Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
West Footscray suburb profile
West Footscray, VIC · Postcode 3012
This West Footscray suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for West Footscray, VIC (postcode 3012). 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 West Footscray with nearby suburbs.
West Footscray at a glance
Population
11,729
Median rent
$351/wk
Household income
$1,989/wk
Median age
35
West Footscray 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
+14.7% over 10 years
Population
11,729
was 11,450 in 2016
+279 · +2.4%
Median rent
$351/wk
was $301/wk in 2016
+$50 · +16.6%
Household income
$1,989/wk
was $1,449/wk in 2016
+$540 · +37.3%
Median age
35
was 34 in 2016
+1 · +2.9%
Dig deeper: West Footscray population growth · West Footscray then and now
West Footscray vs nearby & Greater Melbourne
Median Census 2021 figures for West Footscray, nearby suburbs (8), and the Melbourne metro median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
-10.1% vs area
- West Footscray$351/wk
- Nearby$423.5/wk
- Melbourne$390.5/wk
Household income
+2.7% vs area
- West Footscray$1,989/wk
- Nearby$2,327.5/wk
- Melbourne$1,936.5/wk
Median age
-10.3% vs area
- West Footscray35
- Nearby36.5
- Melbourne39
Personal income
+18.9% vs area
- West Footscray$1,003/wk
- Nearby$1,215.5/wk
- Melbourne$843.5/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in VIC. See Melbourne rankings.
Socio-economic profile
How West Footscray compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
West Footscray ranks among Australia's most advantaged suburbs. It shows limited economic resources and high education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 61,015.9
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 91,045.9
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 2962.7
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 91,078.2
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
West Footscray on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for West Footscray, VIC.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
West Footscray people
- Population
- 11,729
- Median age
- 35
- Born overseas
- 33.5%
- Average household size
- 2.4
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
West Footscray income
- Median household income
- $1,989/wk
- Median personal income
- $1,003/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
West Footscray housing
- Median rent
- $351/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $2,129/mo
- Separate houses
- 53.2%
- Flats & apartments
- 19.4%
- Owned outright
- 19.6%
- Mortgaged
- 31.6%
- Rented
- 36.5%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 9.7%
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
West Footscray work
- Employment to population
- 65.8%
- Unemployment rate
- 5.6%
- Year 12 or above
- 71.2%
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 3012)
Compare West Footscray with nearby suburbs
West Footscray in numbers
West Footscray had 11,729 residents at the 2021 Census, making it the 176th most populous suburb or locality in VIC out of 2,835. The median age is 35, 15% below the typical VIC suburb. The average household has 2.4 people. 33.5% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 19.6% own their home outright, 31.6% are paying a mortgage, 36.5% rent. Separate houses make up 53.2% of dwellings, with 19.4% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $351/wk, close to the typical VIC suburb.
Median household income was $1,989/wk, 12% above the typical VIC suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 5.6%. 71.2% 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 2.4% (from 11,450 to 11,729). Median rent moved from $301/wk to $351/wk (+16.6%).
West Footscray suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in West Footscray, VIC?
- The median weekly rent in West Footscray was $351/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in West Footscray, VIC?
- West Footscray had 11,729 residents at the 2021 Census, up 2.4% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in West Footscray?
- Median household income in West Footscray was $1,989/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in West Footscray?
- 36.5% of occupied homes in West Footscray were rented, 19.6% were owned outright and 31.6% were owned with a mortgage.
About this West Footscray suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching West Footscray. 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