Donvale suburb profile
Donvale is a picturesque suburb located in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, approximately 19km from the CBD. Known for its leafy environment and spacious properties, Donvale offers a tranquil lifestyle while still being conveniently connected to the city. The suburb is characterized by its blend of modern homes and established residences, catering to families and professionals seeking a peaceful retreat. Donvale boasts excellent educational facilities, parks, and recreational areas, making it an attractive choice for families. With its close proximity to shopping centers and major transport routes, Donvale provides a harmonious balance of suburban serenity and urban accessibility.
Donvale property market performance
Current median dwelling price$1,192,000Past 3 months
Property growth-8.2%Past 12 months
Donvale's property market has remained stable over the past 12 months, with no change in the median house value, which currently stands at $1.51 million. The unit market also saw no change in value, reflecting a consistent demand for both property types in the area.
Sales activity has been moderate, with 28 houses and 5 units sold over the last 12 months. Houses are taking longer to sell, with a median of 61 days on the market, compared to 49 days for units, indicating a slightly quicker turnover in the unit market.
The rental market in Donvale has seen some movement, with house rents increasing by 2.7% and unit rents experiencing a significant rise of 13% over the last 12 months. This suggests a growing demand for rental units in the suburb.
| Houses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
Median price Past 3 months | $1.54M | N/A |
Change in value Past 12 months | -6.9% | -9.5% |
Sold Past 3 months | 14 | 3 |
Median days on market Past 12 months | 59 | 39 |
Average rent Past 12 months | $778 | $615 |
Change in rent Past 12 months | 3.7% | 15.0% |
5 year median price trend for houses and units
Donvale demographics
Donvale, located in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, is a family-friendly area known for its leafy streets and spacious homes. With a population of 12,644, it offers a serene suburban lifestyle while still being within reach of the city's amenities. The median age of 45 suggests a mature community, with many long-term residents and families who appreciate the suburb's peaceful environment and strong sense of community.
The suburb is predominantly composed of couple families, with 52% having children and 35.5% without, indicating a balanced mix of family dynamics. One-parent families make up 11.8% of the population, while other family types are relatively rare at 0.6%. This demographic composition highlights Donvale's appeal to families seeking a stable and supportive environment to raise children.
Property ownership in Donvale is notably high, with 45.6% of homes owned outright and 38.3% owned with a mortgage. This reflects a community with a strong sense of investment in their homes and a commitment to the area. Only 16.1% of properties are rented, which is lower than many other Melbourne suburbs, further emphasizing the suburb's appeal to homeowners. The median total household income of $2,100 per week supports the area's reputation as a comfortable and affluent suburb, offering a high quality of life for its residents.
Donvale infrastructure, key developments and investment opportunities
Donvale continues to attract attention for its blend of bushland character and accessible amenities, with proximity to Tunstall Square, Eastland, and other major retail centres supporting convenience and lifestyle appeal. Public and private schools like Whitefriars College and Donvale Christian College remain strong drawcards for families, but there have been no significant announcements about new or upgraded educational facilities in the area recently.
Transport remains car-centric, centred on Springvale Road and with straightforward access to the Eastern Freeway, but there have been no newly completed public transport projects or extensions directly impacting Donvale. There are currently no major infrastructure or redevelopment projects underway that are likely to reshape the local property market in the immediate future. Donvale’s desirability continues to rest on its established, leafy environment, large family homes, and proximity to key amenities, rather than new development activity.
Donvale rental market trends
The rental market in Donvale has shown varied growth, with house rents experiencing a modest increase of 2.7% over the past year to $770 per week, while unit rents have surged 13% to $610 per week. This indicates a strong demand for units, making Donvale an attractive option for renters and investors focusing on unit properties.
Suburbs near Donvale
Some popular suburbs near Donvale include:
How does Donvale compare to nearby suburbs?
- Median house prices: Donvale’s median house price is 9.1% higher than Blackburn North’s.
- Median unit prices: Donvale’s median unit price is 20.4% higher than Doncaster East’s.
- House price growth: Over the past 12 months, house prices in Donvale have grown 0.7% higher than in Nunawading.
- Unit price growth: Over the past 12 months, unit prices in Donvale have grown 11.8% higher than in Blackburn North.
- Selling speed for houses: Properties in Donvale are selling 32.2% faster than in Nunawading.
- Selling speed for units: Properties in Donvale are selling 37.1% faster than in Doncaster East.
- Investment considerations: In Donvale, the rental yield for house is 25.9% higher than the Melbourne average, while the rental yield for units is 9.6% higher.
- House price growth: Over the past 12 months, house prices in Donvale have grown 49.7% higher than the average rate of growth across Melbourne.
- Unit price growth:Over the past 12 months, unit prices in Donvale have grown 28.5% higher than the average rate of growth for units across Melbourne.

