Suburb / Locality · Area profile
North Melbourne
2 km²
High earnings and a large number of renters define North Melbourne, a densely packed inner-city hub. The area is exceptionally young and well-educated, with a typical resident aged just 31. Many people here work from home or live in apartments, contributing to a fast-paced, urban atmosphere. This mobility and professional profile make it one of the most dynamic and highly qualified communities in Victoria.
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The community is noticeably younger than the national figure, with few children and seniors. De facto relationships are much more common here than in most other areas.
International influences are strong, as 42.2% of residents were born overseas—a figure far above the national average. Chinese, English, and Australian are the most common ancestries.
Language diversity is very high, with 37.7% of people using a language other than English at home. This is far above the national figure, and Mandarin is the most spoken non-English language.
A majority of residents—53.8%—report having no religion, which is far above the state and national averages.
The area is highly qualified, with 52.5% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This is far above the national figure and is mirrored by a high rate of Year 12 completion.
Typical personal incomes are much higher than in most areas, with 16.9% of people earning $2,000 or more a week. Typical family weekly incomes are also a little above the national figure.
Residents are generally healthier than most people across Australia, with far fewer long-term health conditions. However, mental health conditions are a little more common here than the national average.
Unpaid care and housework are much less common here than in most areas. Interestingly, volunteering is a little more frequent than the state average.
First Nations residents in the area have a Year 12 completion rate far above the national figure. This group also has a lower unemployment rate than the national average.
Living alone is very common, with 40.1% of people in single-person households. Because of this, homes are much smaller than usual, typically holding only 2.0 people.
Renting is the dominant tenure for 63.7% of households, far above the national figure. Most people live in flats or apartments, and very few own their homes outright.
Public transport use is well above the national average, and 32.8% of homes have no car. This is consistent with the high number of people who work from home.
The population is highly mobile, with 60% of residents having moved in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas are also far more common here than across Australia.
Professional roles are common, and the number of adults working or looking for work is well above the national figure. However, the unemployment rate is also a little higher than average.
Described as a walker's paradise, every single home is within a 15-minute walk of groceries, health services, and public transport.