Heidelberg West, VIC: suburb profile

The population of Heidelberg West VIC is 5,252 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Heidelberg West is $612 per week ($31,824 per year). Median rent in Heidelberg West is $306 per week ($1,326 per month). Heidelberg West has a median age of 35 years, younger than the national median of 38. Heidelberg West has a population density of 1,635 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Heidelberg West is China. The most common religion is No religion (39.2% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Mandarin. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Heidelberg West is $1,900.

There were 1,305 recorded offences in Heidelberg West in 2025-25, a rate of 248 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (472 offences).

Population
5,252
Census 2021
Median income
$612/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$306/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
35years
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.

Heidelberg West vs the typical VIC suburb

The median personal income in Heidelberg West is $612 a week, 20% below the typical VIC suburb ($767). That ranks 1,084th of 1,274 VIC suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $306 a week, $10 less than the typical VIC suburb. Rent takes 24.3% of the median household income here, against 19.1% in the typical VIC suburb. The median resident is 35, 8 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.
MeasureHeidelberg WestTypical VICDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$612/wk$767/wk −20%$766/wk
Household income$1,257/wk$1,687/wk −25%$1,637/wk
Rent$306/wk$316/wk −3%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,900/mo$1,723/mo +10%$1,733/mo
Median age3543 −8 yrs42
Rent share of household income24.3%19.1% +5.3 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 Heidelberg West, the typical VIC suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Heidelberg West Population

5,252 residents at the 2021 Census.

Heidelberg West Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$612/wk
$31,824 per year
Ranked 6,898 of 14,663
Median Rent
$306/wk
$1,326 per month
Ranked 4,465 of 14,663
Median Age
35years
3 years younger than the national median
Mortgage
$1,900/mo
Avg household size: 2.3 · 0.9 per bedroom

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

Heidelberg West Rent Prices & Affordability

24% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,257/wk
Median rent $306/wk
Rent to income 24.3%

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

Median rent in Heidelberg West against your income

About $5,447 a month
Median rent $306/wk
Left after rent $951/wk
Rent share 24.3%

Heidelberg West Schools

35
schools nearby
22
government
1065
avg ICSEA score
16,198
total students
Ivanhoe Girls' Grammar School Independent
Combined · Prep-12 · 850 students
1181
ICSEA
Ivanhoe Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 557 students
1157
ICSEA
St Bernadette's School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 191 students
1149
ICSEA
Heidelberg Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 498 students
1141
ICSEA
Rosanna Golf Links Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 557 students
1133
ICSEA
St John's School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 345 students
1129
ICSEA
Our Lady of Mercy College Catholic
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,175 students
1111
ICSEA
Holy Spirit School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 129 students
1107
ICSEA
Rosanna Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 343 students
1098
ICSEA
Mastery Schools Victoria Independent
Combined · 4-9 · 62 students
1082
ICSEA
Our Lady of the Way School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 167 students
1079
ICSEA
Holy Name School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 205 students
1078
ICSEA
Virtual School Victoria Government
Combined · Prep-12 · 6,248 students
1073
ICSEA
Macleod College Government
Combined · Prep-12 · 545 students
1073
ICSEA
Thornbury High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,123 students
1067
ICSEA

Showing 15 of 35 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 Heidelberg West, with a map

Heidelberg West Map

Heidelberg West, Victoria Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Heidelberg West, Victoria: 37.7392°S, 145.0452°E

Heidelberg West Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (35)

People in Heidelberg West

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 49.7% (2,610) Female 50.3% (2,641)

Population Density

1,635
people per km²
5,252 people · 3.2 km²

Households

2.3
Avg household size
0.9
Persons per bedroom
$1,682
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
3.1%
India
2.1%
New Zealand
1.9%
England
1.6%
Philippines
1.4%
Vietnam
1.3%
Malaysia
1.3%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Mandarin
4.2%
Arabic
3.4%
Greek
1.9%
Vietnamese
1.8%
Cantonese
1.5%
Italian
1.0%
Spanish
1.0%

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

Ancestry

English
24.7%
Australian
21.9%
Irish
8.7%
Chinese
7.8%
Scottish
7.5%
Italian
4.3%
Greek
3.0%
German
2.5%
Indian
2.4%
Filipino
2.0%
Lebanese
2.0%

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
39.2%
Islam
15.9%
Catholic
15.0%
Not stated
8.8%
Anglican
4.3%
Eastern Orthodox
3.1%
Buddhism
2.9%
Christian (other)
2.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

2.2%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
28.5% 1,240
Separated
3.6% 158
Divorced
11.0% 477
Widowed
5.1% 221
Never married
51.9% 2,258

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
40.9%
Couple: no children
23.4%
One parent: no children under 15
12.9%
One parent: children under 15
11.8%
Couple: no children under 15
11.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
34.9%
2 persons
31.4%
3 persons
15.3%
4 persons
10.7%
5 persons
3.3%
6+ persons
4.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Heidelberg West

Housing Tenure

Of the 2,088 occupied private dwellings in Heidelberg West at the 2021 Census, 54.0% were rented, 16.0% owned outright and 26.4% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.6% 33 dwellings
Owned outright
16.0% 334 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
26.4% 551 dwellings
Rented
54.0% 1,128 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
2.1% 44 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
57.2%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
25.4%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
17.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
9.3%
2 bedrooms
38.3%
3 bedrooms
41.6%
4 bedrooms
9.0%
5 bedrooms
1.2%
6+ bedrooms
0.6%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
6.7%
$300-$449/mo
1.6%
$450-$599/mo
2.8%
$600-$799/mo
2.6%
$800-$999/mo
4.3%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
15.0%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
15.0%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
29.4%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
15.0%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
7.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
15.5%
1 vehicle
43.9%
2 vehicles
31.2%
3 vehicles
6.6%
4+ vehicles
2.9%

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

Work, income and education in Heidelberg West

Employment

Employed full-time
31.5% 1,221 people
Employed part-time
20.9% 811 people
Unemployed
5.7% 220 people
Not in labour force
41.9% 1,625 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
36.5%
Community & Personal Service
15.1%
Technicians & Trade Workers
12.6%
Managers
9.8%
Clerical & Administrative
8.7%
Labourers
6.9%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
5.7%
Sales Workers
4.8%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
2.7%
$1-$149/wk
0.8%
$150-$299/wk
2.6%
$300-$399/wk
6.1%
$400-$499/wk
9.9%
$500-$649/wk
5.2%
$650-$799/wk
7.0%
$800-$999/wk
7.5%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
7.8%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.0%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.0%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.5%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
10.3%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
6.3%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
6.1%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
3.6%
$4,000+/wk
5.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
12.3%
$1-$149/wk
3.7%
$150-$299/wk
9.2%
$300-$399/wk
6.7%
$400-$499/wk
6.1%
$500-$649/wk
4.3%
$650-$799/wk
9.7%
$800-$999/wk
9.9%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.0%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
6.8%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.6%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.6%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
6.7%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
0.9%
$3,500+/wk
1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
66.5%
Did not go to work
16.0%
Car (passenger)
5.2%
Bus
3.9%
Walked only
3.4%
Bicycle
1.1%
Train
1.1%
Other
0.9%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.7%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.6%
Truck
0.6%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
73.5%
Year 10 or equivalent
11.8%
Year 11 or equivalent
8.6%
Year 9 or equivalent
6.1%

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
34.4%
Certificate III/IV
24.9%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
17.4%
Postgraduate Degree
15.2%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
5.8%
Certificate I/II
2.3%

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

Field of Study

Society & Culture
17.6%
Management & Commerce
17.3%
Health
13.7%
Engineering
12.0%
Education
8.8%
Creative Arts
7.8%
Natural & Physical Sciences
5.7%
Information Technology
5.2%
Architecture & Building
5.2%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
4.4%
Agriculture & Environment
2.4%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
26.2%
Secondary: Government
23.6%
Vocational Education
17.0%
Pre-school
11.3%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
7.1%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
6.6%
Primary: Catholic
6.0%
Secondary: Catholic
2.2%

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
84.5%
Has need for assistance
8.6%
Need for assistance not stated
6.9%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
710
Asthma
222
Arthritis
163
Diabetes
153
Lung condition
142
Heart disease
120
Kidney disease
66
Stroke
63
Cancer
52
Dementia
17

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
13.3% 533
Did not provide
86.7% 3,476

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
11.4% 460
Not a volunteer
88.6% 3,571

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 4
Previously served
1.5% 62
Never served
98.4% 3,999

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
47.7%
1 child
16.0%
2 children
19.4%
3 children
8.4%
4 children
5.8%
5+ children
2.8%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
4
1951: 1960
36
1961: 1970
99
1971: 1980
85
1981: 1990
188
1991: 2000
334
2001: 2010
338
2011: 2015
281
2016
49
2017
56
2018
86
2019
65
2020
21
2021
3

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

Population Mobility

15.1%
moved in the last year
41.9%
moved in the last 5 years
8.9%
unemployment rate (Census)
55.3%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
4,099
Moved from VIC
562
Moved: same area (SA2)
101
Moved from overseas
26
Moved from NSW
7
Moved from QLD
5
Moved from TAS
5
Moved from SA
4
Moved from ACT
3

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
20.7%
5: 14 hours
26.4%
15: 29 hours
9.8%
30+ hours
6.9%
Did not do domestic work
36.2%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
88.5%
Step family: no other children
7.9%
Blended family: no other children
2.9%
Intact family: other children present
0.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Heidelberg West Crime Statistics

1,305 reported offences in 2025-25, by category.

Theft
472
Justice Procedures
205
Assault
176
Property Damage
123
Break & Enter
114
Drug Offences
102
Weapons
38
Fraud
34
Public Order
26
Robbery
14
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

Mount Pleasant (Vic.)
Income: $690/wk Rent: $280/wk $26/wk less rent
Albion (Vic.)
Income: $708/wk Rent: $301/wk $5/wk less rent
Robinvale
Income: $615/wk Rent: $220/wk $86/wk less rent
Norlane
Income: $494/wk Rent: $250/wk $56/wk less rent
North Bendigo
Income: $707/wk Rent: $285/wk $21/wk less rent
Strathmerton
Income: $662/wk Rent: $210/wk $96/wk less rent
Churchill (Vic.)
Income: $577/wk Rent: $230/wk $76/wk less rent
Long Gully
Income: $575/wk Rent: $250/wk $56/wk less rent

Suburbs near Heidelberg West

The closest suburb to Heidelberg West is Heidelberg Heights, 0.8 km away.

Heidelberg Heights
0.8 km away · income $923/wk · rent $381/wk
Bellfield (Banyule - Vic.)
1.6 km away · income $722/wk · rent $375/wk
Rosanna
2.3 km away · income $974/wk · rent $421/wk
Heidelberg
2.6 km away · income $1,086/wk · rent $400/wk
Kingsbury
2.7 km away · income $617/wk · rent $361/wk
Eaglemont
3.2 km away · income $1,153/wk · rent $453/wk

Compare Heidelberg West

Frequently Asked Questions About Heidelberg West

What is the population of Heidelberg West VIC?

The population of Heidelberg West VIC is 5,252 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 1,635 people per km². Heidelberg West is ranked #1,500 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Heidelberg West?

The median personal income in Heidelberg West VIC is $612 per week, or $31,824 per year. The median household income is $1,257 per week. Family income is $1,682 per week. Heidelberg West is ranked #6,898 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Heidelberg West?

Median rent in Heidelberg West VIC is $306 per week ($1,326 per month). Rent represents 24.3% of household income, which is considered affordable. Heidelberg West ranks #4,465 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Heidelberg West?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Heidelberg West VIC is $1,900. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Heidelberg West?

The median age in Heidelberg West VIC is 35 years. This is younger than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Heidelberg West a good suburb to live in?

Heidelberg West is a suburb in Victoria with a population of 5,252. The median income is $612/wk, which is below the typical VIC suburb ($767/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (24.3% 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: 21169. All dollar figures in AUD.