Thornbury

VIC 3071 • Greater Melbourne

19,005
Population (2021)
$102,492
Median Household Income
5.13 kmยฒ
Area
$391/wk
Median Rent
GentrifiedFoodie SceneInner NorthVillage Character

About Thornbury

Thornbury is the quieter sibling to neighbouring Northcote, a gentrified inner suburb of 19,000 in Darebin, 7 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD. The South Morang line serves Thornbury station, while High Street offers an increasingly vibrant strip of restaurants, bars, and independent retailers. Victorian and Edwardian homes on leafy streets house young families and professionals.

High Street Thornbury has emerged as a dining destination, with Turkish, Greek, and contemporary Australian restaurants alongside natural wine bars and specialty coffee. The suburb offers similar character to Northcote at slightly lower prices. Thornbury attracts young professionals and families seeking inner-north lifestyle with train access, village character, and genuine neighbourhood community.

Thornbury falls under postcode 3071 and is governed by Darebin Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Northcote (Northern Metropolitan) electorate.

๐Ÿ“ Location

State
Postcode
3071
Urban Area
Northcote
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.76ยฐ, 145.01ยฐ
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
5.13 kmยฒ
Elevation
68m

๐Ÿท๏ธ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

๐ŸกHouse
$1.39M
50 sales ยท ▲ 0.5% YoY
๐ŸขUnit / Apartment
$470K
69 sales ยท ▼ 24.3% YoY

Source: Valuer-General Victoria โ€” 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.

๐Ÿ  Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$391
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,200
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
37 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.3%

202 state housing + 58 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

๐ŸšŒ Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Local bus services โ€” Melbourne CBD 21-28 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
7 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

๐Ÿ›ฃ๏ธ Located 7 km from Melbourne CBD

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Some errands can be done on foot near the local centre, but most residents rely on a car for daily needs

๐Ÿ›’ Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

๐ŸŽ“ Schools

๐Ÿš” Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
615 / 100k
Motor vehicle theft
625.5 / 100k
Non-FV assault
315.2 / 100k
Robbery (unarmed)
4.9 / 100k
Steal from vehicle
2,084.7 / 100k

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

๐ŸŽ“ Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

๐Ÿ‘ฅ Demographics

Census 2016
18,568
Census 2021
19,005
2.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$40,352
Personal Income 2021
$54,184
34.3% 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
$54,184 / yr
$1042/wk
Household
$102,492 / yr
$1971/wk
Family
$141,076 / yr
$2713/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

๐Ÿ“Š Population: ABS Census 2021
๐Ÿ’ฐ Income: ABS Census 2021

๐ŸŒ Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 13,401
Born Overseas 5,059

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Greece 795
  • 2. England 549
  • 3. Italy 548
  • 4. New Zealand 412
  • 5. India 223
  • 6. Vietnam 183
  • 7. China 164
  • 8. Lebanon 159
  • 9. United States 149
  • 10. North Macedonia 108

๐Ÿงฌ Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 5,648
Australian 4,714
Irish 2,729
Italian 2,400
Greek 2,063
Scottish 2,049
German 721
Chinese 693
Lebanese 364
Dutch 344

๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

7,981
Both parents born in Australia
7,368
Both parents born overseas
3,024
One parent AU, one overseas

๐Ÿ› Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
54.4%
Christianity
34.9%
Islam
2.1%
Buddhism
1.7%
Hinduism
1.1%
Judaism
0.4%
Sikhism
0.2%

๐Ÿ“Š Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
976 (5.1%)
5-14 years
1,828 (9.6%)
15-19 years
825 (4.3%)
20-24 years
1,030 (5.4%)
25-34 years
3,851 (20.3%)
35-44 years
3,370 (17.7%)
45-54 years
2,685 (14.1%)
55-64 years
1,856 (9.8%)
65-74 years
1,233 (6.5%)
75-84 years
852 (4.5%)
85+ years
495 (2.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Thornbury known for? +

Thornbury is a well-established residential suburb in Darebin, VIC, with a population of approximately 19,005 residents. The suburb is valued for its range of local schools, parks, and shopping facilities.

How far is Thornbury from Melbourne CBD? +

Thornbury is approximately 7 kilometres from Melbourne CBD. The drive typically takes 10-15 min outside peak hours.

Does Thornbury have public transport? +

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

What is the population of Thornbury? +

According to the 2021 Census, Thornbury has a population of approximately 19,005 residents. It is a significant residential area in the Darebin district.

Is Thornbury a good place to live? +

Thornbury offers a practical and liveable lifestyle with access to local schools, parks, and shopping. With a median income around $56,254, 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 Thornbury? +

The postcode for Thornbury, VIC is 3071.

What is the average income in Thornbury? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Thornbury is about $1,042 per week (around $54,200 per year). The median household income is $1,971 per week and the median family income is $2,713 per week.

What is the median house price in Thornbury? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $1,390,000, up 0.5% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $470,000, down 24.3% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria โ€” Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Thornbury? +

The median age in Thornbury is 37. The largest age group is 25โ€“34 (3,851 residents, around 20%). Around 19% of residents are under 20 and about 14% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Thornbury a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Thornbury is part of the Darebin LGA โ€” 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 Thornbury? +

In Thornbury, the median weekly rent is $391, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,200 (2021 Census).