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                    Melbourne facts and figures

                    View of CBD buildings, parkland in the foreground
                    This page provides a snapshot of the City of Melbourne and greater Melbourne, including facts and statistics on its population, residents, economy and employment.
                    Important notice
                    City of Melbourne’s forecasts were prepared prior to the COVID-19 event. They do not consider potential impacts to assumptions (births, deaths, migration) stemming from COVID-19. They do, however, provide a baseline by which to understand where the population may have been without this external shock.

                    Melbourne is Victoria's capital city and the business, administrative, cultural and recreational hub of the state.

                    The entire Greater Melbourne area covers 9992.5 km2 and has a population of around 4.96 million.

                    The City of Melbourne municipality covers 37.7 km2 and has a residential population of almost 180,000 (as of 2019). It is made up of the city centre and a number of inner suburbs, each with its own distinctive character and with different businesses, dwellings and communities living and working there.

                    The people of Melbourne

                    The City of Melbourne's population is made up of many groups of people of all ages and from many different cultures. Residents include young professionals, international students and older couples looking to enjoy everything the city has to offer.

                    On an average weekday around 972,000 people use the city, and each year Melbourne hosts over a million international visitors.

                    For more information about the people who live in and use Melbourne every day, visit Residents profiles and Daily population estimates and forecasts.

                    Melbourne and government

                    The City of Melbourne as a council (Melbourne City Council) oversees the municipal area that includes Melbourne's city centre and several inner suburbs. As a capital-city council, it also speaks on behalf of Melbourne in local, national and international forums. 

                    The City of Melbourne works with other local councils and the Victorian Government to ensure that Melbourne is one of the safest, healthiest and cleanest cities in the world. It supports Melbourne's position as Australia's pre-eminent centre for arts and culture, education, dining and shopping.

                    The City of Melbourne's seven neighbouring councils are Hobsons Bay, Port Phillip, Stonnington, Yarra, Moreland, Moonee Valley and Maribyrnong. To find out more about other councils, see the Victorian Government's Guide to councils.

                    Location

                    The City of Melbourne municipality is located at latitude 37 degrees 49 minutes south and longitude 144 degrees 58 minutes east on the south-east edge of Australia.

                    Focused around a central business district, metropolitan Melbourne's suburbs spread more than 40 km to the south, are hemmed in by the Dandenong ranges 30 km to the east, extend up to 20 km to the north and sprawl across vast, flat basalt plains to the west.

                    Language

                    The official language is English, but more than 100 languages are spoken by the city's residents. Read more about the city’s Aboriginal culture and multicultural communities. 

                    Weather and climate

                    As a general rule, Melbourne enjoys a temperate climate with warm to hot summers, mild and sometimes balmy springs and autumns, and cool winters.

                    ​The weather can be changeable, so be prepared for anything – take an umbrella and wear layers that can be worn or removed as needed.

                    Melbourne is an excellent place to see the seasons change. In summer, take a stroll through our beautiful city. In autumn, experience the glorious foliage of the many European-style parks that fringe the central city. In winter, enjoy the warmth of cosy cafes and bars. Spring is a time for renewal – a great time to head back into our parks and revel in our gardens.

                    Average temperatures by season
                    Season
                    		Average maximum
                    		Average minimum
                    Summer (December to February): warm to hot25°C (77°F)14°C (57°F)
                    Autumn (March to May): mild20°C (68°F)11°C (52°F)
                    Winter (June to August): cool to brisk14°C (57°F) 7°C (45°F)
                    Spring (September to November): cool to mild20°C (68°F) 10°C (50°F)

                    Source: Bureau of Meteorology, Climate statistics for Australian Locations (Melbourne)

                    Melbourne in numbers

                    City of Melbourne

                    ​
                    		 ​Latest figure (year) ​Past figure (year) ​Source
                    ​​City of Melbourne area
                    		 ​37.7 km2 ​N/A
                    		 ​N/A
                    ​Estimated resident population 178,955 (2019p) ​170,317 (2018r) ​Australian Bureau of Statistics, 3218.0 Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2018-19
                    ​Forecasted resident population
                    		 275,363 (2029)
                    		 N/A
                    		 City of Melbourne .id consultants Population Forecasts
                    ​Top three estimated resident populations of City of Melbourne by small area

                    ​Melbourne (including CBD): 51,894 (2019p)

                    North and West Melbourne: 26,462 (2019p)

                    Southbank: 26,324 (2019p)

                    ​Melbourne (including CBD): 49,247 (2018r)

                    North and West Melbourne: 25,370 (2018r)

                    Southbank: 24,424 (2018r)

                    		 ​Australian Bureau of Statistics, 3218.0 Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2018-19
                    ​Residential dwellings ​83,100 (2018)
                    		 83,100 (2017) ​City of Melbourne, Smart City Office, Census of Land Use and Employment (CLUE), CLUE 2018 summary report infographic
                    ​Median age ​28 (2016) ​28 (2011) ​Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016 Census of Population and Housing
                    ​Daily population (on average weekday) 972,000 (2019) ​949,000 (2018) ​City of Melbourne, Smart City Office, Daily Population Estimates and Forecasts, 2017 update
                    ​Night time (6pm to 6am) daily population (on average weekday) ​418,000 (2016) ​394,000 (2015) ​City of Melbourne, Smart City Office, Daily Population Estimates and Forecasts, 2017 update
                    ​International visitors per year (to Metropolitan Melbourne) 3,029,857 (2019) 2,940,839 (2018)​Tourism Research Australia, International Visitors Survey, Year ending December 2019​
                    ​Residents born overseas (not stated=15,700)
                    		 ​56% (2016) ​48% (2011) ​Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016 Census of Population and Housing
                    ​Overseas higher education students living or studying in the municipality 71,510 (2018) 59,027 (2017) ​Higher Education Student Enrolment Data, Department of Education and Training
                    ​Most common language spoken, other than English (not stated=15,500)
                    		 ​Mandarin: 19% (2016) ​Mandarin: 10% (2011) ​Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016 Census of Population and Housing
                    ​Total built space ​​33,900,000 m2 (2018) ​​32,700,000 m2  (2017)

                    		 ​City of Melbourne, Smart City Office, Census of Land Use and Employment (CLUE), CLUE 2018 summary report
                    ​Total employment (jobs) ​479,200 (2018) 461,000 (2017) ​City of Melbourne, Smart City Office, Census of Land Use and Employment (CLUE), CLUE 2018 summary report infographic
                    ​Number of establishments (business locations) ​16,800 (2018) 16,700 (2017)
                    		 ​City of Melbourne, Smart City Office, Census of Land Use and Employment (CLUE), Business establishments per CLUE industry for blocks, 2002-2018
                    ​Largest industry by establishments
                    		 ​Business services: 2800 (2018) ​Business services: 2800 (2017) ​​City of Melbourne, Smart City Office, Census of Land Use and Employment (CLUE), Business establishments per CLUE industry for blocks, 2002-2018
                    ​Largest industry by employment
                    		 ​Business services: 84,100 (2018)
                    		 Business services: 81,700 (2017) ​City of Melbourne, Smart City Office, Census of Land Use and Employment (CLUE), CLUE 2018 summary report infographic
                    Largest space use Residential accommodation: 7,540,000 m2 (2018) ​Residential accommodation: 7,124,000 m2 (2017) ​City of Melbourne, Smart City Office, Census of Land Use and Employment (CLUE), CLUE 2018 summary report infographic
                    ​Number of cafe and restaurant venues ​2390 (2018)
                    		 2360 (2017) ​City of Melbourne, Smart City Office, Census of Land Use and Employment (CLUE), CLUE 2018 summary report infographic
                    ​Number of cafe, restaurant or bistro seats ​195,000 (2018) ​198,300 (2017) City of Melbourne, Smart City Office, Census of Land Use and Employment (CLUE), CLUE 2018 summary report infographic
                    ​Most common occupation of workers

                    ​Professionals:
                    39% (2016)

                    ​Professionals:
                    42% (2011)

                    		 ​Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016 Census of Population and Housing
                    ​Total length of roads ​344 km (2019)
                    		 ​343 km (2018) ​City of Melbourne, Mapbase
                    ​Total area of parks and reserves ​​4,958,000 m2 (2018) 4,941,000 m2 (2017) City of Melbourne, Smart City Office, Census of Land Use and Employment (CLUE), CLUE 2018 summary report infographic
                    ​Tallest building ​Eureka Tower,
                    3-7 Riverside Quay Southbank: 
                    92 levels, 300 m                     		​N/A
                    		 ​Eureka SkyDeck
                    ​Oldest building ​Mitre Tavern,
                    5-9 Bank Place:
                    1837                     		​N/A
                    		 ​​City of Melbourne, Smart City Office, Census of Land Use and Employment (CLUE), Building information, 2002-2018

                    Disclaimer

                    This table is for information and communication purposes only. While care is taken to ensure the information is accurate and reliable, the City of Melbourne cannot guarantee this. Content is derived from a range of sources at various times and as such it may not be free from errors, omissions or inconsistencies. It is recommended that users exercise care with its use. The City of Melbourne takes no responsibility for inaccurate information and does not accept any liability whatsoever for any direct or indirect loss, damage or injury suffered as a result of reliance on this information. 

                    Greater Melbourne

                    ​
                    		 ​Latest figure (year) ​Past figure (year) ​Source
                    ​Greater Melbourne Metropolitan area

                    ​9992.5 km2  (2016)


                    		 9990.5 km2 (2011)
                    		 ​N/A
                    ​Estimated resident population ​5,078,193 (2019p) ​4,964,713 (2018r) ​Australian Bureau of Statistics, 3218.0 Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2018-19
                    ​Residential (private) dwellings ​1,832,043 (2016)
                    		 ​1,636,167 (2011) ​Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016 Census of Population and Housing
                    ​Median age
                    		 ​36 (2016)
                    		 ​36 (2011)
                    		 Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016 Census of Population and Housing


                    Note: p – preliminary, r – revised (Australian Bureau of Statistics definitions)

                    Greater Melbourne (formally Melbourne Statistical Division in 2006) incorporated parts of Moorabool (Bacchus Marsh), Macedon Ranges (Gisborne, Macedon, Lancefield, Riddells Creek), Mitchell (Wallan, Wandong) and Murrindindi (Kinglake) Shires, as well as a bit more of Yarra Ranges (Warburton East) in the 2011 Census, and is now known as Greater Melbourne Capital City Statistical Area.

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