St Kilda West

VIC 3182 • Greater Melbourne

2,951
Population (2021)
$103,116
Median Household Income
0.53 km²
Area
$385/wk
Median Rent
BeachsideAffluentInner-CityCafé CultureLeafy

About St Kilda West

St Kilda West is a compact, upmarket inner-Melbourne suburb nestled between the iconic St Kilda foreshore and St Kilda Road, approximately 5 kilometres south of the Melbourne CBD within the City of Port Phillip. Covering just 0.53 square kilometres, it is one of Melbourne's smallest suburbs by area, with a 2021 Census population of 2,951 living at high density. The suburb attracts professionals and established couples, with a median household income of ,983 per week and a median age of 40, reflecting its affluent and cosmopolitan character.

St Kilda West sits moments from Port Phillip Bay, with Elwood Beach to the south and the St Kilda waterfront and Luna Park precinct within easy reach. Fitzroy Street's renowned strip of restaurants, bars, and cafes forms the suburb's eastern boundary, while quiet residential streets lined with converted Victorian and Edwardian apartments offer a more serene counterpoint. Tram routes along St Kilda Road provide fast connections to the CBD, making it a sought-after address for those who want beachside living without sacrificing city access. The suburb has a notably cosmopolitan mix — with notable Indian, Greek, and British-born communities — and a vibrant year-round social scene.

St Kilda West falls under postcode 3182 and is governed by Port Phillip Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Albert Park (Southern Metropolitan) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Postcode
3182
Urban Area
Port Phillip
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.86°, 144.97°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
0.53 km²
Elevation
9m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$2.3M
3 sales · ▲ 59.2% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$573K
24 sales · ▼ 3% 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)
$385
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,300
Avg Household Size
1.9 people
Median Age
40 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.3%

8 state housing + 24 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Balaclava
1 km
12 min
Windsor
1.5 km
18 min

Bus Services

  • Tram Route 3A / 16 / 67 — Melbourne CBD (Flinders Street / Collins Street) 15–25 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
5 km
By Train
Tram on St Kilda Rd to Flinders Street (15–20 min). Train from Balaclava: ~15 min to Flinders Street (Frankston/Sandringham Line).
By Car (Peak)
20–35 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
10–15 min

🛣️ Excellent tram connectivity via St Kilda Road. Bicycle paths along the foreshore provide a scenic alternative commute route.

Walkability Very Walkable

Most daily errands, dining, and leisure can be done on foot, with Fitzroy Street shops and bay access within easy walking distance.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
726.1 / 100k
Motor vehicle theft
729.6 / 100k
Non-FV assault
565.7 / 100k
Robbery (unarmed)
6.1 / 100k
Steal from vehicle
2,554 / 100k

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,162
Census 2021
2,951
6.7% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$59,956
Personal Income 2021
$68,328
14.0% 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
$68,328 / yr
$1314/wk
Household
$103,116 / yr
$1983/wk
Family
$166,504 / yr
$3202/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,907
Born Overseas 868

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 157
  • 2. India 138
  • 3. New Zealand 97
  • 4. Ireland 35
  • 5. United States 34
  • 6. Brazil 25
  • 7. South Africa 25
  • 8. Greece 24
  • 9. Scotland 20
  • 10. China 19

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,077
Australian 709
Irish 458
Scottish 375
Indian 155
Italian 153
German 117
Greek 115
Chinese 61
Dutch 59

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,256
Both parents born in Australia
1,098
Both parents born overseas
413
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
55.4%
Christianity
28.1%
Hinduism
5.6%
Judaism
1.8%
Buddhism
1.2%
Islam
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
111 (3.8%)
5-14 years
261 (8.8%)
15-19 years
106 (3.6%)
20-24 years
167 (5.7%)
25-34 years
541 (18.3%)
35-44 years
507 (17.2%)
45-54 years
459 (15.6%)
55-64 years
390 (13.2%)
65-74 years
271 (9.2%)
75-84 years
110 (3.7%)
85+ years
28 (0.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is St Kilda West known for? +

St Kilda West is known for its privileged position between Port Phillip Bay and the vibrant St Kilda entertainment strip. Residents enjoy proximity to the beach, Fitzroy Street's dining and nightlife, and the prestigious St Kilda Road boulevard — all within a quiet, leafy residential enclave.

How far is St Kilda West from Melbourne CBD? +

St Kilda West is approximately 5 kilometres south of Melbourne's CBD. A tram along St Kilda Road typically takes 15–20 minutes to reach Flinders Street or Collins Street.

Does St Kilda West have public transport? +

St Kilda West is well-served by trams, with Routes 3A, 16, and 67 running along St Kilda Road directly to the CBD. The nearest train stations are Balaclava (about 1 km, Frankston and Sandringham lines) and Windsor (about 1.5 km).

What is the population of St Kilda West? +

According to the 2021 Census, St Kilda West has a population of 2,951 — slightly down from 3,162 in 2016 — concentrated across just 0.53 square kilometres, making it one of Melbourne's most densely populated suburbs.

Is St Kilda West a good place to live? +

St Kilda West is an excellent choice for professionals and couples who want bayside living with strong city connectivity. It offers a cosmopolitan lifestyle with cafes, restaurants, parks, and the beach on the doorstep, though housing costs are among the higher end in the Port Phillip area.

What is the postcode for St Kilda West? +

The postcode for St Kilda West, Victoria is 3182, shared with St Kilda.

What is the average income in St Kilda West? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in St Kilda West is about $1,314 per week (around $68,300 per year). The median household income is $1,983 per week and the median family income is $3,202 per week.

What is the median house price in St Kilda West? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $2,300,000, up 59.2% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $572,500, down 3% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of St Kilda West? +

The median age in St Kilda West is 40. The largest age group is 25–34 (541 residents, around 18%). Around 16% of residents are under 20 and about 14% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is St Kilda West a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. St Kilda West is part of the Port Phillip 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 St Kilda West? +

In St Kilda West, the median weekly rent is $385, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,300 (2021 Census).