Suburb in Melbourne

East Melbourne, VIC

East Melbourne had a population of 4,896 at the 2021 Census (−1.4% since 2016). Median age 42.4. Median weekly household income $2,345. Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. Census 2026 data arrives June 2027.

East Melbourne at a glance

What the 2021 Census says, compared with Victoria.

In Melbourne - Inner

Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, East Melbourne's population shrank by 1.4% to 4,896, slower than Victoria as a whole (+9.7%). With a median age of 42.4, it is older than the VIC average (37.9). Children under 10 make up 4.2% of residents, and people aged 70 and over 15.6%.

53.2% of households rent, a larger share than the VIC average of 28.9%. 27.2% own their home outright. Most homes are flats or apartments (73.8%). The 2021 Census counted 2,396 households.

The median household earns $2,345 a week, above the VIC average of $1,759. Renters pay a median $480 a week, and households with a mortgage repay $2,380 a month.

29.1% of residents were born overseas, fewer than the VIC average of 31.6%. 14.9% use a language other than English at home. 56.3% report no religion, higher than the VIC average (42.1%).

Key figures

2021 Census, East Melbourne beside VIC and Australia.

MeasureEast MelbourneVICAustralia
Population4,8966,503,50325,422,828
Growth since 2016−1.4%+9.7%+8.6%
Median age42.437.938.2
Households2,3962,390,1729,275,123
Flats and apartments73.8%12.1%14.3%
Renting53.2%28.9%31.1%
Owned outright27.2%32.6%31.4%
Median household income a week$2,345$1,759$1,747
Median rent a week$480$368$376
Median mortgage repayment a month$2,380$1,867$1,866
Born overseas29.1%31.6%29.3%
Other language at home14.9%29.1%23.6%
No religion56.3%42.1%41.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Population and age

Each census since 2011, and the age profile in 2021.

Population

−1.4% since 2016.

Population · each census
  1. 4,8592011
  2. 4,9642016
  3. 4,8962021

Age

Median age 42.4, against 37.9 for Victoria.

East Melbourne Victoria
Share of people by age, East Melbourne and Victoria
0–94.2%
10–193.6%
20–2917.1%
30–3921.2%
40–4911.7%
50–5912.7%
60–6913.9%
70–7911.0%
80+4.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Cultural background

The largest groups in East Melbourne at the 2021 Census.

Ancestry

Top 5 · ancestry
  1. English40.5%
  2. Australian24.8%
  3. Irish19.0%
  4. Scottish14.7%
  5. Chinese7.1%

Languages at home

Top 5 · languages at home
  1. Mandarin2.4%
  2. Italian1.5%
  3. Greek1.3%
  4. Cantonese1.2%
  5. Spanish1.0%

Country of birth

Top 5 · country of birth
  1. England4.7%
  2. New Zealand3.1%
  3. China2.1%
  4. the United States1.4%
  5. Malaysia1.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, via Censible. How the figures are built

Around East Melbourne

The places it belongs to, sits beside and contains.

Explore East Melbourne in Censible

Every census figure for East Melbourne, mapped and compared with any other place. A free account takes a minute.