Melbourne is Victoria’s capital city and the business, administrative, cultural and recreational hub of the state.
Explore our research, statistics and information about the city's suburbs, Aboriginal culture and multicultural communities.
The City of Melbourne's population is made up of many groups of people of all ages and from many different cultures. Residents include young professionals, international students and older couples looking to enjoy everything the city has to offer.
On an average weekday around 910,000 people use the city, and each year Melbourne hosts over a million international visitors.
For more information about the people who live in and use Melbourne every day, visit Residents profiles and Daily population estimates.
The City of Melbourne as a council (Melbourne City Council) oversees the municipal area that includes Melbourne's city centre and several inner suburbs. As a capital-city council, it also speaks on behalf of Melbourne in local, national and international forums.
The City of Melbourne works with other local councils and the Victorian Government to ensure that Melbourne is one of the safest, healthiest and cleanest cities in the world. It supports Melbourne's position as Australia's pre-eminent centre for arts and culture, education, dining and shopping.
The City of Melbourne's seven neighbouring councils are Hobsons Bay, Port Phillip, Stonnington, Yarra, Merri-bek, Moonee Valley and Maribyrnong.
The City of Melbourne municipality is located at latitude 37 degrees 49 minutes south and longitude 144 degrees 58 minutes east on the south-east edge of Australia.
Focused around a central business district, metropolitan Melbourne's suburbs spread more than 40 km to the south, are hemmed in by the Dandenong ranges 30 km to the east, extend up to 20 km to the north and sprawl across vast, flat basalt plains to the west.
The official language is English, but more than 100 languages are spoken by the city's residents.
Read more about the city’s Aboriginal culture and multicultural communities.
As a general rule, Melbourne enjoys a temperate climate with warm to hot summers, mild and sometimes balmy springs and autumns, and cool winters.
The weather can be changeable, so be prepared for anything – take an umbrella and wear layers that can be worn or removed as needed.
Melbourne is an excellent place to see the seasons change. In summer, take a stroll through our beautiful city. In autumn, experience the glorious foliage of the many European-style parks that fringe the central city. In winter, enjoy the warmth of cosy cafes and bars. Spring is a time for renewal – a great time to head back into our parks and revel in our gardens.
Source: Bureau of Meteorology, Climate statistics for Australian Locations (Melbourne)
The City of Melbourne respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we govern, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin and pays respect to their Elders past and present. We acknowledge and honour the unbroken spiritual, cultural and political connection they have maintained to this unique place for more than 2000 generations.
We accept the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and are committed to walking together to build a better future.