Maribyrnong Suburb Guide 2025
Located approximately 9.5 kilometres west of Melbourne's CBD, Maribyrnong is an inner-west suburb that has steadily attracted a growing Chinese community. With a population of 12,573 (ABS Census 2021), the suburb is home to 1,974 Chinese residents — representing 15.7% of the local population, ranking it #53 among Melbourne suburbs for Chinese population share. Property prices sit just above the Melbourne median, with houses at approx. $1.1M and units at approx. $500K. The suburb offers reasonable proximity to the city centre, with driving times of around 21 minutes and public transport journeys of approximately 35 minutes. However, families considering Maribyrnong should be aware of its elevated crime rate of 14,817 incidents per 100,000 residents — more than double the Victorian average of 6,810. Several secondary schools serve the area, with Braybrook College achieving the highest AU Guide score at 74.70 among nearby options. This guide provides a comprehensive, data-driven overview to help families make informed decisions about living in Maribyrnong.
Maribyrnong — Key Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Postcode | 3032 |
| Region | Melbourne Inner West |
| Population | 12,573 (ABS Census 2021) |
| Area | 5.49 sq km |
| Population Density | 2,289 per sq km |
| Chinese Population | 1,974 (15.7%) |
| Chinese Population Rank | #53 in Melbourne (top 14%) |
| House Median Price | Approx. $1.1M |
| Unit Median Price | Approx. $500K |
| Crime Rate | 14,817 per 100K (CSA Victoria 2025) |
| VIC Average Crime Rate | 6,810 per 100K |
| Distance to CBD | Approx. 9.5 km |
| Drive to CBD | Approx. 21 min |
| Transit to CBD | Approx. 35 min |
| Train Station | None in suburb (neighbouring stations available) |
Community & Demographics
Maribyrnong sits within Melbourne's inner west, an area historically characterised by industrial activity that has undergone significant residential transformation over the past two decades. The suburb spans 5.49 square kilometres with a population density of 2,289 residents per square kilometre — moderate by inner-city standards, reflecting a mix of established family homes and newer apartment developments along the Maribyrnong River.
The Chinese community forms a notable presence in Maribyrnong, with 1,974 residents of Chinese ancestry making up 15.7% of the total population. This places Maribyrnong at #53 among Melbourne suburbs for Chinese population share, within the top 14% across the metropolitan area. The proportion of 15.7% is significantly higher than Melbourne's average Chinese population share of approximately 4.3%, indicating a well-established community presence.
For Chinese families, this concentration translates into practical amenities. The nearby Highpoint Shopping Centre — one of Melbourne's largest retail complexes — includes Asian supermarkets and restaurants. Footscray, which borders Maribyrnong to the south, is one of Melbourne's most prominent multicultural food precincts, with a wide range of Vietnamese, Chinese, and other Asian dining options within a short drive.
The suburb's location along the Maribyrnong River provides green spaces and walking trails, including the popular Maribyrnong River Trail. Families can access parks, playgrounds, and the Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre. The area has attracted younger families drawn by its relative affordability compared to suburbs further east, combined with its proximity to Melbourne's CBD at just 9.5 km distance.
Despite its multicultural character and lifestyle offerings, families should weigh the suburb's elevated crime statistics and limited direct train access when evaluating it as a place to live. These factors are explored in detail in the safety and transport section below.
Schools & Education
Families in Maribyrnong have access to several secondary schools both within the suburb and in neighbouring areas. While the local school landscape does not include any of Melbourne's top-tier academic performers, the schools offer solid educational options with reasonable VCE outcomes. Below is a summary of the secondary schools serving the Maribyrnong area, based on the latest available data and AU Guide's VCE scoring methodology.
Secondary Schools Near Maribyrnong
| School | Location | Sector | Gender | Year Range | Enrolments | Median Study Score | 40+ % | AU Guide Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braybrook College | Braybrook | Government | Co-ed | Year 7–12 | ~1,393 | 31 | 8.7% | 74.70 |
| Maribyrnong College | Maribyrnong | Government | Co-ed | Year 7–12 | ~1,337 | 31 | 6.2% | 72.10 |
| Caroline Chisholm Catholic College | Braybrook | Catholic | Co-ed | Year 7–12 | ~1,547 | 30 | 6.4% | 71.20 |
| Footscray High School | Footscray | Government | Co-ed | Year 7–12 | ~1,376 | 29 | 7.1% | 66.50 |
Braybrook College leads the local schools with an AU Guide score of 74.70. The school achieves a median VCE study score of 31 and an 8.7% rate of students scoring 40 or above — the highest among the four nearby schools. Located in neighbouring Braybrook, it is a government co-educational school with approximately 1,393 students enrolled across Years 7 to 12. This places it in the "good academic performance" range (60–79) according to AU Guide's scoring framework.
Maribyrnong College is the only secondary school located within Maribyrnong itself. With an AU Guide score of 72.10, a median study score of 31, and 6.2% of students achieving scores of 40 or above, it delivers good academic outcomes. The college is known for its sports excellence program and has approximately 1,337 students. It falls within the "good academic performance" bracket.
Caroline Chisholm Catholic College is the main faith-based option in the area, scoring 71.20 on AU Guide's scale. It records a median study score of 30 and a 6.4% rate of 40+ scores. With around 1,547 enrolments, it is the largest school in the area. It provides a Catholic educational environment with good, if not exceptional, VCE results.
Footscray High School rounds out the local options with an AU Guide score of 66.50. Its median study score of 29 is the lowest among the four schools, though its 40+ percentage of 7.1% is comparatively reasonable. Located in Footscray, it has approximately 1,376 students enrolled.
All four schools fall within the "good academic performance" range (60–79) on the AU Guide scoring scale. Families seeking higher-performing schools may need to look further afield — suburbs in Melbourne's east, such as Glen Waverley or Balwyn, offer schools with scores above 80. For a comprehensive comparison, see the AU Guide VIC school rankings.
Property & Rental Market
Maribyrnong's property market offers a relatively accessible entry point for families looking to live close to Melbourne's CBD. The suburb's median house price sits at approx. $1.1M, placing it just above the Melbourne-wide median of approximately $1.05M. Units are considerably more affordable at approx. $500K, which is well below the broader Melbourne unit median.
Property Price Summary
| Property Type | Median Price | 10-Year Growth | Growth Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | Approx. $1.1M | 67% | Below average |
| Unit | Approx. $500K | 7% | Below average |
Over the past decade, house prices in Maribyrnong have grown by 67%. While this represents meaningful capital appreciation in absolute terms, it ranks below average compared to other Melbourne suburbs during the same period. Unit growth has been notably weaker at just 7% over ten years, reflecting broader softness in Melbourne's apartment market, particularly in areas with significant new supply.
The house price rank of 0.47 (on a scale where 1.0 is the most expensive) indicates Maribyrnong sits roughly in the middle of Melbourne's price range — affordable enough to attract young families, yet close enough to the CBD to command higher prices than outer suburbs. The unit price rank of 0.14 suggests units here are among the more affordable options in the metropolitan area.
Rental Market
| Property Type | Weekly Rent |
|---|---|
| 2-Bedroom Unit | $520/wk |
| 3-Bedroom Unit | $650/wk |
| 2-Bedroom House | $560/wk |
| 3-Bedroom House | $650/wk |
The rental market in Maribyrnong reflects its inner-west positioning. A 2-bedroom unit rents for approximately $520 per week, while a 3-bedroom unit commands $650 per week. Houses are slightly more expensive to rent, with 2-bedroom houses at $560 per week and 3-bedroom houses at $650 per week. Notably, the rental premium for a house over a unit narrows at the 3-bedroom level, where both property types converge at $650 per week.
For families considering renting before buying, Maribyrnong offers a workable balance between cost and location. The rents are broadly in line with other inner-west suburbs such as Footscray and Seddon, though generally lower than inner-east alternatives at comparable distances from the CBD. The presence of newer apartment complexes along the Maribyrnong River corridor continues to provide rental supply, which has likely contributed to the subdued unit price growth observed over the past decade.
Families should note that past growth figures are historical observations and do not necessarily indicate future price movements. Property decisions should be based on individual circumstances, including budget, lifestyle needs, and proximity to work and schools.
Safety & Transport
Safety is a significant consideration for families evaluating Maribyrnong. According to Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (2025 data), the suburb records a crime rate of 14,817 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is more than double the Victorian state average of 6,810 per 100,000 and places Maribyrnong in the higher end of the crime spectrum among Melbourne suburbs, with a safety rank of 0.90 (where 1.0 represents the highest crime rate).
It is important to contextualise this figure. Inner-city and commercial-adjacent suburbs often record elevated crime statistics due to factors such as retail theft, vehicle-related offences, and incidents linked to entertainment precincts rather than residential safety concerns alone. Nonetheless, the data warrants careful consideration by families with children, and visiting the suburb at different times of day is advisable before making relocation decisions.
Regarding transport, Maribyrnong does not have its own train station. However, neighbouring suburbs provide rail access, and bus services connect the suburb to key destinations including the CBD and Highpoint Shopping Centre. Driving to the CBD takes approximately 21 minutes, while public transport journeys average around 35 minutes. The suburb is approximately 9.5 km from the city centre, making it one of the closer western suburbs to downtown Melbourne.
For families reliant on public transport, the absence of a local train station is a practical limitation. Bus routes service the area, but train access requires travelling to stations in adjacent suburbs. Families with cars will find the CBD commute manageable, particularly outside peak hours. The suburb's proximity to the Western Ring Road also provides efficient access to Melbourne Airport and northern suburbs.
Summary
Maribyrnong presents a mixed profile for families considering Melbourne's inner west. Its key strengths include proximity to the CBD (9.5 km, approximately 21 minutes by car), a meaningful Chinese community at 15.7% of the population, and property prices that sit just above the Melbourne median — with houses at approx. $1.1M and units at an accessible approx. $500K.
The suburb's schools deliver good academic performance, with AU Guide scores ranging from 66.50 to 74.70 across four nearby secondary schools. While these are solid rather than exceptional results, families who prioritise school performance above all else may want to explore suburbs further east with higher-scoring options.
The two most significant drawbacks are the elevated crime rate — at 14,817 per 100,000, more than double the Victorian average — and the lack of a local train station. Both factors deserve careful weight in any relocation decision, particularly for families with school-aged children who may commute independently.
Maribyrnong is not well suited to families for whom safety statistics are a non-negotiable priority. With a crime rate of 14,817 per 100,000 — more than double the Victorian average — families with young children who place high importance on low-crime environments are likely to find better-matched options in Melbourne's eastern or outer-ring suburbs. The absence of a local train station is a further limitation for households without cars or for older children who would commute independently to school. Families seeking top-tier secondary school proximity will also need to look further afield, as the four nearby schools, while solid, are not in Melbourne's highest-performing tier. Finally, buyers focused on capital growth should note that unit prices in Maribyrnong have grown by just 7% over the past decade — well below the Melbourne average — which is a significant consideration for investment-oriented purchasers.
Overall, Maribyrnong suits families who value inner-city convenience, riverfront lifestyle, and multicultural dining options, and who are comfortable with the trade-offs in safety statistics and rail access. As with any suburb choice, visiting in person and assessing the neighbourhood against your family's specific needs is strongly recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
How large is the Chinese community in Maribyrnong?
According to ABS Census 2021 data, Maribyrnong has 1,974 residents of Chinese ancestry, making up 15.7% of the suburb's total population of 12,573. This ranks Maribyrnong #53 among Melbourne suburbs for Chinese population share, placing it in the top 14%. The proportion is well above Melbourne's average Chinese population share of approximately 4.3%.
What are the property prices in Maribyrnong in 2025?
The median house price in Maribyrnong is approx. $1.1M, which is just above the Melbourne-wide median of approximately $1.05M. Units are more affordable at approx. $500K. Over the past 10 years, house prices have grown by 67% (below average for Melbourne), while unit prices have grown by just 7%.
Is Maribyrnong a safe suburb?
Maribyrnong records a crime rate of 14,817 incidents per 100,000 residents (CSA Victoria 2025), which is more than double the Victorian average of 6,810. This places it in the higher end of crime statistics among Melbourne suburbs. Inner-city suburbs often record elevated statistics due to commercial activity and proximity to entertainment precincts, but the figures warrant consideration for families evaluating the area.
What schools are available near Maribyrnong?
Four secondary schools serve the Maribyrnong area: Braybrook College (AU Guide score 74.70), Maribyrnong College (72.10), Caroline Chisholm Catholic College (71.20), and Footscray High School (66.50). All fall within the "good academic performance" range. For more details, see the AU Guide VIC school rankings.
How far is Maribyrnong from Melbourne CBD?
Maribyrnong is approximately 9.5 km from Melbourne's CBD. Driving takes around 21 minutes, while public transport journeys average approximately 35 minutes. The suburb does not have its own train station, but neighbouring suburbs provide rail access and bus services connect to the city centre.
What is the rental market like in Maribyrnong?
Rental prices in Maribyrnong range from $520/week for a 2-bedroom unit to $650/week for a 3-bedroom house. A 2-bedroom house rents for approximately $560/week, while a 3-bedroom unit is $650/week. These rates are broadly in line with other inner-west suburbs at similar distances from the CBD.
References
- ABS Census 2021 — Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Crime Statistics Agency Victoria — CSA 2025 Data
- Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA)
- Domain / CoreLogic — Property and rental market data
- AU Guide VCE Scoring Methodology