🔍

Rye

VIC 3941 • Greater Melbourne

9,438
Population (2021)
$69,368
Median Household Income
17.82 km²
Area
$372/wk
Median Rent
CoastalHoliday TownFamily-FriendlyRetirementBeach Lifestyle

About Rye

Rye is a popular coastal town on the southern end of the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, approximately 90 kilometres south of Melbourne's CBD. With a relaxed seaside atmosphere, Rye sits between Port Phillip Bay to the north and the rugged ocean beaches to the south. The town has a permanent population that swells significantly during summer as holidaymakers flock to its beautiful beaches. Rye is part of the Mornington Peninsula Shire and offers a quintessential Australian coastal lifestyle.

Rye's main strip along Point Nepean Road features cafes, restaurants, fish and chip shops, and boutique stores catering to both locals and visitors. The foreshore area includes playgrounds, BBQ facilities, and a popular pier for fishing. Residents enjoy easy access to hot springs, wineries, golf courses, and national parks. The suburb attracts retirees, families, and sea-changers looking for an affordable coastal alternative to nearby Sorrento and Portsea.

Rye falls under postcode 3941 and is governed by Mornington Peninsula Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Nepean (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3941
Urban Area
Mornington - South
LGA / Council
Mornington Peninsula
Federal Electorate
Flinders
State Electorate
Nepean (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.39°, 144.81°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
17.82 km²
Elevation
31m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$960K
78 sales · ▼ 11.3% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$547K
4 sales · ▼ 26.6% 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)
$372
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,800
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
51 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.1%

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

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • 788 — Frankston via Rosebud 55 min
  • 785 — Sorrento via Blairgowrie 15 min

Commute to Melbourne

Distance
90 km
By Bus
Not direct — bus to Frankston then train (~2.5 hrs)
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 40 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 15 min

🛣️ Most residents drive or connect via Frankston station

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Main strip is walkable but a car is needed for most errands and commuting.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    Cnr Nepean Highway And Ozone Street Rye 3941 VIC

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Mornington Peninsula Local Government Area, which contains Rye. 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
8,416
Census 2021
9,438
▲ 12.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$28,860
Personal Income 2021
$36,504
▲ 26.5% 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
$36,504 / yr
$702/wk
Household
$69,368 / yr
$1334/wk
Family
$89,024 / yr
$1712/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 7,118
Born Overseas 1,430

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 369
  • 2. Italy 169
  • 3. New Zealand 125
  • 4. Greece 121
  • 5. Germany 52
  • 6. Scotland 49
  • 7. Ireland 36
  • 8. Netherlands 36
  • 9. Philippines 31
  • 10. Croatia 30

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 3,895
Australian 3,283
Irish 1,259
Scottish 1,057
Italian 592
German 324
Greek 272
Dutch 187
Australian Aboriginal 92
Chinese 88

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

5,447
Both parents born in Australia
1,930
Both parents born overseas
1,129
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
47.2%
Christianity
41.0%
Buddhism
0.6%
Hinduism
0.2%
Islam
0.2%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
398 (4.2%)
5-14 years
971 (10.3%)
15-19 years
376 (4.0%)
20-24 years
347 (3.7%)
25-34 years
857 (9.1%)
35-44 years
967 (10.2%)
45-54 years
1,290 (13.7%)
55-64 years
1,480 (15.7%)
65-74 years
1,564 (16.6%)
75-84 years
876 (9.3%)
85+ years
314 (3.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rye known for? +

Rye is known for its calm, family-friendly beach on Port Phillip Bay and a surf beach on the ocean side, making it one of the few places on the Mornington Peninsula offering both. The local shopping strip has cafes, restaurants, and surf shops, with a vibrant holiday atmosphere.

How far is Rye from Melbourne? +

Rye is approximately 85 kilometres south of Melbourne CBD, around a 1 hour 10-20 minute drive via Peninsula Link freeway.

Does Rye have public transport? +

Rye is served by bus routes connecting to Frankston station (approximately 40 km north) on the Frankston Line, for train services to Melbourne. Seasonal ferries also connect to Queenscliff from Sorrento (near Rye). A car is most practical.

What is the population of Rye? +

According to the 2021 Census, Rye has a population of approximately 9,438 permanent residents, with the number increasing dramatically during summer and school holidays.

Is Rye a good place to live? +

Rye is an excellent choice for families and retirees seeking a relaxed Mornington Peninsula lifestyle with both bay and ocean beach access, local shops, and access to the Peninsula's food and wine scene. It suits those who can work remotely or locally in tourism and hospitality.

What is the postcode for Rye? +

The postcode for Rye is 3941.

What is the average income in Rye? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Rye is about $702 per week (around $36,500 per year). The median household income is $1,334 per week and the median family income is $1,712 per week.

What is the median house price in Rye? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $960,000, down 11.3% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $546,800, down 26.6% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Rye? +

The median age in Rye is 51. The largest age group is 65–74 (1,564 residents, around 17%). Around 18% of residents are under 20 and about 29% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Rye a safe area? +

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

In Rye, the median weekly rent is $372, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,800 (2021 Census).