South Yarra (West) Small Area Demographic Profile 2013

South Yarra (West) Small Area Demographic Profile 2013

Contents

Disclaimer 3

Data sources 3

Further information 3

1. Key findings 5

2. Profile 5

2.1. History and environment of South Yarra (West) 5

2.2. Geography of South Yarra (West) small area 6

2.3. Demographic profile 7

2.4. Social profile 9

2.5. Income profile 10

2.6. Socio-economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) 11

2.7. Housing 13

2.8. Land use and business activity 13

2.9. Workforce 15

2.10. Future outlook 18

Disclaimer

While all due care has been taken to ensure that the content of this report is accurate and current, there may be errors or omissions in it and no legal responsibility is accepted for the information and opinions contained within.

In addition, as the report is based on historic information that is subject to revision and assumptions in preparing forecast figures that are both difficult to predict and liable to change, we do not guarantee the reports currency.

Data sources

Unless otherwise stated, all data in this report are based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011 Census of Population and Housing.

City of Melbourne’s own Census of Land Use and Employment (CLUE) 2010 database also utilised for various economic, land use and employment related analysis.

Forecast population estimates provided via 2011-2036 Population and Household forecasts, id Consultants, last updated October 2013.

Further information

For further information about this small area, another small area with the City of Melbourne or the municipality overall, see the City Research webpage found via the City of Melbourne homepage:

http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/AboutMelbourne/Statistics/Pages/Statistics.aspx

This link also contains other demographic reports related to various elements of the City of Melbourne and the small areas contained within it, such as: Workers Profile, Students Profile, High rise Dwellers profile, Younger Persons Profile, Older Persons Profile and Key Changes between 2006 and 2011 Censuses.

1.  Key findings

The 5597 residents in South Yarra (West) represented just 6 per cent of the City of Melbourne’s (the ‘municipality’) overall population. South Yarra (West) housed the fourth lowest number of residents of all the municipality’s small areas, with only Docklands, East Melbourne and West Melbourne housing fewer residents.

There were 3700 dwellings in South Yarra (West) representing around 6 per cent of the municipality, with residential apartments comprising 85 per cent of all housing types in the small area. With the municipality average at 67 per cent, the higher proportion in South Yarra (West) is an indicator of the presence of mainly high-rise apartment towers in the area.

The proportion of households renting (40 per cent) was the lowest across the municipality’s small areas, while the one third (34 per cent) with home ownership or mortgages was the second highest proportion for small areas across the municipality.

The median age of 35 years was the second highest among the small areas, with only East Melbourne (36 years) higher and likely linked to the relatively high proportion of home ownership. South Yarra (West)’s median age was above the municipality median age of 28, but was younger than the median of 36 years for Greater Melbourne or 37 years for Australia.

Three in 10 (30 per cent) South Yarra (West) residents were born overseas with 16 per cent speaking a language other than English at home. England was the most common country of birth outside Australia (5 per cent) and Mandarin was the most common non-English language spoken at home (2 per cent).

The median personal income of 1108 dollars was the second highest among the municipality’s small areas. Despite this relatively high median weekly income one in seven (14 per cent) earned less than 300 dollars per week, while one third (35 per cent) earned above 1250 dollars.

The most common household type in South Yarra (West) was a family household (43 per cent), followed by lone person households (38 per cent) and group households (9 per cent). The proportion of group households was the equal lowest proportion in the municipality, with Docklands and East Melbourne comparable.

South Yarra (West) scored higher than the overall municipality for all four SEIFA (Socio-Economic Index for Areas) metrics, indicating minimal social disadvantage in the area.

Just under 14,000 people worked in South Yarra (West) with the most common occupation a ‘professional’ (53 per cent). Nine in 10 (90 per cent) of the workforce lived outside the City of Melbourne but within Greater Melbourne.

One third (33 per cent) of South Yarra (West)’s workers used some form of public transport to get to work, with driving a car the most common transport form, used by around half (51 per cent) of workers. 7 per cent walked, while bicycles were ridden by 4per cent.

South Yarra (West)’s population is forecast to reach around 7200 by 2036, living in around 3700 households.

2.  Profile

2.1.  History and environment of South Yarra (West)

TheCity of Melbourne contains only a portion of the suburb South Yarra: the area west of Punt Road is in this Local Government Area, while the area to the east is in Stonnington City Council.

The area within the municipality, referred to as the small area of South Yarra (West) includes an enclave of beautiful period housing, a short stretch of traffic-heavy Punt Road, a slice of the meandering Yarra River and picturesque Fawkner Park, which offers a great variety of sporting and recreation activities.

The small area of South Yarra (West) also includes the section east to St Kilda Road that runs south down to High Street, incorporating the Alfred Hospital and Wesley College.

2.2.  Geography of South Yarra (West) small area

Figure 1: South Yarra (West) small area geography within City of Melbourne

The small area of South Yarra (West) includes the component of the suburb of South Yarra within the City of Melbourne boundary, along with the section west of this state suburb boundary through to St Kilda road and south down to High Street.

2.3.  Demographic profile

Figure 2: Key metrics of South Yarra (West) residents

Key metrics / South Yarra (West) / City of Melbourne
Residential population / 5997
(6 per cent of City of Melbourne) / 93,627
Younger residents (12-25 years) / 17 per cent / 33 per cent
Older residents (60 years and over) / 22 per cent / 10 per cent
Median age / 35 / 28
Residents born overseas / 30 per cent / 48 per cent
Most common language spoken at home (other than English) / Mandarin
(2 per cent) / Mandarin
(10 per cent)
Weekly personal income <$300 / 14 per cent / 26 per cent
Weekly personal income >$1250 / 35 per cent / 23 per cent
Median personal weekly income / 1108 dollars / 711 dollars
Higher education (university) students / 9 per cent / 21 per cent
Bachelor degree or higher / 44 per cent / 40 per cent

South Yarra (West)’s residential population of 5997 represents 6 per cent of the City of Melbourne’s (the ‘municipality’) overall population.

With a median age of 35 years, South Yarra (West) had the second oldest median age among the municipality’s small areas, with only East Melbourne returning an older median age (36 years).

South Yarra (West) also had the second lowest proportion of 12-25 year olds (17 per cent) among the small areas, again only ahead of East Melbourne (13 per cent).

At the other end of the age scale, South Yarra (West) had the highest proportion of residents aged 60 years and over (22 per cent) among the small areas, which was more than twice the municipality average of 10per cent.

The average personal income of 1108 dollars was only surpassed by East Melbourne’s residents (1164 dollars), despite 14 per cent in South Yarra (West) earning less than 300 dollars. One third of South Yarra (West) residents (35 per cent) earned more than 1250 dollars assisting to raise the median income to the second highest in the municipality.

South Yarra (West) was home to the smallest proportion of higher education students (9 per cent) across all the municipality’s small areas, less than half the municipality average of 21 per cent. Just under half (44 per cent) held a bachelor degree qualification or higher, which was slightly higher than the municipality average of 40 per cent and the third highest proportion among the small areas behind only East Melbourne (50 per cent) and Southbank (46 per cent).

Figure 3: South Yarra (West) age profile

Years of age / Number of Residents
0-4 years / 214
5-9 years / 135
10-14 years / 136
15-19 years / 286
20-24 years / 536
25-29 years / 915
30-34 years / 742
35-39 years / 475
40-44 years / 381
45-49 years / 296
50-54 years / 272
55-59 years / 309
60-64 years / 331
65-69 years / 291
70-74 years / 219
75-79 years / 127
80-84 years / 142
85-89 years / 94
90-94 years / 68
95-99 years / 22
100 years and over / 6

As Figure 3 depicts, nearly three in 10 (28 per cent) of South Yarra (West)’s residents were aged 25 to 34 years – despite the relatively high median age for this small area. It is the increase observable in Figure 3 from around 55 years through to 74 years that accounts for the median age.

2.4.  Social profile

2.4.1.  Education

Around one in five (18 per cent) South Yarra (West) residents attended an educational institution, a proportion lower than the overall municipality (30 per cent) and only higher than Docklands (17 per cent) and East Melbourne (15 per cent). Among South Yarra (West)’s students, around half (48 per cent) were undertaking higher education (i.e. university of similar).

Higher education students comprised 9 per cent of South Yarra (West)’s total population, the lowest proportion across all the municipality’s small areas.

Just under half (44 per cent) of South Yarra (West)’s residents held a bachelor degree qualification or higher, which was slightly higher than the overall municipality (40 per cent).

2.4.2.  Household and family structure

Family households* accounted for just over four in ten (43 per cent) household types in South Yarra (West), making this the most common household type in the small area. Lone person households comprised 38 per cent, with group households accounting for 9per cent which was the equal lowest proportion across all the small areas with Docklands and East Melbourne.

*Note: a family is defined by the ABS as two or more persons, one of whom is at least 15 years of age, who are related by blood, marriage (registered or de facto), adoption, step or fostering, and who are usually resident in the same household.

2.4.3.  Culture and language profile

One in three (30 per cent) South Yarra (West) residents were born overseas, a relatively low proportion for small areas within the City of Melbourne which averaged 48per cent overall, and was only higher than East Melbourne (27 per cent).

The most common countries of birth other than Australia included: England (5 per cent), New Zealand (3 per cent), India (3 per cent), Malaysia (2 per cent) and China (1 per cent).

A relatively low 16 per cent of South Yarra (Wests)’s residents spoke a language other than English at home, with only East Melbourne containing a lower proportion (14 per cent). The most common languages spoken including: Mandarin (2 per cent), Cantonese (1 per cent) and Hindi (1 per cent).

2.4.4.  Internet connection at home

Households South Yarra (West) were most likely to have a broadband connection at home, with seven in 10 (71 per cent) connected this way. Nearing one in 10 (9 per cent) had no Internet connection, 2 per cent maintained a dial-up connection, 7 per cent accessed the Internet via another* connection type and 11 per cent of households in South Yarra (West) did not provide an answer to this Census question.

Note on Internet connection types:

·  Broadband connection includes: ADSL, Cable, Wireless, Satellite, Fibre and Mobile connections

·  Dial up connection includes: analogue modem and ISDN connections

·  Other connection type includes: Internet access through mobile phones, etc.

2.5.  Income profile

Figure 4: South Yarra (West) income comparisons

Income (weekly) / South Yarra (West) / City of Melbourne
Median total personal income / 1108 dollars / 711 dollars
Median total family income / 2660 dollars / 1962 dollars
Median total household income / 1871 dollars / 1352 dollars

The median total personal income for South Yarra (West) (1108 dollars) was the second highest among all the municipality’s small areas, with only the small area East Melbourne (1164 dollars) higher.

South Yarra (West)’s median incomes, as listed above in Figure 4, were all well above the municipality medians. There was, however, one in seven (14 per cent) residents earning less than 300 dollars, despite the relatively high median incomes.

Figure 5: South Yarra (West) personal weekly income profile

Personal Weekly Income / Number of Residents
Negative income / 25
Nil income / 392
1-199 dollars / 232
200-299 dollars / 187
300-399 dollars / 240
400-599 dollars / 358
600-799 dollars / 351
800-999 dollars / 386
1,000-1,249 dollars / 585
1,250-1,499 dollars / 487
1,500-1,999 dollars / 592
2,000 dollars or more / 1009
Not stated / 673
Not applicable / 480

2.6.  Socio-economic Index for Areas (SEIFA)

SEIFA is a suite of four indexes compiled from data collected in the ABS 2011 Census which rank areas in terms of the socio-economic characteristics of persons and households in that area. SEIFA allows for comparisons of areas whereby the lower the score, the greater the disadvantage relative to other comparable areas.