Port Melbourne, VIC: suburb profile

The population of Port Melbourne VIC is 17,633 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Port Melbourne is $1,366 per week ($71,032 per year). Median rent in Port Melbourne is $540 per week ($2,340 per month). Port Melbourne has a median age of 42 years, older than the national median of 38. Port Melbourne has a population density of 1,824 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Port Melbourne is England. The most common religion is No religion (44.3% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Greek. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Port Melbourne is $2,500.

There were 3,176 recorded offences in Port Melbourne in 2025-25, a rate of 180 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (1,582 offences).

Population
17,633
Census 2021
Median income
$1,366/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$540/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.

Port Melbourne vs the typical VIC suburb

The median personal income in Port Melbourne is $1,366 a week, 78% above the typical VIC suburb ($767). That ranks 12th of 1,274 VIC suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $540 a week, $224 more than the typical VIC suburb. Rent takes 22.8% 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.
MeasurePort MelbourneTypical VICDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$1,366/wk$767/wk +78%$766/wk
Household income$2,372/wk$1,687/wk +41%$1,637/wk
Rent$540/wk$316/wk +71%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,500/mo$1,723/mo +45%$1,733/mo
Median age4243 −1 yrs42
Rent share of household income22.8%19.1% +3.7 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 Port Melbourne, the typical VIC suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Port Melbourne Population

17,633 residents at the 2021 Census.

Port Melbourne Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$1,366/wk
$71,032 per year
Ranked 206 of 14,663
Median Rent
$540/wk
$2,340 per month
Ranked 435 of 14,663
Median Age
42years
4 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$2,500/mo
Avg household size: 2.1 · 0.9 per bedroom

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

Port Melbourne Rent Prices & Affordability

23% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $2,372/wk
Median rent $540/wk
Rent to income 22.8%

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

Median rent in Port Melbourne against your income

About $10,279 a month
Median rent $540/wk
Left after rent $1,832/wk
Rent share 22.8%

Port Melbourne Schools

21
schools nearby
15
government
1105
avg ICSEA score
7,126
total students
Albert Park Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 430 students
1156
ICSEA
Newmark Primary Independent
Primary · Prep-6 · 131 students
1134
ICSEA
Port Melbourne Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 697 students
1134
ICSEA
Docklands Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 616 students
1133
ICSEA
Albert Park College Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,657 students
1127
ICSEA
Footscray City Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 455 students
1125
ICSEA
Williamstown Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 460 students
1123
ICSEA
Williamstown High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,527 students
1112
ICSEA
St Mary's School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 263 students
1107
ICSEA
Port Melbourne Secondary College Government
Secondary · 7-10 · 416 students
1101
ICSEA
Port Phillip Specialist School Government
Combined · U · 99 students
1082
ICSEA
Simonds Catholic College Catholic
Secondary · 7-12 · 359 students
1053
ICSEA
Montague School Government
Secondary · U · 16 students
983
ICSEA
Western English Language School-Footscray Campus Government
Combined
Albert Park College-Environmental Arts Hub Government
Secondary

Showing 15 of 21 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 Port Melbourne, with a map

Port Melbourne Map

Port Melbourne, Victoria Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

People in Port Melbourne

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 47.9% (8,439) Female 52.1% (9,196)

Population Density

1,824
people per km²
17,633 people · 9.7 km²

Households

2.1
Avg household size
0.9
Persons per bedroom
$3,264
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
4.9%
New Zealand
2.5%
Greece
1.7%
China
1.5%
United States of America
1.2%
Ireland
0.9%
Italy
0.9%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Greek
4.3%
Mandarin
2.0%
Italian
1.5%
Spanish
1.3%
Russian
0.8%
Cantonese
0.7%
French
0.7%

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

Ancestry

English
32.6%
Australian
23.8%
Irish
12.7%
Scottish
10.5%
Italian
6.6%
Greek
6.6%
Chinese
4.7%
German
3.9%
Dutch
1.4%
Indian
1.4%
Polish
1.4%

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
44.3%
Catholic
20.6%
Not stated
7.8%
Eastern Orthodox
7.2%
Anglican
7.1%
Islam
2.0%
Christian (other)
1.9%
Uniting Church
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

0.5%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
39.3% 5,966
Separated
3.0% 457
Divorced
11.7% 1,774
Widowed
3.9% 593
Never married
42.2% 6,410

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: no children
37.1%
Couple: children under 15
36.8%
Couple: no children under 15
13.2%
One parent: children under 15
6.4%
One parent: no children under 15
6.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
37.4%
2 persons
36.0%
3 persons
12.5%
4 persons
10.5%
5 persons
2.9%
6+ persons
0.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Port Melbourne

Housing Tenure

Of the 7,830 occupied private dwellings in Port Melbourne at the 2021 Census, 43.3% were rented, 25.8% owned outright and 28.5% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.4% 107 dwellings
Owned outright
25.8% 2,019 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
28.5% 2,231 dwellings
Rented
43.3% 3,392 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.1% 85 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Semi-detached (2+ storey)
51.3%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
36.8%
Separate house
12.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
15.1%
2 bedrooms
41.9%
3 bedrooms
34.6%
4 bedrooms
7.4%
5 bedrooms
0.9%
6+ bedrooms
0.2%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
7.0%
$300-$449/mo
1.8%
$450-$599/mo
1.4%
$600-$799/mo
2.7%
$800-$999/mo
3.7%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
8.7%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
12.8%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
25.1%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
14.6%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
22.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
12.0%
1 vehicle
53.8%
2 vehicles
28.2%
3 vehicles
4.6%
4+ vehicles
1.4%

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

Work, income and education in Port Melbourne

Employment

Employed full-time
49.7% 6,752 people
Employed part-time
18.0% 2,451 people
Unemployed
3.0% 405 people
Not in labour force
29.3% 3,986 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
41.8%
Managers
26.0%
Clerical & Administrative
10.8%
Technicians & Trade Workers
7.0%
Community & Personal Service
6.3%
Sales Workers
4.8%
Labourers
2.0%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
1.2%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
2.3%
$1-$149/wk
0.5%
$150-$299/wk
1.4%
$300-$399/wk
2.4%
$400-$499/wk
4.4%
$500-$649/wk
2.6%
$650-$799/wk
3.5%
$800-$999/wk
3.6%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
4.8%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
4.9%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
4.8%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.3%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
12.8%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
5.3%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
8.1%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
4.4%
$4,000+/wk
29.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
8.3%
$1-$149/wk
2.9%
$150-$299/wk
3.8%
$300-$399/wk
2.5%
$400-$499/wk
2.2%
$500-$649/wk
1.8%
$650-$799/wk
4.9%
$800-$999/wk
6.4%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
8.7%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.0%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
8.3%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.6%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
16.2%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
5.6%
$3,500+/wk
14.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
56.7%
Did not go to work
18.1%
Walked only
7.4%
Bicycle
4.9%
Tram/Light Rail
4.3%
Car (passenger)
3.7%
Bus
1.6%
Motorbike/Scooter
1.1%
Other
1.0%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.5%
Train
0.4%
Truck
0.3%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
82.2%
Year 11 or equivalent
8.1%
Year 10 or equivalent
7.3%
Year 9 or equivalent
2.4%

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
44.2%
Postgraduate Degree
18.9%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
16.4%
Certificate III/IV
13.1%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
6.5%
Certificate I/II
0.9%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
33.0%
Society & Culture
15.2%
Engineering
10.6%
Health
9.8%
Creative Arts
6.6%
Architecture & Building
5.9%
Education
5.8%
Information Technology
4.5%
Natural & Physical Sciences
4.5%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
3.3%
Agriculture & Environment
0.9%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
31.0%
Secondary: Government
22.0%
Pre-school
13.3%
Vocational Education
12.2%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
7.2%
Primary: Catholic
7.1%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
4.0%
Secondary: Catholic
3.1%

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
89.3%
Has need for assistance
4.1%
Need for assistance not stated
6.5%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
1,377
Asthma
575
Arthritis
379
Heart disease
358
Diabetes
271
Cancer
242
Lung condition
202
Stroke
130
Kidney disease
120
Dementia
36

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
13.4% 1,886
Did not provide
86.6% 12,206

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
15.8% 2,232
Not a volunteer
84.2% 11,888

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.1% 11
Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 11
Previously served
1.8% 250
Never served
98.1% 13,896

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
49.1%
1 child
13.9%
2 children
24.4%
3 children
9.4%
4 children
2.7%
5+ children
0.5%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
49
1951: 1960
232
1961: 1970
487
1971: 1980
436
1981: 1990
562
1991: 2000
593
2001: 2010
1,026
2011: 2015
836
2016
207
2017
193
2018
211
2019
228
2020
103
2021
27

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

Population Mobility

21.1%
moved in the last year
51.5%
moved in the last 5 years
4.0%
unemployment rate (Census)
67.1%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
12,874
Moved from VIC
2,116
Moved: same area (SA2)
890
Moved from overseas
209
Moved from NSW
96
Moved from QLD
57
Moved from WA
19
Moved from SA
17
Moved from NT
9
Moved from ACT
9
Moved from TAS
6

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
25.8%
5: 14 hours
34.9%
15: 29 hours
11.2%
30+ hours
6.3%
Did not do domestic work
21.8%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
88.8%
Step family: no other children
8.8%
Blended family: no other children
1.8%
Intact family: other children present
0.4%
Other couple: children only
0.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Port Melbourne Crime Statistics

3,176 reported offences in 2025-25, by category.

Theft
1,582
Justice Procedures
343
Assault
331
Break & Enter
278
Property Damage
242
Fraud
141
Drug Offences
101
Public Order
82
Weapons
41
Traffic
18
Robbery
17

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

Suburbs near Port Melbourne

The closest suburb to Port Melbourne is Docklands, 2.3 km away.

Docklands
2.3 km away · income $1,182/wk · rent $411/wk
West Melbourne
2.8 km away · income $1,058/wk · rent $388/wk
South Melbourne
2.9 km away · income $1,307/wk · rent $421/wk
Spotswood
3.3 km away · income $1,229/wk · rent $456/wk
Southbank
3.3 km away · income $1,171/wk · rent $411/wk
Albert Park (Vic.)
3.5 km away · income $1,333/wk · rent $590/wk

Frequently Asked Questions About Port Melbourne

What is the population of Port Melbourne VIC?

The population of Port Melbourne VIC is 17,633 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 1,824 people per km². Port Melbourne is ranked #196 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Port Melbourne?

The median personal income in Port Melbourne VIC is $1,366 per week, or $71,032 per year. The median household income is $2,372 per week. Family income is $3,264 per week. Port Melbourne is ranked #206 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Port Melbourne?

Median rent in Port Melbourne VIC is $540 per week ($2,340 per month). Rent represents 22.8% of household income, which is considered affordable. Port Melbourne ranks #435 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Port Melbourne?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Port Melbourne VIC is $2,500. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Port Melbourne?

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

Is Port Melbourne a good suburb to live in?

Port Melbourne is a suburb in Victoria with a population of 17,633. The median income is $1,366/wk, which is above the typical VIC suburb ($767/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (22.8% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 22107. All dollar figures in AUD.