South Melbourne, VIC
In 2026, police recorded 3,561 offences in South Melbourne, or 308.4 per 1,000 residents. That is 4.03× the VIC rate.
Higher weighted crime rate than 99% of 911 ranked VIC suburbs (2026).
Higher = more crime. Severity-weighted rate per resident · method v2026.07
By crime type, 2026
Rates per 1,000 residents. ×-values compare with the state rate for the same offence type.
Crimes against the person
37.6 / 1,000
VIC 11.8
· National 11.8
Property & deception
215.5 / 1,000
VIC 44.0
· National 44.0
Drug offences
13.6 / 1,000
VIC 4.1
· National 4.1
Public order & weapons
15.1 / 1,000
VIC 3.8
· National 3.8
Justice procedures
25.5 / 1,000
VIC 12.6
· National 12.6
administrative
Traffic, regulatory & other
1.1 / 1,000
VIC 0.2
· National 0.2
administrative
View as table
| Group | Offence type | Count | Per 1,000 | VIC per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes against the person | Assault and related offences | 262 | 22.69 | 6.44 |
| Crimes against the person | Other crimes against the person | 61 | 5.28 | 0.32 |
| Crimes against the person | Stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour | 60 | 5.20 | 1.80 |
| Crimes against the person | Dangerous and negligent acts endangering people | 31 | 2.68 | 0.83 |
| Crimes against the person | Robbery | 20 | 1.73 | 0.39 |
| Property & deception | Theft | 1,779 | 154.05 | 28.52 |
| Property & deception | Burglary/Break and enter | 286 | 24.77 | 5.24 |
| Property & deception | Property damage | 229 | 19.83 | 5.83 |
| Property & deception | Deception | 179 | 15.50 | 4.00 |
| Property & deception | Arson | 16 | 1.39 | 0.45 |
| Drug offences | Drug use and possession | 132 | 11.43 | 3.45 |
| Drug offences | Drug dealing and trafficking | 15 | 1.30 | 0.41 |
| Drug offences | Cultivate or manufacture drugs | 10 | 0.87 | 0.28 |
| Public order & weapons | Weapons and explosives offences | 100 | 8.66 | 2.17 |
| Public order & weapons | Disorderly and offensive conduct | 49 | 4.24 | 0.90 |
| Public order & weapons | Public nuisance offences | 21 | 1.82 | 0.68 |
| Public order & weapons | Public security offences | 4 | 0.35 | 0.03 |
| Justice procedures | Breaches of orders | 232 | 20.09 | 10.81 |
| Justice procedures | Justice procedures | 62 | 5.37 | 1.81 |
| Traffic, regulatory & other | Other government regulatory offences | 9 | 0.78 | 0.06 |
| Traffic, regulatory & other | Miscellaneous offences | 4 | 0.35 | 0.05 |
Trend
Recorded offences per year. Projection is a simple linear trend, not a forecast of individual risk.
Vs state & national
per 1,000 residentsNearby suburbs
- South Wharf0.9 km not ranked compare
- Southbank1.2 km 96 compare
- Albert Park1.8 km 89 compare
- Middle Park1.8 km 72 compare
- Docklands2.1 km 97 compare
- West Melbourne2.4 km 96 compare
- East Melbourne2.9 km 97 compare
- South Yarra3.1 km 91 compare
Housing, rent and growth
Housing & rent
ABS Census 2021Median rent is 20% of median household income. Below the 30% stress benchmark
| Measure | Value | vs other VIC suburbs |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $421/week | higher than 91% |
| Median household income | $2,101/week | higher than 82% |
| Rent as a share of income | 20% | higher than 67% |
| Median mortgage repayment | $2,200/month | higher than 89% |
| Homes that are rented | 55% | higher than 99% |
| Owned outright | 19% | higher than 4% |
| Social housing | 12% | higher than 99% |
| Average household size | 1.9 people | higher than 6% |
2021 Census figures: rents and incomes have risen since, so compare suburbs rather than reading today's prices. The rent share uses the median rent and the median income of all households (owners included), so it is a guide, not the share any one renter pays. The 30% benchmark is a common convention.
Growth & new homes
ABS Regional Population · Building Approvals| Measure | Value | vs other VIC areas |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth, 5 years 2020–2025 | +3.2% | higher than 59% |
| Population growth, last year 2024–2025 | +2.4% | higher than 86% |
| New homes approved, 12 months 12 months to Aug 2026 | 253 | higher than 90% |
| New homes approved per 1,000 residents 12 months to Aug 2026 | 19.3 | higher than 92% |
Figures are for the ABS area “South Melbourne”. Approvals are dwellings approved, not yet built. Growth and new supply are change indicators, not a price forecast.
Common questions about South Melbourne
Is South Melbourne a high-crime area?
South Melbourne falls in the “very high crime” band: Higher weighted crime rate than 99% of 911 ranked VIC suburbs (2026). Rankings use a severity-weighted rate per resident, so serious offences count more than minor ones.
What is the crime rate in South Melbourne?
In 2026, 3,561 offences were recorded in South Melbourne, or 308.4 per 1,000 residents. That is 4.0× the VIC rate of 76.5.
What are the chances of being a victim of crime in South Melbourne?
Based on 2026 recorded offences per resident, roughly 1 in 27 for violent crime and 1 in 5 for property crime. Recorded crime includes offences against visitors and businesses, so this overstates risk for residents.
Where does this data come from?
Official recorded-crime statistics published by state police and crime statistics agencies, divided by 2021 Census or ABS population estimates. See the methodology page for details.
Data notes
- Population is estimated (medium confidence) from the ABS 2021 Census.
- Recorded crime counts offences reported to or detected by police where they occurred. That includes offences against visitors and businesses, so busy centres score higher than their resident risk.
- States classify offences differently, so ranks compare areas within the same state.