Canterbury

VIC 3126 • Greater Melbourne

7,800
Population (2021)
$57,304
Median Income
3.13 km²
Area
$515/wk
Median Rent
AffluentFamily-FriendlyHistoricInner City

About Canterbury

Canterbury is a prestigious inner-eastern suburb of Melbourne, located approximately 10 kilometres from the CBD in the City of Boroondara local government area. With a population of around 7,800 residents, it is characterised by wide tree-lined streets, Federation and Edwardian-era homes, and a quiet, refined residential atmosphere. The suburb is bounded by Camberwell to the south-west, Balwyn to the north, and Surrey Hills to the east.

Canterbury is known for its village-style shopping precinct along Maling Road, which features boutique cafés, specialty stores, and a vibrant community feel. The suburb is home to some of Melbourne's most sought-after private schools and is popular with families who value education, green space, and proximity to the city. With excellent access to the Alamein and Belgrave/Lilydale train lines, Canterbury offers comfortable commuting options alongside an upmarket, established lifestyle.

Canterbury falls under postcode 3126 and is governed by Boroondara Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Hawthorn (Southern Metropolitan) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Postcode
3126
Urban Area
Boroondara
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.82°, 145.07°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
3.13 km²
Elevation
80m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Canterbury Station
0.5 km
6 min
Camberwell Station
1.2 km
15 min

Bus Services

  • 72, 75 — Melbourne CBD / Box Hill 30-45 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
10 km
By Train
25-30 min to Flinders Street via Alamein Line
By Car (Peak)
25-40 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
20 min

🛣️ Canterbury Station on Alamein Line; Camberwell offers more frequent services on multiple lines

Walkability Very Walkable

Excellent footpaths throughout; Maling Road precinct walkable; Canterbury Station nearby; parks and schools accessible on foot

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    735 Riversdale Road Canterbury 3126 VIC

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$515
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$3,500
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
46 years

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
8,056
Census 2021
7,800
3.2% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$47,476
Income 2021
$57,304
20.7% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 5,120
Born Overseas 2,467

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. China 811
  • 2. England 255
  • 3. India 134
  • 4. Malaysia 134
  • 5. New Zealand 106
  • 6. Vietnam 82
  • 7. United States 79
  • 8. Hong Kong 75
  • 9. Sri Lanka 70
  • 10. South Africa 55

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,348
Australian 2,040
Chinese 1,549
Irish 921
Scottish 839
Italian 398
German 281
Indian 238
Greek 210
Vietnamese 124

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,259
Both parents born in Australia
3,269
Both parents born overseas
1,026
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
45.2%
Christianity
43.2%
Buddhism
2.9%
Hinduism
2.2%
Islam
0.7%
Judaism
0.6%
Sikhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
253 (3.2%)
5-14 years
982 (12.6%)
15-19 years
634 (8.1%)
20-24 years
532 (6.8%)
25-34 years
600 (7.7%)
35-44 years
795 (10.2%)
45-54 years
1,099 (14.1%)
55-64 years
1,083 (13.9%)
65-74 years
927 (11.9%)
75-84 years
574 (7.4%)
85+ years
323 (4.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What train line serves Canterbury VIC? +

Canterbury is served by Canterbury Station on the Alamein Line, with trains running to Flinders Street Station in approximately 25-30 minutes. Camberwell Station nearby also provides access to the Belgrave and Lilydale lines.

What schools are in Canterbury VIC? +

Canterbury has several highly regarded schools including Canterbury Girls Secondary College, Camberwell Grammar School (independent boys), Camberwell Girls Grammar, Canterbury Primary School, and Camberwell High School.

What is Maling Road Canterbury known for? +

Maling Road is Canterbury's charming village-style shopping strip, known for its boutique cafés, delis, specialty retailers, and bookshops. It is regarded as one of Melbourne's most picturesque and vibrant local shopping precincts.

What is the median house price in Canterbury VIC? +

Canterbury is one of Melbourne's most expensive suburbs, with median house prices typically exceeding $2.5 million, reflecting its prestigious location, large period homes, and proximity to elite schools.

What LGA is Canterbury VIC in? +

Canterbury is located within the City of Boroondara local government area in Melbourne's inner east.