🔍

Carlton

VIC 3053 • Greater Melbourne

16,055
Population (2021)
$67,184
Median Household Income
1.75 km²
Area
$365/wk
Median Rent
Italian HeritageUniversity TownLygon StreetInner City

About Carlton

Carlton is Melbourne's Italian heartland and university precinct, a dense inner suburb of 16,000 just 1.5 kilometres from the CBD. Multiple tram routes serve the area, while the University of Melbourne and RMIT bring significant student populations. Lygon Street remains Melbourne's most famous dining strip, though the suburb has gentrified significantly.

Lygon Street's trattorias and cafes define Melbourne's cafe culture origins, while the Melbourne Museum and Carlton Gardens provide cultural and recreational anchors. The housing mix includes heritage terrace homes and modern apartments. Carlton attracts students, academics, professionals, and Italian-Australian families who want walkable urban living in Melbourne's most culturally significant inner suburb.

Carlton falls under postcode 3053 and is governed by Melbourne Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Melbourne (Northern Metropolitan) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3053
Urban Area
Melbourne - Central
LGA / Council
Melbourne
Federal Electorate
Melbourne
State Electorate
Melbourne (Northern Metropolitan)
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.80°, 144.97°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
1.75 km²
Elevation
54m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$1.76M
12 sales · ▲ 24% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$333K
116 sales · ▼ 19.9% 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)
$365
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,898
Avg Household Size
1.8 people
Median Age
27 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Local bus services — Melbourne CBD 6-8 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
2 km
By Train
Train access via local station; check Transport NSW/PTV/Translink for times
By Car (Peak)
15-25 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
10-15 min

🛣️ Located 2 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

  • Woolworths
    Lygon Court 368 - 380 Lygon Street Carlton 3053 VIC

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
550.4 / 100k
2yr Up 22.3% 10yr Down 10.8%
Motor vehicle theft
785.3 / 100k
2yr Up 73.2% 10yr Up 76.2%
Non-FV assault
1,345.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 14.7%
Robbery (unarmed)
26.2 / 100k
2yr Down 19.7% 10yr Stable
Steal from vehicle
2,849.7 / 100k
2yr Up 154.0% 10yr Up 99.5%
View all offence subgroups for Melbourne →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
18,535
Census 2021
16,055
▼ 13.4% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$17,472
Personal Income 2021
$34,268
▲ 96.1% 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
$34,268 / yr
$659/wk
Household
$67,184 / yr
$1292/wk
Family
$107,432 / yr
$2066/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

⚖️ Compare Carlton With

🏘️Brunswick
View comparison →🏘️Fitzroy
View comparison →

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 6,277
Born Overseas 8,807

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. China 2,243
  • 2. India 798
  • 3. Malaysia 620
  • 4. England 337
  • 5. Vietnam 319
  • 6. Indonesia 318
  • 7. New Zealand 305
  • 8. Italy 213
  • 9. Hong Kong 208
  • 10. Philippines 179

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Chinese 3,964
English 3,110
Australian 2,137
Irish 1,317
Scottish 1,041
Italian 854
Indian 795
German 423
Vietnamese 394
Filipino 242

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,467
Both parents born in Australia
10,002
Both parents born overseas
1,494
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
52.4%
Christianity
20.6%
Islam
7.1%
Buddhism
6.0%
Hinduism
4.5%
Judaism
0.5%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
310 (1.9%)
5-14 years
555 (3.5%)
15-19 years
1,017 (6.3%)
20-24 years
3,888 (24.2%)
25-34 years
5,423 (33.8%)
35-44 years
1,736 (10.8%)
45-54 years
966 (6.0%)
55-64 years
809 (5.0%)
65-74 years
680 (4.2%)
75-84 years
447 (2.8%)
85+ years
217 (1.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Carlton known for? +

Carlton is a well-established residential suburb in Melbourne, VIC, with a population of approximately 16,055 residents. The suburb is valued for its range of local schools, parks, and shopping facilities.

How far is Carlton from Melbourne CBD? +

Carlton is approximately 2 kilometres from Melbourne CBD. The drive typically takes 10-15 min outside peak hours.

Does Carlton have public transport? +

Carlton is served by local PTV services connecting to the broader network. Train access is available via nearby stations.

What is the population of Carlton? +

According to the 2021 Census, Carlton has a population of approximately 16,055 residents. It is a significant residential area in the Melbourne district.

Is Carlton a good place to live? +

Carlton offers a practical and liveable lifestyle with access to local schools, parks, and shopping. With a median income around $37,809, it attracts a broad demographic mix. Like most VIC suburbs, its appeal depends on proximity to work and preferred amenities.

What is the postcode for Carlton? +

The postcode for Carlton, VIC is 3053.

What is the average income in Carlton? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Carlton is about $659 per week (around $34,300 per year). The median household income is $1,292 per week and the median family income is $2,066 per week.

What is the median house price in Carlton? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $1,761,500, up 24% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $332,500, down 19.9% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Carlton? +

The median age in Carlton is 27. The largest age group is 25–34 (5,423 residents, around 34%). Around 12% of residents are under 20 and about 8% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Carlton a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Carlton is part of the Melbourne 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 Carlton? +

In Carlton, the median weekly rent is $365, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,898 (2021 Census).