St Kilda West (Vic.)

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According to evaluations of ABS demographic releases for the wider region, combined with address records verified by Districts after the Census, the suburb of St Kilda West has an estimated residency of 3,278 as of May 2026. This represents a gain of 327 residents (11.1%) from the 2021 Census, when the head count stood at 2,951 people. This shift is calculated from the resident total of 3,278, which Districts modeled by examining the June 2025 ABS ERP data release and tracking new local addresses since the Census. With this headcount, the locality registers a density of 6,184 persons per square kilometer, placing it within the highest 10% of all Australian areas monitored by Districts and highlighting the premium nature of local land. The growth rate of 11.1% since the 2021 census outpaced the state mark of 9.3% as well as the nationwide average, positioning the suburb as a regional growth leader. Population expansion in the area was almost exclusively driven by international migration, which acted as the sole source of population increases in recent times.

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St Kilda West features a highly qualified labor force, with particularly strong representation from the technology industry, a jobless rate of 4.1%, and a yearly jobs growth estimate of 2.7% compiled by Districts from local data. As of March 2026, working residents numbered 2,177 while the jobless rate was 0.7% below the Greater Melbourne benchmark of 4.8%, and the participation rate was exceptionally high at 78.6% versus the Greater Melbourne standard of 70.2%. Census returns show a substantial 51.4% of working locals did their jobs from home, though this figure was likely influenced by pandemic confinement measures.

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The suburb of St Kilda West shows a median taxpayer income of $66,327 and an average of $95,976 according to the latest postcode level ATO data aggregated by Districts for financial year 2023. This is exceptionally high nationally, contrasting with Greater Melbourne's median income of $57,688 and average income of $75,164. Based on Wage Price Index growth of 9.62% since financial year 2023, current estimates would be approximately $72,708 (median) and $105,209 (average) as of March 2026. From the 2021 Census, individual earnings stand out at the 94th percentile nationally ($1,314 weekly), though household income ranks lower at the 64th percentile. Looking at income distribution, the $1,500 - 2,999 bracket dominates with of residents ( people), consistent with broader trends across the broader area showing in the same category. Higher earners represent a substantial presence with exceeding weekly, indicating strong purchasing power within the community. High housing costs consume of income, though strong earnings still place disposable income at the rd percentile and the area's SEIFA income ranking places it in the th decile.

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The mix of residences in St Kilda West at the most recent Census consisted of 8.4% separate houses and 91.6% multi-unit dwellings such as townhouses and apartments, differing from the Melbourne metro split of 67.9% houses and 32.1% alternative dwellings. The level of home ownership in St Kilda West stood at 22.7%, below the Melbourne metro average, with the remaining residences being paid off via mortgages (24.3%) or occupied by tenants (52.9%). The median monthly home loan payment was recorded at $2,300, well above the Melbourne metro average of $2,000, while the median weekly rent stood at $385, compared to $390 in the Melbourne metro area. Across the country, St Kilda West's mortgage obligations are notably higher than the Australian median of $1,863, while weekly rents exceed the national level of $375.

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Families make up 46.7% of all households, consisting of 17.8% couples raising children, 23.2% couples without children, and 4.9% single parents. Non-family living arrangements account for the remaining 53.3% of homes, with single person households representing 48.0% and shared houses making up 5.5%. The typical household size is 1.9 people, which is smaller than the Greater Melbourne median of 2.6.

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Academic achievements in St Kilda West are considerably higher than broader benchmarks, with 58.3% of individuals aged 15+ holding a university degree, compared to 30.4% nationally and 33.4% across VIC. This elevated educational profile positions the suburb well for jobs in knowledge-based industries. Bachelor degrees are the most common credential at 34.5%, followed by postgraduate degrees (18.3%) and graduate diplomas (5.5%). Vocational training accounts for 20.5% of qualifications for residents aged 15+, consisting of advanced diplomas (10.6%) and certificates (9.9%).

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Public transit records show 10 active passenger stops operating inside St Kilda West, offering a combination of lightrail services and local buses. These stops are connected to 3 distinct routes, which combine to handle 4,085 passenger journeys each week. Local transit access is rated as top-tier, with residents living an average of 117 meters from their closest stop. Being a highly residential area, the majority of working residents travel out of the suburb, with private cars remaining the primary travel mode at 62%, followed by 7% who cycle and 6% who walk to work. Household car ownership stands at an average of 0.6 vehicles per household, which is lower than the regional standard. A high proportion of residents, at 51.4%, work from home, based on the 2021 Census, which may reflect pandemic-era workplace restrictions.

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Health indicators are excellent in St Kilda West, according to Districts' evaluation of mortality patterns and chronic ailment rates, which shows very low occurrence of common medical conditions across all age groups, while the proportion of residents with private health insurance is exceptionally high at approximately 65% of the population (2,118 people). This compares to 56.7% across Greater Melbourne and a national average of 55.7%.

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St Kilda West displays a higher degree of cultural diversity than most typical property markets, with 17.6% of residents using a language other than English at home and 31.3% having been born outside Australia. Christianity is the primary religious affiliation, representing 30.7% of the local population. The most distinct religious concentration is Judaism, which accounts for 2.0% of residents, double the Greater Melbourne rate of 1.0%.

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The typical resident age in St Kilda West is 39 years, which is slightly older than the Greater Melbourne median of 37 and very close to the Australian national average of 38. Compared to Greater Melbourne, the suburb has an over-representation of young adults aged 25 - 34, who make up 20.4% of the local population, while children aged 5 - 14 are under-represented at 8.6%. The local concentration of residents aged 25 - 34 is significantly higher than the national average of 14.6%. Post-2021 Census data indicates that the 25 to 34 age bracket increased its share of the population from 18.3% to 20.4%, and the 15 to 24 group rose from 9.3% to . In contrast, the to cohort fell from to and the to age bracket decreased from to . Demographic projections for suggest notable age shifts for the suburb of St Kilda West. Leading this trend, the to age group is projected to grow by ( people), rising from to .

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St Kilda West currently has an estimated 111 children under 5 years old, comprising approximately 41 children aged 0-2 and 27 children aged 3-4. This cohort declined by an estimated 1% since the previous census. though population forecasts indicate future growth, with an anticipated increase of 16% by 2041 (to approximately 129 children). Meanwhile the 5-12 cohort currently amounts to 102. Birth rates in the area have averaged 6.1 per 1,000 residents over the latest two-year period, a low rate (among the bottom 20% of areas assessed nationally). This rate has slowed down slightly in recent years however.