Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
South Melbourne suburb profile
South Melbourne, VIC · Postcode 3205
This South Melbourne suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for South Melbourne, VIC (postcode 3205). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare South Melbourne with nearby suburbs.
South Melbourne at a glance
Population
11,548
Median rent
$421/wk
Household income
$2,101/wk
Median age
39
South Melbourne trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
+24.4% over 10 years
Population
11,548
was 10,920 in 2016
+628 · +5.8%
Median rent
$421/wk
was $438/wk in 2016
$17 · -3.9%
Household income
$2,101/wk
was $1,842/wk in 2016
+$259 · +14.1%
Median age
39
was 36 in 2016
+3 · +8.3%
Dig deeper: South Melbourne population growth · South Melbourne then and now
South Melbourne vs nearby & Greater Melbourne
Median Census 2021 figures for South Melbourne, nearby suburbs (8), and the Melbourne metro median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
+7.8% vs area
- South Melbourne$421/wk
- Nearby$498/wk
- Melbourne$390.5/wk
Household income
+8.5% vs area
- South Melbourne$2,101/wk
- Nearby$2,317.5/wk
- Melbourne$1,936.5/wk
Median age
0% vs area
- South Melbourne39
- Nearby40.5
- Melbourne39
Personal income
+54.9% vs area
- South Melbourne$1,307/wk
- Nearby$988/wk
- Melbourne$843.5/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in VIC. See Melbourne rankings.
Socio-economic profile
How South Melbourne compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
South Melbourne ranks among Australia's most advantaged suburbs. It shows limited economic resources and high education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 61,028.2
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 101,093.2
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 2928.3
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 101,144.6
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
South Melbourne on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for South Melbourne, VIC.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
South Melbourne people
- Population
- 11,548
- Median age
- 39
- Born overseas
- 35.3%
- Average household size
- 1.9
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
South Melbourne income
- Median household income
- $2,101/wk
- Median personal income
- $1,307/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
South Melbourne housing
- Median rent
- $421/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $2,200/mo
- Separate houses
- 3.8%
- Flats & apartments
- 47.2%
- Owned outright
- 15.3%
- Mortgaged
- 18.8%
- Rented
- 44.3%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 19.3%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
South Melbourne work
- Employment to population
- 64.8%
- Unemployment rate
- 5.2%
- Year 12 or above
- 76.9%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 3205)
Compare South Melbourne with nearby suburbs
South Melbourne in numbers
South Melbourne had 11,548 residents at the 2021 Census, making it the 178th most populous suburb or locality in VIC out of 2,835. The median age is 39, 5% below the typical VIC suburb. The average household has 1.9 people. 35.3% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 15.3% own their home outright, 18.8% are paying a mortgage, 44.3% rent. Flats and apartments make up 47.2% of dwellings, with 3.8% separate houses. Median rent was $421/wk, 20% above the typical VIC suburb.
Median household income was $2,101/wk, 18% above the typical VIC suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 5.2%. 76.9% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 6 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 5.8% (from 10,920 to 11,548). Median rent moved from $438/wk to $421/wk (-3.9%).
South Melbourne suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in South Melbourne, VIC?
- The median weekly rent in South Melbourne was $421/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in South Melbourne, VIC?
- South Melbourne had 11,548 residents at the 2021 Census, up 5.8% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in South Melbourne?
- Median household income in South Melbourne was $2,101/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in South Melbourne?
- 44.3% of occupied homes in South Melbourne were rented, 15.3% were owned outright and 18.8% were owned with a mortgage.
About this South Melbourne suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching South Melbourne. Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology · Richest suburbs in Melbourne