🔍

Fairfield

VIC 3078 • Greater Melbourne

6,535
Population (2021)
$102,284
Median Household Income
3.54 km²
Area
$369/wk
Median Rent
Village FeelRiversideCulturally DiverseFamily-FriendlyInner City

About Fairfield

Fairfield is a vibrant inner-city suburb located just 6 kilometres north-east of Melbourne's CBD, within the City of Darebin. Home to around 6,500 residents, this culturally diverse neighbourhood features a charming mix of Victorian-era cottages, Californian bungalows, and modern townhouses along leafy residential streets. The suburb has a progressive, arts-oriented community with a strong median income and a healthy mix of young professionals, families, and long-term residents.

Fairfield is famous for the iconic Fairfield Boathouse on the Yarra River, a popular destination for weekend kayaking and riverside dining. The Station Street village strip offers an eclectic collection of independent cafés, restaurants, grocers, and specialty shops reflecting the suburb's multicultural character. Excellent schools, parklands along the Yarra and Merri Creek, and seamless train connectivity to the CBD make Fairfield highly desirable for families and professionals seeking an inner-city lifestyle with a community village feel.

Fairfield falls under postcode 3078 and is governed by Darebin Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Northcote (Northern Metropolitan) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3078
Urban Area
Northcote
LGA / Council
Darebin
Federal Electorate
Cooper
State Electorate
Northcote (Northern Metropolitan)
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.78°, 145.01°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
3.54 km²
Elevation
35m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$2.05M
17 sales · ▲ 24.6% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$594K
23 sales · ▲ 26.2% 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)
$369
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,167
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
37 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Fairfield Station
0.2 km
3 min
Alphington Station
1 km
12 min
Dennis Station
1.2 km
15 min
Westgarth Station
1.5 km
18 min

Bus Services

  • 246 — La Trobe University via Heidelberg 20 min
  • 504 — Moonee Ponds via Northcote 25 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
6 km
By Train
18-22 min (Fairfield Station to Flinders Street)
By Bus
30-40 min
By Car (Peak)
20-30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
12-15 min

🛣️ Fairfield Station provides excellent access to the CBD via the Hurstbridge line with trains running every 10-15 minutes during peak hours.

Walkability Very Walkable

Highly walkable with Station Street shops, train station, parks, and essential services all within easy walking distance.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
615 / 100k
2yr Up 50.3% 10yr Down 27.3%
Motor vehicle theft
625.5 / 100k
2yr Up 137.0% 10yr Stable
Non-FV assault
315.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 34.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
4.9 / 100k
2yr Up 28.3% 10yr Up 53.4%
Steal from vehicle
2,084.7 / 100k
2yr Up 87.5% 10yr Up 26.0%
View all offence subgroups for Darebin →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
6,558
Census 2021
6,535
▼ 0.4% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$43,160
Personal Income 2021
$56,836
▲ 31.7% 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
$56,836 / yr
$1093/wk
Household
$102,284 / yr
$1967/wk
Family
$158,808 / yr
$3054/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,827
Born Overseas 1,477

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 212
  • 2. Greece 169
  • 3. Italy 117
  • 4. New Zealand 93
  • 5. United States 60
  • 6. India 59
  • 7. China 52
  • 8. Vietnam 48
  • 9. Malaysia 31
  • 10. Ireland 30

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,179
Australian 1,831
Irish 1,047
Scottish 762
Italian 665
Greek 527
German 250
Chinese 237
Dutch 109
Indian 93

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,041
Both parents born in Australia
2,142
Both parents born overseas
1,096
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
56.5%
Christianity
33.8%
Buddhism
1.7%
Hinduism
0.9%
Islam
0.8%
Judaism
0.3%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
342 (5.2%)
5-14 years
665 (10.2%)
15-19 years
281 (4.3%)
20-24 years
376 (5.8%)
25-34 years
1,228 (18.8%)
35-44 years
1,112 (17.0%)
45-54 years
912 (14.0%)
55-64 years
749 (11.5%)
65-74 years
494 (7.6%)
75-84 years
262 (4.0%)
85+ years
118 (1.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fairfield known for? +

Fairfield is a vibrant inner-city suburb located just 6 kilometres north-east of Melbourne's CBD, within the City of Darebin. Fairfield is famous for the iconic Fairfield Boathouse on the Yarra River, a popular destination for weekend kayaking and riverside dining.

How far is Fairfield from Melbourne CBD? +

Fairfield is approximately 6 kilometres from Melbourne CBD, with a typical drive taking around 7-11 minutes depending on traffic and route taken.

Does Fairfield have public transport? +

Fairfield 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 Fairfield? +

According to the 2021 Census, Fairfield has a population of approximately 6,535 residents, reflecting a well-established community. The suburb falls within the Darebin (City) local government area.

Is Fairfield a good place to live? +

Fairfield is a well-regarded family-friendly suburb with parks, schools, and a welcoming community atmosphere. Its residential character and local amenities make it a popular choice for families settling in the area.

What is the postcode for Fairfield? +

The postcode for Fairfield, VIC is 3078. This postcode covers Fairfield and may also serve nearby localities within the same postcode zone.

What is the average income in Fairfield? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Fairfield is about $1,093 per week (around $56,800 per year). The median household income is $1,967 per week and the median family income is $3,054 per week.

What is the median house price in Fairfield? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $2,050,000, up 24.6% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $594,000, up 26.2% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Fairfield? +

The median age in Fairfield is 37. The largest age group is 25–34 (1,228 residents, around 19%). Around 20% of residents are under 20 and about 13% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Fairfield a safe area? +

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

In Fairfield, the median weekly rent is $369, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,167 (2021 Census).