Top 10 Suburbs with Highest Chinese Population in Melbourne 2025

Melbourne is home to one of Australia's largest Chinese communities, with several suburbs recording Chinese populations exceeding 30% of total residents. According to ABS Census 2021 data, the top 10 suburbs collectively house over 98,000 Chinese residents. Glen Waverley and Doncaster East each record 38.0% Chinese population, while Box Hill leads at 46.6%. Median house prices across these suburbs range from $815K in Point Cook to $2.325M in Balwyn North, and crime rates vary dramatically from 2,422 per 100K in Doncaster East to 33,958 per 100K in Melbourne CBD.

Key Findings

• Box Hill has the highest Chinese concentration at 46.6% of its 14,353 residents, though Melbourne CBD leads in absolute numbers with 16,763 Chinese residents (30.5% of 54,941).
• Eastern suburbs dominate the list — seven of the top 10 suburbs (Glen Waverley, Doncaster East, Mount Waverley, Doncaster, Balwyn North, Box Hill, Wantirna South) are located in Melbourne's east.
• Doncaster East is the safest suburb on this list with a crime rate of just 2,422 per 100K — well below the VIC average of 6,810 per 100K (Crime Statistics Agency).
• Property prices correlate with school quality — Balwyn North ($2.325M median house price) is home to Balwyn High School (score 91.5), while more affordable Point Cook ($815K) has lower-scoring schools.
• Point Cook is the population giant with 66,781 total residents, nearly five times larger than Box Hill (14,353), yet its Chinese percentage (14.3%) is the lowest in the top 10.

Top 10 Melbourne Suburbs by Chinese Population — Overview

Sources: ABS Census 2021 (population/demographics), Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (crime rates), AU Guide property data 2025.

In-Depth Analysis: Property Market

Property prices across Melbourne's top Chinese-population suburbs reflect a wide spectrum, from entry-level affordability to premium family homes. The median house price for these 10 suburbs averages around $1.48M, well above the Melbourne-wide median of approximately $1.1M.

Premium Tier ($1.5M+)

Balwyn North commands the highest median house price at $2.325M, making it the most expensive suburb on this list. Its unit market is equally premium at $1.313M. Box Hill follows at $1.725M for houses, though its unit prices ($520K) are dramatically lower, reflecting the suburb's high-density apartment development around the train station and shopping centre. Glen Waverley ($1.633M), Mount Waverley ($1.595M), and Doncaster ($1.54M) form a mid-premium cluster around the $1.5M–$1.6M mark.

Mid-Range ($900K–$1.5M)

Doncaster East ($1.486M), Wantirna South ($1.28M), and Keysborough ($934K) offer comparatively more affordable house prices while still providing access to established Chinese communities. Doncaster East stands out in this tier with an exceptionally low crime rate (2,422 per 100K) and strong school options.

Entry Level (Under $900K)

Point Cook is the most affordable suburb on this list at $815K median house price — 26% below the Melbourne median. For families seeking an established Chinese community without eastern-suburbs pricing, Point Cook offers a compelling entry point, though school scores are notably lower.

Rental Market Snapshot

Melbourne CBD commands the highest rents due to inner-city demand, with 2-bedroom units at $750/wk. Glen Waverley and Doncaster East sit at similar levels ($580–$600/wk for 2BR units), while Point Cook is the most affordable rental market at $420/wk for a 2-bedroom unit — roughly 44% less than the CBD.

In-Depth Analysis: Education

School quality is a primary driver for Chinese families choosing Melbourne suburbs. The eastern suburbs on this list are home to some of Victoria's highest-performing schools based on 2025 VCE results.

Melbourne CBD hosts Victoria's highest-scoring school — MacRobertson Girls' High School with a score of 99.3 — though as a selective-entry school, it draws students from across Melbourne rather than just the CBD. For government school zone access, Balwyn High School (91.5) and Glen Waverley Secondary College (91.4) are the standout options, both scoring above 90.

Wantirna South offers a cluster of strong independent schools (Waverley Christian 90.8, St Andrews Christian 88.4, The Knox School 87.8), providing families with multiple quality choices. Point Cook, despite having the largest total population, has the weakest school performance — its top school (Homestead Senior SC, 54.8) scores well below the other suburbs on this list. For a comprehensive look at top-performing schools statewide, see the AU Guide VIC School Rankings.

In-Depth Analysis: Safety

Safety varies significantly across the top 10 suburbs. The VIC state average crime rate is 6,810 incidents per 100,000 population, according to the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA).

Doncaster East (2,422/100K) and Balwyn North (2,868/100K) are among the safest suburbs in all of Melbourne, with crime rates roughly 60% below the state average. Six of the 10 suburbs record below-average crime rates, making the eastern suburbs corridor a notably safe region overall.

Box Hill (13,029/100K) and Melbourne CBD (33,958/100K) are outliers with elevated crime rates. CBD figures are inflated by the transient population — workers, tourists, and nightlife contribute to incident numbers relative to the residential population of 54,941. Box Hill's elevated rate reflects its role as a major commercial hub with a large shopping centre and transport interchange.

In-Depth Analysis: Demographics and Community

The Chinese population across these 10 suburbs totals 98,003 residents, representing a significant portion of Melbourne's broader Chinese community. The concentration ranges from 14.3% in Point Cook to 46.6% in Box Hill, compared to a Melbourne-wide average of approximately 5–8% (ABS Census 2021).

Three distinct demographic profiles emerge:

• High-concentration established communities (35%+): Box Hill (46.6%), Glen Waverley (38.0%), Doncaster East (38.0%), and Doncaster (36.6%) have deep-rooted Chinese communities with well-established grocery stores, restaurants, language schools, and community organisations. These suburbs typically have Chinese-language signage and services readily available.
• Affluent enclaves (25–35%): Balwyn North (32.0%), Melbourne CBD (30.5%), Wantirna South (28.7%), and Mount Waverley (26.7%) attract professional families seeking quality schools and quieter residential environments. Property prices in this group tend to be at the higher end.
• Growing communities (14–20%): Keysborough (19.0%) and Point Cook (14.3%) represent newer, growing Chinese communities in Melbourne's outer suburbs. These areas offer more affordable housing and larger land sizes, attracting younger families priced out of the eastern suburbs.

Regional Comparison: East vs South vs CBD

The eastern suburbs offer the highest Chinese population concentration (35.2% average) but at premium prices ($1.598M average house price). The southern suburbs (Point Cook and Keysborough) provide an affordable alternative ($875K average) with lower crime rates but weaker public school options and no train access. Melbourne CBD suits inner-city professionals who prioritise proximity to work over house prices and safety.

Transport and Connectivity

Only five of the 10 suburbs have their own train stations: Melbourne CBD, Glen Waverley, Mount Waverley, Box Hill, and (for commuters to the city) the Glen Waverley line serves several of these eastern suburbs. Notably, Doncaster, Doncaster East, Balwyn North, Point Cook, Wantirna South, and Keysborough all lack direct train access, relying instead on buses and car travel.

Distance to the CBD ranges from 0.9 km (Melbourne CBD itself) to 37.4 km (Wantirna South). For commuters, Glen Waverley (25.6 km, train) and Mount Waverley (21.5 km, train) offer the best balance of eastern-suburb community living with reliable public transport into the city.

What This Means for Families

Choosing the right suburb depends on each family's priorities. Here is how the top 10 suburbs stack up across key family decision factors:

• Best for schools (government): Balwyn North (Balwyn HS, 91.5) and Glen Waverley (Glen Waverley SC, 91.4) — both score above 90 with government school zone access.
• Best for safety: Doncaster East (2,422/100K) and Balwyn North (2,868/100K) — both more than 55% below the state average crime rate.
• Best for affordability: Point Cook ($815K house, $561K unit) — the only suburb under $1M for houses, with units 35% cheaper than Glen Waverley.
• Best for community immersion: Box Hill (46.6% Chinese) and Glen Waverley (38.0%) — the most established Chinese community infrastructure.
• Best all-rounder: Glen Waverley balances strong schools (91.4), moderate safety (5,232/100K, 23% below average), train access, and a well-established community (38.0% Chinese) — though at a premium price ($1.633M).

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Melbourne suburb has the highest percentage of Chinese residents?

Box Hill has the highest Chinese concentration at 46.6% of its total population (6,684 out of 14,353 residents), according to ABS Census 2021 data. However, Melbourne CBD and Glen Waverley have larger absolute Chinese populations (16,763 and 16,188 respectively).

What is the safest suburb with a large Chinese community in Melbourne?

Doncaster East is the safest suburb on this list, with a crime rate of just 2,422 per 100,000 population — 64% below the Victorian average of 6,810 per 100K (Crime Statistics Agency). It also has an 11,748-strong Chinese community making up 38.0% of residents.

Which suburb offers the best schools for Chinese families in Melbourne?

For government schools, Balwyn North (home to Balwyn High School, score 91.5) and Glen Waverley (home to Glen Waverley SC, score 91.4) offer the highest-scoring options with zone-based enrolment. For independent schools, Keysborough provides access to Haileybury College (score 97.0).

What are the most affordable suburbs with large Chinese populations in Melbourne?

Point Cook is the most affordable, with a median house price of $815K and units at $561K — roughly half the price of Glen Waverley ($1.633M house). Keysborough ($934K house) is the second most affordable option. Both suburbs are in Melbourne's south and offer growing Chinese communities of 9,567 and 5,704 residents respectively.

How does Glen Waverley compare to Doncaster East for Chinese families?

Both suburbs have identical Chinese population percentages (38.0%), but Glen Waverley has a larger absolute Chinese population (16,188 vs 11,748) and a train station. Doncaster East is safer (crime rate 2,422 vs 5,232 per 100K) and slightly more affordable ($1.486M vs $1.633M for houses). Glen Waverley has a higher-scoring top school (91.4 vs 86.9). Rental costs are similar, with Glen Waverley slightly higher at $600/wk for a 2BR unit vs $580/wk in Doncaster East.

Is Melbourne CBD suitable for families with children?

Melbourne CBD has the largest Chinese population (16,763) and provides access to elite schools like MacRobertson Girls' High School (99.3) and Melbourne Grammar (97.1). However, its crime rate of 33,958 per 100K is nearly five times the state average, and the unit-dominated housing market (median $530K) offers limited family-sized accommodation. CBD rents are the highest on this list at $750/wk for a 2BR unit. Most families with school-aged children prefer the eastern suburbs for their larger homes, gardens, and lower crime rates.

Which suburbs have train station access?

Five of the 10 suburbs have train stations: Melbourne CBD, Glen Waverley, Mount Waverley, Box Hill, and the stations along the Glen Waverley and Belgrave/Lilydale lines. The remaining five suburbs — Doncaster, Doncaster East, Balwyn North, Point Cook, Wantirna South, and Keysborough — rely on bus networks and private transport.

Data Sources

• Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) — Census 2021 population and demographic data
• Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (CSA) — Crime rate data
• AU Guide VIC School Rankings — 2025 VCE school performance data and AU Guide scores
• AU Guide property data 2025 — Median house and unit prices, rental data
• AU Guide Scoring Methodology — How school scores are calculated