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Box Hill South Suburb Guide 2025

02/04/202610 min readAU Guide 编辑部

Located approximately 16.9 kilometres southeast of Melbourne's CBD in the heart of Eastern Melbourne, Box Hill South (postcode 3128) is a well-established residential suburb that appeals strongly to Chinese-Australian families. With a Chinese population of 2,223 residents — representing 26.2% of the total population and ranking it #15 across Greater Melbourne — the suburb offers a mature community with strong cultural ties. Property prices sit at a median of approximately $1.35M for houses and approximately $925K for units, while the crime rate of 5,900 per 100,000 residents remains comfortably below the Victorian state average of 6,810. Box Hill South provides access to several quality schools within and around the suburb, making it a practical choice for education-focused families seeking a balance between community, safety, and reasonable proximity to the city centre.

Box Hill South — Key Facts

CategoryDetails
LocationEastern Melbourne, approximately 16.9 km from CBD
Postcode3128
Total Population8,491 (ABS Census 2021)
Chinese Population2,223 (26.2%), ranked #15 in Melbourne
Area3.49 km², density 2,433/km²
Median House Priceapproximately $1.35M
Median Unit Priceapproximately $925K
10-Year House Growth63%
10-Year Unit Growth40%
Median Rent (3-bed house)$630/week
Crime Rate5,900 per 100K (below VIC avg 6,810)
Drive to CBD27 minutes
Public Transit to CBD46 minutes
Train StationNo own station; nearby suburb has station
Top SchoolBox Hill High School (nearby, AU Guide Score 86.20)

Community & Demographics

Box Hill South is home to 8,491 residents spread across 3.49 square kilometres, resulting in a moderate population density of 2,433 people per square kilometre. The suburb has one of Melbourne's most established Chinese communities, with 2,223 Chinese-heritage residents making up 26.2% of the total population according to ABS Census 2021 data. This places Box Hill South at #15 among all Melbourne suburbs for Chinese population concentration, firmly in the top 4% across the metropolitan area.

The strong Chinese presence is reflected in the local infrastructure. Residents benefit from proximity to the Box Hill Central shopping precinct, which features a wide selection of Asian supermarkets, restaurants, and specialty stores. Chinese-language services — from medical practitioners to accountancy firms — are readily available in the broader Box Hill area. Community organisations and cultural groups provide social connections for both long-established residents and newer arrivals.

The suburb's character is predominantly residential, with a mix of older detached homes on generous blocks and newer townhouse developments that have emerged over the past decade. Tree-lined streets and several parks, including Gardiners Creek Reserve, give the area a leafy, family-friendly atmosphere. The demographic profile skews toward families and older couples, with a notable proportion of multi-generational households common in the Chinese-Australian community.

Box Hill South sits adjacent to Box Hill, one of Melbourne's designated major activity centres, which provides residents with convenient access to major retail, medical facilities (Box Hill Hospital), and transport connections without the density and traffic congestion of the commercial hub itself. This positioning — close to amenities but within a quieter residential setting — is a key part of Box Hill South's appeal.

Schools & Education

Education is a major drawcard for families considering Box Hill South. While the suburb itself has one secondary school, several well-regarded options sit in neighbouring suburbs within easy reach. Below is a comprehensive overview of secondary schools in and around Box Hill South, based on 2025 VCE results.

Box Hill High School (Box Hill — nearby)

  • Type: Government, co-ed, Year 7–12
  • 2025 VCE: Median Study Score 32, 40+ percentage 11.7%
  • AU Guide Score: 86.20/100 (scoring method)

Box Hill High School is the standout performer in the local area. As a government school with an AU Guide Score of 86.20, it delivers strong academic outcomes without private school fees. Its proximity to Box Hill South makes it a highly sought-after option, and the school's catchment zone is a significant factor in local property demand.

Our Lady of Sion College (Box Hill — nearby)

  • Type: Catholic, girls, Year 7–12
  • 2025 VCE: Median Study Score 32, 40+ percentage 13.6%
  • AU Guide Score: 86.10/100 (scoring method)

Our Lady of Sion College achieves the highest 40+ percentage (13.6%) among local schools, indicating a strong proportion of high achievers. As a Catholic girls' school, it offers a distinct educational environment with competitive results.

Koonung Secondary College (Mont Albert North — nearby)

  • Type: Government, co-ed, Year 7–12
  • 2025 VCE: Median Study Score 32, 40+ percentage 8.8%
  • AU Guide Score: 82.00/100 (scoring method)

Another solid government option, Koonung Secondary College maintains a median study score of 32 and provides a well-rounded education in a co-educational setting.

Kingswood College (Box Hill South — local)

  • Type: Independent, co-ed, Prep–12
  • 2025 VCE: Median Study Score 31, 40+ percentage 12.4%
  • AU Guide Score: 81.20/100 (scoring method)

The only secondary school within Box Hill South itself, Kingswood College is an independent school offering education from Prep through to Year 12. Its 40+ percentage of 12.4% is solid, and the Prep–12 structure appeals to families seeking continuity.

Blackburn High School (Blackburn North — nearby)

  • Type: Government, co-ed, Year 7–12
  • 2025 VCE: Median Study Score 31, 40+ percentage 9.8%
  • AU Guide Score: 79.10/100 (scoring method)

Blackburn High School is a dependable government option with a median study score of 31, providing another accessible choice for families in the area.

Box Hill Senior Secondary College (Mont Albert North — nearby)

  • Type: Government, co-ed, Year 9–12
  • 2025 VCE: Median Study Score 24, 40+ percentage 1.1%
  • AU Guide Score: 29.40/100 (scoring method)

Box Hill Senior Secondary College is a senior-only campus catering to Year 9–12 students. Its 2025 VCE results are below the metropolitan average, so families focused on academic outcomes may wish to explore the other options listed above.

SchoolTypeMedian Score40+ %AU Guide Score
Box Hill High SchoolGovernment, Co-ed3211.7%86.20
Our Lady of Sion CollegeCatholic, Girls3213.6%86.10
Koonung Secondary CollegeGovernment, Co-ed328.8%82.00
Kingswood CollegeIndependent, Co-ed3112.4%81.20
Blackburn High SchoolGovernment, Co-ed319.8%79.10
Box Hill Senior Secondary CollegeGovernment, Co-ed241.1%29.40

Overall, Box Hill South families have access to five schools scoring above 79 out of 100, with three government schools among them — offering strong academic outcomes without private school tuition fees. For a full ranking of Victorian schools, see the AU Guide VIC School Rankings.

Property & Rental Market

Box Hill South's property market reflects its established appeal as a family-oriented suburb in Melbourne's east. The median house price sits at approximately $1.35M, which is approximately 29% above the Greater Melbourne median of around $1.05M. This premium is consistent with suburbs that combine good school access, a strong community profile, and reasonable CBD proximity.

The median unit price of approximately $925K places Box Hill South in the top 8% of Melbourne suburbs for unit prices (rank 0.92). This is notably high and reflects the suburb's desirability among downsizers and investors, as well as the quality of newer apartment and townhouse developments in the area.

10-Year Capital Growth

Over the past decade, Box Hill South houses have grown by 63%, while units have seen 40% growth. The house growth rank of 0.28 indicates below-average capital appreciation compared to the broader Melbourne market — many outer suburbs with lower base prices have experienced stronger percentage gains during this period. Unit growth at a rank of 0.48 sits closer to the metropolitan average.

For buyers, this suggests that Box Hill South is a mature market. The suburb's appeal is more about lifestyle stability, school access, and community than speculative capital growth. Families purchasing here are typically buying for long-term residence rather than short-term investment returns.

Rental Market

The rental market in Box Hill South caters to a range of budgets depending on property type and size:

Property TypeWeekly Rent
2-bedroom unit$580/week
3-bedroom unit$660/week
2-bedroom house$520/week
3-bedroom house$630/week

An interesting feature of the Box Hill South rental market is that 2-bedroom units ($580/week) are priced higher than 2-bedroom houses ($520/week). This likely reflects the newer build quality and amenities of recent unit developments compared to older, unrenovated houses with fewer bedrooms. Three-bedroom houses at $630/week represent a middle-ground option for families who need space but are not yet ready to purchase.

Compared to neighbouring Box Hill — where commercial density pushes certain rental prices higher — Box Hill South offers a quieter residential setting at broadly comparable rental levels. For families renting while exploring the area before committing to a purchase, the suburb provides a practical base.

Property Market Comparison

MetricBox Hill SouthMelbourne Average
Median House Priceapproximately $1.35M~$1.05M
Median Unit Priceapproximately $925K~$550K
10-Year House Growth63%Higher (avg rank >0.50)
10-Year Unit Growth40%Average (rank 0.48)
3-Bed House Rent$630/weekVaries by region

Safety & Transport

Box Hill South recorded a crime rate of 5,900 incidents per 100,000 residents in the year to September 2025, based on data from the Crime Statistics Agency Victoria. This is comfortably below the Victorian state average of 6,810 per 100,000, placing Box Hill South in the "safe, below average crime" category. The suburb recorded 501 total incidents during this period. While no suburb is free of crime, Box Hill South's rate reflects its predominantly residential character and stable community profile.

The suburb's safety rank of 0.53 positions it near the middle of all Victorian suburbs — not among the very safest, but meaningfully better than the state average. For families, the low crime rate combined with quiet, tree-lined streets creates a comfortable living environment.

Transport

Box Hill South does not have its own train station, which is a consideration for commuters who rely on rail. However, a neighbouring suburb does have a station, and Box Hill Station — a major interchange on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines — is a short drive or bus ride away. Box Hill Station also serves as a bus hub with multiple routes connecting to surrounding suburbs.

Commute times to Melbourne CBD are approximately 27 minutes by car (outside peak hour) and 46 minutes by public transit. The Eastern Freeway and EastLink provide road connections, though peak-hour congestion along the Eastern Freeway corridor is a well-known issue for eastern suburbs residents.

For day-to-day errands, the suburb's location adjacent to Box Hill's commercial centre means most shopping, medical, and service needs can be met within a 5–10 minute drive. Bus routes along major roads such as Middleborough Road and Canterbury Road provide local public transport connections.

Summary

Box Hill South is a solid choice for families — particularly Chinese-Australian families — seeking a settled, community-rich suburb in Melbourne's eastern corridor. Its 26.2% Chinese population (ranked #15 in Melbourne) means cultural amenities, language services, and community connections are well established rather than emerging.

The education offering is a clear strength: five of six nearby secondary schools score above 79 on AU Guide's rating, with three high-performing government schools available at no tuition cost. Box Hill High School (86.20) and Our Lady of Sion College (86.10) are the standout performers.

Property prices at approximately $1.35M for houses sit above the Melbourne median, reflecting the suburb's maturity and desirability. Capital growth has been below average over the past decade, so buyers should approach this as a lifestyle and education-driven purchase rather than a growth investment. The crime rate of 5,900 per 100,000 is below the state average, and the residential character of the suburb contributes to a safe, quiet environment.

The main trade-off is transport: no local train station means reliance on buses or driving to Box Hill Station. For families who prioritise schools and community over rail access, Box Hill South remains a compelling option in Melbourne's east.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Box Hill South a good suburb for Chinese families?

Yes. Box Hill South has a well-established Chinese community of 2,223 residents (26.2% of the population), ranked #15 across Melbourne. The adjacent Box Hill commercial centre provides extensive Chinese-language services, Asian supermarkets, restaurants, and community organisations. Families benefit from cultural familiarity alongside access to strong schools.

What are the best schools near Box Hill South?

The top-rated schools in the area are Box Hill High School (AU Guide Score 86.20, government) and Our Lady of Sion College (86.10, Catholic girls). Within Box Hill South itself, Kingswood College (81.20, independent) is the local option. All scores are based on 2025 VCE results — see the AU Guide scoring methodology for details.

How much does it cost to buy a house in Box Hill South?

The median house price in Box Hill South is approximately $1.35M, approximately 29% above the Greater Melbourne median of around $1.05M. Units have a median price of approximately $925K, placing the suburb in the top 8% for unit prices across Melbourne. Over the past 10 years, house prices have grown by 63% and unit prices by 40%.

Is Box Hill South safe?

Box Hill South's crime rate is 5,900 incidents per 100,000 residents (Crime Statistics Agency Victoria, year to September 2025). This is below the Victorian state average of 6,810 per 100,000, making the suburb safer than the typical Victorian suburb. The predominantly residential character of the area contributes to its low crime profile.

Does Box Hill South have a train station?

Box Hill South does not have its own train station. However, Box Hill Station — a major interchange on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines — is located in the neighbouring suburb of Box Hill, accessible by bus or a short drive. The commute to Melbourne CBD takes approximately 27 minutes by car or 46 minutes by public transit.

How does Box Hill South compare to Box Hill for families?

Box Hill South offers a quieter, more residential environment compared to Box Hill, which is a designated major activity centre with higher commercial density and traffic. Both suburbs share access to the same schools and Chinese community infrastructure. Box Hill South's median house price of approximately $1.35M and lower crime rate make it appealing for families who want proximity to Box Hill's amenities without living in the commercial hub itself.

What is the rental market like in Box Hill South?

Weekly rents in Box Hill South range from $520 for a 2-bedroom house to $660 for a 3-bedroom unit. A 3-bedroom house rents for approximately $630/week, while a 2-bedroom unit is $580/week. The rental market is competitive given the suburb's school access and community appeal.

References

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