Suburbs with Largest Chinese Population in VIC 2025
Victoria's Chinese community is heavily concentrated in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, with Box Hill leading all VIC suburbs at 46.6% Chinese population — more than ten times the Melbourne average of 4.3%. According to the latest ABS Census 2021 data, Glen Waverley has the largest absolute Chinese population at 16,188 residents, closely followed by Melbourne CBD at 16,763. Among the top 20 suburbs, median house prices range from $1.2M in Clayton to $3.48M in Deepdene, while crime rates vary from 2,422 per 100,000 in Doncaster East to 33,958 in Melbourne CBD. This data report ranks VIC's top 20 suburbs by Chinese population percentage and analyses the demographics, property market, safety, and education landscape of each.
Key Findings
Analysis of ABS Census data reveals several notable patterns about where Chinese communities have established themselves across Victoria:
- Box Hill dominates by percentage: At 46.6%, Box Hill has nearly half its population identifying as Chinese — 6,684 residents out of 14,353. It is the only suburb in VIC to exceed 40%.
- Glen Waverley and Melbourne CBD lead by absolute numbers: Glen Waverley (16,188) and Melbourne CBD (16,763) each have more than 16,000 Chinese residents, making them the two largest Chinese communities by headcount in VIC.
- Eastern suburbs corridor: 17 of the top 20 suburbs are located in Melbourne's eastern corridor, stretching from Balwyn (15.1km from CBD) to Wantirna South (37.4km). Only Melbourne CBD, Carlton, and Clayton sit outside this eastern belt.
- Strong school zones overlap: Many of these suburbs are served by top-performing VCE schools. Balwyn High School (91.5/100), Glen Waverley Secondary College (91.4/100), and Box Hill High School (86.2/100) are all government schools in the top 20 Chinese-population suburbs.
- Safety varies significantly: Doncaster East records just 2,422 incidents per 100,000 — well below the VIC average of 6,810 — while Melbourne CBD sits at 33,958, nearly five times the state average.
Data Overview
The table below ranks VIC's top 20 suburbs by Chinese population percentage, with demographic, property, and safety data for each. All population figures are from the ABS Census 2021, property prices from current market data, and crime rates from Crime Statistics Agency Victoria 2025.
| Rank | Suburb | Chinese % | Chinese Pop. | Total Pop. | House Price | Unit Price | Crime Rate | CBD (km) | Train |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Box Hill | 46.6% | 6,684 | 14,353 | $1.73M | $520K | 13,029 | 20.9 | Yes |
| 2 | Doncaster East | 38.0% | 11,748 | 30,926 | $1.49M | $935K | 2,422 | 22.9 | No |
| 3 | Glen Waverley | 38.0% | 16,188 | 42,642 | $1.63M | $876K | 5,232 | 25.6 | Yes |
| 4 | Doncaster | 36.6% | 9,161 | 25,020 | $1.54M | $590K | 6,691 | 18.3 | No |
| 5 | Box Hill North | 34.5% | 4,258 | 12,337 | $1.34M | $884K | 3,477 | 19.1 | No |
| 6 | Balwyn | 34.4% | 4,640 | 13,495 | $3.1M | $696K | 4,661 | 15.4 | No |
| 7 | Balwyn North | 32.0% | 6,810 | 21,302 | $2.33M | $1.31M | 2,868 | 15.1 | No |
| 8 | Melbourne CBD | 30.5% | 16,763 | 54,941 | N/A | $530K | 33,958 | 0.9 | Yes |
| 9 | Burwood East | 30.4% | 3,243 | 10,675 | $1.32M | $605K | 7,663 | 25.2 | No |
| 10 | Vermont South | 30.1% | 3,596 | 11,954 | $1.49M | $1.1M | 4,300 | 27.7 | No |
| 11 | Wantirna South | 28.7% | 5,952 | 20,754 | $1.28M | $490K | 7,319 | 37.4 | No |
| 12 | Deepdene | 28.2% | 592 | 2,101 | $3.48M | $824K | 4,284 | 14.1 | No |
| 13 | Mount Waverley | 26.7% | 9,426 | 35,340 | $1.6M | $1.07M | 4,714 | 21.5 | Yes |
| 14 | Forest Hill | 26.6% | 2,870 | 10,780 | $1.22M | $870K | 7,375 | 28.7 | No |
| 15 | Box Hill South | 26.2% | 2,223 | 8,491 | $1.35M | $925K | 5,900 | 16.9 | No |
| 16 | Notting Hill | 25.4% | 736 | 2,895 | $1.23M | $444K | 7,807 | 21.4 | No |
| 17 | Burwood | 25.0% | 3,792 | 15,147 | $1.59M | $771K | 5,414 | 14.8 | No |
| 18 | Wheelers Hill | 24.8% | 5,122 | 20,652 | $1.48M | $878K | 2,978 | 25.2 | No |
| 19 | Carlton | 24.7% | 3,964 | 16,055 | $1.36M | $359K | 16,780 | 3.3 | No |
| 20 | Clayton | 24.6% | 4,667 | 18,988 | $1.2M | $685K | 10,407 | 21.8 | Yes |
Note: Crime rates are expressed as incidents per 100,000 population. The VIC state average is 6,810 per 100,000 (Crime Statistics Agency Victoria 2025). Melbourne CBD's house price data is not available as the area is predominantly apartments and commercial property.
In-Depth Analysis
Demographics and Community Size
The top 20 suburbs collectively house over 137,000 Chinese residents, representing a significant portion of Victoria's Chinese-Australian community. The data reveals two distinct categories of Chinese population hubs:
Large-scale communities (10,000+ Chinese residents): Five suburbs have Chinese populations exceeding 10,000 — Melbourne CBD (16,763), Glen Waverley (16,188), Doncaster East (11,748), Mount Waverley (9,426), and Doncaster (9,161). These suburbs serve as anchors for the broader Chinese community, typically supporting Chinese supermarkets, restaurants, language schools, and cultural organisations.
High-concentration enclaves (30%+ but smaller populations): Suburbs like Box Hill (46.6%), Box Hill North (34.5%), and Deepdene (28.2%) have very high proportions but smaller total populations, meaning the Chinese community makes up a larger share of daily life and local commerce.
The Melbourne average Chinese population sits at approximately 4.3%. Every suburb on this list exceeds that figure by at least five times, with Box Hill recording more than ten times the average. The total Chinese population across all 20 suburbs amounts to over 137,000 residents — a substantial community that supports a wide range of Chinese-language services, cultural activities, and commercial enterprises across Melbourne's east.
Population size also influences the character of each suburb's Chinese community. In larger suburbs like Glen Waverley (pop. 42,642) and Mount Waverley (pop. 35,340), the Chinese community coexists with diverse multicultural populations. In smaller suburbs like Deepdene (pop. 2,101) and Notting Hill (pop. 2,895), the community has a more intimate scale, though the percentage remains high.
Property Market
Property prices across the top 20 suburbs show considerable range, reflecting the diversity of housing options available to families in different price brackets.
| Price Tier | Suburbs | House Price Range | Unit Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium ($2M+) | Deepdene, Balwyn, Balwyn North | $2.33M–$3.48M | $696K–$1.31M |
| Upper-mid ($1.5M–$2M) | Box Hill, Glen Waverley, Mount Waverley, Burwood, Doncaster | $1.54M–$1.73M | $520K–$1.07M |
| Mid ($1.2M–$1.5M) | Doncaster East, Vermont South, Wheelers Hill, Box Hill North, Box Hill South, Carlton, Burwood East, Forest Hill, Wantirna South, Clayton | $1.2M–$1.49M | $359K–$1.1M |
| CBD (unit-only) | Melbourne CBD | N/A | $530K |
The Melbourne median house price is approximately $1.05M, meaning all suburbs on this list carry a premium over the metro average. The most affordable entry point for houses is Clayton at $1.2M, while Deepdene commands the highest at $3.48M. For unit buyers, Carlton offers the lowest entry at $359K, followed by Notting Hill at $444K.
The unit market is particularly notable in the CBD and inner-city areas. Melbourne CBD units at $530K and Carlton units at $359K offer significantly more affordable entry points compared to the eastern suburbs, where unit prices in suburbs like Balwyn North ($1.31M), Vermont South ($1.1M), and Mount Waverley ($1.07M) can exceed a million dollars.
Safety and Crime
Crime rates across these 20 suburbs vary dramatically. Using the VIC average of 6,810 incidents per 100,000 as a benchmark, the suburbs fall into three categories:
Well below average (under 5,000): Doncaster East (2,422) records the lowest crime rate — 64% below the VIC average. Balwyn North (2,868), Wheelers Hill (2,978), Box Hill North (3,477), Vermont South (4,300), Deepdene (4,284), Balwyn (4,661), and Mount Waverley (4,714) also sit well below average. These suburbs represent some of the safest areas in Greater Melbourne.
Near average (5,000–7,500): Glen Waverley (5,232), Burwood (5,414), Box Hill South (5,900), Doncaster (6,691), Forest Hill (7,375), and Wantirna South (7,319) sit close to or slightly above the state average.
Above average (7,500+): Burwood East (7,663), Notting Hill (7,807), Clayton (10,407), Box Hill (13,029), Carlton (16,780), and Melbourne CBD (33,958) record elevated rates. The CBD's exceptionally high figure reflects the transient nature of city-centre populations and concentrated commercial activity rather than residential safety alone.
Education
Education is a key driver behind residential choices in these suburbs. Several of the top 20 Chinese-population suburbs are home to some of Victoria's highest-performing VCE schools. For full school rankings, see AU Guide VIC School Rankings.
| School | Suburb | Type | Median VCE Score | % Scoring 40+ | AU Guide Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingtower School | Mount Waverley | Independent, Co-ed | 36 | 27.7% | 95.9/100 |
| Fintona Girls' School | Balwyn | Independent, Girls | 35 | 26.8% | 94.3/100 |
| Balwyn High School | Balwyn North | Government, Co-ed | 33 | 19.2% | 91.5/100 |
| Glen Waverley Secondary College | Glen Waverley | Government, Co-ed | 33 | 14.7% | 91.4/100 |
| East Doncaster Secondary College | Doncaster East | Government, Co-ed | 32 | 11.6% | 86.9/100 |
| Box Hill High School | Box Hill | Government, Co-ed | 32 | 11.7% | 86.2/100 |
| Wesley College Glen Waverley | Glen Waverley | Independent, Co-ed | 32 | 10.6% | 84.3/100 |
Government schools feature prominently, with Balwyn High School and Glen Waverley Secondary College both scoring above 91/100 on the AU Guide VCE scoring methodology. This is significant for families prioritising quality public education, as living within the catchment zone of these schools provides access to excellent academic outcomes without private school fees.
The concentration of high-performing schools in suburbs with large Chinese populations is not coincidental. Research consistently shows that communities with strong academic cultures contribute to school performance, and these eastern suburbs have cultivated exactly that environment over decades.
For families considering government school options, the data is particularly encouraging. Four of the seven listed schools are government-run, and three of those score above 86/100. Balwyn High School (91.5/100) and Glen Waverley Secondary College (91.4/100) rank among the top government schools in all of Victoria. Catchment zones for these schools are highly sought after, and property prices within their zones often carry a premium. East Doncaster Secondary College (86.9/100) and Box Hill High School (86.2/100) offer strong alternatives for families unable to secure homes in the Balwyn or Glen Waverley catchment.
On the independent school side, Huntingtower School in Mount Waverley leads with a median VCE score of 36 and 27.7% of students scoring 40 or above — the highest proportion among all schools in these suburbs. Fintona Girls' School in Balwyn also performs exceptionally, with a median score of 35 and 26.8% scoring 40+. These independent options add further depth to the education landscape for families willing to invest in private schooling.
Regional Comparison
The geographic clustering of VIC's top Chinese-population suburbs reveals a clear pattern: Melbourne's east dominates overwhelmingly.
Inner East (14–16km from CBD): Balwyn, Balwyn North, Deepdene, Burwood. This cluster is characterised by premium property prices ($2.33M–$3.48M for houses in the premium tier), low crime rates, and access to top schools like Fintona Girls' School and Balwyn High School. These are established, leafy suburbs where families have put down roots over multiple generations.
Box Hill hub (17–21km): Box Hill, Box Hill North, Box Hill South, Doncaster. Box Hill functions as the commercial heart of Melbourne's Chinese community, with the Box Hill Central shopping precinct, Chinese supermarkets, restaurants, and medical services. The train station provides direct city access. Surrounding suburbs benefit from proximity to these amenities while offering more residential character.
Outer East (22–37km): Doncaster East, Glen Waverley, Mount Waverley, Vermont South, Wheelers Hill, Wantirna South, Forest Hill, Burwood East, Notting Hill. This is the largest cluster and generally offers more affordable house prices ($1.22M–$1.63M). Glen Waverley stands out with its own train station, extensive shopping amenities at The Glen, and Glen Waverley Secondary College. Doncaster East records the lowest crime rate of any suburb on this list.
Inner city and south (0–22km): Melbourne CBD, Carlton, Clayton. These three suburbs represent a different profile — more urban, higher-density, and often associated with university populations (University of Melbourne in Carlton, Monash University near Clayton). They offer the most affordable unit prices on the list but have higher crime rates.
Notably absent from the top 20 are Melbourne's western and northern suburbs, where Chinese communities remain relatively small compared to the well-established eastern corridor. While newer developments in suburbs like Point Cook and Tarneit have attracted some Chinese families, none have reached the concentration levels seen in the east. The western suburbs generally offer lower property prices but lack the depth of Chinese-specific amenities — supermarkets, restaurants, language schools, and community organisations — that make the eastern corridor so attractive to Chinese-Australian families.
The eastern corridor's dominance is further reinforced by the presence of major Chinese community infrastructure. Box Hill's commercial precinct serves as a regional hub with Chinese-language signage, medical practitioners, banks, and services. Glen Waverley's The Glen shopping centre and surrounding restaurants provide a secondary hub. These amenities create a network effect: as more Chinese families settle in the area, more businesses cater to their needs, which in turn attracts more families.
For a full list of VIC suburbs and their demographics, see AU Guide VIC Suburbs.
What This Means for Families
The data points to several practical considerations for families evaluating where to live in Victoria:
Budget-conscious families with school-age children should look at Clayton ($1.2M houses), Forest Hill ($1.22M), or Wantirna South ($1.28M) for more accessible house prices while remaining in suburbs with established Chinese communities exceeding 24%. Clayton also offers train access.
Families prioritising academic outcomes should focus on suburbs near top-performing schools. Balwyn North (Balwyn High School, 91.5/100), Glen Waverley (Glen Waverley Secondary College, 91.4/100), and Mount Waverley (Huntingtower School, 95.9/100) combine strong Chinese communities with access to schools scoring above 91 on AU Guide rankings.
Safety-conscious families should note that Doncaster East (2,422 per 100,000), Balwyn North (2,868), and Wheelers Hill (2,978) record crime rates less than half the VIC average of 6,810. All three maintain Chinese populations above 24%.
Young professionals and students may find Melbourne CBD ($530K units) and Carlton ($359K units) attractive for their affordability, proximity to universities and employment, and sizeable Chinese communities — though with the trade-off of higher crime rates and limited green space.
Families seeking a balance of all factors — community size, safety, schools, and price — may find Glen Waverley and Mount Waverley particularly compelling. Glen Waverley combines a large Chinese community (16,188 residents, 38.0%), below-average crime (5,232), an excellent government school (91.4/100), train station access, and comprehensive shopping amenities. Mount Waverley offers similar advantages with a slightly lower Chinese percentage (26.7%) but access to the top-scoring school on this list (Huntingtower School, 95.9/100) and a crime rate of 4,714 — well below the state average.
Transport access matters. Only 5 of the top 20 suburbs have their own train station: Box Hill, Glen Waverley, Melbourne CBD, Mount Waverley, and Clayton. The Doncaster corridor — including Doncaster, Doncaster East, and Balwyn North — remains without direct rail, relying on bus connections to the city. This is a long-standing infrastructure gap in Melbourne's east that families should factor into their daily commute planning.
FAQ
Which VIC suburb has the highest percentage of Chinese residents?
Box Hill has the highest Chinese population percentage in Victoria at 46.6%, with 6,684 Chinese residents out of a total population of 14,353. This is more than ten times the Melbourne average of approximately 4.3%.
Which VIC suburb has the largest Chinese population by number?
Melbourne CBD has the largest Chinese population by headcount at 16,763 residents, followed closely by Glen Waverley at 16,188. However, Melbourne CBD ranks 8th by percentage (30.5%) due to its much larger total population of 54,941.
Are suburbs with large Chinese populations safe to live in?
Safety varies significantly across these suburbs. Many eastern suburbs record crime rates well below the VIC average of 6,810 per 100,000 — Doncaster East (2,422), Balwyn North (2,868), and Wheelers Hill (2,978) are among the safest suburbs in Greater Melbourne. Inner-city suburbs like Melbourne CBD (33,958) and Carlton (16,780) have higher crime rates typical of high-density urban areas.
What are the most affordable suburbs with a large Chinese community in VIC?
For house buyers, Clayton ($1.2M), Forest Hill ($1.22M), and Notting Hill ($1.23M) offer the most affordable median house prices among the top 20. For unit buyers, Carlton ($359K), Notting Hill ($444K), and Wantirna South ($490K) provide the lowest entry points. All of these suburbs have Chinese populations exceeding 24%.
Which suburbs with large Chinese populations have the best schools?
Mount Waverley is home to Huntingtower School (95.9/100 AU Guide score), while Balwyn hosts Fintona Girls' School (94.3/100). For government schools, Balwyn High School in Balwyn North (91.5/100) and Glen Waverley Secondary College (91.4/100) are standout performers. See the full rankings at AU Guide VIC School Rankings.
Why are most Chinese-population suburbs concentrated in Melbourne's east?
The concentration reflects decades of community development. Box Hill emerged as a Chinese commercial hub in the 1980s and 1990s, and subsequent settlement patterns radiated outward along the eastern corridor. The combination of established Chinese amenities, reputable schools, and relatively safe suburban environments created a self-reinforcing pattern of community growth.
Do suburbs with high Chinese populations have good public transport?
Access varies. Five suburbs on the list have their own train stations: Box Hill, Glen Waverley, Melbourne CBD, Mount Waverley, and Clayton. The Doncaster corridor — Doncaster, Doncaster East, and Balwyn North — is a notable gap, relying on bus services for city access. This has been a long-discussed infrastructure issue in Melbourne's east.
Data Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Census 2021 — Population, ancestry, and demographic data
- Crime Statistics Agency Victoria 2025 — Crime rate data (incidents per 100,000 population)
- Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) 2025 — VCE school performance data
- AU Guide VCE Scoring Methodology — School ranking methodology
- AU Guide VIC Suburbs — Suburb profiles and property data