West Melbourne Small Area Economic and Demographic Profile
Melbourne City Research
West Melbourne Small Area Economic and Demographic Profile Second Edition, December 2009
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au
West Melbourne Small Area Economic and Demographic Profile
Contents 1. 2. 2.1. 2.2. 2.3. 2.4. 2.5. 2.6. 2.7. 2.8. 2.9.
Key findings .......................................................................................................2 Profile.................................................................................................................4 Recent history and environment of West Melbourne ..........................................4 Demographic profile ...........................................................................................5 Social profile ......................................................................................................6 Income profile ....................................................................................................6 Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) 2006 ..............................................7 Housing..............................................................................................................8 Land use and business activity...........................................................................9 Workforce...........................................................................................................9 Future outlook ..................................................................................................11
Acknowledgements This research report was written by Nick Casey Melbourne City Research. Data relating to SEIFA was prepared by Jo Bell.
Disclaimer Whilst all due care has been taken to ensure the content of this report is accurate and current, there may be errors or omissions in it and no legal responsibility is accepted for the information and opinions in this report. In addition, as the report is based on historic information that is subject to revision, and assumptions in preparing forecast figures that are both difficult to predict and liable to change, we do not guarantee its currency.
Sources Demographic information in this report is based on customised secondary data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006 Census of Population and Housing, Basic Population Profile, Catalogue No. 2006.0. except where identified. Economic information is sourced primarily from City of Melbourne’s Census of Land Use and Employment (CLUE).
Further information For further information about the characteristics of this small area, other small areas within the Melbourne Local Government Area (LGA) or for comparison of data across all small areas comprising the municipality see the Appendices in the City of Melbourne Small Area Economic and Demographic Profile 2008 - Resource Document. This publication also contains a Glossary. Further data in relation to SEIFA may be found in Melbourne City Research reports - SEIFA 2006 City of Melbourne and SEIFA 2006 City of Melbourne small area – West Melbourne.
Geography of small areas Most small areas follow official, well known suburb boundaries (page 4), with some exceptions: West Melbourne has been separated into its residential and industrial components; Kensington and North Melbourne were each divided by the sections that existed within the municipal boundary prior to municipal boundary realignment (‘original’) and the new sections added to the municipality by suburb realignment (‘new’). Finally, the suburb of Melbourne is presented in both in total and its constituent parts, called Central Business District (CBD) and Remainder.
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Melbourne City Research
West Melbourne Small Area Economic and Demographic Profile
1.
Key findings 1.1.1.
West Melbourne-residential
West Melbourne-residential is an economically diverse area with a mix of residential, commercial and retail, with some industry (storage): Demographics The residential population in West Melbourne-residential is growing fairly quickly, and is forecast to continue experiencing moderate population growth in the future. The area’s population can be characterised as fairly young, with residents most often live as couples without children, or in lone person households; Social profile Relatively less diverse, ethnically, culturally and linguistically than the rest of the Melbourne Local Government Area’s population; The municipality’s smallest post secondary student population; The municipality’s largest average household size (2.2 people per dwelling). Despite being the second most common household type in West Melbourne, it still has a relatively smaller proportion of lone person households (19 per cent) compared to Melbourne Local Government Area’s average (30 per cent); Households with reasonably high use of broadband; Earning relatively low individual incomes; Economy and employment Business activity is dominated by small enterprises in Business Services, and Finance and Insurance industries; Its top five employers employ 34 per cent of the its total workforce; and Land use and floor space are dominated by housing. The area has one of the highest home purchasing and ownership rates in the municipality.
1.1.2.
West Melbourne-industrial
Economy and employment There has been proportionally the largest employment growth in the municipality (excluding Docklands, which started off a low base), mainly due to growth in Transport, Postal and Storage and Wholesale businesses; The area’s top five employers employ over 2000 people (32 per cent of the total jobs), suggesting a range of small and medium businesses; and Clerical and administrative workers make up the biggest share of jobs in West Melbourne (28 per cent). Other significant occupations (totaling 29 per cent together) are professionals and managers. Future outlook The area on the north edge of West Melbourne is considered to have potential as a strategic redevelopment site, with a location favourable to commercial uses, public transport and residential communities. It is expected to provide a large number of dwellings to the West Melbourne and possibly Kensington small areas.
Melbourne City Research
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West Melbourne Small Area Economic and Demographic Profile
2.
Profile
2.1. Recent history and environment of West Melbourne West Melbourne comprises two areas: West Melbourne-residential and West Melbourneindustrial, treated here as two separate parts of the one area. West Melbourne-residential, adjacent to the Melbourne CBD, could be characterised in a similar fashion to North Melbourne. It is a dynamic and complex residential and mixed-use area. It has a strong residential base of established and new housing, and commercial and industrial properties are scattered throughout the area, together with retail and community uses. The area is bounded by Victoria Street to the north, William Street and La Trobe Street to the East. The residential part of West Melbourne is separated from the mainly industrial area by the railway lines running from Southern Cross Station to North Melbourne Station. West Melbourne residential contains a pocket of residential properties consisting of a mixture of Victorian single and double storey terraces and converted warehouses at the north-west corner of the Melbourne CBD. It also boasts some retail as well. The most significant open space in the area is the Flagstaff Gardens. The other part of West Melbourne – the greater part, geographically, is entirely industrial (having no residential population) and is bounded by Victoria Street and a rail line in the east and north, Footscray Road and the Moonee Ponds Creek and the Yarra River in the south. The railway yards north of Southern Cross Station form the Eastern Boundary, with the Western Boundary defined by the Maribyrnong River.
Map 1: West Melbourne small area (including residential and industrial area)
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Melbourne City Research
West Melbourne Small Area Economic and Demographic Profile
2.2. Demographic profile Figure 1: Key characteristics of West Melbourne residents West West Melbourne Key characteristics Melbourne Melbourne LGA Residential Industrial Population 3589 89,759 Young people aged 12-25 29% 36% years Older people aged 60+ years 6% 9% Residents born overseas 31% 42% Most common LOTE* Mandarin Mandarin Weekly income < $250 17% 26% Weekly income > $1000 21% 23% University students 14% 21% Bachelor degree or higher 31% 33%
Data Source Population 2008 ABS 2006 census ABS 2006 census ABS 2006 census ABS 2006 census ABS 2006 census ABS 2006 census ABS 2006 census ABS 2006 census
*Language Other Than English City of Melbourne population figures include populations in new areas of Kensington and North Melbourne transferred in July, 2008 from City of Moonee Valley to the City of Melbourne (approximately 5,000 persons – see Kensington and North Melbourne small area profiles)
The population of West Melbourne has grown in the seven years to 2008 by 4 per cent and now contains 4 per cent of the Melbourne Local Government Area’s population. The age profile of West Melbourne shows:
The largest single age group (25 to 34 year) comprising 34 per cent of its population. This characteristic is common to almost all small areas in the municipality (the only exceptions being Carlton, Melbourne small area and Parkville). It also means West Melbourne’s population has the highest proportion of 25 to 34 year olds in the municipality; The proportion of its population aged over 60 years (in 6 per cent or less than 200 people) is the municipality’s smallest; and
It also has the municipality’s smallest concentration (186) of older persons. Figure 2: 2006 West Melbourne residents age profile (Source: ABS 2006 Census) 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 0-4 years
5-14 years
15-19 years
20-24 years
25 to 34 years
35 to 44 years
45 to 64 years
65 to 74 75 years years and o ver
West M elbo urne (Residential)
Melbourne City Research
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West Melbourne Small Area Economic and Demographic Profile
2.3. Social profile Source: 2006 Census of Population and Housing 2.3.1.
Education
West Melbourne has the smallest (2 per cent) concentration of students (people attending an educational institution) living in the Melbourne Local Government Area; and
Only 118 school aged children (9 pre-school, 55 in primary school and 54 in secondary school) which is, proportionally, the second lowest in the municipality. 2.3.2.
Household and family structure
West Melbourne is the area with the municipality’s largest average household size (2.2 people per dwelling);
Like Docklands, the most common household type in West Melbourne is couples without children (23 per cent);
Lone person households comprised 19 per cent and group households 15 per cent of all households (one of the highest proportions of group households in the municipality). 2.3.3.
Culture and language profile
Almost 31 per cent (the third lowest proportion in the municipality after East Melbourne and South Yarra) of residents were born overseas;
Main overseas countries of birth of residents are China (4 per cent) and Malaysia (3 per cent);
More than 23 per cent of West Melbourne residents speak a language other than English at home; and
The most common languages other than English are Mandarin (5 per cent); Cantonese (4 per cent) and Italian (2 per cent). 2.3.4.
Internet connection at home
Approximately 64 per cent of households in West Melbourne have a connection to the internet (one of the lowest proportions in the municipality after North Melbourne and South Yarra); and
About 49 per cent of households have broadband connections and 13 per cent have dial up connections. 2.4. Income profile Analysis of incomes in West Melbourne should be mindful that there is a relatively high non-response to the income question among West Melbourne residents. The chart below suggests that:
Over 17 per cent of West Melbourne residents earned an income under $250 per week; and
More than 21 per cent of the residents eared an income of more than $1000 per week.
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West Melbourne Small Area Economic and Demographic Profile
Figure 3: West Melbourne resident’s income profile (Source: ABS 2006 census)
$2 50 -$ 39 9 $4 00 -$ 59 9 $6 00 -$ 79 9 $8 00 -$ 99 $1 9 ,0 00 -$ 1, 59 $1 9 ,6 00 or m or e N ot st at ed N ot ap pl ic ab le
West Melbourne Small Area Economic and Demographic Profile Second Edition, December 2009
www.melbourne.vic.gov.au
West Melbourne Small Area Economic and Demographic Profile
Contents 1. 2. 2.1. 2.2. 2.3. 2.4. 2.5. 2.6. 2.7. 2.8. 2.9.
Key findings .......................................................................................................2 Profile.................................................................................................................4 Recent history and environment of West Melbourne ..........................................4 Demographic profile ...........................................................................................5 Social profile ......................................................................................................6 Income profile ....................................................................................................6 Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) 2006 ..............................................7 Housing..............................................................................................................8 Land use and business activity...........................................................................9 Workforce...........................................................................................................9 Future outlook ..................................................................................................11
Acknowledgements This research report was written by Nick Casey Melbourne City Research. Data relating to SEIFA was prepared by Jo Bell.
Disclaimer Whilst all due care has been taken to ensure the content of this report is accurate and current, there may be errors or omissions in it and no legal responsibility is accepted for the information and opinions in this report. In addition, as the report is based on historic information that is subject to revision, and assumptions in preparing forecast figures that are both difficult to predict and liable to change, we do not guarantee its currency.
Sources Demographic information in this report is based on customised secondary data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006 Census of Population and Housing, Basic Population Profile, Catalogue No. 2006.0. except where identified. Economic information is sourced primarily from City of Melbourne’s Census of Land Use and Employment (CLUE).
Further information For further information about the characteristics of this small area, other small areas within the Melbourne Local Government Area (LGA) or for comparison of data across all small areas comprising the municipality see the Appendices in the City of Melbourne Small Area Economic and Demographic Profile 2008 - Resource Document. This publication also contains a Glossary. Further data in relation to SEIFA may be found in Melbourne City Research reports - SEIFA 2006 City of Melbourne and SEIFA 2006 City of Melbourne small area – West Melbourne.
Geography of small areas Most small areas follow official, well known suburb boundaries (page 4), with some exceptions: West Melbourne has been separated into its residential and industrial components; Kensington and North Melbourne were each divided by the sections that existed within the municipal boundary prior to municipal boundary realignment (‘original’) and the new sections added to the municipality by suburb realignment (‘new’). Finally, the suburb of Melbourne is presented in both in total and its constituent parts, called Central Business District (CBD) and Remainder.
2/2
Melbourne City Research
West Melbourne Small Area Economic and Demographic Profile
1.
Key findings 1.1.1.
West Melbourne-residential
West Melbourne-residential is an economically diverse area with a mix of residential, commercial and retail, with some industry (storage): Demographics The residential population in West Melbourne-residential is growing fairly quickly, and is forecast to continue experiencing moderate population growth in the future. The area’s population can be characterised as fairly young, with residents most often live as couples without children, or in lone person households; Social profile Relatively less diverse, ethnically, culturally and linguistically than the rest of the Melbourne Local Government Area’s population; The municipality’s smallest post secondary student population; The municipality’s largest average household size (2.2 people per dwelling). Despite being the second most common household type in West Melbourne, it still has a relatively smaller proportion of lone person households (19 per cent) compared to Melbourne Local Government Area’s average (30 per cent); Households with reasonably high use of broadband; Earning relatively low individual incomes; Economy and employment Business activity is dominated by small enterprises in Business Services, and Finance and Insurance industries; Its top five employers employ 34 per cent of the its total workforce; and Land use and floor space are dominated by housing. The area has one of the highest home purchasing and ownership rates in the municipality.
1.1.2.
West Melbourne-industrial
Economy and employment There has been proportionally the largest employment growth in the municipality (excluding Docklands, which started off a low base), mainly due to growth in Transport, Postal and Storage and Wholesale businesses; The area’s top five employers employ over 2000 people (32 per cent of the total jobs), suggesting a range of small and medium businesses; and Clerical and administrative workers make up the biggest share of jobs in West Melbourne (28 per cent). Other significant occupations (totaling 29 per cent together) are professionals and managers. Future outlook The area on the north edge of West Melbourne is considered to have potential as a strategic redevelopment site, with a location favourable to commercial uses, public transport and residential communities. It is expected to provide a large number of dwellings to the West Melbourne and possibly Kensington small areas.
Melbourne City Research
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West Melbourne Small Area Economic and Demographic Profile
2.
Profile
2.1. Recent history and environment of West Melbourne West Melbourne comprises two areas: West Melbourne-residential and West Melbourneindustrial, treated here as two separate parts of the one area. West Melbourne-residential, adjacent to the Melbourne CBD, could be characterised in a similar fashion to North Melbourne. It is a dynamic and complex residential and mixed-use area. It has a strong residential base of established and new housing, and commercial and industrial properties are scattered throughout the area, together with retail and community uses. The area is bounded by Victoria Street to the north, William Street and La Trobe Street to the East. The residential part of West Melbourne is separated from the mainly industrial area by the railway lines running from Southern Cross Station to North Melbourne Station. West Melbourne residential contains a pocket of residential properties consisting of a mixture of Victorian single and double storey terraces and converted warehouses at the north-west corner of the Melbourne CBD. It also boasts some retail as well. The most significant open space in the area is the Flagstaff Gardens. The other part of West Melbourne – the greater part, geographically, is entirely industrial (having no residential population) and is bounded by Victoria Street and a rail line in the east and north, Footscray Road and the Moonee Ponds Creek and the Yarra River in the south. The railway yards north of Southern Cross Station form the Eastern Boundary, with the Western Boundary defined by the Maribyrnong River.
Map 1: West Melbourne small area (including residential and industrial area)
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Melbourne City Research
West Melbourne Small Area Economic and Demographic Profile
2.2. Demographic profile Figure 1: Key characteristics of West Melbourne residents West West Melbourne Key characteristics Melbourne Melbourne LGA Residential Industrial Population 3589 89,759 Young people aged 12-25 29% 36% years Older people aged 60+ years 6% 9% Residents born overseas 31% 42% Most common LOTE* Mandarin Mandarin Weekly income < $250 17% 26% Weekly income > $1000 21% 23% University students 14% 21% Bachelor degree or higher 31% 33%
Data Source Population 2008 ABS 2006 census ABS 2006 census ABS 2006 census ABS 2006 census ABS 2006 census ABS 2006 census ABS 2006 census ABS 2006 census
*Language Other Than English City of Melbourne population figures include populations in new areas of Kensington and North Melbourne transferred in July, 2008 from City of Moonee Valley to the City of Melbourne (approximately 5,000 persons – see Kensington and North Melbourne small area profiles)
The population of West Melbourne has grown in the seven years to 2008 by 4 per cent and now contains 4 per cent of the Melbourne Local Government Area’s population. The age profile of West Melbourne shows:
The largest single age group (25 to 34 year) comprising 34 per cent of its population. This characteristic is common to almost all small areas in the municipality (the only exceptions being Carlton, Melbourne small area and Parkville). It also means West Melbourne’s population has the highest proportion of 25 to 34 year olds in the municipality; The proportion of its population aged over 60 years (in 6 per cent or less than 200 people) is the municipality’s smallest; and
It also has the municipality’s smallest concentration (186) of older persons. Figure 2: 2006 West Melbourne residents age profile (Source: ABS 2006 Census) 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 0-4 years
5-14 years
15-19 years
20-24 years
25 to 34 years
35 to 44 years
45 to 64 years
65 to 74 75 years years and o ver
West M elbo urne (Residential)
Melbourne City Research
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West Melbourne Small Area Economic and Demographic Profile
2.3. Social profile Source: 2006 Census of Population and Housing 2.3.1.
Education
West Melbourne has the smallest (2 per cent) concentration of students (people attending an educational institution) living in the Melbourne Local Government Area; and
Only 118 school aged children (9 pre-school, 55 in primary school and 54 in secondary school) which is, proportionally, the second lowest in the municipality. 2.3.2.
Household and family structure
West Melbourne is the area with the municipality’s largest average household size (2.2 people per dwelling);
Like Docklands, the most common household type in West Melbourne is couples without children (23 per cent);
Lone person households comprised 19 per cent and group households 15 per cent of all households (one of the highest proportions of group households in the municipality). 2.3.3.
Culture and language profile
Almost 31 per cent (the third lowest proportion in the municipality after East Melbourne and South Yarra) of residents were born overseas;
Main overseas countries of birth of residents are China (4 per cent) and Malaysia (3 per cent);
More than 23 per cent of West Melbourne residents speak a language other than English at home; and
The most common languages other than English are Mandarin (5 per cent); Cantonese (4 per cent) and Italian (2 per cent). 2.3.4.
Internet connection at home
Approximately 64 per cent of households in West Melbourne have a connection to the internet (one of the lowest proportions in the municipality after North Melbourne and South Yarra); and
About 49 per cent of households have broadband connections and 13 per cent have dial up connections. 2.4. Income profile Analysis of incomes in West Melbourne should be mindful that there is a relatively high non-response to the income question among West Melbourne residents. The chart below suggests that:
Over 17 per cent of West Melbourne residents earned an income under $250 per week; and
More than 21 per cent of the residents eared an income of more than $1000 per week.
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West Melbourne Small Area Economic and Demographic Profile
Figure 3: West Melbourne resident’s income profile (Source: ABS 2006 census)
$2 50 -$ 39 9 $4 00 -$ 59 9 $6 00 -$ 79 9 $8 00 -$ 99 $1 9 ,0 00 -$ 1, 59 $1 9 ,6 00 or m or e N ot st at ed N ot ap pl ic ab le
