Caulfield South (Vic.)

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According to ABS demographic updates and post-census address checks by Districts, the suburb of Caulfield South has an estimated resident population of 13,475 in May 2026. This represents an expansion of 1,147 individuals (9.3%) from the 12,328 residents counted during the 2021 Census. This projection stems from a resident base of 13,365 determined by Districts using the ABS June 2025 ERP data, supplemented by 283 validated new addresses registered since the census. The population density stands at 4,120 persons per square kilometer, placing the suburb within the top 10% of all Australian areas analyzed by Districts, highlighting the high demand for local land. The suburb of Caulfield South recorded a 9.3% rate of growth that outpaced the broader SA4 region's 8.0% expansion, establishing the suburb as a local growth leader. This population gain was almost exclusively powered by net overseas migration, which served as the primary source of demographic growth in recent times.

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The suburb of Caulfield South possesses a highly qualified workforce with substantial employment in professional services, an unemployment rate of only 3.8%, and steady job numbers over the past year. Data from March 2026 shows 7,387 residents are employed, with an unemployment rate that is 0.9% lower than the Greater Melbourne average of 4.8%. The labor force participation rate is close to the metropolitan average of 70.2%. Census figures indicate that 46.0% of the working population operated from home, though this figure was influenced by pandemic-related lockdowns.

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Tax data from the ATO for the financial year 2023 shows that the suburb of Caulfield South has exceptionally high income levels compared to national averages. The median income for tax-paying residents is $65,423, and the average income is $104,456, compared to $57,688 and $75,164 respectively for Greater Melbourne. Factoring in Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since the financial year 2023, these figures are estimated to have reached approximately $71,717 for median income and $114,505 for average income by March 2026. Census data shows that personal, family, and household incomes in the suburb of Caulfield South are positioned between the 84th and 86th percentiles nationally. Weekly earnings of $4000+ represent the largest segment at 28.1% of residents (3,786 people), contrasting with the wider metropolitan region where the - bracket is the most common at . Approximately of residents earn more than per week, indicating high household wealth that drives local commerce. Housing costs account for of resident incomes, but strong earnings keep disposable income at the th percentile, placing the area in the th decile of the SEIFA income index.

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According to the latest Census, the housing stock in the suburb of Caulfield South consisted of 54.7% standalone houses and 45.3% multi-unit dwellings, including semi-detached houses and apartments. This compares to metropolitan Melbourne where standalone houses comprise 67.9% of the stock and other dwellings make up 32.1%. Home ownership in the suburb of Caulfield South was notably higher than the metropolitan average at 37.5%, with mortgaged properties accounting for 36.1% and rental properties making up the remaining 26.4%. The median monthly mortgage payment was $2,889, compared to the Melbourne metropolitan average of $2,000, while the median weekly rent was $496, compared to $390 across the metropolitan area. Nationally, mortgage repayments in the suburb of Caulfield South are higher than the Australian median of $1,863, and weekly rents are above the national average of $375.

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Families make up 72.7% of all households in the area, consisting of couples with children at 37.0%, couples without children at 26.6%, and single parent families at 8.1%. The remaining 27.3% are non-family households, which consist of single-person households at 23.9% and group households at 3.4%. The median household size is 2.6 people, matching the metropolitan average for Greater Melbourne.

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Higher education rates in the suburb of Caulfield South are notably high, with 52.1% of residents aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to national and state averages of 30.4% in Australia and 33.4% in VIC. This high level of academic attainment supports local participation in knowledge-intensive industries. Bachelor degrees are the most common qualification at 34.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees at 12.8% and graduate diplomas at 4.8%. Vocational education accounts for 21.4% of qualifications for those aged 15+, split evenly between advanced diplomas at 10.7% and certificates at 10.7%.

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Public transport infrastructure in the suburb of Caulfield South includes 57 active stops, comprising a mix of light rail and bus services. These stops support 6 routes that generate 4,174 weekly passenger trips. Local transit access is strong, with the average distance to the nearest stop being 191 meters. Because the area is mostly residential, most workers commute out of the suburb, with private vehicles remaining the primary mode of transport at 81%, followed by trains at 8%. Households own an average of 1.3 vehicles. A high proportion of residents, 46.0%, worked from home according to the 2021 Census, which was likely affected by pandemic restrictions.

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Health outcomes in the suburb of Caulfield South are strong, with low mortality rates and a low prevalence of chronic illness, particularly among younger residents. Private health insurance coverage is exceptionally high, with approximately 68% of the population (9,152 people) holding cover, compared to 56.7% in Greater Melbourne and a national average of 55.7%.

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The suburb of Caulfield South displays high cultural diversity, with 26.4% of residents speaking a language other than English at home and 38.0% born outside of Australia. Judaism is the most common religious affiliation, representing 39.1% of the population, which compares to 1.0% across Greater Melbourne.

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The median age in the suburb of Caulfield South is 41 years, which is older than the Greater Melbourne average of 37 and the national median of 38. The 75 - 84 age bracket is larger than the Melbourne average at 7.7% of the population, while the 25 - 34 bracket is smaller at 12.5%. Since the 2021 Census, the proportion of residents aged 75 to 84 has risen from 5.5% to 7.7%, and the 15 to 24 age group has increased from 10.8% to 12.8%. In contrast, the 65 to 74 group fell from 11.1% to 9.6%, and the 45 to cohort decreased from to . Long-term population models indicate that the age structure will change by with the to cohort projected to grow by (adding residents to reach ), while the to cohort is expected to remain flat at growth, adding only residents.

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Caulfield South currently has an estimated 673 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 370 children aged 0-2 and 246 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 2% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 6% by 2041 (to approximately 716 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 1,238. Birth rates in the area have averaged 8.7 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a moderate rate (within the middle tier nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.