🔍

Preston

VIC 3072 • Greater Melbourne

33,790
Population (2021)
$95,888
Median Household Income
11.47 km²
Area
$392/wk
Median Rent
GentrifyingMulticulturalHipster SceneInner North

About Preston

Preston has emerged as Melbourne's hottest gentrifying suburb, a diverse community of 34,000 in Darebin, just 9 kilometres north of the CBD. The South Morang line provides excellent city access, while High Street has transformed from tired shopping strip into a vibrant mix of multicultural restaurants, craft breweries, and boutiques. The iconic Preston Market remains the multicultural heart of the suburb.

This is where old Melbourne meets new—Greek kafenions next to natural wine bars, Vietnamese bakeries alongside third-wave coffee roasters. Preston Market offers fresh produce at prices that embarrass supermarkets, while surrounding streets serve cuisines from every corner of the globe. The suburb attracts young professionals, artists, and families who appreciate genuine diversity, value hipster credentials without the Brunswick price tag, and want walkable urban living with character.

Preston falls under postcode 3072 and is governed by Darebin Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Preston (Northern Metropolitan) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3072
Urban Area
Preston
LGA / Council
Darebin
Federal Electorate
Cooper
State Electorate
Preston (Northern Metropolitan)
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.74°, 145.01°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
11.47 km²
Elevation
79m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$1.23M
88 sales · ▼ 2.1% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$524K
140 sales · ▼ 19.4% 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
2.4 people
Median Age
37 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Local bus services — Melbourne CBD 27-36 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
9 km
By Train
Train access via local station; check Transport NSW/PTV/Translink for times
By Car (Peak)
15-25 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
10-15 min

🛣️ Located 9 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
    Murray Road Preston 3072 VIC
  • Woolworths
    334 Murray Road Preston 3072 VIC
  • ALDI
    Cnr Cramer Street, Mary Street, Preston VIC 3072

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Darebin Local Government Area, which contains Preston. 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
32,851
Census 2021
33,790
▲ 2.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$33,124
Personal Income 2021
$45,344
▲ 36.9% 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
$45,344 / yr
$872/wk
Household
$95,888 / yr
$1844/wk
Family
$121,940 / yr
$2345/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 21,544
Born Overseas 10,947

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. China 1,020
  • 2. Italy 1,014
  • 3. Greece 963
  • 4. India 828
  • 5. Vietnam 747
  • 6. England 720
  • 7. New Zealand 636
  • 8. North Macedonia 393
  • 9. Philippines 295
  • 10. Nepal 280

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 8,093
Australian 7,262
Italian 4,294
Irish 3,717
Greek 3,023
Scottish 2,746
Chinese 2,384
German 1,020
Indian 995
Vietnamese 965

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

11,920
Both parents born in Australia
15,803
Both parents born overseas
4,603
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
46.9%
Christianity
36.2%
Islam
4.8%
Buddhism
3.1%
Hinduism
2.4%
Sikhism
0.3%
Judaism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
1,789 (5.3%)
5-14 years
3,276 (9.7%)
15-19 years
1,415 (4.2%)
20-24 years
2,026 (6.0%)
25-34 years
6,682 (19.8%)
35-44 years
5,931 (17.6%)
45-54 years
4,742 (14.0%)
55-64 years
3,410 (10.1%)
65-74 years
2,294 (6.8%)
75-84 years
1,484 (4.4%)
85+ years
740 (2.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Preston known for? +

Preston is a well-established residential suburb in Darebin, VIC, with a population of approximately 33,790 residents. The suburb is valued for its range of local schools, parks, and shopping facilities.

How far is Preston from Melbourne CBD? +

Preston is approximately 9 kilometres from Melbourne CBD. The drive typically takes 10-15 min outside peak hours.

Does Preston have public transport? +

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

What is the population of Preston? +

According to the 2021 Census, Preston has a population of approximately 33,790 residents. It is a significant residential area in the Darebin district.

Is Preston a good place to live? +

Preston offers a practical and liveable lifestyle with access to local schools, parks, and shopping. With a median income around $51,239, 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 Preston? +

The postcode for Preston, VIC is 3072.

What is the average income in Preston? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Preston is about $872 per week (around $45,300 per year). The median household income is $1,844 per week and the median family income is $2,345 per week.

What is the median house price in Preston? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $1,230,000, down 2.1% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $523,800, down 19.4% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Preston? +

The median age in Preston is 37. The largest age group is 25–34 (6,682 residents, around 20%). Around 19% of residents are under 20 and about 13% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Preston a safe area? +

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

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