🔍

Carrum

VIC 3197 • Greater Melbourne

4,239
Population (2021)
$90,064
Median Household Income
1.55 km²
Area
$406/wk
Median Rent
CoastalFamily-FriendlyBeach LifestyleGrowth SuburbBayside

About Carrum

Carrum is a charming beachside suburb located 33 kilometres south-east of Melbourne's CBD, nestled within the City of Kingston. With a population of approximately 4,240 residents, it has evolved from a traditional fishing village into a sought-after coastal residential area. The suburb sits on the shores of Port Phillip Bay and is bisected by the Patterson River, giving it a distinctive waterfront character. Carrum attracts a mix of established families, young professionals, and retirees drawn to its relaxed beach town atmosphere.

Life in Carrum centres around the beach and outdoor living, with a beautiful stretch of sand along Port Phillip Bay and the Patterson River offering boating, fishing, and kayaking opportunities. The suburb has a growing café and restaurant scene, with trendy eateries adding a contemporary vibe to the laid-back coastal feel. Carrum station, recently rebuilt as part of the level crossing removal project, provides excellent rail connectivity to Melbourne CBD. Nearby Seaford Wetlands and the Peninsula Link trail offer additional recreational options for nature lovers and cyclists.

Carrum falls under postcode 3197 and is governed by Kingston Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Carrum (South-Eastern Metropolitan) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3197
Urban Area
Chelsea
LGA / Council
Kingston
Federal Electorate
Dunkley
State Electorate
Carrum (South-Eastern Metropolitan)
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.08°, 145.13°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
1.55 km²
Elevation
8m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$1.1M
14 sales · ▼ 10.5% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$763K
14 sales · ▼ 7.6% 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)
$406
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,069
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
40 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.1%

52 state housing + 4 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Carrum
0.5 km
6 min
Seaford
2 km
24 min
Bonbeach
1.8 km
22 min
Chelsea
3.2 km
40 min

Bus Services

  • 772 — Carrum to Dandenong via Seaford and Frankston-Dandenong Rd 35 min to Dandenong
  • 901 — Frankston to Melbourne Airport (SmartBus) Connects at Frankston

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
33 km
By Train
55-65 min via Frankston Line to Flinders Street
By Bus
Not practical for CBD commute
By Car (Peak)
55-75 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
35-45 min

🛣️ Excellent direct train service on Frankston Line with services every 10-20 minutes. New elevated station completed as part of level crossing removal.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Local shops and cafes near the station are walkable. Beach and river paths offer great recreational walking. Some errands may require driving to nearby Seaford or Frankston.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
272.4 / 100k
2yr Down 20.8% 10yr Down 23.9%
Motor vehicle theft
324.8 / 100k
2yr Up 97.7% 10yr Up 38.4%
Non-FV assault
230.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 33.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
3.6 / 100k
2yr Down 26.8% 10yr Up 13.7%
Steal from vehicle
1,004.9 / 100k
2yr Up 29.3% 10yr Up 14.7%
View all offence subgroups for Kingston →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,980
Census 2021
4,239
▲ 6.5% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$39,364
Personal Income 2021
$48,100
▲ 22.2% 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
$48,100 / yr
$925/wk
Household
$90,064 / yr
$1732/wk
Family
$121,576 / yr
$2338/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,164
Born Overseas 901

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 215
  • 2. New Zealand 70
  • 3. India 40
  • 4. South Africa 32
  • 5. China 31
  • 6. Germany 30
  • 7. Greece 30
  • 8. Philippines 25
  • 9. Scotland 23
  • 10. Thailand 22

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,665
Australian 1,521
Irish 551
Scottish 442
Italian 194
German 172
Greek 126
Dutch 79
Chinese 74
Indian 61

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,194
Both parents born in Australia
1,249
Both parents born overseas
609
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
52.8%
Christianity
37.3%
Buddhism
1.5%
Hinduism
0.7%
Islam
0.5%
Judaism
0.3%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
329 (7.8%)
5-14 years
432 (10.2%)
15-19 years
184 (4.3%)
20-24 years
178 (4.2%)
25-34 years
595 (14.0%)
35-44 years
650 (15.3%)
45-54 years
585 (13.8%)
55-64 years
562 (13.3%)
65-74 years
434 (10.2%)
75-84 years
225 (5.3%)
85+ years
70 (1.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Carrum known for? +

Carrum is a charming beachside suburb located 33 kilometres south-east of Melbourne's CBD, nestled within the City of Kingston. Life in Carrum centres around the beach and outdoor living, with a beautiful stretch of sand along Port Phillip Bay and the Patterson River offering boating, fishing, and kayaking opportunities.

How far is Carrum from Melbourne CBD? +

Carrum is approximately 33 kilometres from Melbourne CBD, with a typical drive taking around 40-59 minutes depending on traffic and route taken.

Does Carrum have public transport? +

Carrum is served by PTV (Public Transport Victoria) bus services and is within reach of the Melbourne Metro rail network. Check ptv.vic.gov.au for current route and timetable information.

What is the population of Carrum? +

According to the 2021 Census, Carrum has a population of approximately 4,239 residents, a modest but established community. The suburb falls within the Kingston (City) local government area.

Is Carrum a good place to live? +

Carrum is highly appealing to those seeking a coastal lifestyle, with easy access to beaches, waterways, and outdoor recreation. It suits families, retirees, and sea-changers looking for a relaxed pace of life close to nature.

What is the postcode for Carrum? +

The postcode for Carrum, VIC is 3197. This postcode covers Carrum and may also serve nearby localities within the same postcode zone.

What is the average income in Carrum? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Carrum is about $925 per week (around $48,100 per year). The median household income is $1,732 per week and the median family income is $2,338 per week.

What is the median house price in Carrum? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $1,100,500, down 10.5% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $762,500, down 7.6% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Carrum? +

The median age in Carrum is 40. The largest age group is 35–44 (650 residents, around 15%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 17% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Carrum a safe area? +

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

In Carrum, the median weekly rent is $406, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,069 (2021 Census).