Waterways, VIC: suburb profile

The population of Waterways VIC is 2,422 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Waterways is $960 per week ($49,920 per year). Median rent in Waterways is $623 per week ($2,700 per month). Waterways has a median age of 41 years, older than the national median of 38. Waterways has a population density of 1,429 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Waterways is China. The most common religion is No religion (32.3% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Mandarin. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Waterways is $2,500.

There were 88 recorded offences in Waterways in 2025-25, a rate of 36 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (41 offences).

Population
2,422
Census 2021
Median income
$960/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$623/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
41years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (crimestatistics.vic.gov.au), 2025-25.

Waterways vs the typical VIC suburb

The median personal income in Waterways is $960 a week, 25% above the typical VIC suburb ($767). That ranks 181st of 1,274 VIC suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $623 a week, $307 more than the typical VIC suburb. Rent takes 20.7% of the median household income here, against 19.1% in the typical VIC suburb. The median resident is 41, 2 years younger than in the typical VIC suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureWaterwaysTypical VICDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$960/wk$767/wk +25%$766/wk
Household income$3,013/wk$1,687/wk +79%$1,637/wk
Rent$623/wk$316/wk +97%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$2,500/mo$1,723/mo +45%$1,733/mo
Median age4143 −2 yrs42
Rent share of household income20.7%19.1% +1.6 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Waterways, the typical VIC suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Waterways Population

2,422 residents at the 2021 Census.

Waterways Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$960/wk
$49,920 per year
Ranked 1,515 of 14,663
Median Rent
$623/wk
$2,700 per month
Ranked 174 of 14,663
Median Age
41years
3 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$2,500/mo
Avg household size: 3.3 · 0.8 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Waterways Rent Prices & Affordability

21% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $3,013/wk
Median rent $623/wk
Rent to income 20.7%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Waterways against your income

About $13,056 a month
Median rent $623/wk
Left after rent $2,390/wk
Rent share 20.7%

Waterways Schools

9
schools nearby
3
government
1102
avg ICSEA score
8,254
total students
Haileybury College Independent
Combined · Prep-12 · 4,880 students
1191
ICSEA
St Louis de Montfort's School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 594 students
1107
ICSEA
Edithvale Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 525 students
1100
ICSEA
Aspendale Gardens Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 592 students
1095
ICSEA
St Mark's School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 421 students
1083
ICSEA
Lighthouse Christian College Independent
Combined · Prep-12 · 827 students
1082
ICSEA
Chelsea Heights Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 415 students
1059
ICSEA
Haileybury College - Keysborough Girls Independent
Combined
Haileybury College - Pangea Independent
Combined

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Waterways, with a map

Waterways Map

Waterways, Victoria Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Waterways, Victoria: 38.0153°S, 145.1301°E

Waterways Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (9)

People in Waterways

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 50.5% (1,223) Female 49.5% (1,199)

Population Density

1,429
people per km²
2,422 people · 1.7 km²

Households

3.3
Avg household size
0.8
Persons per bedroom
$2,995
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

China
6.4%
India
5.6%
Vietnam
4.8%
England
3.3%
Cambodia
3.1%
South Africa
2.6%
Sri Lanka
2.1%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Mandarin
9.0%
Vietnamese
5.8%
Khmer
3.2%
Cantonese
2.6%
Greek
2.3%
Hindi
2.0%
Turkish
1.3%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

English
19.8%
Chinese
18.0%
Australian
17.4%
Indian
7.5%
Scottish
6.0%
Vietnamese
5.7%
Irish
5.4%
Italian
4.2%
Greek
4.0%
German
2.8%
Sri Lankan
2.0%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
32.3%
Catholic
21.1%
Buddhism
11.4%
Anglican
6.4%
Hinduism
5.3%
Eastern Orthodox
5.3%
Not stated
4.0%
Christian (other)
2.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

0.4%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
60.5% 1,184
Separated
1.5% 29
Divorced
4.4% 87
Widowed
2.3% 45
Never married
31.3% 612

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
45.5%
Couple: no children under 15
30.9%
Couple: no children
15.3%
One parent: no children under 15
4.7%
One parent: children under 15
3.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
6.5%
2 persons
24.2%
3 persons
20.6%
4 persons
32.3%
5 persons
12.4%
6+ persons
4.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Waterways

Housing Tenure

Of the 709 occupied private dwellings in Waterways at the 2021 Census, 11.0% were rented, 29.9% owned outright and 58.4% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
0.6% 4 dwellings
Owned outright
29.9% 212 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
58.4% 414 dwellings
Rented
11.0% 78 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
0.8% 6 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
87.9%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
8.5%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
3.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

2 bedrooms
1.3%
3 bedrooms
24.9%
4 bedrooms
55.4%
5 bedrooms
16.5%
6+ bedrooms
2.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
8.9%
$300-$449/mo
2.5%
$450-$599/mo
0.9%
$600-$799/mo
1.5%
$800-$999/mo
4.3%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
7.7%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
11.4%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
20.9%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
17.2%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
24.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
0.8%
1 vehicle
15.5%
2 vehicles
48.4%
3 vehicles
25.0%
4+ vehicles
10.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Waterways

Employment

Employed full-time
45.4% 842 people
Employed part-time
23.5% 435 people
Unemployed
3.8% 70 people
Not in labour force
27.4% 508 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
35.5%
Managers
23.0%
Clerical & Administrative
13.8%
Technicians & Trade Workers
8.3%
Community & Personal Service
7.1%
Sales Workers
7.1%
Labourers
2.8%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
2.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.1%
$1-$149/wk
0.5%
$150-$299/wk
0.8%
$300-$399/wk
1.2%
$400-$499/wk
2.0%
$500-$649/wk
1.1%
$650-$799/wk
2.3%
$800-$999/wk
2.2%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
4.9%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
3.8%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
5.7%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.8%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
9.8%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
8.1%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
9.1%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
8.8%
$4,000+/wk
32.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
13.9%
$1-$149/wk
5.8%
$150-$299/wk
5.3%
$300-$399/wk
2.8%
$400-$499/wk
2.0%
$500-$649/wk
2.9%
$650-$799/wk
6.2%
$800-$999/wk
7.1%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.1%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.8%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.1%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.2%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
11.6%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
4.2%
$3,500+/wk
8.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
75.4%
Did not go to work
16.1%
Car (passenger)
4.9%
Train
2.1%
Truck
0.7%
Bicycle
0.5%
Bus
0.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
84.2%
Year 11 or equivalent
7.8%
Year 10 or equivalent
6.5%
Year 9 or equivalent
1.5%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Bachelor Degree
44.0%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
17.9%
Postgraduate Degree
15.5%
Certificate III/IV
15.4%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
6.4%
Certificate I/II
0.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
30.2%
Engineering
15.9%
Health
14.4%
Society & Culture
10.5%
Information Technology
6.6%
Natural & Physical Sciences
6.5%
Education
6.3%
Architecture & Building
3.4%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
3.3%
Creative Arts
3.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
26.5%
Secondary: Government
19.5%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
15.4%
Secondary: Catholic
9.5%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
8.6%
Pre-school
7.4%
Primary: Catholic
7.2%
Vocational Education
6.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
94.6%
Has need for assistance
3.2%
Need for assistance not stated
2.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
110
Asthma
73
Diabetes
57
Heart disease
44
Arthritis
33
Cancer
20
Stroke
20
Kidney disease
13
Lung condition
11

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
12.2% 232
Did not provide
87.8% 1,662

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
11.5% 220
Not a volunteer
88.5% 1,689

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.3% 5
Current ADF: Reserves
0.2% 4
Previously served
1.1% 21
Never served
98.4% 1,892

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
30.3%
1 child
13.1%
2 children
37.6%
3 children
15.1%
4 children
3.0%
5+ children
0.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
4
1951: 1960
11
1961: 1970
35
1971: 1980
87
1981: 1990
229
1991: 2000
180
2001: 2010
334
2011: 2015
84
2016
34
2017
15
2018
7
2019
15
2020
9
2021
12

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

7.9%
moved in the last year
23.9%
moved in the last 5 years
4.7%
unemployment rate (Census)
72.1%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
2,184
Moved from VIC
99
Moved: same area (SA2)
50
Moved from overseas
20
Moved from NSW
5
Moved from QLD
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
23.5%
5: 14 hours
27.9%
15: 29 hours
13.2%
30+ hours
7.1%
Did not do domestic work
28.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
92.8%
Step family: no other children
5.2%
Blended family: no other children
1.1%
Intact family: other children present
0.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Waterways Crime Statistics

88 reported offences in 2025-25, by category.

Theft
41
Break & Enter
22
Assault
12
Justice Procedures
5
Property Damage
4
Fraud
2
Drug Offences
2

Total offences by year

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (crimestatistics.vic.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Elliminyt
Income: $804/wk Rent: $290/wk $333/wk less rent
Haven
Income: $912/wk Rent: $303/wk $320/wk less rent
Nar Nar Goon
Income: $776/wk Rent: $305/wk $318/wk less rent
Nyora (Vic.)
Income: $771/wk Rent: $315/wk $308/wk less rent
Lockwood South
Income: $816/wk Rent: $320/wk $303/wk less rent
Silvan
Income: $805/wk Rent: $350/wk $273/wk less rent
Lancefield
Income: $771/wk Rent: $360/wk $263/wk less rent
Gembrook
Income: $815/wk Rent: $360/wk $263/wk less rent

Suburbs near Waterways

The closest suburb to Waterways is Aspendale Gardens, 1.3 km away.

Aspendale Gardens
1.3 km away · income $810/wk · rent $496/wk
Aspendale
2.6 km away · income $1,023/wk · rent $460/wk
Chelsea Heights
2.8 km away · income $805/wk · rent $412/wk
Edithvale
2.8 km away · income $1,021/wk · rent $429/wk
Keysborough
3.3 km away · income $728/wk · rent $421/wk
Mordialloc
3.6 km away · income $982/wk · rent $400/wk

Compare Waterways

Frequently Asked Questions About Waterways

What is the population of Waterways VIC?

The population of Waterways VIC is 2,422 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 1,429 people per km². Waterways is ranked #2,763 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Waterways?

The median personal income in Waterways VIC is $960 per week, or $49,920 per year. The median household income is $3,013 per week. Family income is $2,995 per week. Waterways is ranked #1,515 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Waterways?

Median rent in Waterways VIC is $623 per week ($2,700 per month). Rent represents 20.7% of household income, which is considered affordable. Waterways ranks #174 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Waterways?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Waterways VIC is $2,500. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Waterways?

The median age in Waterways VIC is 41 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Waterways a good suburb to live in?

Waterways is a suburb in Victoria with a population of 2,422. The median income is $960/wk, which is above the typical VIC suburb ($767/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (20.7% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

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Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Melbourne Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 22720. All dollar figures in AUD.