Statistical Area 2 (SA2) · Area profile
Clayton South
8 km²
Set within the heart of Greater Melbourne, Clayton South is a highly diverse and youthful hub that has grown by 15% since 2011. It is an area where more than six out of ten people were born overseas, creating a community with deep international roots and a wide variety of cultural backgrounds. This global character is matched by a well-educated population and a very walkable urban layout. It is a place where young adults are the largest age group, contributing to a dynamic and evolving local atmosphere.
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The community is noticeably younger than the rest of Australia, with a typical resident aged 34. Children under 15 make up 14.2% of the population, which is well below the national figure.
Born overseas, 62.8% of residents come from outside Australia, a figure far above the national average of 27.7%. The most common ancestries are Chinese, Indian, and Greek.
Reflecting its heritage, 67.1% of people use a language other than English at home, which is far above the Victorian average. About 14.2% of residents speak little or no English.
The area has a much lower proportion of people with no religion (26.2%) compared to the rest of the country. Christianity is the most common faith at 36.6%, followed by Hinduism and Buddhism.
Residents are highly qualified, with 34.3% holding a bachelor degree or higher, which is well above the national average. Year 12 completion has also risen significantly since 2011 to reach 68.5%.
Typical weekly household income is $1,630, which is about the same as the national figure. However, personal incomes are a little below the national average, with the typical person earning $685 a week.
While 6.5% of people need help with daily activities, the area has a much lower rate of long-term health conditions (21.2%) and mental health conditions (5.6%) than most other areas.
Participation in unpaid work is much lower than in other areas, with only 7.3% of people volunteering. This is also seen in the lower rates of people providing unpaid care or housework.
First Nations people make up 0.3% of the population. Among this group, 8.8% speak a First Nations language, which is well above the Victorian average.
Homes tend to be larger than usual, with 2.7 people per household. There is also a higher than average proportion of one-parent families, making up 14.6% of households.
Renters make up 39.4% of households, which is far above the state average. Detached houses are also much less common here than elsewhere, making up only 56.0% of homes.
The area is well connected with 71 public transport stops, and 5.6% of people commute using transit, which is higher than most areas. Working from home has also surged to 21.1% since 2011.
The community is very mobile, with 46.2% of people moving in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals are also much more common here than in most other areas.
The unemployment rate is 6.9%, which is a little above the national figure. Many residents work in health care and social assistance, as well as manufacturing and retail.
The area is a significant business hub with 2,052 businesses. While it ranks in the middle for overall advantage, it has seen much higher population growth than the state average since 2021.
The local climate is slightly cooler than other areas, with an average maximum temperature of 20.1 degrees. Annual rainfall is well above the Victorian average at 761mm.
The suburb is very walkable, with 99% of homes within a 15-minute walk of groceries and parks. Nearly all residents also live within a 10-minute walk of public transport.