🔍

McCrae

VIC 3938 • Greater Melbourne

3,311
Population (2021)
$74,516
Median Household Income
4.29 km²
Area
$392/wk
Median Rent
CoastalHistoricFamily-FriendlyBeach LifestyleHeritage

About McCrae

McCrae is a picturesque coastal suburb on the Mornington Peninsula, located 59 kilometres south of Melbourne's CBD within the Shire of Mornington Peninsula. With a population of around 3,300 residents, it's a small but historic community named after the pioneering McCrae family who first settled the area in the 1840s. The suburb sits between Rosebud and Dromana at the foot of Arthurs Seat, offering stunning views across Port Phillip Bay to the Bellarine Peninsula.

Life in McCrae centres on its beautiful, sheltered beach—considered one of the finest along Port Phillip Bay with calm, tranquil waters ideal for families. The suburb has a thriving café culture with popular local eateries and maintains strong heritage ties through attractions like the National Trust-listed McCrae Homestead (built 1844) and the iconic McCrae Lighthouse (erected 1883). The community attracts retirees, families seeking a peaceful coastal lifestyle, and weekenders who appreciate its relaxed atmosphere and natural beauty.

McCrae falls under postcode 3938 and is governed by Mornington Peninsula Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Nepean (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3938
Urban Area
Mornington - South
LGA / Council
Mornington Peninsula
Federal Electorate
Flinders
State Electorate
Nepean (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.35°, 144.93°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
4.29 km²
Elevation
58m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$1.46M
18 sales · ▼ 3% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$965K
4 sales · ▼ 8.1% 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)
$392
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,000
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
55 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.7%

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

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Frankston
25 km
N/A

Bus Services

  • Route 788, 789 — Frankston station via Mornington Peninsula 45-60 min to Frankston

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
59 km
By Train
N/A direct; bus to Frankston then train to CBD (total 90-110 min)
By Car (Peak)
70-90 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
55-70 min

🛣️ Peninsula Link freeway provides road access. No direct rail; buses connect to Frankston station for Frankston Line services.

Walkability Car-Dependent

A holiday coastal suburb; walking to the beach is easy but most services require a car or bus to nearby Rosebud or Dromana.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    729 Pt Nepean Road McCrae 3938 VIC

🎓 Schools

No schools listed for this postcode.

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
529.6 / 100k
2yr Up 59.3% 10yr Down 17.4%
Motor vehicle theft
277.9 / 100k
2yr Up 159.9% 10yr Up 83.2%
Non-FV assault
221.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
1.7 / 100k
2yr Down 50.5% 10yr Up 181.7%
Steal from vehicle
790 / 100k
2yr Up 77.7% 10yr Up 30.9%
View all offence subgroups for Mornington Peninsula →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,823
Census 2021
3,311
▲ 17.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$32,136
Personal Income 2021
$38,324
▲ 19.3% 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
$38,324 / yr
$737/wk
Household
$74,516 / yr
$1433/wk
Family
$96,616 / yr
$1858/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,712
Born Overseas 404

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 119
  • 2. Italy 35
  • 3. New Zealand 35
  • 4. Scotland 26
  • 5. Netherlands 19
  • 6. Germany 14
  • 7. Greece 14
  • 8. Ireland 11
  • 9. United States 10
  • 10. Croatia 7

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,439
Australian 1,264
Irish 457
Scottish 454
Italian 184
German 143
Dutch 85
Greek 68
Croatian 25
Welsh 25

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,120
Both parents born in Australia
604
Both parents born overseas
396
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
49.2%
Christianity
42.5%
Buddhism
0.7%
Islam
0.4%
Judaism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
132 (4.0%)
5-14 years
269 (8.1%)
15-19 years
137 (4.1%)
20-24 years
147 (4.4%)
25-34 years
244 (7.4%)
35-44 years
296 (8.9%)
45-54 years
400 (12.1%)
55-64 years
541 (16.3%)
65-74 years
676 (20.4%)
75-84 years
378 (11.4%)
85+ years
90 (2.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is McCrae known for? +

McCrae is known for its beautiful, sheltered beach on Port Phillip Bay, the McCrae Homestead (one of Victoria's oldest buildings), and a relaxed holiday lifestyle on the Mornington Peninsula. The calm waters make it particularly family-friendly for swimming and water activities.

How far is McCrae from Melbourne? +

McCrae is approximately 59 kilometres south of Melbourne CBD, around a 55-70 minute drive via the Peninsula Link freeway.

Does McCrae have public transport? +

McCrae is served by bus routes connecting to Frankston station (approximately 25 km north), where Frankston Line train services to Melbourne CBD can be accessed. The total journey to Melbourne by public transport is approximately 90-110 minutes.

What is the population of McCrae? +

According to the 2021 Census, McCrae has a population of approximately 3,311 permanent residents, with the number of occupied dwellings increasing significantly during holiday periods.

Is McCrae a good place to live? +

McCrae is excellent for families and retirees seeking a relaxed beachside lifestyle on the Mornington Peninsula, with calm waters, the historic homestead, and easy access to the Peninsula's wineries and restaurants. It is best suited for those who can work remotely or travel to Frankston for train access.

What is the postcode for McCrae? +

The postcode for McCrae is 3938.

What is the average income in McCrae? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in McCrae is about $737 per week (around $38,300 per year). The median household income is $1,433 per week and the median family income is $1,858 per week.

What is the median house price in McCrae? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $1,455,000, down 3% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $965,000, down 8.1% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of McCrae? +

The median age in McCrae is 55. The largest age group is 65–74 (676 residents, around 20%). Around 16% of residents are under 20 and about 35% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is McCrae a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. McCrae is part of the Mornington Peninsula 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 McCrae? +

In McCrae, the median weekly rent is $392, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,000 (2021 Census).