VIC · Yarra Council
Est. population · Jun 2025
8,277
Growth (1 yr)
+1.3%
Growth (5 yr)
+5.6%
Median age
37
Median income
$1,967/wk
Employment rate
67%
University qualified
50.3%
Work from home
43.6%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$1,800,000
Languages at home
19.5%non-English
Most common: Greek, Italian, Spanish
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
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Suburb profile
Fairfield is an inner metropolitan suburb of Melbourne, in Yarra Council, with mainly mixed commercial and residential development. The Yarra River is part of the surrounding geography.
Dining and cafés are a relative strength, placing it among the highest-ranked inner metropolitan suburbs. Walkability is another area where the suburb performs particularly well. Rents are relatively affordable, with median rents 8% below the peer median. Population has been growing faster than in comparable places, with population growth 107% above the peer median. Trade-offs centre on limited school access and household incomes, with school access 36% below the peer median.
Fairfield is a better fit for people who value lower rents and dining more than school access.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.
Strengths and weaknesses
Inner metropolitan suburb · compared with inner metropolitan suburbs in Victoria (50)
Who it suits
Housing, growth and risk
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median house price
$1.8M
+20% change
Median rent
$550/wk
Population (ERP)
8,277
+1.3% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
11.4%
Census unoccupied dwellings
Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)
Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles
Desirability
#1
among Metro Melbourne · Growth area
Crime rate
53rd
percentile in state (higher = more crime)
Pop. growth
77th
percentile in VIC
Rented dwellings
42%
2021 Census tenure
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
98th
percentile among schools with ICSEA
Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years
Dwelling types from the 2021 Census
Quick scan — open a section below for full context
Data sources & freshness
Median weekly rent from Victorian government rent reports. Council median fallback may apply where suburb rent is unavailable.
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (10%) · Future Growth (6%)
Household crowding and healthy vacancy — not cheapness Modest price change as a healthy-growth band
Data sources & freshness
Estimated resident population
8,277(June 2025)
+1.3% annual · +5.6% over 5 years · 77th percentile in VIC
ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.
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 (~8,850), extrapolated at +1.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%) · Accessibility (12%) · Future Growth (6%)
Employment, household income and owned-outright tenure (2021 Census) Work-from-home and public-transport commute shares (2021 Census) Five-year population change as a healthy-growth band, not a boom bonus
Data sources & freshness
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
50.3% of adults have a university degree, compared with 29.2% across Victoria. 7.8% have a trade or vocational qualification.
Main field of the highest non-school qualification (2021 Census).
| Measure | Definition |
|---|---|
| University qualified | Bachelor degree or higher |
| Diploma qualified | Advanced Diploma / Diploma |
| Trade / vocational | Certificate III + IV |
| Year 12 | Year 12 as highest attainment |
| Below Year 12 | Year 11 / 10 / 9 or below |
People aged 15 years and over, 2021 Census. University, diploma and trade shares match ABS highest educational attainment (HEAP). Year 12 and below Year 12 are combined in the chart because the General Community Profile reports school-only attainment as a residual.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%)
University qualifications from the 2021 Census
Data sources & freshness
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
97th percentile in VIC · +26% vs Australia
97th percentile in VIC · +18% vs Australia
82nd percentile in VIC · +23% vs Australia
81st percentile in VIC · +65% vs Australia
65th percentile in VIC · +25% vs Australia
Australian Taxation Office Taxation Statistics 2023–24, individuals Table 25. Figures describe taxpayers who live in postcode 3078 — not a suburb-level official statistic. Rental investment is the share of local taxpayers reporting rental income or loss, not the share of local properties owned by investors.
Percentiles rank this postcode among unique postcodes in VIC, so suburbs that share a postcode are not counted twice. Dollar figures are compared with Australia-wide ATO medians from the same release. Median net rent is among taxpayers who reported the rent label and can be negative.
Data sources & freshness
19.5% speak a language other than English at home; 23.4% born overseas
Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
55.4%No religion
No religion is the most common response at 55.4%, while Christianity accounts for 33.8%.
| Measure | Suburb | State |
|---|---|---|
| No religion | 55.4% | 38.8% |
| Christianity | 33.8% | 40.9% |
| Other / not stated | 10.8% | 20.3% |
| Denomination | Suburb | State |
|---|---|---|
| Catholic | 18% | 20.5% |
| Eastern Orthodox | 7.5% | 3.3% |
| Anglican | 3.6% | 6.5% |
2021 Census — languages spoken at home, birthplace, Indigenous status, and religious affiliation (usual residence). Religion is optional on the Census form.
Data sources & freshness
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Crime rate, offences against the person, year-on-year trend and recorded road crash rates
Data sources & freshness
Government school intake zones that overlap this suburb boundary. Living in a catchment does not guarantee enrolment; check the education authority.
Contributes to desirability score · Education (14%)
Median school ICSEA first, then school and catchment counts
Data sources & freshness
3 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
Contributes to desirability score · Education (14%)
Childcare centres per 1,000 residents
Data sources & freshness
54 public transport stops in this suburb
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (12%)
Public transport stops per 1,000 residents and walkability
Data sources & freshness
397 mapped amenities
17 restaurants · 15 cafes · 2 pubs · 1 bars · 3 supermarkets · 4 pharmacies · 8 fast food · 5 bakeries
122 Station Street, Fairfield
88B Station Street, Fairfield
139A Station Street, Fairfield
28 Railway Place
21-23 Railway Place, Fairfield
455 Heidelberg Road
15 Railway Place, Fairfield
141A Station Street, Fairfield
88 Station Street, Fairfield
Fairfield Park Drive
108 Station Street, Fairfield
457 Heidelberg Road, Fairfield
254-256 Wingrove Street, Fairfield
109 Station Street, Fairfield
25 Railway Place, Fairfield
127 Station Street, Fairfield
89 Station Street, Fairfield
89A Station Street, Fairfield
126 Station Street, Fairfield
74 Station Street
115 Station Street, Fairfield
111 Station Street, Fairfield
134A Station Street, Fairfield
429 Heidelberg Road
106 Station Street, Fairfield
120 Station Street, Fairfield
93 Station Street, Fairfield
85 Station Street, Fairfield
83B Station Street, Fairfield
146 Station Street, Fairfield
136 Station Street, Fairfield
147 Station Street, Fairfield
Unit 2 83 Station Street, Fairfield
152 Station Street, Fairfield
128 Station Street, Fairfield
129A Station Street, Fairfield
Unit 16 122A Station Street, Fairfield
75 Station Street, Fairfield
145B Station Street, Fairfield
107 Station Street, Fairfield
Unit Shop 1 & 2 149-153 Station Street, Fairfield
429 Heidelberg Road
102 Station Street, Fairfield
98-100 Station Street, Fairfield
88C Station Street, Fairfield
143 Station Street, Fairfield
140 Station Street, Fairfield
92-96 Station Street, Fairfield
78 Station Street, Fairfield
145A Station Street, Fairfield
84 Arthur Street, Fairfield
85 Gillies Street, Fairfield
121 Station Street, Fairfield
149-153 Station Street, Fairfield
149-153 Station Street, Fairfield
124 Station Street, Fairfield
148 Station Street, Fairfield
278 Wingrove Street
270 Wingrove Street, Fairfield
201 Yarra Bend Road, Fairfield
138 Station Street, Fairfield
88E Station Street, Fairfield
130-132 Station Street, Fairfield
112-114 Station Street, Fairfield
268 Wingrove Street
Unit Shop 3 153 Station Street, Fairfield
Fairfield Park Drive
20 bus stops · 3 train stations
Unit 2 27 Railway Place, Fairfield
Unit 2 27 Railway Place, Fairfield
135 Station Street
450 Heidelberg Road
139A Station Street, Fairfield
364 Heidelberg Road
117A Station Street, Fairfield
468-484 Heidelberg Road
77 Station Street, Fairfield
155-157 Station Street, Fairfield
137 Station Street, Fairfield
119A Station Street, Fairfield
121A Station Street, Fairfield
90 Station Street, Fairfield
266 Wingrove Street, Fairfield
118 Station Street, Fairfield
290 Wingrove Street, Fairfield
101 Yarra Bend Road, Fairfield
86 Station Street, Fairfield
15A Railway Place, Fairfield
274 Wingrove Street, Fairfield
Unit Shop 2 153 Station Street, Fairfield
146A Station Street, Fairfield
80 Station Street, Fairfield
95 Station Street, Fairfield
82 Station Street, Fairfield
105 Station Street, Fairfield
97 Station Street, Fairfield
141 Station Street, Fairfield
133 Station Street, Fairfield
72A Station Street, Fairfield
81 Station Street, Fairfield
99-101 Station Street, Fairfield
Unit A 218 Station Street, Fairfield
123 Station Street, Fairfield
103 Station Street
9-11 Austin Street
125 Station Street, Fairfield
85 Gillies Street, Fairfield
86A-88A Station Street, Fairfield
Unit 3 27 Railway Place, Fairfield
110 Station Street, Fairfield
144 Station Street, Fairfield
101 Yarra Bend Road, Fairfield
134 Station Street, Fairfield
117B Station Street, Fairfield
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually. Campgrounds, beaches, wineries and local trails are included when they sit inside the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport per 1,000 residents (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
4 named sporting clubs in this suburb
Surf Life Saving
Lawn Bowls
Canoeing
Cricket
Named sporting clubs from OpenStreetMap, assigned to this suburb's boundary. Sporting facilities such as ovals, courts and recreation centres are listed under Amenities.
Data sources & freshness
3 parks and public open space in this suburb
Data sources & freshness
Green cover is the share of this suburb's boundary overlapping OpenStreetMap parks, woodland and forest polygons — not a satellite tree-canopy product. Summer maximum is the WorldClim / Open-Meteo seasonal normal already collected for Weather.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (12%)
Tree canopy first, then green-cover area and parks per 1,000
Data sources & freshness
3 places of worship within ~1.5 km
85 Gillies Street, Fairfield
86A-88A Station Street, Fairfield
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
GP clinic counts from OpenStreetMap. Bulk-billing figures only include clinics tagged in OSM (sparse and unofficial — not a Medicare list).
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (12%)
Hospitals, GPs and aged care
Data sources & freshness
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
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.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)
Temperature and humidity comfort
Data sources & freshness
Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).
62 planning-related records
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
Data sources & freshness
22 active roadworks / incidents
Data sources & freshness
4 heritage places
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (12%)
Heritage listings as established streetscape
Data sources & freshness
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay mapping. Flood cover uses inundation overlay polygons against the suburb boundary where published.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Bushfire and flood hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
Two-party preferred (2025)
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 2.0 km away).
8.1 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +2.7 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
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
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).
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 (12%)
Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD and IRSD deciles)
Data sources & freshness
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.