suburb.guide

VIC · Melbourne Council

Carlton (Vic.), VIC, 3053

Current weather

13.1°CRain showers

79% humidity · 27.4 km/h wind · 15.5° / 11.4° today · 5.2 mm rain

Desirability score

65.6/100

348th in Australia

89% data confidence

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

Carlton (Vic.) is a mid-sized suburb in the Melbourne area, home to around 16,055 residents (2021 Census). Available data shows 3,114 offences in 2026 with falling year-on-year trends (-8%), roughly 194.0 offences per 1,000 residents, 2 school and preschool sites in the area, strong public transport coverage with many Public Transport Victoria stops, many local shops, services and recreation venues, 5 active roadworks or transport incidents on nearby routes, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb and hospitals or GP clinics within the suburb.

Population

Population
16,055
Median age
27
Median household income / week
$1,292
Dwelling vacancy
29.6%
Unoccupied private dwellings
2,909 of 9,833
Median monthly mortgage
$1,898
Employment rate
56%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
256 / 1,186 / 5,588

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

Crime & safety

Total offences (2026)
3,114
Against the person
360
Against property
2,305
Rate per 1,000 residents
194
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 45 residents
State safety percentile
90.2th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-8.5%

Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage179
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle620
  • B44 Theft Of A Bicycle156
  • B49 Other Theft456
  • B53 Obtain Benefit By Deception160

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
2
Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
1,045
  • Carlton Gardens Primary SchoolPrimary
  • Carlton Primary SchoolPrimary

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

54 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Lygon St/Elgin St #112
  • Melbourne Museum/Nicholson St #11
  • Nicholson St/Victoria Pde #10
  • Parkville Railway Station Rail Replacement Bus Stop
  • Parkville Station

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

5 active roadworks / incidents

  • Metro Tunnel Project activities occurring between 27/11/2025 and 31/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed eastbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.ELIZABETH STREET, VICTORIA STREET26 Nov 2025 – 30 Dec 2026
  • Metro Tunnel Project activities occurring between 27/11/2025 and 31/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed eastbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.VICTORIA STREET, ELIZABETH STREET26 Nov 2025 – 30 Dec 2026
  • Metro Tunnel Project activities occurring between 29/10/2025 and 31/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 12:00 AM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed eastbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.VICTORIA STREET, ELIZABETH STREET28 Oct 2025 – 30 Dec 2026
  • Metro Tunnel Project activities occurring between 29/10/2025 and 31/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed eastbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.SWANSTON STREET, VICTORIA STREET28 Oct 2025 – 30 Dec 2026
  • Metro Tunnel Project activities occurring between 29/10/2025 and 31/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed eastbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.VICTORIA STREET, BOUVERIE STREET28 Oct 2025 – 30 Dec 2026

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported

Planning & development

Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).

166 planning-related records

2021· 40 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Partial demolition and buildings and works associated with alterations and additions to a single dwelling, including construction of a fence and domestic services normal to a dwelling
    68-70 KAY STREET CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Amendment to the permit pursuant to Section 72 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 by way of amending the endorsed plans under the permit to include a privacy screen to communal terrace Level 2
    558-566 SWANSTON STREET CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • External painting and buildings and works - external alterations, including demolition (retrospective)
    107-113 DRUMMOND STREET CARLTON 3053In progress
  • External alterations in a Heritage Overlay
    38 MACARTHUR PLACE NORTH CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • External painting in a Heritage Overlay
    41 MACARTHUR PLACE SOUTH CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Partial demolition and buildings and works comprising an extension to an existing dwelling
    15 GRATTAN STREET CARLTON 3053NOD issued by the Resp. Authority
  • External painting
    33 FARADAY STREET CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and works - Maintenance and repairs (external painting, fence repairs, underpinning and stormwater works) including demolition
    207-211 GRATTAN STREET CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works - addition of roofing to existing pergola
    16-20 DRUMMOND PLACE CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Amending the permit pursuant to Section 72 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 by way of: amending the permit preamble, and Conditions 5 and 6.
    127-135 PELHAM STREET CARLTON 3053Lapsed
  • Extension of one dwelling on a lot less than 300sqm, construction of a new front fence, and buildings and works, including partial demolition related to the construction of the rear addition, and external painting in a heritage overlay.
    98 FARADAY STREET CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Section 37 (Subdivision - Staged)
    28-44 BOUVERIE STREET CARLTON 3053Withdrawn

  • August 2021

  • Demolish and construct a fence in a Heritage Overlay
    82 NEILL STREET CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • External painting mural to boundary wall
    205-207 FARADAY STREET CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Partial demolition and buildings and works associated with alterations and double storey addition to an existing dwelling
    438 LYGON STREET CARLTON 3053NOD issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and works including the installation of domestic services normal to a dwelling
    4-6 CANNING STREET CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and works and associated demolition for alterations to the existing dwelling
    37 FARADAY STREET CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construct and display three internally illuminated business identification signs
    700 SWANSTON STREET CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Use of the land for the purpose of a restricted recreation facility, the display of illuminated business identification signage, and a reduction in the statutory bicycle parking requirements of Clause 52.34-2.
    201 GRATTAN STREET CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • s72 Amendment: Have a current Restaurant and Cafe Liquor License and would like to update the liquor license to an on-premises license. In addition to that, we would like to add a renewable limited license to facilitate the sale of a very limited product range via our website. For some background to this, we have invested in creating our own brand of Gin for use within the venue, but would like the opportunity to sell this as a retail product via our website only.
    4 160 VICTORIA STREET CARLTON 3053In progress
  • External Painting
    593-597 SWANSTON STREET CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Partial demolition and buildings and works to replace roof
    7-9 PALMERSTON PLACE CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Partial demolition and construction of alterations and additions to an existing building in a Design and Development Overlay and Heritage Overlay in accordance with the endorsed plans.
    58 BARRY STREET CARLTON 3053In progress
  • Use of the land to sell and consume liquor (General Licence) under Clause 52.27, and partial demolition and buildings and works in the Commercial 1 Zone, Heritage Overlay Schedule 1, and Design and Development Overlay Schedule 47
    193 LYGON STREET CARLTON 3053NOD issued by a delegate
  • Change of use to a place of assembly, a live music entertainment venue, sell and consume liquor and waiver of car parking requirement
    118-120 ELGIN STREET CARLTON 3053NOD issued by a delegate
  • Demolish and construct a fence
    46-50 Carlton StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Use of the land for the sale and consumption of liquor (General Licence), external alteration of the existing building and construction and display of internally illuminated business identification signage associated with a bottle shop and bar
    259-261 LYGON STREET CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • External painting - mural to building facade
    248-250 FARADAY STREET CARLTON 3053Withdrawn
  • Partial demolition and buildings and works associated with external alteration of the existing building, construction of a first floor deck and construction of internally illuminated and non-illuminated business identification signage
    338-340 LYGON STREET CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works associated with the installation of an exhaust duct to the roof of the existing building, and externally painting, in the Heritage Overlay, and to construct and put up a sign pursuant to Clause 52.05-2.
    140-146 LYGON STREET CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Demolition of the rear toilet block
    131-137 BARRY STREET CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Amending the permit pursuant to Section 72 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 in the following manner: amending the plans endorsed under the permit.
    212 RATHDOWNE STREET CARLTON 3053NOD issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and works for repairs and routine maintenance to the existing roof
    15-17 PITT STREET CARLTON 3053No permit required
  • Buildings and works to consolidate dwelling unit 5 and 6 into one proposed dwelling
    100-108 DRUMMOND STREET CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Partial demolition, external alterations and buildings and works to construct an addition to an existing dwelling
    14 BARRUP STREET CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • New iron fence
    59-63 KAY STREET CARLTON 3053Withdrawn
  • Partial demolition and buildings and works for the construction of a three-storey extension to the rear of the dwelling and roof deck
    43 MACARTHUR PLACE SOUTH CARLTON 3053NOD issued by a delegate
  • Re-subdivide common property within RP008575
    132-150 FARADAY STREET CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Partial demolition, external alterations, construct a building and works, and waive the car parking requirements of Clause 52.06
    366 LYGON STREET CARLTON 3053Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Partial demolition, buildings and works associated with the construction of alterations and additions to an existing dwelling in a Heritage Overlay and the extension of one dwelling on a lot with two dwellings
    42-44 RATHDOWNE STREET CARLTON 3053NOD issued by a delegate

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

  • PPARS planning permit activity (statewide) — Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · Period: 2020–2022 · Updated on site · Public MapServer last updated Feb 2024 — applications through FY 2022–23 only; newer PPARS data requires council/API access

Amenities

907 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Ballers ClubhouseAdult Gaming Centre
  • Ace VapeAlcohol

    112 Elgin Street, Carlton

  • Baron's Wine & SpiritsAlcohol
  • Bottega TascaAlcohol

    321 Lygon Street

  • BottlemartAlcohol

    Unit 6 138-150 Rathdowne Street

  • Lambs Bottle ShopAlcohol
  • Press & Grocers Co.Alcohol

    625-629 Swanston Street, Carlton

  • VR WorldAmusement Arcade

    69 Pelham Street

  • Elite Office Machines Co.Antiques
  • F.J. RoccaAntiques

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)

Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Parks & reserves

14 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Argyle SquarePark
  • Burton ReservePark
  • Cardigan Street ParkPark
  • Carlton Housing EstatePark
  • Keppel Street ParkPark
  • La Mama SquarePark
  • Lincoln SquarePark
  • Macarthur SquarePark
  • Murchison SquarePark
  • Neill Street ReservePark

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
25
Emergency department
On site
  • 4Cyte PathologySwanston Streetlaboratory
  • Amcalpharmacy
  • Australian College of OptometryCardigan Streetoptometrist
  • Cardigan House Consulting SuitesCardigan Streetclinic
  • Carlton Family MedicalRathdowne Streetdoctor
  • Carlton Pharmacypharmacy
  • Chemist Warehousepharmacy
  • Chris Janson PharmacyLygon Streetpharmacy
  • Dr Barry S. JohnsonElgin Streetdentist
  • Dr Siu Leung And AssociatesBouverie Streetdentist

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
9/10
IRSD decile (2021)
3/10

SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

37 state heritage places

  • BUILDING 380 LYGON STREETNH0074
  • CARLTON COURT HOUSENH1467
  • CARLTON GARDENS PRIMARY SCHOOLNH1624
  • CAST IRON URINAL QUEENSBERRY STREETNH2138
  • CHURCH OF ALL NATIONSNH2179
  • CRAMOND HOUSENH0482
  • CSIRAC (COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESYH2217
  • CSL (COMMONWEALTH SERUM LABORATORIES) COLLECTION 11 NICHOLSONYH2422
  • DALMENY HOUSENH0525
  • DRUMMOND TERRACENH0872

Data sources & freshness

  • State heritage register — State heritage authority · Period: current · Updated on site

Childcare

5 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • Frobel Early Learning Centrekindergarten
  • Lemon Tree Children's CentreGrattan Streetkindergarten
  • Melbourne University Family ClubCardigan Streetkindergarten
  • Queensberry Children's Centre (Building 262)Queensberry Streetkindergarten
  • RMIT City Campus Children's Centrekindergarten

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay mapping.

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Bushfire hazard overlays

Data sources & freshness

  • Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
24
Parks (OSM)
22

OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.

Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)

Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Desirability index

Desirability score
65.6/100
National rank
348th in Australia
State rank
106th in VIC
Peer rank
#32 among Metro Melbourne · Growth area suburbs
Cohort rank
#75 among Metro Melbourne suburbs
Data confidence
89%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • B21 Criminal Damagecrime179
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehiclecrime620
  • B44 Theft Of A Bicyclecrime156
  • B49 Other Theftcrime456
  • B53 Obtain Benefit By Deceptioncrime160
  • Frobel Early Learning Centrechildcarekindergarten
  • Lemon Tree Children's CentrechildcareGrattan Streetkindergarten
  • Melbourne University Family ClubchildcareCardigan Streetkindergarten
  • Queensberry Children's Centre (Building 262)childcareQueensberry Streetkindergarten
  • RMIT City Campus Children's Centrechildcarekindergarten

Data sources & freshness

Similar suburbs

Suburbs with a similar population, SEIFA decile and location.