Council (LGA) · Area profile
Yarra
20 km²
A massive gap in education and income separates Yarra from the rest of the state, marking it as one of the most affluent and qualified areas in the country. It is a highly urbanised hub where the typical resident is just 34 and most of the population are young professionals. This creates a distinct community of high earners who often live in small apartments, with a very high proportion of people living alone or in de facto relationships. The area is defined by its immense professional wealth and a lifestyle centered on city living.
Yarra's schools draw a community as advantaged as its high household incomes suggest.
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Yarra is noticeably younger than the national figure, with a typical resident aged 34. It has a small population of children and seniors, while a high 22.2% of residents are in de facto relationships, a figure far above the national average.
The community is diverse, with 28.7% of people born overseas, which is about the same as the national figure. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries reported.
About one in five people use a language other than English at home, which is much higher than most similar areas. However, this is well below the Victorian average, and the proportion of people who speak little or no English fell slightly since 2016.
A striking 59.6% of residents report having no religion, a figure far above the national average. This represents a significant rise of 20 percentage points since 2011.
The area is exceptionally well-qualified, with 56.1% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, far above the national figure of 26.3%. Year 12 completion is also among the highest at this level at 81.1%.
Incomes are very high here, with the typical weekly household earning $2,270, well above the national figure of $1,746. Over a quarter of residents earn $2,000 or more a week, which is far above the national average.
While the area has a lower rate of people needing daily help than most others, it has a high rate of mental health conditions at 11.8%, which is well above the national figure.
Volunteer rates are well above the national figure at 16.5%. However, far fewer people here provide unpaid childcare or housework compared to the rest of the state.
The First Nations community in Yarra is smaller than in half of similar areas, but it is more likely to speak a traditional language and has a Year 12 completion rate far above the national figure.
Small households are the norm here, with 37% of people living alone and only 2.0 people per home. This is well below the national average of 2.5.
Renting is very common, with 53.4% of households renting, far above the national average. Apartments and townhouses dominate, as separate houses make up only 12.5% of homes.
Working from home is incredibly common at 46.9%, far above the national figure. This is reflected in the fact that 20.3% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is far above the national average.
The population is highly mobile, with 54.3% of people moving in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals also make up a significant 18.9% of the community.
The workforce is very active, with 73.8% of adults working or looking for work, far above the national average. Most residents are employed as professionals or managers in technical and professional roles.
Yarra is ranked as having the highest level of overall advantage, scoring a 10 out of 10. It has a very high concentration of businesses and an exceptionally skilled workforce.
The area sees more rain than the Victorian average and has a minimum temperature that is well above the state figure.
Crime rates are much higher than in most areas, particularly for theft, robbery, and motor vehicle theft. Theft is the most common offence, accounting for nearly 45% of cases.
This is a walker's paradise with a score of 9.4. Every single home is within a 15-minute walk of groceries, parks, and schools, and 100% are within 10 minutes of public transport.