🔍

Cairnlea

VIC 3023 • Greater Melbourne

10,038
Population (2021)
$107,224
Median Household Income
4.41 km²
Area
$400/wk
Median Rent
Master-PlannedFamily-FriendlyMulticulturalWestern Suburbs

About Cairnlea

Cairnlea is a master-planned suburb in Melbourne's west, 18 kilometres from the CBD in Brimbank. The suburb features well-designed estates with good facilities, though it lacks its own train station. Proximity to Deer Park station and major roads provides connectivity.

Life here centres on families enjoying planned community living—good parks, schools, and local amenities serve the predominantly young population. The multicultural community includes significant Indian and Filipino populations. Cairnlea attracts families seeking modern western suburbs living with quality infrastructure.

Cairnlea falls under postcode 3023 and is governed by Brimbank Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the St Albans (Western Metropolitan) electorate.

📰 Featured In

🇵🇭 Top 10 Suburbs for Filipinos in Melbourne🇻🇳 Top 10 Suburbs for Vietnamese in Australia🇻🇳 Top 10 Suburbs for Vietnamese in Melbourne

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3023
Urban Area
Sunshine
LGA / Council
Brimbank
Federal Electorate
Fraser
State Electorate
St Albans (Western Metropolitan)
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.76°, 144.79°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
4.41 km²
Elevation
60m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

Median sale prices in Cairnlea for the June quarter 2025. Median sale prices published by the Valuer-General Victoria.

🏡House
$836K
24 sales · ▼ 18.6% YoY

Source: Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report. Medians are for the latest quarter; the change shown is the official 12-month movement. Suburbs with very few sales in a quarter can be volatile.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$400
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,883
Avg Household Size
3.4 people
Median Age
36 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.6%

16 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Local bus services — Melbourne CBD Varies

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
16 km
By Train
Train access via local station
By Car (Peak)
25-45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
20-35 min

🛣️ Located 16 km from Melbourne CBD

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Some errands can be done on foot near the local centre, but most residents rely on a car for daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Furlong Road Cairnlea 3023 VIC

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Brimbank Local Government Area, which contains Cairnlea. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
362.5 / 100k
2yr Up 23.0% 10yr Down 49.2%
Motor vehicle theft
492.5 / 100k
2yr Up 91.6% 10yr Up 23.9%
Non-FV assault
306.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 18.0%
Robbery (unarmed)
8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 17.2%
Steal from vehicle
1,524.3 / 100k
2yr Up 45.4% 10yr Up 13.2%
View all offence subgroups for Brimbank →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
9,657
Census 2021
10,038
▲ 3.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$28,548
Personal Income 2021
$34,216
▲ 19.9% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$34,216 / yr
$658/wk
Household
$107,224 / yr
$2062/wk
Family
$103,896 / yr
$1998/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,551
Born Overseas 5,164

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Vietnam 2,107
  • 2. Philippines 449
  • 3. India 256
  • 4. North Macedonia 174
  • 5. Bosnia & Herzegovina 142
  • 6. China 132
  • 7. Pakistan 130
  • 8. Malta 113
  • 9. New Zealand 106
  • 10. Sri Lanka 80

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Vietnamese 3,009
Chinese 1,244
Australian 929
Filipino 696
English 644
Maltese 423
Italian 341
Macedonian 324
Indian 319
Greek 208

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

844
Both parents born in Australia
8,180
Both parents born overseas
668
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
40.1%
No Religion
21.6%
Buddhism
19.5%
Islam
9.8%
Hinduism
2.2%
Sikhism
1.3%
Judaism
0.0%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
507 (5.1%)
5-14 years
1,422 (14.2%)
15-19 years
780 (7.8%)
20-24 years
764 (7.6%)
25-34 years
1,319 (13.1%)
35-44 years
1,431 (14.3%)
45-54 years
1,558 (15.5%)
55-64 years
1,222 (12.2%)
65-74 years
718 (7.2%)
75-84 years
221 (2.2%)
85+ years
92 (0.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cairnlea known for? +

Cairnlea is a well-established residential suburb in Brimbank, VIC, with a population of approximately 10,038 residents. The suburb is valued for its local schools, parks, and community facilities.

How far is Cairnlea from Melbourne CBD? +

Cairnlea is approximately 16 kilometres from Melbourne CBD, typically a 20-35 min drive outside peak hours.

Does Cairnlea have public transport? +

Cairnlea is served by local bus services connecting to the broader VIC network. Nearby train stations provide access to Melbourne CBD.

What is the population of Cairnlea? +

According to the 2021 Census, Cairnlea has a population of approximately 10,038 residents.

Is Cairnlea a good place to live? +

Cairnlea offers a practical and liveable lifestyle with local schools, parks, and shopping. With a median income around $48,542, it attracts a broad demographic mix.

What is the postcode for Cairnlea? +

The postcode for Cairnlea, VIC is 3023.

What is the average income in Cairnlea? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Cairnlea is about $658 per week (around $34,200 per year). The median household income is $2,062 per week and the median family income is $1,998 per week.

What is the median house price in Cairnlea? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $835,900, down 18.6% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Cairnlea? +

The median age in Cairnlea is 36. The largest age group is 45–54 (1,558 residents, around 16%). Around 27% of residents are under 20 and about 10% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Cairnlea a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Cairnlea is part of the Brimbank LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Cairnlea? +

In Cairnlea, the median weekly rent is $400, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,883 (2021 Census).