Melbourne: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Melbourne: The median total income of residents of the City of Melbourne who had income was $48,184 a year in 2022-23 (before tax, excluding government pensions and allowances), 2nd lowest of 26 areas; the Australian median was $58,216. Boundary: the City of Melbourne local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Health in Melbourne: 1,030 births were registered to mothers living in the City of Melbourne in 2024, and the total fertility rate was 0.54 births per woman, below the national figure (1.54). Boundary: the City of Melbourne local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Education in Melbourne: 82.1% of residents of the City of Melbourne aged 15 and over had completed Year 12 or equivalent at the 2021 Census, the highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (58.8%). Boundary: the City of Melbourne local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
- Poverty and living standards in Melbourne: The median weekly rent paid by households in the City of Melbourne was $396 at the 2021 Census (rents on census night, 10 August 2021), 14th highest of 31 areas; the national median was $375. Boundary: the City of Melbourne local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
What is the population of Melbourne?
The City of Melbourne had an estimated 194,481 residents on 30 June 2025 (ABS preliminary estimate), 12th lowest of 31 areas covered on this site. Boundary: the City of Melbourne local government area (the council area), not the wider urban region around it.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyIs the population of Melbourne growing?
The population of the City of Melbourne grew by 6,916 people (3.7%) in the year to 30 June 2025, from 187,565 to 194,481; Australia as a whole grew 1.5%.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow fast has the population of Melbourne grown in the last five years?
Between 30 June 2020 and 30 June 2025 the estimated population of the City of Melbourne rose 14.0%, from 170,589 to 194,481, compared with 7.7% for Australia.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people moved to Melbourne in 2024-25?
In the year to 30 June 2025 the City of Melbourne had net overseas migration of +8,647 people and net internal (within Australia) migration of -2,283 people.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the population density of Melbourne?
The City of Melbourne covers 38 square kilometres, so its 2025 population works out at about 5,180 people per square kilometre.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median age in Melbourne?
The median age of residents of the City of Melbourne was 29.3 years in 2024, below the national figure (38.3 years).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many households are there in Melbourne?
The 2021 Census counted 70,760 households in the City of Melbourne, with an average of 1.8 people per household.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Melbourne were born overseas?
At the 2021 Census 54.7% of residents of the City of Melbourne were born overseas, above the national figure (27.6%), and 46.0% spoke a language other than English at home, above the national figure (22.3%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWho runs Melbourne?
In Australia, cities and towns are run by local governments: Councillors elected (methods vary by state; voting compulsory in some states); mayors directly elected in some places and chosen by councillors in others. Local roads, planning approvals, waste, libraries, parks, rates (property tax).
How local power works in Australia
Cities of a similar size in Australia
- Gold Coast 691,230
- Newcastle-Maitland 541,634
- Canberra-Queanbeyan 521,049
- Canberra 484,630
- Sunshine Coast 381,957
- Central Coast 357,816
- Greater Wollongong 322,343
- Geelong 295,052
- Greater Hobart 255,250
- Sydney 241,797
- Wollongong 224,327
- Townsville 206,260
- Toowoomba 186,276
- Cairns 179,334
- Newcastle 178,935
- Greater Darwin 159,284
Up a level: all cities in Australia · Australia · government and power
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Regional population 2024-25: estimated resident population by Local Government Area and Significant Urban Area, 2001 to 2025 (data cube 32180DS0004), read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 625c7c3de3b7…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Local Government Areas (ASGS Edition 3), 18 city councils, all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 788eca55906d…)
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