🔍

Watsonia

VIC 3087 • Greater Melbourne

5,352
Population (2021)
$97,916
Median Household Income
2.30 km²
Area
$385/wk
Median Rent
Family-FriendlyTrain AccessSuburbanUniversity ProximityAffordable

About Watsonia

Watsonia is a suburb of Melbourne located 16 kilometres north-east of the CBD within the City of Banyule. With a population of around 5,350, it is a well-established residential area that has been growing since its founding in 1924. The suburb offers a mix of post-war homes, newer developments, and unit complexes, attracting a diverse community of families, professionals, and long-term residents.

Watsonia features a local shopping strip along Watsonia Road with cafes, shops, and essential services centred around the train station. The suburb is close to La Trobe University in neighbouring Bundoora and benefits from good access to Greensborough Plaza for major shopping. Parks and reserves provide green spaces for recreation, while the nearby Plenty River trail offers walking and cycling opportunities. Watsonia is popular with families and students seeking affordable homes with reliable public transport connections.

Watsonia falls under postcode 3087 and is governed by Banyule Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Bundoora (North-Eastern Metropolitan) electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Victoria Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3087
Urban Area
Watsonia
LGA / Council
Banyule
Federal Electorate
Jagajaga
State Electorate
Bundoora (North-Eastern Metropolitan)
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.71°, 145.09°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
2.30 km²
Elevation
95m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$941K
19 sales · ▲ 4.5% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$682K
4 sales · ▼ 16% 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)
$2,019
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
38 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
5.5%

106 state housing + 9 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Watsonia
0.3 km
4 min
Macleod
1.5 km
18 min
Greensborough
2.5 km
30 min

Bus Services

  • 513 — Eltham via Greensborough 15 min
  • 517 — Northland Shopping Centre 20 min
  • 561 — Doncaster via La Trobe University 25 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
16 km
By Train
35-40 min (Hurstbridge Line)
By Car (Peak)
40-55 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
25-30 min

🛣️ Watsonia station provides direct train services to Flinders Street. Frequent services during peak hours.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Local shops and train station walkable for nearby residents; hilly terrain in parts. Car useful for larger shopping trips.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
459.6 / 100k
2yr Up 75.2% 10yr Down 29.4%
Motor vehicle theft
296.4 / 100k
2yr Up 128.6% 10yr Up 21.1%
Non-FV assault
215.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 14.6%
Robbery (unarmed)
1.5 / 100k
2yr Down 67.5% 10yr Stable
Steal from vehicle
1,068.9 / 100k
2yr Up 108.6% 10yr Stable
View all offence subgroups for Banyule →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
5,214
Census 2021
5,352
▲ 2.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$36,608
Personal Income 2021
$46,800
▲ 27.8% 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
$46,800 / yr
$900/wk
Household
$97,916 / yr
$1883/wk
Family
$127,400 / yr
$2450/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,038
Born Overseas 1,121

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. China 117
  • 2. England 108
  • 3. India 100
  • 4. New Zealand 64
  • 5. Malaysia 55
  • 6. Italy 40
  • 7. Iran 33
  • 8. Sri Lanka 33
  • 9. Scotland 28
  • 10. Greece 26

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,833
English 1,801
Irish 722
Scottish 540
Italian 380
Chinese 280
German 208
Indian 157
Greek 125
Dutch 73

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,822
Both parents born in Australia
1,597
Both parents born overseas
735
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
47.4%
Christianity
40.5%
Hinduism
2.3%
Islam
1.7%
Buddhism
1.5%
Judaism
0.2%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
369 (6.9%)
5-14 years
632 (11.8%)
15-19 years
273 (5.1%)
20-24 years
231 (4.3%)
25-34 years
817 (15.3%)
35-44 years
858 (16.0%)
45-54 years
700 (13.1%)
55-64 years
585 (10.9%)
65-74 years
440 (8.2%)
75-84 years
296 (5.5%)
85+ years
144 (2.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Watsonia known for? +

Watsonia is known for Watsonia station on the Hurstbridge Line, providing direct city access, and for its established family-friendly character in Melbourne's north-east. The suburb has a local shopping strip, primary school, and sporting facilities.

How far is Watsonia from Melbourne CBD? +

Watsonia is approximately 16 kilometres north-east of Melbourne CBD. From Watsonia station on the Hurstbridge Line, the journey to Flinders Street takes approximately 30-40 minutes.

Does Watsonia have public transport? +

Watsonia station on the Hurstbridge Line provides regular train services to Melbourne CBD. Local bus routes also connect to surrounding suburbs.

What is the population of Watsonia? +

According to the 2021 Census, Watsonia has a population of approximately 5,352 residents, an established community in the City of Banyule.

Is Watsonia a good place to live? +

Watsonia offers affordable housing with direct Hurstbridge Line rail access, good schools, and a pleasant community atmosphere in Melbourne's north-east. It suits families and commuters seeking established suburban living at competitive prices.

What is the postcode for Watsonia? +

The postcode for Watsonia is 3087.

What is the average income in Watsonia? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Watsonia is about $900 per week (around $46,800 per year). The median household income is $1,883 per week and the median family income is $2,450 per week.

What is the median house price in Watsonia? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $941,000, up 4.5% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $682,000, down 16% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Watsonia? +

The median age in Watsonia is 38. The largest age group is 35–44 (858 residents, around 16%). Around 24% of residents are under 20 and about 16% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Watsonia a safe area? +

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

In Watsonia, the median weekly rent is $385, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,019 (2021 Census).