Get a property report and suburb profile for any property in Blackburn

Blackburn is a leafy, established suburb in Melbourne’s east centred on Blackburn Lake Sanctuary and a compact village clustered around the train station. It attracts families and professionals who value parkland, walking trails and a quieter suburban pace. Residential streets mix Federation and postwar weatherboard and brick homes with pockets of modern infill and medium-density housing near the station, while cafés, bakeries, playgrounds, reserves and local sporting clubs meet everyday needs.

Home to 14,478 people with a median age of 41, families form the core of Blackburn and home ownership is common (73.5% owner-occupied). Recent local projects — including the repurposed Blackburn Public Surgical Centre, a new two-storey classroom at Laburnum Primary, level crossing removal and station precinct works, streetscape upgrades, improvements to the lake boardwalk and new EasyRide cycling routes — add to the suburb’s everyday convenience.

On these figures, buying in Blackburn 3130 sits above what local households earned at the last Census. A median house price of $1,355,000 is about 12.6 times a typical local annual household income at the last Census, while the median unit price of $620,000 is about 5.8 times a local year's household income. That puts house buying well above local incomes and unit buying somewhat above local incomes.

Renting looks more moderate by comparison. Average house rent of $730 a week would take about 35.4% of a typical local household's weekly income at the last Census, a sizeable share, while unit rent of $550 a week would take about 26.6%, a moderate share. Which of these feels expensive will depend on your own income and circumstances.

Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.

Over the past 12 months in Blackburn the figures show a split between houses and units. Median house values rose 5.5% while house rents increased 7.4%, so for houses rental income grew slightly faster than capital value over the year. By contrast, median unit values fell 6.4% while unit rents rose 10.0%, so unit rents strengthened even as unit prices declined. Which of these patterns matters most depends on your priorities: if rental income is your focus, the rent changes are the relevant figures; if capital growth is your focus, the value changes are the ones to consider.

This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional financial advice. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.