Suburb / Locality · Area profile
East Melbourne
2 km²
A stark contrast to the state average, East Melbourne is a highly affluent and educated urban enclave. The community is defined by a professional workforce and a very high typical income, with most residents living in apartments. It is a place of extremes, featuring a tiny population of children and a significant number of seniors. This unique mix creates a sophisticated, fast-paced atmosphere where a huge proportion of people work from home and live within easy walking distance of everything they need.
An affluent area whose schools serve an equally well-off community.
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The area is noticeably older than the state average, with a typical resident aged 42 and 22.4% of people aged 65 and over. In contrast, children under 15 make up only 6.0%, which is far below the national figure.
People born overseas make up 27.5% of the population, which is much higher than most similar areas. The most common ancestries are English, Australian, and Irish.
While 14.1% of residents use a language other than English at home, this is far below the Victorian average. Only 0.7% of people speak little or no English.
The community is far more likely to have no religion than the national average, with 52.0% of residents reporting no religious affiliation.
East Melbourne is exceptionally well-qualified, with 60.8% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, far above the national figure of 26.3%. Most residents completed Year 12, and many hold postgraduate degrees.
Incomes are among the highest in the country, with the typical personal weekly income at $1,532. Nearly 40% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, which is far above the state average.
Mental health conditions are more common here than in most areas, affecting 9.4% of residents. However, the rate of people needing help with daily activities is a little below the state and national figures.
Volunteering is well above the national average at 21.7%. Conversely, far fewer people provide unpaid childcare or housework compared to most other areas.
There are 12 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the area. The First Nations population here is far older and earns a higher personal income than those in the rest of the state.
The area is dominated by small households, with 43.2% of people living alone and only 1.8 people per home. This is well below the national average of 2.5.
Most of the housing consists of flats or apartments, and 52.8% of homes are rented, far above the state average. Typical weekly rents are among the highest at $480.
Public transport use is very high, and 19.0% of homes have no motor vehicle, far above the state average. Nearly half of the workforce (48.8%) works from home.
The population is highly mobile, with 56.9% of residents moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas also make up a much higher share than in most areas.
Employment is strong, with 69.0% of adults working or looking for work. Professionals and managers make up the bulk of the workforce, with 68.1% employed full-time.
Described as a walker's paradise, every single home is within a 15-minute walk of groceries, health services, and public transport.