Melbourne CBD - West · Statistical Area 2 (SA2)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
Among the most advantaged and fastest-growing areas of its kind, Melbourne CBD - West is a high-performing hub. It stands out for its exceptional levels of education and job skills, though it faces a stark contrast in direct access to money and resources.
All statistical area 2 (sa2) areas, 2021. The marker is Melbourne CBD - West — higher than 71% of areas.
| Melbourne CBD - West | 8 |
|---|---|
| 3000, VIC | 9 |
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
Residents here have some of the highest education and job skills levels in the country. This helps drive an overall advantage score of 1,073, which is higher than about 80% of other areas, despite very low scores for access to money and resources.
8
Higher than 71% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the 10% most advantaged. IRSAD summarises both advantage and disadvantage, so a high score reflects relatively many high-income, well-educated households and few low-income, low-skill ones.
5
Lower than 57% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% most disadvantaged areas in Australia, 10 = among the least disadvantaged. IRSD focuses on disadvantage alone (low income, low education, unemployment, unskilled occupations), so a higher decile means relatively less disadvantage.
1
Lower than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Economic Resources, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for economic resources in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IER reflects the income, housing costs, dwelling size and assets of households, so a higher decile means relatively greater economic resources.
10
Higher than 99% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Education and Occupation, 2021, as a national decile: 1 = among the 10% lowest areas for education and occupation in Australia, 10 = among the highest. IEO reflects residents' qualifications and the skill level of their jobs, so a higher decile means a more highly educated and skilled workforce.
1,073
Higher than 79% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
ABS Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage, 2021, as a raw index score (standardised so the Australian average is about 1000). Higher scores indicate relatively greater advantage; lower scores greater disadvantage.
Annual population estimates and change since the census.
The population has surged by 37.7% since 2021, a rate far above the Victorian figure of 8.0%. This rapid increase brings the total population to 22,163, making it one of the largest areas at this level.
22,163
Higher than 88% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
37.7%
Higher than 98% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
The area is a major commercial center, with 16,010 businesses, placing it among the largest hubs for business and buildings.
16,010
Higher than 91% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in Melbourne CBD - West [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/206041505/melbourne-cbd-west/topic/economy-advantage
