South Melbourne at a glance
Median house
$1,760,000
Median unit
$587,500
Population
11.5k
Median age 39
The brief
What to know about South Melbourne.
The postcode for South Melbourne is 3205 (VIC), part of Greater Melbourne.
The median house price in South Melbourne is $1,760,000.
South Melbourne (3205) sits in the Port Phillip region of Victoria. The median house here is $1,760,000, well above the Victoria median of around $850K.
South Melbourne has roughly 11,548 residents, with a typical family-age mix. Households are renter-heavy.
Side by side
Compare South Melbourne with a nearby suburb.
Median, growth, schools, walkability, all in one view.
Day to day
What it’s like to live here.
Summer days here average around 26°C (mild), winter mornings around 7°C (cool). Annual rainfall lands at about 639mm. Data comes from the Bureau of Meteorology's Melbourne (Olympic Park) station, 64.9km away.
Schooling within or near the suburb covers 6 government primary, 4 government secondary, 1 Catholic, 6 independent.
Who lives here
Demographics.
The 2021 Census put South Melbourne's population at 11,548, with a median age of 39. That sits as a typical family-age mix. Households are renter-heavy (42% own, 55% rent), which shapes everything from school catchment stability to how often properties turn over. Lone-person households are notable here (43%), often a marker of unit-heavy stock and walkable infrastructure.
Population
11,548
Median age
39
Family households
51%
Lone person
43%
Demographics data as of May 2026· ABS 2021 Census
Houses change hands at $1,760,000 on a typical sale, well above the Victoria median. Units come in around $587,500, roughly 67% below the house median.
For buyers
A 20% deposit on the median house works out to roughly $352,000. Prices sit well above the Victoria median, so plan for a stretched deposit and shop carefully on borrowing capacity.
Market
The price of a home here.
Median house price
$1,760,000
+0.0% over the past year. Median unit price $587,500.
Sales data as of May 2026· sales-vic
Rental and ownership
Weekly rent (house)
$650/wk
Weekly rent (unit)
$421/wk
Owner occupied
42%
Renter occupied
55%
At a deeper level
$1,760,000
$587,500
11,548
Median age: 39
Rental data as of September 2025· rental-vic
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For investors
Investment overview.
Gross rental yield on houses sits at 1.92% (median rent $650/wk against a $1,760,000 price tag). Units yield 3.73% gross, often the better cash-flow play for first-time investors. With 55% of households renting, the leasing market is established and vacancy risk tends to be lower than in owner-dominated suburbs.
Gross Yield (House)
Source: Land Victoria / DTP · May 20261.92%
Based on $1,760,000 median
Gross Yield (Unit)
Source: Land Victoria / DTP · May 20263.73%
Based on $587,500 median
Annual Growth (House)
Source: Land Victoria / DTP · May 2026–
Year-on-year capital growth
Annual Growth (Unit)
Source: Land Victoria / DTP · May 2026–
Year-on-year capital growth
Owner Occupancy
Source: ABS Census 2021 · May 202642%
Higher = more owner-occupier demand
Days on Market
Source: Land Victoria / DTP · May 2026–
Lower = higher buyer demand
Gross rental yield is annual rent divided by purchase price, before expenses. It does not account for vacancy rates, management fees, maintenance, or financing costs. Use this as a starting point for further research.
Safety
Crime and safety.
2,635
total offences in 2025
Top offence categories
Crime statistics are reported at LGA level and may cover a broader area than this suburb.
Source: State Police Open Data
Crime data as of December 2025· State Police Open Data
Place
Location.
Amenities
Transport
Education
Schools in South Melbourne.
Local schools for South Melbourne
View the catchment for each school to find out more.
Government School Catchment
Victorian College Of The Arts Secondary School
MacRobertson Girls High School
South Melbourne Park Primary School
© ACARA, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Climate
Weather year-round.
Annual Rainfall
639 mm
Hottest Month (avg max)
26.0°C
Coldest Month (avg min)
6.5°C
Monthly Rainfall (mm)
Weather data from BOM station Melbourne (Olympic Park) (65 km away)
Climate data as of May 2026· Bureau of Meteorology
Frequently asked
About South Melbourne.
- What is the median house price in South Melbourne?
- The median house price in South Melbourne, VIC 3205 is $1,760,000. The median unit price is $587,500.
- What is the South Melbourne postcode?
- South Melbourne is in the 3205 postcode, in VIC, in the City of Port Phillip region.
- Where is South Melbourne?
- South Melbourne is a suburb of Melbourne, in VIC 3205. It is part of the Greater Melbourne area, in the City of Port Phillip region.
- What is the average rent in South Melbourne?
- The median weekly rent for houses is $650, for units it's $421.
- What schools are in South Melbourne?
- There are 20 schools serving South Melbourne on this page, including Youth2Industry College, Victorian College Of The Arts Secondary School, MacRobertson Girls High School.
- What suburbs are near South Melbourne?
- South Melbourne is close to South Melbourne Dc, Southbank, St Kilda Road Central, St Kilda Road Melbourne, South Wharf.
- What is the population of South Melbourne?
- The population of South Melbourne is approximately 11,548 (2021 Census). The median age is 39.
For Sale
For Rent
South Melbourne
Buying
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Side by side
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Sources cited
Median, growth and rental data from state revenue offices and ABS. Census from ABS 2021. Climate from BoM. Hazard from Geoscience Australia. School data from ACARA. Crime from state police open data. Full methodology →
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