Top 10 Suburbs with Highest Chinese Population in VIC 2025

Victoria is home to one of the largest Chinese communities in Australia, with tens of thousands of Chinese-background residents concentrated in Melbourne's eastern and south-eastern corridors. According to ABS Census 2021 data, the top 10 suburbs by Chinese population collectively house over 98,000 Chinese residents, ranging from established cultural hubs like Box Hill (46.6% Chinese) to rapidly growing outer suburbs like Point Cook and Keysborough. This data report ranks the 10 Victorian suburbs with the highest Chinese population, cross-referencing 2025 property prices from Domain, crime statistics from the Crime Statistics Agency Victoria, and VCE school performance data from VCAA. Whether you are looking for a well-established Chinese community with premium schools, or a more affordable suburb with strong growth potential, this analysis provides the numbers you need to make an informed decision.

Key Findings

• Box Hill has the highest Chinese concentration in Victoria at 46.6%, nearly 11 times the Melbourne average of 4.3%, though it ranks only 8th by total Chinese population (6,684). See the full profile on AU Guide Box Hill.
• Melbourne CBD and Glen Waverley lead by sheer numbers, each with over 16,000 Chinese residents. Glen Waverley combines a 38.0% Chinese population share with strong schools and below-average crime.
• Property prices span a wide range — from approx. $800K houses in Point Cook to approx. $2.3M in Balwyn North, offering options across different budgets. See AU Guide VIC Suburbs for full suburb comparisons.
• Doncaster East is the safest suburb on this list, with a crime rate of just 2,422 per 100K — 64% below the VIC state average of 6,810 per 100K.
• Keysborough recorded the strongest 10-year house price growth at 104%, more than double the growth seen in Doncaster (48%). Check AU Guide VIC School Rankings for school data across all suburbs.

Data Overview

The following table summarises all 10 suburbs ranked by Chinese population, with key metrics across property, safety, and education.

Sources: ABS Census 2021 (population), Domain 2025 (property prices), Crime Statistics Agency Victoria 2025 (crime rates), VCAA 2025 VCE data (school scores). School scores use the AU Guide VCE scoring method.

In-Depth Analysis

Demographics: Population Size vs Concentration

There is an important distinction between suburbs with the most Chinese residents and those with the highest Chinese percentage. Melbourne CBD and Glen Waverley each have over 16,000 Chinese residents, but Box Hill leads in concentration at 46.6% — meaning nearly half of all residents are of Chinese background. In contrast, Point Cook has 9,567 Chinese residents but a relatively low 14.3% share, reflecting its large overall population of 66,781.

The eastern suburbs dominate this list. Seven of the top 10 — Glen Waverley, Doncaster East, Mount Waverley, Doncaster, Balwyn North, Box Hill, and Wantirna South — are located in Melbourne's eastern corridor. Point Cook (west) and Keysborough (south-east) represent newer growth areas where Chinese communities have expanded rapidly over the past decade.

Property Market: Prices and Growth

Property prices across these 10 suburbs vary significantly, reflecting different positions in the market.

Balwyn North commands the highest house prices at approx. $2.3M, driven by its proximity to Balwyn High School (AU Guide Score: 91.5) and its established, leafy streetscapes. At the other end, Point Cook offers houses at approx. $800K — less than half the price of most eastern suburbs on this list — making it the most accessible entry point for families seeking a Chinese community presence.

In terms of capital growth, Keysborough has been the standout performer with 104% growth over 10 years, ranking in the top 8% of all VIC suburbs. Wantirna South follows at 87%, and Doncaster East at 79%. By contrast, Doncaster has seen the weakest growth at 48%, possibly reflecting the suburb's higher crime rate and lack of a train station relative to its price point.

Education: School Performance

Education is often a primary driver for Chinese families choosing a suburb. Several suburbs on this list are home to schools ranked among Victoria's best by VCE performance.

Top-tier schools (AU Guide Score 90+):

• MacRobertson Girls High School (Melbourne CBD) — AU Guide Score: 99.3, VCE median: 37, 34.7% of students scoring 40+. This selective government school is Victoria's highest-performing.
• Haileybury College (Keysborough) — AU Guide Score: 97.0, VCE median: 36, 31.2% scoring 40+. An independent school with consistently strong results.
• Huntingtower School (Mount Waverley) — AU Guide Score: 95.9, VCE median: 36, 27.7% scoring 40+.
• Balwyn High School (Balwyn North) — AU Guide Score: 91.5, VCE median: 33, 19.2% scoring 40+. A highly sought-after government school.
• Glen Waverley Secondary College — AU Guide Score: 91.4, VCE median: 33, 14.7% scoring 40+.
• Waverley Christian College (Wantirna South) — AU Guide Score: 90.8, VCE median: 34, 20.1% scoring 40+.

Mid-tier schools (AU Guide Score 80-89):

• East Doncaster Secondary College — AU Guide Score: 86.9, VCE median: 32.
• Box Hill High School — AU Guide Score: 86.2, VCE median: 32.
• Doncaster Secondary College — AU Guide Score: 80.8, VCE median: 32.

Point Cook has notably weaker school performance, with its top local school Homestead Senior SC scoring just 54.8. Families prioritising education in Point Cook would need to consider schools in neighbouring suburbs or private options further afield. All school scores are calculated using the AU Guide VCE scoring method, which incorporates median VCE study scores and the percentage of students achieving 40+.

Safety: Crime Rate Comparison

Safety varies considerably across these suburbs. The VIC state average crime rate is 6,810 incidents per 100,000 population.

• Well below average (safest): Doncaster East (2,422/100K), Balwyn North (2,868/100K) — both recording crime rates less than half the state average.
• Below average: Point Cook (4,069/100K), Mount Waverley (4,714/100K), Keysborough (4,930/100K), Glen Waverley (5,232/100K).
• Near average: Doncaster (6,691/100K) — just slightly below the state average.
• Above average: Wantirna South (7,319/100K) — marginally above average.
• Significantly above average: Box Hill (13,029/100K) — nearly double the state average, largely attributable to its role as a commercial and transport hub.
• Very high: Melbourne CBD (33,958/100K) — nearly 5 times the state average, typical for a high-density city centre with major nightlife and commercial activity.

For families who prioritise safety, Doncaster East and Balwyn North stand out as the clear leaders on this list.

Regional Comparison

The geographic distribution of Victoria's largest Chinese communities reveals a strong eastern Melbourne bias.

The eastern suburbs cluster offers the highest property prices but also the strongest school results and generally low crime rates. Glen Waverley, Mount Waverley, and Box Hill all have train stations on the Glen Waverley and Belgrave/Lilydale lines, providing direct CBD access. However, Doncaster, Doncaster East, and Balwyn North lack train stations, meaning residents rely on buses or driving — with transit times of 51 to 66 minutes to the CBD.

The south-eastern suburbs (Wantirna South and Keysborough) offer a mid-range price point with strong capital growth. Neither has a train station, but both provide access to major freeways (EastLink and Monash Freeway). Keysborough stands out for its proximity to Haileybury College, one of Victoria's top independent schools.

Point Cook in Melbourne's west represents the most affordable option, with median house prices well below the Melbourne average of approx. $1.05M. Its 14.3% Chinese population share, while the lowest on this list, still represents a sizable community of 9,567 residents — the 4th largest on the list by absolute numbers.

What This Means for Families

Based on the data, here are practical considerations by budget range:

Budget under $1M (houses): Point Cook (approx. $800K) and Keysborough (approx. $900K) are the only suburbs on this list where houses remain under $1M. Point Cook offers the lowest rents at $460/wk for a 3-bedroom house but has weaker local schools. Keysborough provides access to Haileybury College (AU Guide Score: 97.0) and has recorded 104% capital growth over 10 years.

Budget $1M – $1.5M: Wantirna South (approx. $1.3M) offers three strong independent schools all scoring above 87 on the AU Guide scale, combined with the second-highest capital growth (87%) on this list. Doncaster (approx. $1.5M) and Doncaster East (approx. $1.5M) both have Chinese populations above 36%, providing well-established community infrastructure. Doncaster East has the added advantage of being the safest suburb on this list (2,422/100K crime rate).

Budget $1.5M – $2M: Glen Waverley (approx. $1.6M) and Mount Waverley (approx. $1.6M) combine strong Chinese communities with high-performing schools and train station access. Box Hill (approx. $1.7M) offers the highest Chinese concentration (46.6%) and excellent transport links but has elevated crime rates due to its commercial centre.

Budget $2M+: Balwyn North (approx. $2.3M) is the premium option, offering very low crime (2,868/100K), Balwyn High School (AU Guide Score: 91.5), and a 32.0% Chinese community. However, it lacks a train station and has seen relatively modest capital growth (59%) over the past decade.

Unit buyers: Melbourne CBD and Box Hill both offer units at approx. $500K — the most affordable on this list. For families seeking more space, Point Cook (approx. $600K) and Doncaster (approx. $600K) provide mid-range unit options. Mount Waverley has the most expensive units at approx. $1.1M.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which VIC suburb has the highest percentage of Chinese residents?

Box Hill has the highest Chinese concentration in Victoria at 46.6% of its total population (6,684 Chinese residents out of 14,353 total), according to ABS Census 2021 data. This is nearly 11 times the Melbourne average of approximately 4.3%. Glen Waverley and Doncaster East are tied for second at 38.0% each.

Which suburb has the largest Chinese population by total numbers?

Melbourne CBD leads with 16,763 Chinese residents, closely followed by Glen Waverley with 16,188. Despite having the highest percentage, Box Hill ranks 8th by population count because it is a smaller suburb overall (14,353 total population). Point Cook, while only 14.3% Chinese, has the 4th largest Chinese community (9,567) due to its very large total population of 66,781.

What are the safest suburbs with a large Chinese population in Victoria?

Doncaster East is the safest suburb on this list with a crime rate of 2,422 per 100,000 — 64% below the VIC state average of 6,810. Balwyn North is the second safest at 2,868 per 100,000. Both suburbs have Chinese populations exceeding 30% and are located in Melbourne's eastern suburbs. Point Cook (4,069/100K) and Mount Waverley (4,714/100K) also record crime rates well below the state average.

Which suburbs offer the best schools for Chinese families in VIC?

Melbourne CBD is home to MacRobertson Girls High School (AU Guide Score: 99.3), Victoria's top-performing selective school. Among non-selective options, Keysborough has Haileybury College (97.0), Mount Waverley has Huntingtower School (95.9), and both Balwyn North (Balwyn High, 91.5) and Glen Waverley (Glen Waverley SC, 91.4) offer outstanding government schools. All scores are based on the AU Guide VCE scoring method.

Are there affordable suburbs with a significant Chinese community in Melbourne?

Yes. Point Cook offers houses at approx. $800K and units at approx. $600K, with 9,567 Chinese residents. Keysborough provides houses at approx. $900K and units at approx. $700K, with 5,704 Chinese residents and access to Haileybury College. Both suburbs have recorded strong capital growth (75% and 104% respectively over 10 years) and crime rates well below the VIC state average.

How do rents compare across these Chinese-populated suburbs?

Point Cook has the lowest rents at $460/wk for a 3-bedroom house. Keysborough ($550/wk) and Wantirna South ($595/wk) are also relatively affordable. At the higher end, Balwyn North commands $820/wk and Melbourne CBD $805/wk for a 3-bedroom house. For 2-bedroom units, Point Cook is cheapest at $420/wk, while Melbourne CBD is the most expensive at $750/wk.

Victoria's Chinese communities continue to cluster in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, where strong schools, established cultural amenities, and relatively low crime rates create an appealing combination. However, rising property prices in these established corridors have pushed more families westward to Point Cook and south-east to Keysborough, where houses remain under $1M and capital growth has outpaced the eastern suburbs over the past decade. The data shows there is no single "best" suburb — the right choice depends on each family's priorities across budget, school access, safety, and community size.

Data Sources

• ABS Census 2021 — Chinese population and demographic data
• Crime Statistics Agency Victoria — 2025 crime rate data (incidents per 100,000 population)
• VCAA — 2025 VCE study scores and school performance data
• Domain — 2025 median property prices and 10-year growth data
• AU Guide — School scoring methodology, suburb profiles, and rankings