🔍

Northcote

VIC 3070 • Greater Melbourne

25,276
Population (2021)
$118,924
Median Household Income
6.01 km²
Area
$475/wk
Median Rent
Creative HubLive MusicInner NorthArts Scene

About Northcote

Northcote is the cultural engine of Melbourne's inner north, a creative suburb of 25,300 in Darebin, just 6 kilometres from the CBD. The South Morang line serves Northcote and Croxton stations, while High Street provides one of Melbourne's most distinctive retail and entertainment strips. Victorian and Edwardian homes line leafy streets, increasingly housing young professionals alongside longtime residents.

High Street Northcote pulses with independent bars, live music venues, vintage stores, and restaurants representing Melbourne's creative culture. The Northcote Social Club is legendary, the art scene thrives, and the community maintains a distinctly left-leaning, artistic character. Northcote attracts creatives, young professionals, and families who want inner-city culture, walkable living, and genuine neighbourhood character without the sterility of newer development.

Northcote falls under postcode 3070 and is governed by Darebin Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Northcote (Northern Metropolitan) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3070
Urban Area
Northcote
LGA / Council
Darebin
Federal Electorate
Cooper
State Electorate
Northcote (Northern Metropolitan)
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.77°, 145.00°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
6.01 km²
Elevation
64m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$1.72M
56 sales · ▲ 12.7% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$600K
77 sales · ▼ 18.8% 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)
$475
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,400
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
37 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.5%

299 state housing + 59 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Local bus services — Melbourne CBD Varies

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
6 km
By Train
Train access via local station
By Car (Peak)
15-25 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
10-15 min

🛣️ Located 6 km from Melbourne CBD

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Daily errands can often be done on foot near local shopping strips, but a car is useful for larger trips

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Northcote Plaza Shopping Centre Separation Street Northcote 3070 VIC
  • ALDI
    Cnr High Street, Seperation Street, Northcote VIC 3070

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Darebin Local Government Area, which contains Northcote. 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
24,561
Census 2021
25,276
▲ 2.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$45,708
Personal Income 2021
$60,632
▲ 32.7% 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
$60,632 / yr
$1166/wk
Household
$118,924 / yr
$2287/wk
Family
$165,412 / yr
$3181/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

⚖️ Compare Northcote With

🏘️Fitzroy
View comparison →🏘️Brunswick
View comparison →🏘️Hawthorn
View comparison →

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 18,278
Born Overseas 6,167

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 961
  • 2. Greece 888
  • 3. New Zealand 569
  • 4. Italy 455
  • 5. United States 258
  • 6. China 193
  • 7. Vietnam 176
  • 8. India 169
  • 9. Malaysia 136
  • 10. Ireland 133

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 8,668
Australian 6,963
Irish 4,077
Scottish 3,159
Italian 2,342
Greek 2,234
German 1,060
Chinese 916
Dutch 524
Indian 367

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

11,414
Both parents born in Australia
8,655
Both parents born overseas
4,327
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
62.1%
Christianity
29.0%
Buddhism
1.6%
Islam
1.0%
Judaism
0.6%
Hinduism
0.6%
Sikhism
0.0%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
1,153 (4.6%)
5-14 years
2,636 (10.4%)
15-19 years
1,204 (4.8%)
20-24 years
1,319 (5.2%)
25-34 years
5,164 (20.4%)
35-44 years
4,021 (15.9%)
45-54 years
3,830 (15.2%)
55-64 years
2,629 (10.4%)
65-74 years
1,682 (6.7%)
75-84 years
1,111 (4.4%)
85+ years
528 (2.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Northcote known for? +

Northcote is a well-established residential suburb in Darebin, VIC, with a population of approximately 25,276 residents. The suburb is valued for its local schools, parks, and community facilities.

How far is Northcote from Melbourne CBD? +

Northcote is approximately 6 kilometres from Melbourne CBD, typically a 10-15 min drive outside peak hours.

Does Northcote have public transport? +

Northcote is served by local bus services connecting to the broader VIC network. Nearby train stations provide access to Melbourne CBD.

What is the population of Northcote? +

According to the 2021 Census, Northcote has a population of approximately 25,276 residents.

Is Northcote a good place to live? +

Northcote offers a practical and liveable lifestyle with local schools, parks, and shopping. With a median income around $60,816, it attracts a broad demographic mix.

What is the postcode for Northcote? +

The postcode for Northcote, VIC is 3070.

What is the average income in Northcote? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Northcote is about $1,166 per week (around $60,600 per year). The median household income is $2,287 per week and the median family income is $3,181 per week.

What is the median house price in Northcote? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $1,724,500, up 12.7% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $600,000, down 18.8% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Northcote? +

The median age in Northcote is 37. The largest age group is 25–34 (5,164 residents, around 20%). Around 20% of residents are under 20 and about 13% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Northcote a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Northcote 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 Northcote? +

In Northcote, the median weekly rent is $475, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,400 (2021 Census).