Hawthorn suburb profile
Hawthorn is a prestigious suburb located just 6km east of Melbourne's CBD, known for its blend of historic charm and modern sophistication. With its tree-lined streets, elegant Victorian homes, and vibrant community atmosphere, Hawthorn attracts families, professionals, and students alike. The suburb is home to Swinburne University, adding a youthful energy to the area. Glenferrie Road serves as a bustling hub with a variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants, while the Yarra River and nearby parks offer ample recreational opportunities. Excellent public transport links make Hawthorn a convenient and desirable place to live.
Hawthorn property market performance
Current median dwelling price$1,470,000Past 3 months
Property growth-2.5%Past 12 months
Hawthorn's property market has shown stability over the past 12 months, with house values experiencing a modest increase of 1.1%, while unit values have remained unchanged. The median house price over the past three months has averaged $2.36 million, and units have averaged $580,000, indicating steady demand in the area.
Sales activity has been robust, with 50 houses and 98 units sold in the past three months. Units are selling faster than houses, with a median time on market of 35 days compared to 42 days for houses, suggesting a slightly higher demand for units.
The rental market in Hawthorn has seen notable growth over the last 12 months, with house rents increasing by 8.8% and unit rents by 7.8%, reflecting strong demand for rental properties in the suburb.
| Houses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
Median price Past 3 months | $2.36M | $580K |
Change in value Past 12 months | 1.1% | -6.1% |
Sold Past 3 months | 50 | 98 |
Median days on market Past 12 months | 42 | 35 |
Average rent Past 12 months | $950 | $550 |
Change in rent Past 12 months | 8.8% | 7.8% |
5 year median price trend for houses and units
Hawthorn demographics
Hawthorn, located in Melbourne's inner eastern suburbs, is a vibrant and affluent area known for its blend of historic charm and modern amenities. With a population of 22,322 and a median age of 34, it attracts a diverse mix of residents, including young professionals, families, and students. The suburb's proximity to the city centre and prestigious educational institutions like Swinburne University makes it a popular choice for those seeking a convenient and dynamic lifestyle.
The housing landscape in Hawthorn is varied, with a significant portion of properties being rented, accounting for 46.8% of the market. This high rental rate is indicative of the suburb's appeal to students and professionals who value flexibility. Meanwhile, 27.5% of properties are owned outright, and 25.6% are owned with a mortgage, reflecting a stable and established community. The suburb's architectural landscape is characterized by a mix of Victorian-era homes and contemporary apartments, catering to a wide range of preferences.
Family life in Hawthorn is well-supported, with 38.9% of households being couple families with children and 48.0% being couple families without children. This balance highlights the suburb's appeal to both growing families and those enjoying a more independent lifestyle. The presence of parks, cafes, and shopping precincts adds to the suburb's allure, offering residents a rich tapestry of leisure and lifestyle options. Overall, Hawthorn's blend of heritage, convenience, and community makes it a sought-after location for those looking to enjoy the best of Melbourne living.
Hawthorn infrastructure, key developments and investment opportunities
Hawthorn continues to benefit from its established transport links, with multiple train stations on key commuter lines and frequent tram services along Glenferrie and Burwood Roads supporting strong demand from city workers and students.[1][3] Ongoing investment in Swinburne University’s main campus and surrounding student-focused amenities reinforces the suburb’s role as an education hub, underpinning steady rental demand and unit development activity.[1][3] Glenferrie Road remains a key retail and dining strip, with incremental upgrades and refurbishments to shopfronts and public spaces enhancing walkability and lifestyle appeal, which is important for both owner-occupiers and investors.[1]
Council planning in the broader area continues to encourage medium-density housing near transport and amenities, which may gradually increase local supply while preserving much of Hawthorn’s heritage streetscapes.[1][3] Proximity to established parks, Yarra River recreation areas and employment opportunities in nearby business districts continues to make the suburb highly desirable, supporting premium pricing for character homes and well-located apartments.[1][5] At this time there are no widely publicised, game-changing new infrastructure projects specific to Hawthorn, so market performance is likely to be driven more by its existing amenity, school catchments and broader metropolitan trends than by a single new development.
Hawthorn rental market trends
The rental market in Hawthorn has experienced steady growth, with house rents increasing by 8.8% over the past year to $950 per week, while unit rents have risen by 7.8% to $550 per week. With its vibrant community, excellent schools, and proximity to Melbourne's CBD, Hawthorn continues to attract both renters and investors seeking a desirable suburban lifestyle.
Suburbs near Hawthorn
Some popular suburbs near Hawthorn include:
How does Hawthorn compare to nearby suburbs?
- Median house prices: Hawthorn’s median house price is 10.8% higher than Hawthorn East’s.
- Median unit prices: Hawthorn’s median unit price is 0.9% lower than Hawthorn East’s.
- House price growth: Over the past 12 months, house prices in Hawthorn have grown 6.7% higher than in Hawthorn East.
- Unit price growth: Over the past 12 months, unit prices in Hawthorn have grown 15.9% higher than in Toorak.
- Selling speed for houses: Properties in Hawthorn are selling 23.6% faster than in Hawthorn East.
- Selling speed for units: Properties in Hawthorn are selling 14.6% faster than in Hawthorn East.
- Investment considerations: In Hawthorn, the rental yield for house is 51.3% higher than the Melbourne average, while the rental yield for units is 5.8% lower.
- House price growth: Over the past 12 months, house prices in Hawthorn have grown 146.4% higher than the average rate of growth across Melbourne.
- Unit price growth:Over the past 12 months, unit prices in Hawthorn have grown 8.8% lower than the average rate of growth for units across Melbourne.

