 563 recorded offences in Harkness in 2025-25, a rate of 45 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was assault (161 offences).

Population
12,463
Census 2021
Median income
$789/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$350/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
30years
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.

Harkness vs the typical VIC suburb

The median personal income in Harkness is $789 a week, 3% above the typical VIC suburb ($767). That ranks 559th of 1,274 VIC suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $350 a week, $34 more than the typical VIC suburb. Rent takes 20.0% of the median household income here, against 19.1% in the typical VIC suburb. The median resident is 30, 13 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.
MeasureHarknessTypical VICDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$789/wk$767/wk +3%$766/wk
Household income$1,752/wk$1,687/wk +4%$1,637/wk
Rent$350/wk$316/wk +11%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,700/mo$1,723/mo −1%$1,733/mo
Median age3043 −13 yrs42
Rent share of household income20.0%19.1% +0.9 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 Harkness, the typical VIC suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Harkness Population

12,463 residents at the 2021 Census.

Harkness Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$789/wk
$41,028 per year
Ranked 3,765 of 14,663
Median Rent
$350/wk
$1,517 per month
Ranked 3,104 of 14,663
Median Age
30years
8 years younger than the national median
Mortgage
$1,700/mo
Avg household size: 3.1 · 0.8 per bedroom

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

Harkness Rent Prices & Affordability

20% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,752/wk
Median rent $350/wk
Rent to income 20.0%

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

Median rent in Harkness against your income

About $7,592 a month
Median rent $350/wk
Left after rent $1,402/wk
Rent share 20.0%

Harkness Schools

7
schools nearby
5
government
973
avg ICSEA score
6,299
total students
St Francis Catholic College Catholic
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,846 students
1012
ICSEA
St Catherine of Siena School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 522 students
1002
ICSEA
Arnolds Creek Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 724 students
999
ICSEA
Wedge Park Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 848 students
976
ICSEA
Melton Specialist School Government
Combined · U · 406 students
951
ICSEA
Melton Secondary College Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,433 students
944
ICSEA
Melton West Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 520 students
925
ICSEA

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

All schools near Harkness, with a map

Harkness Map

Harkness, Victoria Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Harkness, Victoria: 37.6552°S, 144.5462°E

Harkness Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (7)

People in Harkness

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 48.7% (6,065) Female 51.3% (6,399)

Population Density

746
people per km²
12,463 people · 16.7 km²

Households

3.1
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$1,882
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

India
6.5%
New Zealand
3.0%
Philippines
2.4%
England
1.4%
Malta
1.2%
Samoa
1.1%
Sri Lanka
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

Punjabi
5.2%
Samoan
1.7%
Hindi
1.7%
Vietnamese
1.2%
Tagalog
1.2%
Arabic
1.1%
Spanish
0.9%

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

Ancestry

Australian
27.6%
English
24.2%
Indian
6.8%
Irish
5.5%
Maltese
5.4%
Scottish
5.3%
Italian
4.0%
Filipino
3.2%
Samoan
2.7%
German
2.4%
Australian Aboriginal
1.6%

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
31.5%
Catholic
25.5%
Not stated
8.6%
Anglican
5.1%
Other religions
4.8%
Christian (other)
4.5%
Sikhism
4.5%
Hinduism
4.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

1.5%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
45.9% 4,077
Separated
4.4% 389
Divorced
7.9% 701
Widowed
2.8% 249
Never married
39.0% 3,457

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
54.9%
Couple: no children
14.3%
One parent: children under 15
13.9%
Couple: no children under 15
11.0%
One parent: no children under 15
5.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
17.2%
2 persons
24.5%
3 persons
19.3%
4 persons
22.2%
5 persons
9.5%
6+ persons
7.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Harkness

Housing Tenure

Of the 3,763 occupied private dwellings in Harkness at the 2021 Census, 27.6% were rented, 15.7% owned outright and 55.0% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
0.4% 16 dwellings
Owned outright
15.7% 589 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
55.0% 2,071 dwellings
Rented
27.6% 1,037 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.3% 50 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
95.6%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
3.9%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
0.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
0.1%
2 bedrooms
2.6%
3 bedrooms
37.3%
4 bedrooms
53.7%
5 bedrooms
5.6%
6+ bedrooms
0.7%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
3.0%
$300-$449/mo
1.1%
$450-$599/mo
1.2%
$600-$799/mo
1.5%
$800-$999/mo
2.8%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
16.4%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
32.6%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
30.4%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
6.1%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
4.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
2.5%
1 vehicle
30.7%
2 vehicles
45.1%
3 vehicles
14.1%
4+ vehicles
7.7%

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

Work, income and education in Harkness

Employment

Employed full-time
42.0% 3,282 people
Employed part-time
21.0% 1,638 people
Unemployed
5.0% 391 people
Not in labour force
32.0% 2,496 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
18.7%
Community & Personal Service
17.4%
Technicians & Trade Workers
17.3%
Clerical & Administrative
12.6%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
10.8%
Managers
9.8%
Labourers
7.6%
Sales Workers
5.8%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.5%
$1-$149/wk
0.3%
$150-$299/wk
1.0%
$300-$399/wk
1.8%
$400-$499/wk
3.9%
$500-$649/wk
3.2%
$650-$799/wk
5.0%
$800-$999/wk
7.1%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
8.5%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
10.0%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.7%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
7.7%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
16.2%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
9.8%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
6.7%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
3.2%
$4,000+/wk
6.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
14.6%
$1-$149/wk
4.0%
$150-$299/wk
6.5%
$300-$399/wk
3.4%
$400-$499/wk
2.4%
$500-$649/wk
2.5%
$650-$799/wk
9.3%
$800-$999/wk
12.7%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
14.4%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
9.8%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.4%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.1%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
6.1%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
0.9%
$3,500+/wk
0.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
76.6%
Did not go to work
13.5%
Car (passenger)
6.0%
Train
1.4%
Truck
0.8%
Other
0.7%
Bus
0.3%
Walked only
0.3%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.2%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.1%
Bicycle
0.1%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
64.1%
Year 10 or equivalent
17.0%
Year 11 or equivalent
12.7%
Year 9 or equivalent
6.2%

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

Certificate III/IV
42.2%
Bachelor Degree
23.3%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
21.1%
Postgraduate Degree
7.0%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
3.6%
Certificate I/II
2.7%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
19.9%
Engineering
17.3%
Society & Culture
16.2%
Health
9.7%
Education
9.7%
Architecture & Building
8.6%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
8.3%
Information Technology
4.3%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.3%
Creative Arts
1.9%
Agriculture & Environment
1.8%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
33.6%
Secondary: Government
19.2%
Pre-school
13.6%
Primary: Catholic
9.7%
Vocational Education
9.1%
Secondary: Catholic
7.7%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
3.8%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
3.3%

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
87.4%
Has need for assistance
5.3%
Need for assistance not stated
7.3%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
1,069
Asthma
479
Diabetes
315
Arthritis
200
Heart disease
177
Lung condition
144
Kidney disease
77
Cancer
77
Stroke
77
Dementia
7

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
12.6% 1,031
Did not provide
87.4% 7,157

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
7.5% 620
Not a volunteer
92.5% 7,594

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.0% 4
Current ADF: Reserves
0.0% 3
Previously served
1.2% 103
Never served
98.7% 8,154

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
31.2%
1 child
15.1%
2 children
29.4%
3 children
15.5%
4 children
6.1%
5+ children
2.7%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
4
1951: 1960
70
1961: 1970
209
1971: 1980
196
1981: 1990
217
1991: 2000
366
2001: 2010
1,258
2011: 2015
780
2016
164
2017
119
2018
144
2019
116
2020
56
2021
22

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

Population Mobility

13.6%
moved in the last year
53.6%
moved in the last 5 years
6.8%
unemployment rate (Census)
64.8%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
9,835
Moved from VIC
1,017
Moved: same area (SA2)
331
Moved from overseas
79
Moved from NSW
37
Moved from QLD
31
Moved from SA
8
Moved from TAS
5
Moved from WA
3

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
18.8%
5: 14 hours
24.4%
15: 29 hours
10.9%
30+ hours
10.0%
Did not do domestic work
35.9%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
85.5%
Step family: no other children
6.7%
Blended family: no other children
4.7%
Intact family: other children present
2.2%
Blended family: other children present
0.4%
Step family: other children present
0.3%
Other couple: children only
0.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Harkness Crime Statistics

563 reported offences in 2025-25, by category.

Assault
161
Theft
122
Justice Procedures
116
Property Damage
68
Break & Enter
29
Drug Offences
21
Fraud
20
Weapons
18
Public Order
5
Robbery
3

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

Wyndham Vale
Income: $787/wk Rent: $343/wk $7/wk less rent
Flora Hill
Income: $705/wk Rent: $290/wk $60/wk less rent
Caulfield East
Income: $868/wk Rent: $320/wk $30/wk less rent
Laverton (Vic.)
Income: $738/wk Rent: $330/wk $20/wk less rent
Jackass Flat
Income: $869/wk Rent: $340/wk $10/wk less rent
Epsom (Vic.)
Income: $816/wk Rent: $340/wk $10/wk less rent
Flemington
Income: $890/wk Rent: $300/wk $50/wk less rent
Lang Lang
Income: $811/wk Rent: $310/wk $40/wk less rent

Suburbs near Harkness

The closest suburb to Harkness is Melton West, 2.6 km away.

Melton West
2.6 km away · income $636/wk · rent $320/wk
Kurunjang
4.1 km away · income $702/wk · rent $321/wk
Brookfield (Vic.)
5.1 km away · income $706/wk · rent $350/wk
Melton South
5.8 km away · income $568/wk · rent $300/wk
Melton (Vic.)
5.8 km away · income $539/wk · rent $300/wk
Cobblebank
7.5 km away · income $874/wk · rent $370/wk

Compare Harkness

Frequently Asked Questions About Harkness

What is the population of Harkness VIC?

The population of Harkness VIC is 12,463 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 746 people per km². Harkness is ranked #414 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Harkness?

The median personal income in Harkness VIC is $789 per week, or $41,028 per year. The median household income is $1,752 per week. Family income is $1,882 per week. Harkness is ranked #3,765 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Harkness?

Median rent in Harkness VIC is $350 per week ($1,517 per month). Rent represents 20.0% of household income, which is considered affordable. Harkness ranks #3,104 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Harkness?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Harkness VIC is $1,700. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Harkness?

The median age in Harkness VIC is 30 years. This is younger than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Harkness a good suburb to live in?

Harkness is a suburb in Victoria with a population of 12,463. The median income is $789/wk, which is above the typical VIC suburb ($767/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (20.0% 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: 21140. All dollar figures in AUD.