South Melbourne · Statistical Area 2 (SA2)
How well-off the area is, how fast its population is growing, and the businesses and new homes here.
A top score of 10 for education and job skills defines South Melbourne, where residents are among the most qualified in the country. This high level of skill contributes to an overall advantage score of 1,094, which is larger than about 85% of similar areas across Australia.
All statistical area 2 (sa2) areas, 2021. The marker is South Melbourne — higher than 86% of areas.
| South Melbourne | 9 |
|---|---|
| 3205, VIC | 10 |
SEIFA indexes ranking relative advantage and disadvantage.
While the area is very advantaged overall, there is a gap in access to money and resources, which is smaller than about 80% of other areas.
9
Higher than 86% 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.
6
Higher 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.
2
Lower than 86% 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.
1,094
Higher than 85% 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 grown by 10.8% since 2021, a figure that is much higher than most areas and a little above the Victorian growth rate of 8.0%.
13,132
Higher than 63% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Estimated resident population (ABS), 2025.
10.8%
Higher than 83% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Population growth since the 2021 Census, from ABS annual estimates.
Operating businesses and dwellings approved.
Business activity is very high here, with 4,899 businesses operating in the area, making it one of the largest hubs for business at this level.
4,899
Higher than 87% of statistical area 2 (sa2) areas.
Operating businesses (ABS Counts of Australian Businesses), June 2025.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Economy & Advantage in South Melbourne [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/206051512/south-melbourne/topic/economy-advantage
