Median house price
$968k
+4.8% change
VIC · Banyule Council
Watsonia North, 3087
Est. population · Jun 2025
3,926
Growth (1 yr)
+0.2%
Growth (5 yr)
+0.3%
Median age
41
Median income
$2,069/wk
Employment rate
61.6%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$968,000
Languages at home
20.8%non-English
Most common: Italian, Mandarin, Greek
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Education hub
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Watsonia North is a practical mid-sized suburb in Banyule Council, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with family life visible on every street. Families have many nearby school and early-learning options to choose from.
Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Buses make it easy to move between neighbouring suburbs without relying on the car. Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs.
Reported crime has been rising recently. Occasional new builds add variety while most of the suburb keeps its established look.
The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer growth momentum compared with similar metro suburbs, though community and employment remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Watsonia North snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$565/wk
Population (ERP)
3,926
+0.2% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
3.9%
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
#133
among Metro Melbourne · Established
Safety
41st
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
47th
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
9/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
71st
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
- 50.5/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 36% of Victoria's suburbs
- National rank
- 2101st in Australia
- State rank
- 455th in VIC
- Peer rank
- #133 among Metro Melbourne · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #291 among Metro Melbourne suburbs
- Data confidence
- 96%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (Sep 2025 (council median))
- $565
- Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
- $968,000
- Median price change
- +4.8%
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
- DFFH rent report and Valuer-General property sales report — Department of Families, Fairness and Housing / Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · 4th Quarter 2025; Sep 2025 (council median) · Updated · Quarterly releases; council median rent fallback where suburb rent unavailable
Population
Estimated resident population
3,926(June 2025)
+0.2% annual · +0.3% over 5 years · 47th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.2%
- 5-year growth
- +0.3%
- Change in 1 year
- +8
- Change in 5 years
- +10
- Growth rank in VIC
- 47th 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 (~3,950), extrapolated at +0.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 3,799
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $2,069
- Dwelling vacancy
- 3.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 55 of 1,420
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,050
- Employment rate
- 61.6%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,344 / 23 / 0
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 increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (2026)
- 170
- Against the person
- 22
- Against property
- 98
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 43.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 173 residents
- State safety percentile
- 40.8th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +75.3%
Most common offence types
- B21 Criminal Damage9
- B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary17
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle32
- B45 Receiving Or Handling Stolen Goods10
- E21 Breach Family Violence Order32
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
- 8
- Median school ICSEA (8 schools)
- 1,056.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 71th
School list
- Watsonia North Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1080 · 79th percentile · LBOTE 28% · 541 students · Top SEA quarter 34% · 0.6 km awayView on My School →
- Loyola CollegeSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 1055 · 70th percentile · LBOTE 13% · 1,443 students · Top SEA quarter 21% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
- St Mary's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1109 · 86th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 524 students · Top SEA quarter 39% · 1.0 km awayView on My School →
- Concord SchoolSpecial · Government · ICSEA 1007 · 50th percentile · LBOTE 35% · 424 students · Top SEA quarter 18% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
- Watsonia Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1027 · 59th percentile · LBOTE 25% · 63 students · Top SEA quarter 21% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
- Greensborough Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1058 · 71th percentile · LBOTE 37% · 159 students · Top SEA quarter 26% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
- Greensborough Secondary CollegeSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1020 · 56th percentile · LBOTE 17% · 591 students · Top SEA quarter 14% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
- Parade CollegeSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 1077 · 78th percentile · LBOTE 17% · 1,968 students · Top SEA quarter 28% · 1.7 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
2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- childcarechildcare
- kindergartenkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
22 public transport stops in this suburb
- Balfour Cl/Gillingham St
- Bawden Cl/Sellars St
- Gerrard St/Gillingham St
- Grimshaw St/Frye St
- Meakin St/Sellars St
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
39 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
4 playgrounds
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 8 parks mapped in suburb, 4 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 22 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 30/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 2.11
Shopping(1)
- Cameron Parade MilkbarConvenience store
162 Cameron Parade, Watsonia North
Community(5)
- Childcare
- DemolishedCommunity centre
12 Anderson Parade
- Macorna Street Community HallCommunity centre
- Kindergarten
- Watsonia North Primary SchoolSchool
16 Sharpes Road
Health & services(1)
- Watsonia PodiatryMedical clinic
7 Macorna Street
Sport & outdoors(14)
- Binnak ParkPark
- Brandon Crescent ReservePark
- Edmund Rice-Gundry Walkway ReservePark
- Hakea Street ReservePark
- Kalista ParkPark
- Lawson Street ReservePark
- Maroondah Aqueduct Linear ReservePark
- Selwood Court ReservePark
- Binnak Park PlaygroundPlayground
- Playground (3)
- Cricket/FootballSports field
- OvalSports field
Entertainment(1)
- Steve Brittain Performing Arts and Physical EducationTheatre
Transport(3)
3 bus stops
Other(12)
- Apartment
2
- Bbq
- Bbq
Watsonia North
- Wash 'N' VacCar wash
- Drinking water
- Binnak Park Car Park - NorthernParking
- Binnak Park Car Park - SouthernParking
- Parking (3)
- Binnak Park ToiletsPublic toilets
- City of BanyulePublic toilets
- Recycling
- Telstra Phone BoothTelephone
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
8 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Binnak ParkPark
- Brandon Crescent ReservePark
- Edmund Rice-Gundry Walkway ReservePark
- Hakea Street ReservePark
- Kalista ParkPark
- Lawson Street ReservePark
- Maroondah Aqueduct Linear ReservePark
- Selwood Court ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 8
- 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
- Nearest hospital
- Northpark Private Hospital (2.1 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
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)
- 147
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 37.4
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
- 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).
16 planning-related records
2021· 6 proposals
August 2021
- Other Vegetation Removal For the removal of one (1) Eucalyptus saligna, (Sydney Blue Gum) in the rear setback as per the endorsed plan.44 HAKEA STREET WATSONIA NORTH 3087Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Other Vegetation Removal27 TRIST STREET WATSONIA NORTH 3087Withdrawn
- Other Vegetation Removal For the reomal of one (1) Eucalyptus spathulata (Swamp Mallet) in the front setback as per the endorsed plan.57 SELLARS STREET WATSONIA NORTH 3087Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
- Other Vegetation Removal59 SELLARS STREET WATSONIA NORTH 3087No permit required
May 2021
- Change or extension of use and Other buildings and works and Other Veg In accordance with the endorsed plans, Development and use of the land for a child care centre and alteration of access to a Road Zone 1. Section 72 Amendment - Business Identification and Internally Illuminated Signage292 GRIMSHAW STREET WATSONIA NORTH 3087Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2021
- Change or extension of use and Other buildings and works and Other Veg Change or extension of use Other buildings and works Other Vegetation Removal292 Grimshaw StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 10 proposals
December 2020
- Ext to dwelling or associated structure Development of a deck & pergola - is permit required?11 Middleton StreetNo permit required
- Greater 1 new dwelling but Less 10 Development of ten (10) dwellings and alterations to a Road Zone270 GRIMSHAW STREET WATSONIA NORTH 3087NOD issued by a delegate
- Tree pruning For the removal of one (1) Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora) in the rear setback as indicated on the endorsed plan11 Michelle AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
November 2020
- Other Vegetation Removal For the removal of one (1) Red Box (Eucalyptus polyanthemos) in the front setback and one (1) Narrow-leaved Peppermint Gum (Eucalyptus nicholii) in the rear setback as indicated on the endorsed plan4 Dallas CrescentPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Other Vegetation Removal For the removal of one (1) Ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon) in the rear setback as indicated on the endorsed plan4 Huntley StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Other Vegetation Removal For the removal of three (3) Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) in the rear setback as indicated on the endorsed plan48 Meakin StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
August 2020
- Other Vegetation Removal For the removal of one (1) Silky Oak (Grevillea robusta) in the rear setback as indicated on the endorsed plan23 Byrne CrescentPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2020
- Other Vegetation Removal Removal of Eucalyptus mannifera ssp. maculosa ( Red-spotted gum)16 Bawden ClosePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Other Vegetation Removal For the removal of one (1) Photinia robusta, one (1) Syzygium sp. one (1) Ceratonia siliqua and two (2) Ulmus sp. as indicated on the endorsed plan11 Sharpes RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Other Vegetation Removal Removal Xcupressocyparis leylandii (Leyland cypress)12 Binnak DrivePermit 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
Roadworks & transport
15 active roadworks / incidents
- M80 Ring Road Completion - Greensborough - Grimshaw Street RoadworksGrimshaw Street - Greensborough11 Sep 2026 – 14 Sep 2026
- M80 Ring Road Completion - Watsonia - Grimshaw Street RoadworksGrimshaw Street - Watsonia03 Sep 2024 – 31 Dec 2026
- M80 Ring Road Completion - Watsonia North - Greensborough Bypass RoadworksGreensborough Bypass - Watsonia North27 Aug 2026 – 28 Aug 2026
- M80 Ring Road Completion - Watsonia North - Greensborough Bypass RoadworksGreensborough Bypass - Watsonia North28 Aug 2026 – 29 Aug 2026
- NELP (North East Link Project) activities occurring between 04/05/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 11:00 PM to 8:30 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed eastbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be Nil and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.GRIMSHAW STREET, GREENSBOROUGH HIGHWAY03 May 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
- NELP (North East Link Project) activities occurring between 06/10/2025 and 31/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed northbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.GREENSBOROUGH HIGHWAY, METROPOLITAN RING ROAD05 Oct 2025 – 30 Dec 2026
- NELP (North East Link Project) activities occurring between 06/10/2025 and 31/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed northbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.METROPOLITAN RING ROAD, GREENSBOROUGH HIGHWAY05 Oct 2025 – 30 Dec 2026
- NELP (North East Link Project) activities occurring between 10/08/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Greater than 10 min.GREENSBOROUGH HIGHWAY, GRIMSHAW STREET09 Aug 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
- NELP (North East Link Project) activities occurring between 10/08/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Greater than 10 min.GRIMSHAW STREET, GREENSBOROUGH HIGHWAY09 Aug 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
- NELP (North East Link Project) activities occurring between 15/10/2025 and 31/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:30 PM to 5:30 AM, Weekends 9:00 PM to 8:30 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed westbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.GREENSBOROUGH-METROPOLITAN RING IN RAMP ON, GREENSBOROUGH HIGHWAY14 Oct 2025 – 30 Dec 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
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
- Jagajaga
- Member of Parliament
- Kate THWAITES (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 121,269
- Turnout (2025)
- 94.3%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +0.7 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 37.1%Labor 62.9%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 2.9 km away).
Coalition 34.7%Labor 65.3%
2.4 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +1.9 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Watsonia NorthLabor 63.8% · Coalition 36.2% TPP (2025)0.7 km away
- Watsonia CentralLabor 68.3% · Coalition 31.7% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- GreensboroughLabor 68.8% · Coalition 31.1% TPP (2025)1.5 km away
- WatsoniaLabor 66.1% · Coalition 33.9% TPP (2025)1.5 km away
- Bundoora CentralLabor 62.7% · Coalition 37.3% TPP (2025)2.4 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)
- 9/10
- 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
More in Banyule Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.