🔍

Forest Hill

VIC 3131 • Greater Melbourne

10,780
Population (2021)
$86,216
Median Household Income
4.07 km²
Area
$396/wk
Median Rent
Shopping HubMulticulturalEstablishedEastern Suburbs

About Forest Hill

Forest Hill is an established eastern suburb 18 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD in Whitehorse, known for the iconic Forest Hill Chase shopping centre. The Glen Waverley line passes nearby, while buses provide local connectivity. The suburb features solid 1970s-80s housing stock.

Forest Hill Chase defines the suburb—this major shopping centre serves the broader eastern region with comprehensive retail and dining. The community is multicultural with significant Chinese and Vietnamese populations. Forest Hill attracts families seeking eastern suburbs amenity with shopping convenience.

Forest Hill falls under postcode 3131 and is governed by Whitehorse Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Glen Waverley (North-Eastern Metropolitan) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3131
Urban Area
Nunawading - East
LGA / Council
Whitehorse
Federal Electorate
Deakin
State Electorate
Glen Waverley (North-Eastern Metropolitan)
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.84°, 145.17°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
4.07 km²
Elevation
122m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$1.18M
43 sales · ▼ 0.4% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$760K
17 sales · ▼ 16.7% 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)
$396
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,123
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
42 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Local bus services — Melbourne CBD 57-76 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
19 km
By Train
Train access via local station; check Transport NSW/PTV/Translink for times
By Car (Peak)
25-45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
20-35 min

🛣️ Located 19 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
    Forest Hill Shopping Centre Cnr Mahoneys Road & Canterbury Road Forest Hill 3131 VIC
  • Woolworths
    270 Canterbury Road Forest Hill 3131 VIC
  • ALDI
    3131 Canterbury Road, Forest Hill VIC 3131

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
420.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 32.3%
Motor vehicle theft
416.1 / 100k
2yr Up 171.4% 10yr Up 129.9%
Non-FV assault
165.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
2.7 / 100k
2yr Up 140.8% 10yr Up 357.2%
Steal from vehicle
1,290.4 / 100k
2yr Up 56.8% 10yr Up 101.6%
View all offence subgroups for Whitehorse →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
10,626
Census 2021
10,780
▲ 1.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$30,264
Personal Income 2021
$36,712
▲ 21.3% 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
$36,712 / yr
$706/wk
Household
$86,216 / yr
$1658/wk
Family
$110,240 / yr
$2120/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 5,868
Born Overseas 4,566

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. China 1,203
  • 2. India 357
  • 3. Malaysia 352
  • 4. Vietnam 262
  • 5. England 209
  • 6. Sri Lanka 208
  • 7. Hong Kong 201
  • 8. Greece 124
  • 9. New Zealand 111
  • 10. Italy 109

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Chinese 2,870
English 2,415
Australian 2,323
Irish 798
Scottish 747
Greek 497
Indian 464
Italian 463
German 355
Vietnamese 223

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,378
Both parents born in Australia
5,972
Both parents born overseas
1,036
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
41.5%
No Religion
39.9%
Buddhism
6.9%
Hinduism
3.2%
Islam
2.2%
Sikhism
0.6%
Judaism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
552 (5.1%)
5-14 years
1,205 (11.2%)
15-19 years
582 (5.4%)
20-24 years
615 (5.7%)
25-34 years
1,218 (11.3%)
35-44 years
1,522 (14.1%)
45-54 years
1,457 (13.5%)
55-64 years
1,267 (11.8%)
65-74 years
1,056 (9.8%)
75-84 years
849 (7.9%)
85+ years
456 (4.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Forest Hill known for? +

Forest Hill is a well-established residential suburb in Whitehorse, VIC, with a population of approximately 10,780 residents. The suburb is valued for its range of local schools, parks, and shopping facilities.

How far is Forest Hill from Melbourne CBD? +

Forest Hill is approximately 19 kilometres from Melbourne CBD. The drive typically takes 20-35 min outside peak hours.

Does Forest Hill have public transport? +

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

What is the population of Forest Hill? +

According to the 2021 Census, Forest Hill has a population of approximately 10,780 residents. It is a significant residential area in the Whitehorse district.

Is Forest Hill a good place to live? +

Forest Hill offers a practical and liveable lifestyle with access to local schools, parks, and shopping. With a median income around $46,850, 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 Forest Hill? +

The postcode for Forest Hill, VIC is 3131.

What is the average income in Forest Hill? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Forest Hill is about $706 per week (around $36,700 per year). The median household income is $1,658 per week and the median family income is $2,120 per week.

What is the median house price in Forest Hill? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $1,180,000, down 0.4% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $760,000, down 16.7% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Forest Hill? +

The median age in Forest Hill is 42. The largest age group is 35–44 (1,522 residents, around 14%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 22% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Forest Hill a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Forest Hill is part of the Whitehorse 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 Forest Hill? +

In Forest Hill, the median weekly rent is $396, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,123 (2021 Census).