Median house price
$890k
+0.6% change
VIC · Cardinia Council
Emerald, 3782
Est. population · Jun 2025
5,984
Growth (1 yr)
+0.7%
Growth (5 yr)
+1.1%
Median age
43
Median income
$2,119/wk
Employment rate
63.7%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$890,000
Languages at home
5.4%non-English
Most common: Spanish, Japanese, German
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Café precinct
- Education hub
Suburb profile
In Cardinia Council, Emerald is a settled mid-sized suburb with a familiar suburban feel and good links to the wider city. The city and surrounding suburbs are both within comfortable reach, which keeps daily life flexible. The area suits established families and long-term locals, with plenty of young families in the mix.
Sport and recreation are easy to access, with local venues supporting active weekends and after-work routines. Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many metro suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Getting around is straightforward, with buses and trains tying neighbouring communities together.
Property prices run toward the upper end of the local market. A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.
Against similar metro suburbs, community and employment, plus schools and education stand out and the overall desirability rating is good, with safety and growth momentum less decisive. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Emerald snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
5,984
+0.7% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
4.7%
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
#112
among Metro Melbourne · Established
Safety
35th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
60th
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
8/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
72nd
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
- 56.1/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 28% of Victoria's suburbs
- National rank
- 1431st in Australia
- State rank
- 347th in VIC
- Peer rank
- #112 among Metro Melbourne · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #245 among Metro Melbourne suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
- $890,000
- Median price change
- +0.6%
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DFFH rent report and Valuer-General property sales report — Department of Families, Fairness and Housing / Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · 4th Quarter 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases; council median rent fallback where suburb rent unavailable
Population
Estimated resident population
5,984(June 2025)
+0.7% annual · +1.1% over 5 years · 60th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.7%
- 5-year growth
- +1.1%
- Change in 1 year
- +43
- Change in 5 years
- +64
- Growth rank in VIC
- 60th 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 (~6,100), extrapolated at +0.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 5,890
- Median age
- 43
- Median household income / week
- $2,119
- Dwelling vacancy
- 4.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 100 of 2,108
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,000
- Employment rate
- 63.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,975 / 22 / 13
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)
- 228
- Against the person
- 49
- Against property
- 124
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 38.1
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 120 residents
- State safety percentile
- 34.9th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -10.6%
Most common offence types
- B322 Non-Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary14
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle27
- B43 Steal From A Retail Store21
- E21 Breach Family Violence Order21
- Other Crimes Against The Person15
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- Recorded offences by suburb/town — Crime Statistics Agency (Victoria) · 2025 · Updated
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,061
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 72th
School list
- Emerald Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1061 · 72th percentile · LBOTE 6% · 445 students · Top SEA quarter 24% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Childcare
3 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Emerald PreschoolKings Roadkindergarten
- Emerald TwinklekidsBelgrave Gembrook Roadchildcare
- kindergartenkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
26 public transport stops in this suburb
- Emerald Village/Belgrave-Gembrook Rd
- Emerald-Monbulk Rd/Belgrave-Gembrook Rd
- Lawson Rd/Belgrave-Gembrook Rd
- Macclesfield Rd/Belgrave-Gembrook Rd
- Margaret Rd/Belgrave-Gembrook Rd
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Amenities
79 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 restaurants · 2 cafes · 1 fast food · 2 playgrounds · 44 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 8 parks mapped in suburb, 2 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 26 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 47 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 38/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.34
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.68
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.36
Food & drink(4)
- Cafe
- The ChookeryCafe
- Bill's Fish & ChipsFast food
11 Kilvington Drive
- Emerald ThaiRestaurant
12 Kilvington Drive
Community(1)
- Emerald Primary SchoolSchool
4-10 Heroes Avenue
Sport & outdoors(49)
- Pepi's LandPark
- Puffing Billy ParkPark
- Playground (2)
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (44)
Entertainment(1)
- GemcoTheatre
19 Kilvington Drive
Transport(1)
1 train stations
Other(14)
- Ambulance Station
12 Memorial Avenue
- Bbq
- Bench (6)
- Confectionery
- Fitness Station
- Garden
- Parking (4)
- RestrictedParking
- Picnic Table (2)
- Public toilets
- Shelter
- Chestnut GardensSocial Facility
- BMX trackTrack
- Waste Basket
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
7 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Belgrave-Gembrook Road Linear ReservePark
- Cardinia Reservoir ParkPark
- Emerald Close ReservePark
- Emerald Lake ParkPark
- Nobelius Heritage ParkPark
- Pepi's LandPark
- Puffing Billy ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 62
- Parks (OSM)
- 8
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
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 3
- Nearest hospital
- Angliss Hospital (11.9 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Emerald Medical CentreMurphys WayDoctor
- Emerald Village PharmacyPharmacy
- Emerald Wellness PharmacyPharmacy
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 173
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 28.9
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
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
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
- 25° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 197 mm · ~25 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 20° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 228 mm · ~28 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 13° / 5°
- Rainfall
- 261 mm · ~33 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 18° / 7°
- Rainfall
- 304 mm · ~38 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).
145 planning-related records
2021· 40 proposals
September 2021
- The construction of a verandah within 100m of a Road Zone Category 1 and within 100m of dwellings not in the same ownership.6-8 PALM COURT EMERALD 3782Withdrawn
- Alterations and additions to an existing dwelling35 SUNNYSIDE TERRACE EMERALD 3782Lapsed
- Development of the land for a non-habitable outbuilding (shed)7 LEGG ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of the land for an extension to existing dwelling (carport)29 WESTLANDS ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Extension to existing dwelling (verandah)22 EMERALD-MONBULK ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of the land for a replacement outbuilding (Garage)4 EXLEY CLOSE EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
August 2021
- Development of the land for a non-habitable outbuilding (shed)19 BELLBIRD CRESCENT EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of the land for a non-habitable outbuilding (shed67 EMERALD-MONBULK ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- New dwelling8 MADELINE COURT EMERALD 3782Withdrawn
- Remove two dead Messmate Stringybark trees3 WATTLE COURT EMERALD 3782Lapsed
- Upon consultation with the shed builders we have decided to change the direction of the Gable to make it an easier build and connect to the current shed better28 WONG HEE ROAD EMERALD 3782Withdrawn
- Construction of a dwelling and associated works7A FAIRWAY ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of the land for a dwelling and native vegetation removal8 MADELINE COURT EMERALD 3782In progress
- Buildings and works associated an outbuilding20 WESTLANDS ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
- Construction of an outbuilding and associated works5 STEEL ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works associated with an outbuilding and vegetation removal9 PRINCE STREET EMERALD 3782In progress
- Development of the land for an outbuilding (garage)4 ULMER ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use and development of the land for a dwelling, non-habitable outbuilding and vegetation removal2 DOERY STREET EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2021
- Construction of an outbuilding, removal of vegetation and associated works6 DAVEY ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Proposed veranda attached to the existing dwellingU 21/11 Westlands RoadWithdrawn
- Buildings and works associated with a dwelling extension2 Ozone AvenueWithdrawn
- Development of the land for a dwelling and earthworks exceeding one (1) metre8 CORNISH ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Alterations and additions to existing dwelling and development of an outbuilding (carport)3 Cornish RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Proposed Buildings and works for an alteration/addition to existing dwelling and proposed Carport3 Cornish RoadWithdrawn
- Construct a shed37 BELLBIRD CRESCENT EMERALD 3782Withdrawn
- Two (2) lot subdivision8 BEACONSFIELD-EMERALD ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works associated with a dwelling (garage and carport)25 Edenmont RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of the land for a dwelling, associated works and an outbuilding (carport)8 PARADISE GROVE EMERALD 3782NOD issued by a delegate
- Subdivision of the land into six (6) lots (in accordance with development permit T190416)12-14 KINGS ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Multi-lot subdivision of buildings and creation of easements and creation of a reserveG SHOP 1/329-331 BELGRAVE-GEMBROOK ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Removal of vegetation (three exotic trees)11 HEROES AVENUE EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2021
- Development of the land for an outbuilding22 BELLBIRD CRESCENT EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of the land for an extension to an existing dwelling (deck)1 Chandler AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works associated with an outbuilding and associated earthworks8 TELOPEA ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Proposed Verandah.28 Charman AvenueWithdrawn
- Nookee Cafe has been operating for over 12 months. This app is in retrospect. The structure has been built under the existing roof line. Engineering report has been supplied to Council as per Councils request. The changes made to facad of the property were deemed to trigger the permit. Evie McGauley has been dealing with this matter.1 Emerald-Monbulk RoadWithdrawn
April 2021
- Use and development of the land for a dwelling, construction of an outbuilding, earthworks, vegetation removal and alteration of access to a Road in the TRZ282 BEACONSFIELD-EMERALD ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works associated with a dwelling extension4 MAJESTIC DRIVE EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of the land for a dwelling extension and outbuilding (carport)408 BELGRAVE-GEMBROOK ROAD EMERALD 3782Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works associated with a verandah26 Poplar CrescentPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- PPARS planning permit activity (statewide) — Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · 2020–2022 · Updated · MapServer through FY 2022–23; newer data needs council/API access
Heritage
1 heritage place
- FORMER NOBELIUS NURSERYNH2285
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
- Bushfire planning zone
- Overlay applies
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
- La Trobe
- Member of Parliament
- Jason WOOD (Liberal)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 115,425
- Turnout (2025)
- 93.0%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +6.4 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 52.1%Labor 47.9%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 13.4 km away).
Coalition 44.5%Labor 55.5%
7.6 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +6.3 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Emerald (La Trobe)Labor 57.5% · Coalition 42.5% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- CockatooLabor 52.2% · Coalition 47.8% TPP (2025)3.7 km away
- Beaconsfield UpperLabor 37.1% · Coalition 62.9% TPP (2025)7.6 km away
- GembrookLabor 51.4% · Coalition 48.6% TPP (2025)8.7 km away
- Pakenham UpperLabor 29.3% · Coalition 70.7% TPP (2025)10.2 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
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 8/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 9/10
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
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Cardinia Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.