🔍

Coolaroo

VIC 3048 • Greater Melbourne

3,193
Population (2021)
$22,880
Median Income
3.14 km²
Area
$335/wk
Median Rent
MulticulturalAffordableDiverseCommuter BeltSuburban

About Coolaroo

Coolaroo is a suburban locality in Melbourne's north, approximately 18 kilometres from the CBD within the City of Hume. With a population of 3,193, it is one of Melbourne's most culturally diverse communities, with residents from Iraqi, Turkish, Lebanese, Nepalese, and Pakistani backgrounds making up a significant portion of the population — nearly half the suburb was born overseas. Median household income sits at around $1,025 per week, making Coolaroo one of the more affordable localities in the northern metropolitan area.

Coolaroo is directly served by its own railway station on the Craigieburn Line, offering straightforward access to Melbourne's CBD at Southern Cross and Flinders Street stations in around 35 minutes. The suburb's diverse community supports a range of multicultural businesses, halal eateries, and community organisations, particularly along Camp Road. Nearby Broadmeadows Shopping Centre and Meadow Heights Shopping Centre cater to everyday retail needs, and local parks provide recreational space for the suburb's many families.

Coolaroo falls under postcode 3048 and is governed by Hume Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Broadmeadows (Northern Metropolitan) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3048
Urban Area
Broadmeadows
LGA / Council
Hume
Federal Electorate
Calwell
State Electorate
Broadmeadows (Northern Metropolitan)
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.65°, 144.93°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
3.14 km²
Elevation
146m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Coolaroo
0.5 km
7 min

Bus Services

  • Route 527, 526 — Broadmeadows Station / Shopping Centre 10-15 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
18 km
By Train
~35 min to Southern Cross via Craigieburn Line from Coolaroo Station
By Car (Peak)
35-50 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
20-25 min

🛣️ Walkable to Coolaroo Station; Hume Highway runs nearby

Walkability Car-Dependent

Station access is walkable for nearby residents, but most shopping and services require a bus or car to Broadmeadows

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$335
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,324
Avg Household Size
2.9 people
Median Age
37 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
7.3%

68 state housing + 7 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,191
Census 2021
3,193
▲ 0.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$19,864
Income 2021
$22,880
▲ 15.2% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,492
Born Overseas 1,437

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Iraq 250
  • 2. Turkey 177
  • 3. Lebanon 114
  • 4. Nepal 104
  • 5. Pakistan 87
  • 6. India 74
  • 7. Vietnam 53
  • 8. England 44
  • 9. Malta 36
  • 10. Philippines 35

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 538
English 433
Lebanese 243
Irish 110
Scottish 85
Indian 75
Vietnamese 73
Italian 70
Maltese 66
Chinese 50

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

603
Both parents born in Australia
2,047
Both parents born overseas
285
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
36.4%
Islam
32.5%
No Religion
15.3%
Hinduism
4.3%
Buddhism
1.9%
Sikhism
0.6%
Judaism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
204 (6.4%)
5-14 years
421 (13.2%)
15-19 years
186 (5.8%)
20-24 years
231 (7.2%)
25-34 years
467 (14.6%)
35-44 years
403 (12.6%)
45-54 years
362 (11.3%)
55-64 years
308 (9.6%)
65-74 years
277 (8.7%)
75-84 years
227 (7.1%)
85+ years
105 (3.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Coolaroo known for? +

Coolaroo is known for its cultural diversity and affordability within Melbourne's northern suburbs. The suburb has one of the highest proportions of Muslim residents in Victoria and is home to a vibrant mix of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Pacific communities.

How far is Coolaroo from Melbourne CBD? +

Coolaroo is approximately 18 kilometres north of the Melbourne CBD, around 35 minutes by Craigieburn Line train from Coolaroo Station to Southern Cross or Flinders Street, or 20–50 minutes by car.

Does Coolaroo have public transport? +

Yes — Coolaroo has its own railway station on the Craigieburn Line with direct services to the Melbourne CBD. Local bus routes also connect the suburb to Broadmeadows station and surrounding areas.

What is the population of Coolaroo? +

According to the 2021 Census, Coolaroo has a population of 3,193 with a median age of 37. The suburb is youthful and growing, with a large proportion of residents born overseas — particularly from Iraq, Turkey, Lebanon, and Nepal.

Is Coolaroo a good place to live? +

Coolaroo suits those seeking affordable housing with good public transport connections in Melbourne's north. Its multicultural character, direct Craigieburn Line rail link, and proximity to Broadmeadows' amenities make it practical and community-oriented, though it lacks the amenities of inner or middle-ring suburbs.

What is the postcode for Coolaroo? +

The postcode for Coolaroo is 3048.