Southbank, VIC: suburb profile

The population of Southbank VIC is 22,631 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Southbank is $1,171 per week ($60,892 per year). Median rent in Southbank is $411 per week ($1,781 per month). Southbank has a median age of 31 years, younger than the national median of 38. Southbank has a population density of 14,470 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Southbank is India. The most common religion is No religion (45.6% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Mandarin. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Southbank is $1,900.

There were 4,465 recorded offences in Southbank in 2025-25, a rate of 197 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (2,397 offences).

Population
22,631
Census 2021
Median income
$1,171/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$411/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
31years
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.

Southbank vs the typical VIC suburb

The median personal income in Southbank is $1,171 a week, 53% above the typical VIC suburb ($767). That ranks 48th of 1,274 VIC suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $411 a week, $95 more than the typical VIC suburb. Rent takes 21.3% of the median household income here, against 19.1% in the typical VIC suburb. The median resident is 31, 12 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.
MeasureSouthbankTypical VICDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$1,171/wk$767/wk +53%$766/wk
Household income$1,926/wk$1,687/wk +14%$1,637/wk
Rent$411/wk$316/wk +30%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,900/mo$1,723/mo +10%$1,733/mo
Median age3143 −12 yrs42
Rent share of household income21.3%19.1% +2.2 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 Southbank, the typical VIC suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Southbank Population

22,631 residents at the 2021 Census.

Southbank Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$1,171/wk
$60,892 per year
Ranked 494 of 14,663
Median Rent
$411/wk
$1,781 per month
Ranked 1,706 of 14,663
Median Age
31years
7 years younger than the national median
Mortgage
$1,900/mo
Avg household size: 1.8 · 1 per bedroom

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

Southbank Rent Prices & Affordability

21% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,926/wk
Median rent $411/wk
Rent to income 21.3%

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

Median rent in Southbank against your income

About $8,346 a month
Median rent $411/wk
Left after rent $1,515/wk
Rent share 21.3%

Southbank Schools

57
schools nearby
29
government
1073
avg ICSEA score
21,744
total students
Christ Church Grammar School Independent
Primary · Prep-6 · 287 students
1213
ICSEA
MacRobertson Girls High School Government
Secondary · 9-12 · 1,195 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
Wesley College Independent
Combined · Prep-12 · 3,181 students
1172
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
Middle Park Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 393 students
1150
ICSEA
South Melbourne Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 502 students
1144
ICSEA
Victorian College Of The Arts Secondary School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 344 students
1141
ICSEA
North Melbourne Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 910 students
1136
ICSEA
Port Melbourne Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 697 students
1134
ICSEA
Carlton Gardens Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 435 students
1133
ICSEA
Docklands Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 616 students
1133
ICSEA

Showing 15 of 57 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 Southbank, with a map

Southbank Map

Southbank, Victoria Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Southbank, Victoria: 37.8253°S, 144.9592°E

Southbank Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (57)

People in Southbank

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 50.7% (11,464) Female 49.3% (11,167)

Population Density

14,470
people per km²
22,631 people · 1.6 km²

Households

1.8
Avg household size
1
Persons per bedroom
$2,448
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
9.4%
China
8.9%
Malaysia
3.7%
England
3.0%
New Zealand
2.7%
Indonesia
2.7%
South Korea
2.0%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Mandarin
11.6%
Spanish
5.3%
Hindi
4.0%
Cantonese
3.1%
Indonesian
2.1%
Korean
2.0%
Vietnamese
1.4%

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

Ancestry

Chinese
20.7%
English
18.2%
Australian
12.3%
Indian
9.8%
Irish
6.6%
Scottish
4.8%
Italian
3.9%
German
2.5%
Korean
2.2%
Filipino
2.1%
Vietnamese
1.8%

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
45.6%
Catholic
15.5%
Hinduism
8.1%
Not stated
7.8%
Buddhism
5.4%
Islam
3.3%
Anglican
3.0%
Christian (other)
2.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

0.4%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
28.3% 6,027
Separated
2.3% 485
Divorced
6.2% 1,317
Widowed
1.1% 231
Never married
62.1% 13,224

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: no children
63.1%
Couple: children under 15
22.9%
One parent: no children under 15
5.3%
Couple: no children under 15
4.7%
One parent: children under 15
4.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
42.9%
2 persons
42.3%
3 persons
10.7%
4 persons
3.5%
5 persons
0.5%
6+ persons
0.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Southbank

Housing Tenure

Of the 11,894 occupied private dwellings in Southbank at the 2021 Census, 67.0% were rented, 12.6% owned outright and 17.7% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.7% 205 dwellings
Owned outright
12.6% 1,497 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
17.7% 2,103 dwellings
Rented
67.0% 7,969 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.0% 116 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Semi-detached (2+ storey)
90.0%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
8.1%
Separate house
1.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
29.1%
2 bedrooms
57.6%
3 bedrooms
12.8%
4 bedrooms
0.4%
5 bedrooms
0.0%
6+ bedrooms
0.1%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
4.7%
$300-$449/mo
0.9%
$450-$599/mo
0.7%
$600-$799/mo
1.8%
$800-$999/mo
3.2%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
15.5%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
21.9%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
29.9%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
12.1%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
9.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
40.6%
1 vehicle
50.5%
2 vehicles
7.9%
3 vehicles
0.7%
4+ vehicles
0.3%

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

Work, income and education in Southbank

Employment

Employed full-time
52.4% 10,009 people
Employed part-time
24.1% 4,614 people
Unemployed
5.0% 954 people
Not in labour force
18.5% 3,539 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
43.4%
Managers
15.5%
Clerical & Administrative
11.6%
Community & Personal Service
9.0%
Technicians & Trade Workers
7.3%
Labourers
5.8%
Sales Workers
5.4%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
1.9%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
3.9%
$1-$149/wk
0.8%
$150-$299/wk
1.1%
$300-$399/wk
1.6%
$400-$499/wk
1.8%
$500-$649/wk
2.5%
$650-$799/wk
3.5%
$800-$999/wk
4.8%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
8.0%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.8%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.8%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
7.3%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
17.2%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
6.2%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
6.9%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
3.7%
$4,000+/wk
13.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
9.4%
$1-$149/wk
1.6%
$150-$299/wk
2.9%
$300-$399/wk
1.6%
$400-$499/wk
1.9%
$500-$649/wk
3.1%
$650-$799/wk
7.1%
$800-$999/wk
9.3%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
12.7%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
10.5%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
9.3%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
7.1%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
14.2%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
3.4%
$3,500+/wk
5.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
27.5%
Walked only
23.5%
Did not go to work
18.7%
Tram/Light Rail
15.3%
Train
5.4%
Bicycle
2.7%
Car (passenger)
2.6%
Motorbike/Scooter
1.4%
Other
1.2%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.9%
Bus
0.8%
Truck
0.1%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
90.5%
Year 11 or equivalent
5.5%
Year 10 or equivalent
3.2%
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
47.3%
Postgraduate Degree
27.6%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
12.7%
Certificate III/IV
7.4%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
4.4%
Certificate I/II
0.6%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
33.6%
Society & Culture
12.0%
Engineering
11.8%
Information Technology
11.4%
Creative Arts
7.5%
Health
7.2%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
4.6%
Natural & Physical Sciences
4.6%
Architecture & Building
3.8%
Education
3.1%
Agriculture & Environment
0.6%

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

School & University Attendance

Vocational Education
58.3%
Primary: Government
15.5%
Pre-school
8.5%
Secondary: Government
7.9%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
3.5%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
2.8%
Primary: Catholic
2.4%
Secondary: Catholic
1.2%

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
92.6%
Has need for assistance
1.4%
Need for assistance not stated
6.1%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
1,548
Asthma
678
Diabetes
250
Arthritis
225
Heart disease
197
Cancer
145
Lung condition
92
Kidney disease
66
Stroke
51
Dementia
18

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
5.8% 1,155
Did not provide
94.2% 18,781

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
12.5% 2,490
Not a volunteer
87.5% 17,473

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.3% 52
Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 15
Previously served
0.8% 170
Never served
98.8% 19,781

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
76.7%
1 child
10.5%
2 children
8.7%
3 children
3.1%
4 children
0.9%
5+ children
0.2%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
19
1951: 1960
90
1961: 1970
185
1971: 1980
250
1981: 1990
518
1991: 2000
900
2001: 2010
2,611
2011: 2015
2,565
2016
1,010
2017
1,194
2018
1,428
2019
1,952
2020
775
2021
165

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

Population Mobility

43.9%
moved in the last year
80.0%
moved in the last 5 years
5.8%
unemployment rate (Census)
77.7%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
11,912
Moved from VIC
6,136
Moved: same area (SA2)
1,671
Moved from overseas
589
Moved from NSW
285
Moved from QLD
239
Moved from SA
91
Moved from WA
88
Moved from ACT
48
Moved from TAS
47
Moved from NT
10

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
24.8%
5: 14 hours
30.9%
15: 29 hours
7.4%
30+ hours
3.5%
Did not do domestic work
33.4%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
93.0%
Step family: no other children
5.7%
Blended family: no other children
0.8%
Other couple: children only
0.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Southbank Crime Statistics

4,465 reported offences in 2025-25, by category.

Theft
2,397
Assault
527
Fraud
289
Property Damage
281
Break & Enter
271
Drug Offences
262
Justice Procedures
179
Public Order
143
Weapons
75
Robbery
34
Other
4
Traffic
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

Manor Lakes
Income: $948/wk Rent: $360/wk $51/wk less rent
Shepparton North
Income: $957/wk Rent: $360/wk $51/wk less rent
North Melbourne
Income: $943/wk Rent: $381/wk $30/wk less rent
West Melbourne
Income: $1,058/wk Rent: $388/wk $23/wk less rent
Officer South
Income: $1,017/wk Rent: $393/wk $18/wk less rent
Officer
Income: $970/wk Rent: $396/wk $15/wk less rent
Killara (Wodonga - Vic.)
Income: $1,068/wk Rent: $400/wk $11/wk less rent
Beveridge
Income: $978/wk Rent: $400/wk $11/wk less rent

Suburbs near Southbank

The closest suburb to Southbank is Melbourne, 1.0 km away.

Melbourne
1.0 km away · income $864/wk · rent $381/wk
South Melbourne
1.0 km away · income $1,307/wk · rent $421/wk
Docklands
2.0 km away · income $1,182/wk · rent $411/wk
East Melbourne
2.2 km away · income $1,532/wk · rent $480/wk
Albert Park (Vic.)
2.3 km away · income $1,333/wk · rent $590/wk
Middle Park (Vic.)
2.8 km away · income $1,430/wk · rent $602/wk

Compare Southbank

Frequently Asked Questions About Southbank

What is the population of Southbank VIC?

The population of Southbank VIC is 22,631 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 14,470 people per km². Southbank is ranked #113 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Southbank?

The median personal income in Southbank VIC is $1,171 per week, or $60,892 per year. The median household income is $1,926 per week. Family income is $2,448 per week. Southbank is ranked #494 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Southbank?

Median rent in Southbank VIC is $411 per week ($1,781 per month). Rent represents 21.3% of household income, which is considered affordable. Southbank ranks #1,706 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Southbank?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Southbank 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 Southbank?

The median age in Southbank VIC is 31 years. This is younger than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Southbank a good suburb to live in?

Southbank is a suburb in Victoria with a population of 22,631. The median income is $1,171/wk, which is above the typical VIC suburb ($767/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (21.3% 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: 22315. All dollar figures in AUD.