🔍

Pakenham

VIC 3810 • Greater Melbourne

54,118
Population (2021)
$86,528
Median Household Income
85.42 km²
Area
$351/wk
Median Rent
Growth SuburbFamily-FriendlyCommuter BeltSuburbanSemi-Rural
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About Pakenham

Pakenham is a large town in Cardinia Shire, about 55 kilometres south-east of the Melbourne CBD, on the edge of Gippsland. The 2021 Census counted 54,118 residents, up from 46,421 in 2016, with a median age of 33 and an average household size of 2.8. Median weekly household income was $1,664, and the 2023-24 postcode median taxable income was $56,838. The locality covers about 85 square kilometres and is classed as rural, yet the town itself is a growing suburban centre built around a main street and a rail station.

Pakenham station was rebuilt as an elevated station in 2024. Metro Pakenham line trains run through the Metro Tunnel to Town Hall in about 70 to 75 minutes, and V/Line Gippsland trains stop here for Southern Cross, Traralgon and Bairnsdale. Pakenham Place on Main Street is about 500 metres from the station, and Pakenham Central Marketplace is on John Street. Schools include Pakenham Secondary College, Pakenham Hills Primary School and St Patrick's School, with buses to Officer, Berwick, Fountain Gate and Gembrook.

Pakenham falls under postcode 3810 and is governed by the Cardinia Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of La Trobe, while state elections fall under the Pakenham (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3810
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Cardinia
Federal Electorate
La Trobe
State Electorate
Pakenham (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Rural
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.07°, 145.49°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
85.42 km²
Population Density
634 /km²
Elevation
38m

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🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

Median sale prices in Pakenham for the June quarter 2025. Median sale prices published by the Valuer-General Victoria.

🏡House
$690K
276 sales · ▲ 2.9% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$511K
66 sales · ▲ 2.2% YoY

Source: Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report. Medians are for the latest quarter; the change shown is the official 12-month movement. Suburbs with very few sales in a quarter can be volatile.

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3810

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3810, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$47,529
Median 2023–24
$56,838
▲ 19.6% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$63,593

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3810; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

Census personal income 2016 vs 2021

Personal Income 2016
$34,320
Personal Income 2021
$40,716
▲ 18.6% increase

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$40,716 / yr
$783/wk
Household
$86,528 / yr
$1664/wk
Family
$97,708 / yr
$1879/wk
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$351
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,733
Avg Household Size
2.8 people
Median Age
33 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.2%

180 state housing + 47 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Pakenham
1 km
12 min from the suburb centre

Bus Services

  • Routes 840, 926 and 928 — Gembrook, Westfield Fountain Gate and Berwick station Local and regional connections; the train is the CBD option
  • Routes 925, 927 and 929 — Officer South and Pakenham North Local Cardinia coverage

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
55 km
By Train
About 70 to 75 min to Town Hall on the Metro Pakenham line via the Metro Tunnel. V/Line Gippsland trains also stop here for Southern Cross.
By Car (Peak)
75 to 110 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
55 to 70 min

🛣️ The Princes Freeway and Monash Freeway are the usual driving route. Pakenham station was elevated in 2024. East Pakenham is the metropolitan end of the line. Drive times are approximate.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Main Street and the station are fine on foot, but most of this wide locality needs a car for everyday trips.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Cnr Henry Road & McGregor Road Pakenham 3810 VIC
  • Woolworths
    55 Henry Street, Pakenham Market Place Pakenham 3810 VIC
  • ALDI
    1 - 3 Portobello Road, Pakenham VIC 3810

🎓 Schools

👥 Population of Pakenham

Census 2016
46,421
Census 2021
54,118
▲ 16.6% growth
Est. 2026 projection
~63,090

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
📈 2026 estimate: projection from census growth trend, not an official figure

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Cardinia Local Government Area, which contains Pakenham. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
284.4 / 100k
2yr Up 33.2% 10yr Down 46.9%
Motor vehicle theft
277.7 / 100k
2yr Up 91.6% 10yr Stable
Non-FV assault
193.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 17.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
5.2 / 100k
2yr Up 65.4% 10yr Up 27.1%
Steal from vehicle
860.6 / 100k
2yr Up 108.1% 10yr Up 21.7%
View all offence subgroups for Cardinia →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 36,444
Born Overseas 15,142

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. India 3,241
  • 2. England 1,738
  • 3. Sri Lanka 1,080
  • 4. New Zealand 1,054
  • 5. Philippines 666
  • 6. Pakistan 464
  • 7. China 431
  • 8. Myanmar 321
  • 9. Mauritius 315
  • 10. Scotland 279

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 18,112
Australian 17,407
Scottish 4,176
Irish 4,124
Indian 2,836
Italian 1,847
German 1,813
Dutch 1,597
Chinese 1,144
Filipino 924

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace

23,693
Both parents born in Australia
20,919
Both parents born overseas
6,716
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
41.7%
Christianity
37.9%
Sikhism
4.1%
Islam
3.6%
Hinduism
3.4%
Buddhism
2.4%
Judaism
0.1%

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📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
4,515 (8.3%)
5-14 years
8,515 (15.7%)
15-19 years
3,072 (5.7%)
20-24 years
3,305 (6.1%)
25-34 years
9,533 (17.6%)
35-44 years
8,478 (15.7%)
45-54 years
5,956 (11.0%)
55-64 years
4,330 (8.0%)
65-74 years
3,414 (6.3%)
75-84 years
2,217 (4.1%)
85+ years
787 (1.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pakenham known for? +

Pakenham is the rail town on Melbourne's south-eastern edge, in Cardinia Shire, where suburban housing meets a still-rural locality of about 85 square kilometres. Pakenham station has Metro trains to the city and V/Line Gippsland services. Pakenham Place on Main Street is about 500 metres from the station.

How far is Pakenham from Melbourne CBD? +

Pakenham is about 55 kilometres south-east of the Melbourne CBD, and about 57 kilometres by rail. Metro Pakenham line trains reach Town Hall via the Metro Tunnel in about 70 to 75 minutes. Off-peak driving via the Princes and Monash freeways is roughly 55 to 70 minutes, and peak trips often take 75 to 110 minutes.

Does Pakenham have public transport? +

Pakenham station is served by Metro Pakenham line trains through the Metro Tunnel to Town Hall, and by V/Line Traralgon and Bairnsdale services towards Southern Cross. Local buses include route 840 to Gembrook, 925 to Officer South, 926 to Westfield Fountain Gate, 928 to Berwick, and 927 and 929 around Pakenham North. A car is still the practical choice for much of the wider locality.

Is Pakenham a good place to live? +

Pakenham suits families who want a house, a station and local schools and can accept a long commute to the CBD. Median weekly household income in 2021 was $1,664, and the 2023-24 postcode median taxable income was $56,838. The town centre is useful on foot, but everyday trips across the wider locality usually need a car.

What is the postcode for Pakenham? +

The postcode for Pakenham, Victoria is 3810. The suburb is in Cardinia Shire, on Melbourne's south-eastern fringe.

What is the average income in Pakenham? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Pakenham is about $783 per week (around $40,700 per year). The median household income is $1,664 per week and the median family income is $1,879 per week.

What is the median house price in Pakenham? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $690,000, up 2.9% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $511,000, up 2.2% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Pakenham? +

The median age in Pakenham is 33. The largest age group is 25–34 (9,533 residents, around 18%). Around 30% of residents are under 20 and about 12% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Pakenham a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Pakenham is part of the Cardinia LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

What is the population of Pakenham? +

The population of Pakenham is 54,118 according to the 2021 Census, up 16.6% from 46,421 in 2016. Projecting that growth trend forward, the estimated 2026 population of Pakenham is around 63,090. This is a projection, not an official ABS figure.

How much is rent in Pakenham? +

In Pakenham, the median weekly rent is $351, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,733 (2021 Census).