🔍

Spotswood

VIC 3015 • Greater Melbourne

2,820
Population (2021)
$127,920
Median Household Income
3.16 km²
Area
$456/wk
Median Rent
Inner SuburbanHeritageGentrifyingRail ConnectedCompact

About Spotswood

Spotswood is a compact inner-western suburb of Melbourne, just 7 kilometres south-west of the CBD within the City of Hobsons Bay. With a population of around 2,820, this former industrial pocket has undergone significant gentrification while retaining its working-class heritage. The suburb is bounded by the Yarra River to the east and the West Gate Freeway to the north, giving it a distinctive enclosed character.

Spotswood is best known as the home of Scienceworks, Melbourne's interactive science museum, which draws visitors from across the city. The suburb offers a village atmosphere with a small strip of cafés and shops along Hudsons Road, complemented by 11 parks covering nearly 15% of the area. It appeals to young professionals and couples seeking affordable inner-city living with excellent rail connections, and its proximity to Yarraville and Newport adds dining and shopping options.

Spotswood falls under postcode 3015 and is governed by Hobsons Bay Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Williamstown (Western Metropolitan) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3015
Urban Area
Altona
LGA / Council
Hobsons Bay
Federal Electorate
Fraser
State Electorate
Williamstown (Western Metropolitan)
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.83°, 144.89°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
3.16 km²
Elevation
18m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$1.2M
11 sales · ▲ 7.1% 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)
$456
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,300
Avg Household Size
2.6 people
Median Age
37 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.8%

13 state housing + 6 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Spotswood
0.3 km
4 min
Seddon
1.2 km
15 min
Newport
1.5 km
18 min
Yarraville
1.8 km
22 min

Bus Services

  • 472 — Williamstown to Moonee Ponds 45 min
  • 432 — Seddon to Altona North 20 min

Commute to Melbourne

Distance
7 km
By Train
15-18 min
By Car (Peak)
25-35 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
12-15 min

🛣️ Spotswood station on Werribee/Williamstown lines; trains every 10-20 min to Flinders Street

Walkability Very Walkable

Most errands can be accomplished on foot; Scienceworks, cafés, and station all within walking distance

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
321 / 100k
2yr Up 32.6% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
427.3 / 100k
2yr Up 180.1% 10yr Up 69.2%
Non-FV assault
262.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 34.6%
Robbery (unarmed)
6.2 / 100k
2yr Up 190.3% 10yr Up 189.4%
Steal from vehicle
1,317.1 / 100k
2yr Up 64.4% 10yr Up 23.3%
View all offence subgroups for Hobsons Bay →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,604
Census 2021
2,820
▲ 8.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$48,776
Personal Income 2021
$63,908
▲ 31.0% 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
$63,908 / yr
$1229/wk
Household
$127,920 / yr
$2460/wk
Family
$158,964 / yr
$3057/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,064
Born Overseas 647

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 88
  • 2. New Zealand 67
  • 3. India 65
  • 4. Italy 41
  • 5. Vietnam 32
  • 6. United States 29
  • 7. China 23
  • 8. Greece 23
  • 9. Philippines 16
  • 10. Scotland 15

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 868
Australian 809
Irish 370
Scottish 263
Italian 234
Chinese 137
Greek 128
German 109
Indian 93
Croatian 74

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,233
Both parents born in Australia
1,006
Both parents born overseas
472
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
48.1%
Christianity
39.6%
Hinduism
2.4%
Islam
1.8%
Buddhism
1.8%
Sikhism
0.4%
Judaism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
207 (7.3%)
5-14 years
385 (13.7%)
15-19 years
110 (3.9%)
20-24 years
116 (4.1%)
25-34 years
430 (15.2%)
35-44 years
556 (19.7%)
45-54 years
436 (15.5%)
55-64 years
266 (9.4%)
65-74 years
191 (6.8%)
75-84 years
93 (3.3%)
85+ years
27 (1.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Spotswood known for? +

Spotswood is known for Melbourne's Scienceworks museum (including the Melbourne Planetarium), a growing café and dining scene along Hudsons Road, and its position just south of the Westgate Bridge with affordable inner-west housing.

How far is Spotswood from Melbourne CBD? +

Spotswood is approximately 7 kilometres south of Melbourne CBD. From Spotswood station on the Werribee Line, the journey to Flinders Street takes approximately 12-18 minutes.

Does Spotswood have public transport? +

Spotswood station on the Werribee Line provides frequent train services to Melbourne CBD. Bus routes also connect to Newport, Williamstown, and surrounding western suburbs.

What is the population of Spotswood? +

According to the 2021 Census, Spotswood has a population of approximately 2,820 residents, with growing appeal among young professionals and families attracted by inner-west character and affordability.

Is Spotswood a good place to live? +

Spotswood is increasingly popular with young professionals and families drawn to its inner-west location, improving café scene, Werribee Line train access, and proximity to Williamstown beach and Newport's dining strip. Scienceworks adds a unique cultural asset.

What is the postcode for Spotswood? +

The postcode for Spotswood is 3015.

What is the average income in Spotswood? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Spotswood is about $1,229 per week (around $63,900 per year). The median household income is $2,460 per week and the median family income is $3,057 per week.

What is the median house price in Spotswood? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $1,200,000, up 7.1% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Spotswood? +

The median age in Spotswood is 37. The largest age group is 35–44 (556 residents, around 20%). Around 25% of residents are under 20 and about 11% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Spotswood a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Spotswood is part of the Hobsons Bay 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 Spotswood? +

In Spotswood, the median weekly rent is $456, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,300 (2021 Census).