Statistical Area 2 (SA2) · Area profile
East Melbourne
3 km²
Positioned at the edge of the city centre, East Melbourne is a highly affluent and well-educated inner-city pocket. It is a community of high-earning professionals and a growing number of seniors, with a typical resident now 42 years old. The area is almost entirely made up of apartments and townhouses, creating a high-density environment where nearly half of all residents work from home. Its exceptional walkability and wealth make it one of the most advantaged areas in the state.
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The area is noticeably older than the national figure, with seniors making up 22.4% of the population. In contrast, children under 15 are far less common here than in the rest of the state, at only 6.0%.
People born overseas make up 27.5% of the population, which is about the same as the national average. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries.
English is the main language for 80.3% of residents, and the proportion of people using another language at home is well below the national figure.
A majority of residents (52.0%) report having no religion, a figure that is far above the national average and has risen 19 points since 2011.
This is a highly qualified community where 60.8% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher, far above the state average. Most residents have completed Year 12, and many hold postgraduate degrees.
Incomes are among the highest in the country, with 39.6% of households earning $3,000 or more a week. The typical personal weekly income of $1,532 is far above the national figure.
Very few people (3.8%) need help with daily activities, which is a little below the national average. Long-term health conditions are reported at about the same rate as the rest of the state.
Volunteering is much more common here than in most areas, with 21.7% of people helping out. However, unpaid childcare is far less common than the national average.
The First Nations community is small, numbering 12 people. This group is far older than the national average and earns a little more than First Nations people in other parts of the state.
Many residents live alone (43.2%), which is far above the national figure. This helps explain why the typical home is small, with only 1.8 people per household.
Apartments and townhouses dominate, as separate houses are very rare. Renting is far more common than the state average, and typical weekly rents are much higher at $480.
The area is a hub of connectivity where 48.8% of people work from home and 19.0% have no car. It has a very high density of public transport stops and a short 5-minute drive to the city.
The community is quite mobile, with 56.9% of people having moved in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas also make up a much higher share of the population than in most areas.
Employment is strong, with a much lower unemployment rate than the national average. Half of the workforce are professionals, and 69.0% of adults are working or looking for work.
The area is ranked as one of the most advantaged in the nation, scoring a perfect 10 for education and job skills.
Annual rainfall is well above the state average, and the minimum temperature is also slightly higher than usual for Victoria.
Described as a walker's paradise, 100% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries, parks, and schools. It is far more walkable than the state average.