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                    Melbourne profile

                    View of Eureka Tower and other high-rise buildings, pink roses in the foreground


                    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 people of Melbourne

                    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.

                    Melbourne and government

                    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.

                    Location

                    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.

                    Languages

                    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

                    Weather and climate

                    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.

                    Average temperatures by season
                    Season
                    Average maximum
                    Average minimum
                    Summer (December to February): warm to hot25°C (77°F)14°C (57°F)
                    Autumn (March to May): mild20°C (68°F)11°C (52°F)
                    Winter (June to August): cool to brisk14°C (57°F) 7°C (45°F)
                    Spring (September to November): cool to mild20°C (68°F) 10°C (50°F)

                    Source: Bureau of Meteorology, Climate statistics for Australian Locations (Melbourne)

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                    Leaders from across Melbourne are coming together to build Melbourne’s first resilience strategy. We asked them 'What does resilience mean to you?'
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                    Stories from the Heart of Melbourne - a taste of the many threads of Melbourne's cultural history