suburb.guide

VIC · Kingston Council

Carrum, 3197

Est. population · Jun 2025

4,401

Growth (1 yr)

+0.6%

Growth (5 yr)

+1.8%

Median age

40

Median income

$1,732/wk

Employment rate

63%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$1,020,000

Languages at home

12%non-English

Most common: Greek, Spanish, Mandarin

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

65.4/100
Good

Top 16% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 100% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Coastal
  • Excellent transport
  • High desirability
  • Green suburb
  • Education hub
What Carrum is known for: Coastal, Excellent transport, High desirability, Green suburb, Education hub

Suburb profile

Carrum is a coastal mid-sized suburb where beach life and relaxed outdoor living shape the local character. Neighbouring pockets and the city remain accessible for work, dining and weekends away from the beach. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout.

There is enough green space nearby for walks, picnics and after-school play. Most routine trips are on foot, while buses and trains cover longer journeys across the metro area. Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs.

Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.

Desirability rates good overall, led by stronger community and employment, plus growth momentum compared with similar coastal suburbs.

At a glance

Carrum snapshot

A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk

Median house price

$1.02M

+0.4% change

Median rent

$620/wk

Population (ERP)

4,401

+0.6% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

9.6%

Census unoccupied dwellings

Livability profile

Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)

How it compares

Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles

Desirability

#17

among Coastal & beach · Established

Safety

59th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

55th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

7/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

75th

percentile among schools with ICSEA

Population growth

Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years

Housing mix

Dwelling types from the 2021 Census

Risks & flags

Quick scan — open a section below for full context

Living here

Desirability

Ranks & confidence
Desirability score
65.4/100 — Good
State standing
Top 16% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
527th in Australia
State rank
197th in VIC
Peer rank
#17 among Coastal & beach · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#32 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data confidence
100%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated

Housing

All types (Sep 2025)
$620
Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$1,020,000
Median price change
+0.4%

Median weekly rent from Victorian government rent reports. Council median fallback may apply where suburb rent is unavailable.

Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)

Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum

Data sources & freshness

Population

Estimated resident population

4,401(June 2025)

+0.6% annual · +1.8% over 5 years · 55th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.6%
5-year growth
+1.8%
Change in 1 year
+24
Change in 5 years
+76
Growth rank in VIC
55th percentile

ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.

Methodology

Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.

The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~4,500), extrapolated at +0.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
4,239
Median age
40
Median household income / week
$1,732
Dwelling vacancy
9.6%
Unoccupied private dwellings
192 of 1,995
Median monthly mortgage
$2,069
Employment rate
63%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
814 / 750 / 228 (+ 8 other)

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

  • Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries

Community & culture

No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

Crime & safety

Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.

Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
280
Against the person
59
Against property
148
Rate per 1,000 residents
63.6
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 72 residents
State safety percentile
58.5th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-19.5%

Most common offence types

  • B41 Motor Vehicle Theft26
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle43
  • B49 Other Theft19
  • C32 Drug Possession32
  • Other Crimes Against The Person17

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
5
Median school ICSEA (5 schools)
1,070
Median ICSEA percentile
75th
School list
  • Carrum Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1075 · 77th percentile · LBOTE 14% · 369 students · Top SEA quarter 28% · 0.2 km awayView on My School →
  • Patterson River Secondary CollegeSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1015 · 54th percentile · LBOTE 13% · 1,268 students · Top SEA quarter 12% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
  • Bonbeach Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1077 · 78th percentile · LBOTE 16% · 367 students · Top SEA quarter 28% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
  • Seaford North Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1070 · 75th percentile · LBOTE 7% · 444 students · Top SEA quarter 26% · 1.6 km awayView on My School →
  • Patterson Lakes Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1061 · 72th percentile · LBOTE 20% · 521 students · Top SEA quarter 22% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • Carrum Family and Children's CentreGraham Roadchildcare
  • Patterson Lakes World of LearningMcLeod Roadkindergarten

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated

Public transport

39 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Bike & Ride
  • Carrum Rail Replacement Bus Stop
  • Carrum Railway Station
  • Carrum Station
  • Carrum Station

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

181 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

2 restaurants · 1 cafes · 2 bars · 2 supermarkets · 2 pharmacies · 5 fast food · 2 playgrounds · 1 dog parks

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Highly walkable for everyday errands
  • Decent local green space — 7 parks in suburb, 2 playgrounds nearby
  • Well connected by public transport — 39 public transport stops
  • Strong local sport and recreation — 8 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
Walkability proxy
90/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0.24
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
2.36
Parks per 1,000 residents
1.65
Food & drink(10)
  • Beach Bar @ CarrumBar

    611-615 Nepean Highway

  • Wishing Well TavernBar

    502 Station Street, Carrum

  • Freddies KitchenCafe

    504 Station Street, Carrum

  • BurgledFast food

    501A Station Street, Carrum

  • Carrum Fish & ChipsFast food

    512 Station Street, Carrum

  • Carrum Station Charcoal ChickenFast food

    1A McLeod Road, Carrum

  • Mr Sandwich On The GoFast food

    630 Nepean Highway

  • Wrapp'd 619Fast food

    619 Nepean Highway

  • Ajsai CarrumRestaurant

    627 Nepean Highway

  • Mr Smoke StackRestaurant

    632-633 Nepean Highway

Shopping(4)
  • ALDISupermarket

    516-520 Station Street

  • Goodfellows Carrum Village FoodstoreSupermarket

    510 Station Street, Carrum

Community(3)
  • Carrum Family and Children's CentreChildcare

    24A Graham Road, Carrum

  • Patterson Lakes World of LearningKindergarten

    106 McLeod Road

  • Carrum Primary SchoolSchool

    2-6 Church Road

Health & services(5)
  • LiveWell DentalDentist

    625 Nepean Highway

  • Atticus HealthMedical clinic

    505A Station Street, Carrum

  • Carrum ClinicMedical clinic

    509 Station Street, Carrum

  • Carrum PharmacyPharmacy

    513 Station Street, Carrum

  • Carruthers PharmacyPharmacy

    Unit 1 620-621 Nepean Highway, Carrum

Sport & outdoors(16)
  • Kingston City CouncilDog park
  • 3 Steps GymGym

    506 Station Street, Carrum

  • Carrum Foreshore ParkPark
  • Park (3)
  • Roy Dore ReservePark
  • The Beauty SpotPark

    607A Nepean Highway

  • Yarning CirclePark
  • Picnic area
  • Carrum Foreshore playgroundPlayground
  • Kingston City CouncilPlayground
  • East OvalSports field
  • Rebound WallSports field
  • Sports field
  • West OvalSports field
Transport(20)

17 bus stops · 3 train stations

Other(44)
  • Johnny's Grog ShopAlcohol

    511 Station Street, Carrum

  • Bbq (5)
  • Bamboo Day SpaBeauty salon

    502a Station Street, Carrum

  • Bench (37)
  • Bicycle Parking (2)
  • Bicycle Repair Station
  • Launching WayBoat

    Launching Way, Carrum

  • Boat Storage
  • Carrum Op ShopCharity

    10 McLeod Road, Carrum

  • VF7 Carrum Coast GuardCoast Guard

    Launching Way, Carrum

  • Carrum Community Guide Hall;Rene Anderson KindergartenCommunity Hall;Kindergarten
  • Create Boutique & Art StudioCraft

    634 Nepean Highway

  • The Deli StallDeli

    503 Station Street, Carrum

  • Kingston City CouncilDressing Room
  • Drinking water (2)
  • Fire station

    37 McLeod Road, Carrum

  • Fire Station No. 90Fire station

    37 McLeod Road, Carrum

  • Patterson River Fire BrigadeFire station

    37 McLeod Road, Carrum

  • Fitness Station
  • Hair @ GabbisHairdresser

    502a Station Street, Carrum

  • Hair KingdomHairdresser

    508 Station Street, Carrum

  • Yo-Gainz Protein YoghurtIce Cream

    631 Nepean Highway

  • Laundry
  • Wild JasmineMassage
  • AldiParking
  • Kingston City CouncilParking
  • Metro Trains MelbourneParking
  • Parking (15)
  • Parking Entrance (4)
  • Parking Space (6)
  • Picnic Table (11)
  • Carrum Authorised NewsagencyPost office

    514 Station Street, Carrum

  • Kingston City CouncilPublic toilets
  • Public toilets
  • Kingston City CouncilShelter
  • Shelter (2)
  • Shower (3)
  • Boat Launch Ramp No.1Slipway
  • Boat Launch Ramp No.2Slipway
  • Boat Launch Ramp No.3Slipway
  • Boat Launch Ramp No.4Slipway
  • Kingston City CouncilWaste Basket
  • Waste Basket (5)
  • Yes

    668A Nepean Highway

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)

Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated

Parks & reserves

4 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Carrum Foreshore ParkPark
  • Roy Dore ReservePark
  • The Beauty SpotPark
  • Yarning CirclePark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
10
Parks (OSM)
7

OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.

Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)

Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
6
Nearest hospital
Adult Prevention and Recovery Care (APARC) (7.4 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
Not in suburb
  • 3 Steps GymStation StreetExcercise_Physiologist
  • Atticus HealthStation StreetDoctor
  • Carrum ClinicStation StreetDoctor
  • Carrum PharmacyStation StreetPharmacy
  • Carruthers PharmacyNepean HighwayPharmacy
  • LiveWell DentalNepean HighwayDentist

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
109
Participants per 1,000 residents
24.8

Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.

For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.

Data sources & freshness

Weather

Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.

Summer (Dec–Feb)

Usual max / min
24° / 13°
Rainfall
155 mm · ~19 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
20° / 11°
Rainfall
186 mm · ~23 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
14° / 6°
Rainfall
203 mm · ~25 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
18° / 9°
Rainfall
207 mm · ~26 rainy days

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)

Temperature and humidity comfort

Data sources & freshness

  • Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated

Future & Planning

Planning & development

Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).

90 planning-related records

2021· 40 proposals

  • September 2021

  • The development of this site for four (4) dwellings, in accordance with plans to be submitted pursuant to Condition 1 hereof:
    UNIT 1 10 JOHNSON AVENUE CARRUM 3197Permit issued by the RA
  • The development of three (3) dwellings
    42 MCLEOD ROAD CARRUM 3197NOD issued by a delegate
  • To develop and use this site for a dual occupancy, in accordance with plans to be submitted pursuant to Condition 1 hereof.
    51A KALIMNA STREET CARRUM 3197Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2021

  • The construction of two (2) double storey dwellings
    37 WHATLEY STREET CARRUM 3197NOD issued by a delegate
  • Replacement of front fence
    1 43 VALETTA STREET CARRUM 3197Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • The development of this site for two (2) dwellings, in accordance with plans submitted pursuant to condition 1 hereof
    16B GRAHAM ROAD CARRUM 3197NOD issued by a delegate
  • Subdivide the Land into Three (3) Lots
    47 CHURCH ROAD CARRUM 3197Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop the land for the construction of four (4) dwellings
    552 STATION STREET CARRUM 3197NOD issued by a delegate
  • The removal of native vegetation pursuant to Clause 52.17
    CARRUM SURF LIFE SAVING CLUB, 15 OLD POST OFFICE LANE CARRUM 3197Permit issued by the RA
  • Develop the land for the construction of one (1) dwelling on land in a Special Building Overlay
    8 MELALEUCA DRIVE CARRUM 3197Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • The construction of three (3) double storey dwellings
    4 KALIMNA STREET CARRUM 3197Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Subdivide the Land into Seven (7) Lots
    531 STATION STREET CARRUM 3197Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Subdivide the land into four (4) lots
    9 Smith StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use the land for the sale and consumption of liquor (restaurant and café licence) in accordance with the endorsed plans
    640 NEPEAN HIGHWAY CARRUM 3197NOD issued by a delegate

  • June 2021

  • ALTERATIONS & ADDITIONS
    1 9 KALIMNA STREET CARRUM 3197Withdrawn
  • Construct a shed on land within a Special Building Overlay
    47 Kalimna StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop the land for the construction of two (2) double storey dwellings
    2 ANITA COURT CARRUM 3197NOD issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and works to an existing dwelling including the construction of a lift shaft
    669-670 NEPEAN HIGHWAY CARRUM 3197Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop the land for the construction of alterations and additions to an existing dwelling
    21 True AvenueWithdrawn
  • The construction of seven (7) double storey dwellings
    531 Station StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • The construction of a verandah within an SBO
    12 26 VALETTA STREET CARRUM 3197Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • The development of four (4) dwellings and associated works in accordance with the endorsed plans
    14 WRIGHT STREET CARRUM 3197NOD issued by the Resp. Authority
  • Install a Vergola
    1 705 Nepean HighwayNo permit required
  • Subdivide the Land into Two (2) Lots
    11 Dahmen StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Subdivide the Land into Two (2) Lots
    66 Valetta StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • The development of two (2) dwellings
    31 MELALEUCA DRIVE CARRUM 3197Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • The development of alterations to the existing building in accordance with the endorsed plans
    506 STATION STREET CARRUM 3197NOD issued by a delegate

  • April 2021

  • Construct an extension of the existing dwelling on land within a Special Building Overlay
    28 True AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop the land for the construction of an extension to the existing dwelling on land within a Special Building Overlay
    21 True AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Subdivide the Land into Two (2) lots in the Design and Development Overlay (Schedule 1 and 7) and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay and creation of easements
    2-4 Dennett StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • To subdivide the land into two (2) lots in the Design and Development Overlay and to create a restriction.
    1 657 NEPEAN HIGHWAY CARRUM 3197Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • The removal of an easement
    1 Colenso StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Develop the land for five (5) dwellings
    15 GRAHAM ROAD CARRUM 3197Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Subdivide the Land into Four (4) Lots
    9 Smith StreetLapsed
  • Subdivide the Land into Two (2) Lots
    2-4 Dennett StreetWithdrawn
  • The development of a second dwelling (to the front of an existing), with associated alterations and additions to the existing dwelling
    663 Nepean HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of two double storey dwellings in a side by side arrangement
    44 EMMA STREET CARRUM 3197NOD issued by a delegate

  • February 2021

  • The development of two (2) dwellings
    3 WALKERS ROAD CARRUM 3197Lapsed
  • The development of two (2) dwellings on land in a Special Building Overlay
    24 Melaleuca DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • In accordance with the endorsed plans, the Development of two (2) dwellings.
    11 Tennyson StreetNOD issued by a delegate

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay mapping.

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Bushfire hazard overlays

Data sources & freshness

  • Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated

Politics & representation

Federal electorate
Dunkley
Member of Parliament
Jodie BELYEA (Australian Labor Party)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
124,350
Turnout (2025)
92.3%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+0.3 pp toward Labor

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 42.9%Labor 57.1%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 3.6 km away).

Coalition 38.8%Labor 61.2%

4.1 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +2.3 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • CarrumLabor 61.3% · Coalition 38.7% TPP (2025)0.1 km away
  • BonbeachLabor 61.1% · Coalition 38.9% TPP (2025)1.2 km away
  • Seaford NorthLabor 63.9% · Coalition 36.1% TPP (2025)1.5 km away
  • Patterson CentralLabor 50.6% · Coalition 49.4% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
  • Patterson LakesLabor 49.3% · Coalition 50.7% TPP (2025)1.8 km away

Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic

IRSAD decile (2021)
7/10
IRSD decile (2021)
6/10

ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).

What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?

IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.

IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.

A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)

Data sources & freshness

Compare with

Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.

More in Kingston Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.