Population and housing estimates by suburb
In April each year, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) releases the Estimated Resident Population (ERP) for Melbourne Local Government Area (LGA) as of 30 June the previous year.
The ABS updates ERP each year and the City of Melbourne analyses that data and uses it to estimate the population of each small area (suburb) in the municipality.
The most recent estimate of the residential population for the City of Melbourne is around 98,860.
Results from the 2011 Census, available from late 2012, will provide robust estimates of the population and dwelling stock at suburb level. Census data is used to develop the Population and Housing Report and the Profile of High-Rise Apartment Dwellers, available below.
Download the Population and Housing report:
Analysis of Population and Housing 2001 – 2009 (PDF, 182kb)
Analysis of Population and Housing 2001 – 2009 (Text only, 65kb)
Contact: Jonathan Hill
Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics, City of Melbourne – Pathway database, id Consulting
High-rise dwellers profile
The City of Melbourne has experienced substantial growth in the number of multi-unit dwellings over recent years with particular growth in high-rise apartments. This profile describes the population inhabiting high-rise apartments.
Profile of high-rise apartment dwellers as of 2006 (Word, 656kb)
Population forecasts
Each year the City of Melbourne publishes updated population estimates, and bi-ennially updated population forecasts for the City of Melbourne and its suburbs.
The population estimates provide an estimate of the past and current dwellings and population, and the purpose of forecasts is to provide future estimates of dwellings and population living in the city and its suburbs. You can view the population forecasts at
Forecast.id.
Related statistical information