Council (LGA) · Area profile
Darebin
53 km²
Much more educated and affluent than most similar areas, Darebin is a growing inner-city community. It is a diverse hub where over 31% of people were born overseas and nearly a third use a language other than English at home. This professional character is reflected in a highly qualified workforce and high typical incomes, though it also has a significant number of renters. The area is a well-connected urban space with a population of 148,570 that has grown steadily since 2011.
Darebin's schools draw a community as advantaged as its high household incomes suggest.
A fast-growing area where schools haven't kept pace per child.
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The community is slightly younger than the national figure, with a typical age of 37. There has been a notable increase in people in de facto relationships, which rose 5.3 points since 2011 to reach 15.3%.
Birthplaces are diverse, with 31.4% of residents born overseas, a figure well above the Australian average. The most common ancestries include English, Australian, Italian, Irish and Greek.
Language diversity is far above the national level, as 32.3% of people use a language other than English at home. However, this has fallen 6.4 points since 2011.
A move away from organised religion is evident, with 45.5% of residents reporting no religion. This is well above the national figure and represents a 20 point increase since 2011.
Darebin is far more qualified than the rest of the country, with 39.6% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This is a significant rise of 12 points since 2011, and 70.6% of residents have completed Year 12.
Incomes are much higher than in most similar areas, with the typical family earning $2,369 a week. This trend is highlighted by the 15% of people who earn $2,000 or more weekly, which is above the national average.
Mental health conditions are more common here than in most areas, affecting 11% of the population. This is a little above the national figure of 8.8%.
Volunteer rates are much lower than most areas at 12.6%. Similarly, far fewer people spend significant time on unpaid housework or childcare compared to the national average.
The First Nations community is noticeably older than the national average, with a typical age of 29. Educational outcomes are far above the national figure, with 54.4% completing Year 12.
Living arrangements vary, but 30.6% of people live alone, which is well above the national figure. Family sizes are typical for the state, with an average of 2.4 people per home.
The area has far fewer large homes than the state average, with only 55.8% having three or more bedrooms. Renting is much more common here than elsewhere, accounting for 38.2% of households.
Working from home is among the highest in the country at 36%. While public transport use has fallen since 2011, the area remains highly accessible with a typical 14-minute drive to the city.
The population is quite mobile, with 40.6% of people moving house in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals make up 15.1% of the community, though this has fallen since 2011.
More adults are working or looking for work here than in most similar areas. The workforce is dominated by professionals and managers, with health care and professional services as the main industries.
The area is highly advantaged, ranking in the top 10% for overall advantage and education and job skills. Population growth has remained strong, rising 8.1% since 2021.
Rainfall is well above the Victorian average at 663mm. Maximum temperatures are much lower than in most similar areas, averaging 20.4 degrees.
Theft is among the highest in the region, and burglary and motor vehicle theft rates are much higher than most areas. Conversely, sexual offences are among the lowest recorded.
Described as a walker's paradise, nearly every home is within a 15-minute walk of a park, school or grocery store. Almost all residents live within 10 minutes of public transport.