West Melbourne, VIC: suburb profile

The population of West Melbourne VIC is 8,025 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in West Melbourne is $1,058 per week ($55,016 per year). Median rent in West Melbourne is $388 per week ($1,681 per month). West Melbourne has a median age of 31 years, younger than the national median of 38. West Melbourne has a population density of 1,219 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in West Melbourne is China. The most common religion is No religion (53.0% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Mandarin. The median monthly mortgage repayment in West Melbourne is $2,106.

There were 1,698 recorded offences in West Melbourne in 2025-25, a rate of 212 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (703 offences).

Population
8,025
Census 2021
Median income
$1,058/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$388/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.

West Melbourne vs the typical VIC suburb

The median personal income in West Melbourne is $1,058 a week, 38% above the typical VIC suburb ($767). That ranks 90th of 1,274 VIC suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $388 a week, $72 more than the typical VIC suburb. Rent takes 21.7% 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.
MeasureWest MelbourneTypical VICDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$1,058/wk$767/wk +38%$766/wk
Household income$1,788/wk$1,687/wk +6%$1,637/wk
Rent$388/wk$316/wk +23%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,106/mo$1,723/mo +22%$1,733/mo
Median age3143 −12 yrs42
Rent share of household income21.7%19.1% +2.6 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 West Melbourne, the typical VIC suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

West Melbourne Population

8,025 residents at the 2021 Census.

West Melbourne Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$1,058/wk
$55,016 per year
Ranked 883 of 14,663
Median Rent
$388/wk
$1,681 per month
Ranked 2,364 of 14,663
Median Age
31years
7 years younger than the national median
Mortgage
$2,106/mo
Avg household size: 1.9 · 1.1 per bedroom

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

West Melbourne Rent Prices & Affordability

22% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,788/wk
Median rent $388/wk
Rent to income 21.7%

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

Median rent in West Melbourne against your income

About $7,748 a month
Median rent $388/wk
Left after rent $1,400/wk
Rent share 21.7%

West Melbourne Schools

39
schools nearby
21
government
1067
avg ICSEA score
10,720
total students
Galilee Regional Catholic Primary School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 369 students
1154
ICSEA
Kensington Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 427 students
1153
ICSEA
Holy Rosary School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 242 students
1149
ICSEA
South Melbourne Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 502 students
1144
ICSEA
Flemington Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 328 students
1140
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
Docklands Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 616 students
1133
ICSEA
St Aloysius College Catholic
Secondary · 7-12 · 673 students
1127
ICSEA
University High School Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,983 students
1117
ICSEA
Port Melbourne Secondary College Government
Secondary · 7-10 · 416 students
1101
ICSEA
St Michael's Primary School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 236 students
1098
ICSEA
Port Phillip Specialist School Government
Combined · U · 99 students
1082
ICSEA
Mount Alexander 7-12 College Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 827 students
1069
ICSEA
Simonds Catholic College Catholic
Secondary · 7-12 · 359 students
1053
ICSEA

Showing 15 of 39 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 West Melbourne, with a map

West Melbourne Map

West Melbourne, Victoria Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

West Melbourne, Victoria: 37.8107°S, 144.9310°E

West Melbourne Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (39)

People in West Melbourne

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 51.0% (4,093) Female 49.0% (3,926)

Population Density

1,219
people per km²
8,025 people · 6.6 km²

Households

1.9
Avg household size
1.1
Persons per bedroom
$2,406
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
10.6%
India
6.9%
Malaysia
3.2%
England
2.4%
South Korea
2.4%
New Zealand
2.0%
Vietnam
1.8%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Mandarin
13.6%
Spanish
4.0%
Cantonese
3.4%
Hindi
2.4%
Korean
2.3%
Vietnamese
2.1%
Italian
1.1%

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

Ancestry

Chinese
21.2%
English
18.6%
Australian
14.3%
Irish
8.2%
Indian
6.6%
Scottish
5.8%
Italian
4.7%
German
2.8%
Vietnamese
2.6%
Korean
2.6%
Filipino
2.3%

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
53.0%
Catholic
13.2%
Not stated
8.8%
Hinduism
5.8%
Buddhism
5.2%
Islam
3.0%
Anglican
2.4%
Christian (other)
1.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

0.9%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
26.6% 1,977
Separated
2.5% 184
Divorced
5.4% 404
Widowed
0.9% 65
Never married
64.6% 4,803

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: no children
56.3%
Couple: children under 15
29.5%
Couple: no children under 15
6.0%
One parent: no children under 15
5.0%
One parent: children under 15
3.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
39.1%
2 persons
41.3%
3 persons
12.4%
4 persons
5.8%
5 persons
1.0%
6+ persons
0.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in West Melbourne

Housing Tenure

Of the 3,853 occupied private dwellings in West Melbourne at the 2021 Census, 65.2% were rented, 11.8% owned outright and 20.6% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.5% 57 dwellings
Owned outright
11.8% 453 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
20.6% 795 dwellings
Rented
65.2% 2,511 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.0% 40 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Semi-detached (2+ storey)
62.0%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
32.0%
Separate house
6.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
32.7%
2 bedrooms
49.8%
3 bedrooms
14.0%
4 bedrooms
2.7%
5 bedrooms
0.5%
6+ bedrooms
0.3%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
4.4%
$300-$449/mo
0.9%
$600-$799/mo
2.0%
$800-$999/mo
2.4%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
14.9%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
17.3%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
24.4%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
14.9%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
18.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
36.4%
1 vehicle
51.1%
2 vehicles
10.5%
3 vehicles
1.4%
4+ vehicles
0.5%

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

Work, income and education in West Melbourne

Employment

Employed full-time
48.7% 3,266 people
Employed part-time
24.8% 1,668 people
Unemployed
5.3% 356 people
Not in labour force
21.2% 1,423 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
45.3%
Managers
14.3%
Clerical & Administrative
10.8%
Community & Personal Service
8.9%
Technicians & Trade Workers
8.2%
Labourers
5.5%
Sales Workers
4.7%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
2.3%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
4.4%
$1-$149/wk
0.8%
$150-$299/wk
1.7%
$300-$399/wk
1.7%
$400-$499/wk
2.6%
$500-$649/wk
3.3%
$650-$799/wk
3.5%
$800-$999/wk
6.1%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
8.0%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
9.0%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.9%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.8%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
14.4%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
6.2%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
6.3%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
3.7%
$4,000+/wk
13.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
10.5%
$1-$149/wk
2.2%
$150-$299/wk
4.2%
$300-$399/wk
2.2%
$400-$499/wk
2.2%
$500-$649/wk
3.4%
$650-$799/wk
7.8%
$800-$999/wk
9.8%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.6%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
9.5%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
9.1%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
6.4%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
13.1%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
2.8%
$3,500+/wk
5.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
28.6%
Walked only
20.3%
Did not go to work
20.1%
Tram/Light Rail
10.4%
Train
9.0%
Bicycle
4.1%
Car (passenger)
3.2%
Motorbike/Scooter
1.6%
Bus
1.3%
Other
0.8%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.6%
Truck
0.2%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
89.1%
Year 11 or equivalent
5.2%
Year 10 or equivalent
4.9%
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
48.2%
Postgraduate Degree
26.7%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
11.6%
Certificate III/IV
8.2%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
4.6%
Certificate I/II
0.7%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
26.3%
Society & Culture
14.9%
Engineering
12.2%
Creative Arts
9.9%
Information Technology
9.3%
Health
8.0%
Natural & Physical Sciences
5.6%
Architecture & Building
4.7%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
4.5%
Education
3.8%
Agriculture & Environment
0.7%

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

School & University Attendance

Vocational Education
46.2%
Primary: Government
19.3%
Secondary: Government
15.9%
Pre-school
7.7%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
3.5%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
3.3%
Secondary: Catholic
2.7%
Primary: Catholic
1.5%

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
1.6%
Need for assistance not stated
7.4%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
677
Asthma
269
Diabetes
82
Arthritis
78
Heart disease
69
Cancer
55
Kidney disease
36
Lung condition
30
Stroke
23
Dementia
4

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
7.1% 481
Did not provide
92.9% 6,335

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
13.7% 937
Not a volunteer
86.3% 5,909

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.0% 3
Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 7
Previously served
0.9% 60
Never served
99.0% 6,782

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
75.6%
1 child
10.5%
2 children
10.1%
3 children
2.9%
4 children
0.8%
5+ children
0.1%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
7
1951: 1960
27
1961: 1970
57
1971: 1980
76
1981: 1990
181
1991: 2000
292
2001: 2010
696
2011: 2015
878
2016
358
2017
362
2018
426
2019
558
2020
253
2021
46

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

Population Mobility

44.3%
moved in the last year
79.8%
moved in the last 5 years
6.3%
unemployment rate (Census)
75.5%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
4,123
Moved from VIC
2,364
Moved: same area (SA2)
427
Moved from overseas
179
Moved from NSW
99
Moved from QLD
76
Moved from WA
40
Moved from ACT
26
Moved from TAS
22
Moved from SA
18
Moved from NT
3

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
26.1%
5: 14 hours
31.8%
15: 29 hours
8.5%
30+ hours
4.1%
Did not do domestic work
29.5%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
92.1%
Step family: no other children
5.8%
Blended family: no other children
2.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

West Melbourne Crime Statistics

1,698 reported offences in 2025-25, by category.

Theft
703
Assault
247
Break & Enter
178
Property Damage
150
Justice Procedures
141
Drug Offences
103
Fraud
69
Public Order
51
Weapons
33
Robbery
16
Traffic
4
Other
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

Marong
Income: $900/wk Rent: $350/wk $38/wk less rent
Manor Lakes
Income: $948/wk Rent: $360/wk $28/wk less rent
Rockbank
Income: $896/wk Rent: $360/wk $28/wk less rent
Shepparton North
Income: $957/wk Rent: $360/wk $28/wk less rent
North Melbourne
Income: $943/wk Rent: $381/wk $7/wk less rent
Caulfield East
Income: $868/wk Rent: $320/wk $68/wk less rent
Huntly
Income: $880/wk Rent: $360/wk $28/wk less rent
Lucas
Income: $923/wk Rent: $380/wk $8/wk less rent

Suburbs near West Melbourne

The closest suburb to West Melbourne is Docklands, 1.0 km away.

Docklands
1.0 km away · income $1,182/wk · rent $411/wk
Kensington (Vic.)
1.8 km away · income $1,246/wk · rent $416/wk
North Melbourne
2.1 km away · income $943/wk · rent $381/wk
Flemington
2.7 km away · income $890/wk · rent $300/wk
Port Melbourne
2.8 km away · income $1,366/wk · rent $540/wk
Southbank
3.0 km away · income $1,171/wk · rent $411/wk

Compare West Melbourne

Frequently Asked Questions About West Melbourne

What is the population of West Melbourne VIC?

The population of West Melbourne VIC is 8,025 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 1,219 people per km². West Melbourne is ranked #882 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in West Melbourne?

The median personal income in West Melbourne VIC is $1,058 per week, or $55,016 per year. The median household income is $1,788 per week. Family income is $2,406 per week. West Melbourne is ranked #883 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in West Melbourne?

Median rent in West Melbourne VIC is $388 per week ($1,681 per month). Rent represents 21.7% of household income, which is considered affordable. West Melbourne ranks #2,364 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in West Melbourne?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in West Melbourne VIC is $2,106. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in West Melbourne?

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

Is West Melbourne a good suburb to live in?

West Melbourne is a suburb in Victoria with a population of 8,025. The median income is $1,058/wk, which is above the typical VIC suburb ($767/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (21.7% 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: 22757. All dollar figures in AUD.