Carlton North vs Fitzroy North

Carlton North is the younger of the two, with a median age of 33 against 36 in Fitzroy North. In both, about half of households rent. In Fitzroy North, about half of households are people living alone. On these figures, Carlton North tends to suit share households, while Fitzroy North suits people living alone.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

Fitzroy North

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more schools inside the suburb (8 vs 1)
  • has more parks and reserves (21 vs 5)
  • has more childcare (9 vs 3)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

Too close to call

Nothing among the 3 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Fitzroy North

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper rent ($481/wk vs $552/wk)

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

Fitzroy North

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (99/100 vs 89/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, rail access, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Fitzroy North

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (10 vs 4)
  • is more walkable (99/100 vs 89/100)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

Fitzroy North

ahead on 3 of the 3 things we measure here

  • is growing faster (3.6% vs -2.0%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on units (6.4% vs 4.6%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (3.5% vs 2.8%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

Carlton North and Fitzroy North drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Carlton North Fitzroy North
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Carlton North Fitzroy North
Walkability 89 / 99
Carlton North — Walkability: 89/100 Fitzroy North — Walkability: 99/100
Safety 26 / 19
Carlton North — Safety: 26/100 Fitzroy North — Safety: 19/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Carlton North — Low fire risk: 100/100 Fitzroy North — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 63 / 65
Carlton North — Low flood risk: 63/100 Fitzroy North — Low flood risk: 65/100

Demographics

Fitzroy North has more residents (12,781 vs 6,177); Carlton North rents higher ($552/wk vs $481/wk).

Carlton North Fitzroy North
Population 6,177 12,781
+107% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) -2.0% +3.6%
Median age 33 36
Median household income $124,800/yr
+4% vs other
 $119,600/yr
Median weekly rent $552/wk
+13% vs other
 $481/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Carlton North Fitzroy North
0-4 3.9% / 4.1%
Carlton North — 0-4: 3.9% Fitzroy North — 0-4: 4.1%
5-14 6.4% / 8.1%
Carlton North — 5-14: 6.4% Fitzroy North — 5-14: 8.1%
15-19 2.9% / 3.5%
Carlton North — 15-19: 2.9% Fitzroy North — 15-19: 3.5%
20-24 10.7% / 6.6%
Carlton North — 20-24: 10.7% Fitzroy North — 20-24: 6.6%
25-34 28.5% / 24.7%
Carlton North — 25-34: 28.5% Fitzroy North — 25-34: 24.7%
35-44 13.9% / 15.4%
Carlton North — 35-44: 13.9% Fitzroy North — 35-44: 15.4%
45-54 10.4% / 12.1%
Carlton North — 45-54: 10.4% Fitzroy North — 45-54: 12.1%
55-64 9.6% / 9.8%
Carlton North — 55-64: 9.6% Fitzroy North — 55-64: 9.8%
65-74 8.2% / 8.2%
Carlton North — 65-74: 8.2% Fitzroy North — 65-74: 8.2%
75-84 4.3% / 5.2%
Carlton North — 75-84: 4.3% Fitzroy North — 75-84: 5.2%
85+ 1.6% / 2.3%
Carlton North — 85+: 1.6% Fitzroy North — 85+: 2.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (28.5%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Carlton North 38.6% lone person
Carlton North — Lone Person: 38.6% Carlton North — Couple Families: 25.2% Carlton North — Group Household: 24.8% Carlton North — One Parent Families: 8.8% Carlton North — Other Families: 2.5%
Fitzroy North 46.8% lone person
Fitzroy North — Lone Person: 46.8% Fitzroy North — Couple Families: 26.5% Fitzroy North — Group Household: 16.6% Fitzroy North — One Parent Families: 8.7% Fitzroy North — Other Families: 1.4%
Lone Person Couple Families Group Household One Parent Families Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Carlton North 51.4% renting
Carlton North — Owned Outright: 28.9% Carlton North — Mortgage: 19.7% Carlton North — Renting: 51.4%
Fitzroy North 50.6% renting
Fitzroy North — Owned Outright: 26.5% Fitzroy North — Mortgage: 23.0% Fitzroy North — Renting: 50.6%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Carlton North Fitzroy North
Bachelor Degree 33.7% / 30.8%
Carlton North — Bachelor Degree: 33.7% Fitzroy North — Bachelor Degree: 30.8%
Postgraduate Degree 18.0% / 16.0%
Carlton North — Postgraduate Degree: 18.0% Fitzroy North — Postgraduate Degree: 16.0%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 6.4% / 6.2%
Carlton North — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.4% Fitzroy North — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.2%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 4.7% / 5.2%
Carlton North — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 4.7% Fitzroy North — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 5.2%
Certificate III & IV 4.6% / 4.7%
Carlton North — Certificate III & IV: 4.6% Fitzroy North — Certificate III & IV: 4.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (33.7%).

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Carlton North Fitzroy North
England 3.8% / 4.7%
Carlton North — England: 3.8% Fitzroy North — England: 4.7%
New Zealand 2.4% / 2.8%
Carlton North — New Zealand: 2.4% Fitzroy North — New Zealand: 2.8%
Italy 1.8% / 1.9%
Carlton North — Italy: 1.8% Fitzroy North — Italy: 1.9%
Greece — / 0.9%
Carlton North — Greece: not among its largest Fitzroy North — Greece: 0.9%
China — / 0.9%
Carlton North — China: not among its largest Fitzroy North — China: 0.9%
Malaysia 0.7% / —
Carlton North — Malaysia: 0.7% Fitzroy North — Malaysia: not among its largest
India 0.7% / —
Carlton North — India: 0.7% Fitzroy North — India: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (4.7%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Carlton North 71.4% townhouses
Carlton North — Townhouses: 71.4% Carlton North — Flats / Apartments: 22.5% Carlton North — Houses: 6.1%
Fitzroy North 48.6% townhouses
Fitzroy North — Townhouses: 48.6% Fitzroy North — Flats / Apartments: 37.1% Fitzroy North — Houses: 14.3%
Townhouses Flats / Apartments Houses

Property market

Carlton North Fitzroy North
Median house price $1,500,000 $1,600,000
Median unit price $660,000 $620,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 23 days
from 56 sales
 23 days
from 113 sales

Unit price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Carlton North Fitzroy North
1 bed $476K / $429K
Carlton North — 1 bed: $476K (16 sales) Fitzroy North — 1 bed: $429K (44 sales)

16 vs 44 sales

2 bed $748K / $689K
Carlton North — 2 bed: $748K (26 sales) Fitzroy North — 2 bed: $689K (64 sales)

26 vs 64 sales

House price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Carlton North Fitzroy North
2 bed $1.31M / $1.36M
Carlton North — 2 bed: $1.31M (68 sales) Fitzroy North — 2 bed: $1.36M (78 sales)

68 vs 78 sales

3 bed $1.68M / $1.7M
Carlton North — 3 bed: $1.68M (54 sales) Fitzroy North — 3 bed: $1.7M (77 sales)

54 vs 77 sales

4 bed $1.94M / $2.15M
Carlton North — 4 bed: $1.94M (25 sales) Fitzroy North — 4 bed: $2.15M (40 sales)

25 vs 40 sales

Zoning mix

Carlton North Fitzroy North
Residential 47% 73%
Infrastructure and transport 28% 11%
Parks and recreation 23% 12%
Commercial 2% 3%
Zoning sets what may be built, not what is there today. A single address can sit in a different zone to the suburb around it. Zones as at 2026-09.

Development activity

Carlton North Fitzroy North
New dwellings approved 4,715
across Melbourne
 1,675
across Yarra
Approvals change year on year +195% +646%

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Carlton North Fitzroy North
Houses 2.8%
$900/wk on $1.65M
 3.5%
$1,050/wk on $1.57M
Units 4.6%
$590/wk on $662K
 6.4%
$775/wk on $625K

Ranking within VIC

Carlton North Fitzroy North
House price Higher than 90% of VIC
same for both
Income Higher than 93% of VIC Higher than 91% of VIC
Schools — Higher than 39% of VIC
Walkability Higher than 96% of VIC Higher than 99% of VIC
Affordability Higher than 21% of VIC Higher than 18% of VIC
EV adoption Higher than 95% of VIC Higher than 97% of VIC
NBN connectivity Higher than 100% of VIC Higher than 85% of VIC
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 8% of VIC Higher than 34% of VIC
Rental yield (units) Higher than 40% of VIC Higher than 96% of VIC

Liveability

Carlton North scores higher overall (86 vs 74); Fitzroy North is more walkable (99 vs 89).

Carlton North Fitzroy North
Grade A+ A
Score 86/100 74/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
same for both

Risk profile

Carlton North Fitzroy North
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
74/100
 High
81/100
Flood Low
37/100
 Low
35/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 19
within 5 km
 18
within 5 km

Schools

Carlton North Fitzroy North
Inside the suburb 1 8
Rated above peers 0 1
Rated at peers 0 1
Rated below peers 1 3
Universities within 10 km 3
The University of Melbourne, 1.5 km
 3
Australian Catholic University-Melbourne Campus, 1.9 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 5.8% 3.3%

Schools in Carlton North

  • Carlton North Primary School Government · Primary below peers

Schools in Fitzroy North

  • Fitzroy Community School Independent · Primary above peers
  • Merri Creek Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • Deutsche Schule Melbourne Independent · Primary below peers
  • Fitzroy High School Government · Secondary below peers
  • Fitzroy North Primary School Government · Primary below peers
  • Fitzroy High School - Wurun Senior Campus Government · Secondary

Amenities in the suburb

Carlton North Fitzroy North
Supermarkets 0 3
Cafes & restaurants 24 46
Parks & reserves 5 21
Childcare 3 9
GPs 4 10
Pharmacies 2
same for both
Banks & Bank@Post 0 1
Fuel stations 0 3
Waterways 0 2

Mobility

Carlton North Fitzroy North
Walkability score 89/100 99/100
Distance to Melbourne 4.3 km 4.7 km
+9% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 17 min 13 min
Public transport score 96/100
Tram · Bus
 95/100
Rail · Tram · Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 246.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 351.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 2.2%
postcode 3054
 2.5%
postcode 3068
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 12
postcode 3054
 16
postcode 3068

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Carlton North Fitzroy North
Worked from Home 54.1% / 56.1%
Carlton North — Worked from Home: 54.1% Fitzroy North — Worked from Home: 56.1%
Car (driver) 22.6% / 23.3%
Carlton North — Car (driver): 22.6% Fitzroy North — Car (driver): 23.3%
Bicycle 7.3% / 6.8%
Carlton North — Bicycle: 7.3% Fitzroy North — Bicycle: 6.8%
Walked Only 6.4% / 5.4%
Carlton North — Walked Only: 6.4% Fitzroy North — Walked Only: 5.4%
Tram / Light Rail 5.9% / 4.9%
Carlton North — Tram / Light Rail: 5.9% Fitzroy North — Tram / Light Rail: 4.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (56.1%).

Setting

Carlton North Fitzroy North
Elevation 42 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 39 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 6.9 km 7.8 km

NBN connectivity

Carlton North Fitzroy North
Connectivity score 100/100 76/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises Hybrid fibre-coaxial
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 99%
3,415 premises
 6%
7,088 premises

Climate

Carlton North Fitzroy North
Annual rainfall 534 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 26.7°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 6.5°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Carlton North Fitzroy North
PM2.5 7.9 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 —
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

Carlton North Fitzroy North
Average residential rate $2,345/yr $1,937/yr
Council Melbourne Yarra

Federal electorate

Carlton North Fitzroy North
Division Wills
same for both
Member Peter Khalil
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Carlton North Fitzroy North
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Carlton North

Cafe Culture Easy Commute Inner Parks Premium Professionals Townhouses Trams Transport Hub Urban

Fitzroy North

Apartments Cafe Culture Easy Commute Inner Nightlife Parks Premium Professionals River Townhouses Trams Transport Hub Urban

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Carlton North

Carlton North vs Brunswick Carlton North vs Carlton Carlton North vs Brunswick East Carlton North vs Fitzroy Carlton North vs Parkville Carlton North vs Princes Hill

Other comparisons with Fitzroy North

Fitzroy North vs Northcote Fitzroy North vs Carlton Fitzroy North vs Brunswick East Fitzroy North vs Fitzroy Fitzroy North vs Collingwood Fitzroy North vs Clifton Hill
Full data on Carlton North Full data on Fitzroy North
Unlock full address-level data — $29/month

Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

Save this page for later

We'll email you a link to this page so you can finish reading it on any device. We use your address once to send it and don't keep it.

or