Carlton
VIC 3053 · Melbourne
16,055 (2021) → 23,773 est. (2025) · High Growth
Based on transport, liveability & education. Safety is scored separately below.
Carlton is a high growth suburb in Melbourne, VIC 3053, about 2km from Melbourne CBD. Its median house price of $1.49M is more expensive than the VIC average. The suburb has 3 schools, a transport score of 96/100, and is a short drive from the coast. Carlton has an overall score of 95/100, based on transport, liveability and education, plus a separate residential safety score of 26/100.
Demographics
Age distribution
ATO 2023-24, postcode 3053 area — postcode-level, not suburb-specific.
Top countries of birth: China (13.97%), India (4.97%), Malaysia (3.86%), England (2.1%), Vietnam (1.99%)
Top languages: Mandarin (16.56%), Cantonese (3.25%), Vietnamese (2.34%), Spanish (1.89%), Arabic (1.8%)
Source: ABS Census 2021
Property
Median price history
Source: Valuer-General Victoria (DTF) · Updated 2024
Residential Safety
Commercial & services hub. This suburb is a major employment and services centre, drawing a significant daily influx of workers and visitors from surrounding areas. Crime figures are recorded by incident location and include offences involving commuters and visitors, not just residents, so the per-resident crime rates below may overstate the risk for people who live here.
Nightlife hub. This suburb has a high concentration of licensed venues. Crime figures include incidents involving visitors to the nightlife area, not just residents.
Recorded residential incidents (latest year), with rate per 100,000 residents:
Includes street and public-place assaults — supplementary context, not part of the safety score.
Residential incidents over time
Sum of the five residential categories above — not all recorded crime.
Area crime context
Totals include incidents involving commuters and visitors, not just residents.
An independent score — crime data quality varies by state, so safety is shown separately and is not part of the overall score.
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (suburb-level) · Updated 2025
Schools
Strong school options
Well above average — good-quality schools within reach and a healthy range of options to choose from.
Average ICSEA of schools within 10km 1104 (above the national average of 1000).
In suburb
- Carlton Gardens Primary SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 1133
- Carlton Primary SchoolPrimary · GovernmentICSEA 957
- Saints College - BlendED CampusSecondary · Catholic
Nearby (within 10km)
- Academy of Mary ImmaculateSecondary · Catholic · 0.7kmICSEA 1079
- Hester Hornbrook AcademySecondary · Independent · 0.8kmICSEA 943
- Sacred Heart SchoolPrimary · Catholic · 0.9kmICSEA 936
- Ozford CollegeSecondary · Independent · 1.1kmICSEA 1008
- Carlton North Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.1kmICSEA 1148
- Ozford College - Ozford College CampusSecondary · Independent · 1.1km
- Holmes Grammar SchoolSecondary · Independent · 1.2km
- Simonds Catholic College - St Brigid's VCE CampusSecondary · Catholic · 1.2km
- Fitzroy Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · 1.2kmICSEA 1028
- Stott's CollegesSecondary · Independent · 1.2km
- Saints College - North Melbourne CampusSecondary · Catholic · 1.2kmICSEA 935
- Mount Alexander 7-12 College-River Nile CampusSecondary · Government · 1.2km
Source: ACARA MySchool · Updated 2025
Transport
Source: TfNSW GTFS
Employment & Economy
Top local industries
Source: DEWR SALM / ABS Census 2021 · Updated SALM Mar 2026 / 2021 Census
Liveability
Amenities within 2–3km
Counted within a short distance of the suburb centre (so nearby facilities count), with the in-boundary count shown beneath.
In this suburb
Source: Bureau of Meteorology · OpenStreetMap · Healthdirect NHSD (via Geoscience Australia)
Fitness
Plenty of options
Well above average — a good spread of gyms and sports facilities within easy reach.
Facilities within 3km of the suburb centre. The Fitness Score is a national percentile of these counts per resident.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Outdoors
Outdoor paradise
Top 20% nationally — abundant parks and green space, plus trails, bike paths and places to enjoy the outdoors.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Outdoor Score is a national percentile led by parks and green space.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Culture
Cultural hotspot
Top 20% nationally — theatres, museums, galleries, libraries and landmarks all within reach. A genuinely vibrant cultural scene.
Within 3km of the suburb centre. The Culture Score is a national percentile weighting theatres, museums, galleries, libraries and arts centres most heavily.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Entertainment Scene
Entertainment paradise
A seriously impressive licensed venue scene — top 20% nationally for density of pubs, bars, clubs and dining.
Nightlife hub. High licensed-venue density drives a significant evening economy here — incidents near the venues are recorded by location, so crime figures include visitors, not just residents.
View nearby venues on the Entertainment Map →
Source: VGCCC (Victorian liquor register) · Updated April 2026
Childcare
Limited options
Below average for childcare access — fewer services nearby, and families may need to travel further for preferred options.
View childcare centres on the map →
Source: ACECQA National Quality Framework Register · Updated July 2026
Aged Care
Government-subsidised aged care services located in this suburb. Star Ratings are the official ratings for residential aged care homes.
Source: Dept of Health, Disability and Ageing · Updated May 2026 Star Ratings
Places of Worship
Mapped places of worship within 3km of the suburb centre, grouped by religion where recorded. Community mapping may not capture every congregation.
Source: OpenStreetMap
Population & Growth
High GrowthSource: ABS ERP & NSW DPHI
Nearby suburbs in Melbourne
Compare Carlton with another suburb
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Frequently asked questions about Carlton
Is Carlton safe?
Carlton has a residential safety score of 26/100, based on residential crime (break-ins, theft from dwellings, vehicle theft, domestic assault and robbery) per resident relative to the NSW median. Its total recorded incident rate is 17,110 per 100,000 across all categories.
What are property prices in Carlton?
In Carlton, the .
How far is Carlton from Melbourne CBD?
Carlton is about 1.5 km from Melbourne CBD, an estimated 17 minutes by public transport.
What schools are in Carlton?
Carlton has 3 schools, with an average ICSEA of 1045 (the national average is 1000). Schools are listed factually, not ranked.
What is public transport like in Carlton?
Carlton has a transport score of 96/100 and 37 bus stops.