🔍

Rowville

VIC 3178 • Greater Melbourne

33,571
Population (2021)
$114,660
Median Household Income
21.97 km²
Area
$441/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlyDandenong Ranges GatewaySuburban LivingOutdoor Lifestyle

About Rowville

Rowville is Melbourne's quintessential family suburb, a substantial community of 33,500 in the Knox municipality, located 28 kilometres southeast of the CBD. Though lacking direct rail access, strong bus connections to Dandenong and Huntingdale stations serve commuters. The suburb sits at the gateway to the Dandenong Ranges, with streets rising into the foothills and some properties offering stunning valley views.

Stud Park Shopping Centre anchors the suburb's retail, while numerous parks, playgrounds, and the Tirhatuan Wetlands provide outdoor recreation. The community is family-focused, with quality schools and extensive sporting facilities. Rowville attracts established families seeking space, newer homes, and proximity to the Dandenongs, often trading inner-suburban convenience for backyards, cul-de-sacs, and a community where children can grow up with space to play.

Rowville falls under postcode 3178 and is governed by Knox Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Rowville (South-Eastern Metropolitan) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3178
Urban Area
Wantrina - Rowville - Ferntree Gully
LGA / Council
Knox
Federal Electorate
Aston
State Electorate
Rowville (South-Eastern Metropolitan)
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.93°, 145.24°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
21.97 km²
Elevation
80m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$1.15M
93 sales · ▲ 9.1% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$698K
20 sales · ▼ 5.4% 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)
$441
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,055
Avg Household Size
2.9 people
Median Age
41 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.9%

88 state housing + 14 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Local bus services — Melbourne CBD Varies

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
28 km
By Train
Train access via local station
By Car (Peak)
45-70 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
35-55 min

🛣️ Located 28 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
    Stud Park Shopping Centre Cnr Stud Road & Fullham Road Rowville 3178 VIC
  • Woolworths
    Stud Park Shopping Centre , Stud Road Rowville 3178 VIC
  • ALDI
    1100 Wellington Road, Rowville VIC 3178

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
285.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 10.3%
Motor vehicle theft
279.8 / 100k
2yr Up 172.7% 10yr Down 13.7%
Non-FV assault
180.5 / 100k
2yr Down 10.2% 10yr Up 16.7%
Robbery (unarmed)
3.7 / 100k
2yr Up 18.3% 10yr Up 95.5%
Steal from vehicle
874.2 / 100k
2yr Up 72.9% 10yr Down 20.8%
View all offence subgroups for Knox →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
33,672
Census 2021
33,571
▼ 0.3% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$36,400
Personal Income 2021
$43,628
▲ 19.9% 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
$43,628 / yr
$839/wk
Household
$114,660 / yr
$2205/wk
Family
$125,320 / yr
$2410/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 21,120
Born Overseas 11,763

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. China 1,601
  • 2. Sri Lanka 1,180
  • 3. India 1,072
  • 4. England 902
  • 5. Malaysia 821
  • 6. New Zealand 391
  • 7. Vietnam 352
  • 8. Italy 342
  • 9. Philippines 310
  • 10. South Africa 286

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 8,708
Australian 8,486
Chinese 4,500
Irish 2,400
Italian 2,384
Scottish 2,198
Indian 1,612
Greek 1,100
German 993
Sri Lankan 907

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

12,161
Both parents born in Australia
17,008
Both parents born overseas
3,646
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
47.8%
No Religion
36.1%
Buddhism
5.0%
Hinduism
3.5%
Islam
2.4%
Sikhism
0.7%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
1,594 (4.7%)
5-14 years
4,028 (12.0%)
15-19 years
2,225 (6.6%)
20-24 years
2,349 (7.0%)
25-34 years
3,783 (11.3%)
35-44 years
4,175 (12.4%)
45-54 years
5,010 (14.9%)
55-64 years
5,126 (15.3%)
65-74 years
3,073 (9.2%)
75-84 years
1,661 (4.9%)
85+ years
554 (1.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rowville known for? +

Rowville is a well-established residential suburb in Knox, VIC, with a population of approximately 33,571 residents. The suburb is valued for its local schools, parks, and community facilities.

How far is Rowville from Melbourne CBD? +

Rowville is approximately 28 kilometres from Melbourne CBD, typically a 35-55 min drive outside peak hours.

Does Rowville have public transport? +

Rowville 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 Rowville? +

According to the 2021 Census, Rowville has a population of approximately 33,571 residents.

Is Rowville a good place to live? +

Rowville offers a practical and liveable lifestyle with local schools, parks, and shopping. With a median income around $50,497, it attracts a broad demographic mix.

What is the postcode for Rowville? +

The postcode for Rowville, VIC is 3178.

What is the average income in Rowville? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Rowville is about $839 per week (around $43,600 per year). The median household income is $2,205 per week and the median family income is $2,410 per week.

What is the median house price in Rowville? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $1,150,000, up 9.1% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $697,500, down 5.4% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Rowville? +

The median age in Rowville is 41. The largest age group is 55–64 (5,126 residents, around 15%). Around 23% of residents are under 20 and about 16% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Rowville a safe area? +

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

In Rowville, the median weekly rent is $441, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,055 (2021 Census).