Watsonia North vs Watsonia

Watsonia is the younger of the two, with a median age of 38 against 41 in Watsonia North. In both, most households own their home and the large majority of homes are detached houses. In Watsonia North, about half of households are couple families. On these figures, Watsonia North tends to suit couples, while Watsonia 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

Watsonia North

ahead on 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • carries lower crime risk (43/100 vs 69/100)
  • has more parks and reserves (9 vs 6)
  • is already more of a family suburb (71% vs 58%)
  • But Watsonia has more schools rated above their peers (2 vs 0)

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

First-home buyers

Too close to call

Nothing among the 2 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs house prices and mortgage stress.

Renters

Watsonia

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (30% vs 13%)

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

Commuting to the city

Watsonia

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (92/100 vs 59/100)
  • sits closer to the CBD (20.6 km vs 22.8 km)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Watsonia

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (14% vs 2%)
  • has more GPs (4 vs 0)
  • is more walkable (92/100 vs 59/100)
  • But Watsonia North carries lower crime risk (43/100 vs 69/100)

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

Investors

Watsonia North

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (4.0% vs 3.2%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Watsonia North Watsonia
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.

Watsonia North Watsonia
Walkability 59 / 92
Watsonia North — Walkability: 59/100 Watsonia — Walkability: 92/100
Safety 57 / 31
Watsonia North — Safety: 57/100 Watsonia — Safety: 31/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Watsonia North — Low fire risk: 100/100 Watsonia — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 71 / 76
Watsonia North — Low flood risk: 71/100 Watsonia — Low flood risk: 76/100

Demographics

Watsonia has more residents (5,352 vs 3,799); Watsonia North skews older (41 vs 38).

Watsonia North Watsonia
Population 3,799 5,352
+41% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) -0.4% +2.6%
Median age 41 38
Median household income $107,588/yr
+9% vs other
 $97,916/yr
Median weekly rent $401/wk
+4% vs other
 $385/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Watsonia North Watsonia
0-4 5.9% / 6.9%
Watsonia North — 0-4: 5.9% Watsonia — 0-4: 6.9%
5-14 12.4% / 11.8%
Watsonia North — 5-14: 12.4% Watsonia — 5-14: 11.8%
15-19 4.9% / 5.1%
Watsonia North — 15-19: 4.9% Watsonia — 15-19: 5.1%
20-24 5.4% / 4.3%
Watsonia North — 20-24: 5.4% Watsonia — 20-24: 4.3%
25-34 12.4% / 15.3%
Watsonia North — 25-34: 12.4% Watsonia — 25-34: 15.3%
35-44 14.2% / 16.0%
Watsonia North — 35-44: 14.2% Watsonia — 35-44: 16.0%
45-54 12.9% / 13.1%
Watsonia North — 45-54: 12.9% Watsonia — 45-54: 13.1%
55-64 11.3% / 10.9%
Watsonia North — 55-64: 11.3% Watsonia — 55-64: 10.9%
65-74 11.6% / 8.2%
Watsonia North — 65-74: 11.6% Watsonia — 65-74: 8.2%
75-84 7.5% / 5.5%
Watsonia North — 75-84: 7.5% Watsonia — 75-84: 5.5%
85+ 1.6% / 2.7%
Watsonia North — 85+: 1.6% Watsonia — 85+: 2.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.0%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Watsonia North 54.8% couple families
Watsonia North — Couple Families: 54.8% Watsonia North — Lone Person: 24.6% Watsonia North — One Parent Families: 16.0% Watsonia North — Group Household: 2.9% Watsonia North — Other Families: 1.7%
Watsonia 42.0% couple families
Watsonia — Couple Families: 42.0% Watsonia — Lone Person: 35.3% Watsonia — One Parent Families: 16.5% Watsonia — Group Household: 4.9% Watsonia — Other Families: 1.3%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Watsonia North 12.6% renting
Watsonia North — Owned Outright: 46.3% Watsonia North — Mortgage: 41.1% Watsonia North — Renting: 12.6%
Watsonia 30.5% renting
Watsonia — Owned Outright: 33.2% Watsonia — Mortgage: 36.3% Watsonia — Renting: 30.5%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Watsonia North Watsonia
Bachelor Degree 15.8% / 16.4%
Watsonia North — Bachelor Degree: 15.8% Watsonia — Bachelor Degree: 16.4%
Certificate III & IV 13.3% / 12.9%
Watsonia North — Certificate III & IV: 13.3% Watsonia — Certificate III & IV: 12.9%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.7% / 7.9%
Watsonia North — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.7% Watsonia — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.9%
Postgraduate Degree 5.8% / 6.4%
Watsonia North — Postgraduate Degree: 5.8% Watsonia — Postgraduate Degree: 6.4%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.9% / 2.9%
Watsonia North — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.9% Watsonia — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.4%).

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.

Watsonia North Watsonia
China 2.5% / 2.2%
Watsonia North — China: 2.5% Watsonia — China: 2.2%
England 1.9% / 2.0%
Watsonia North — England: 1.9% Watsonia — England: 2.0%
India 1.6% / 1.9%
Watsonia North — India: 1.6% Watsonia — India: 1.9%
Italy 2.3% / 0.7%
Watsonia North — Italy: 2.3% Watsonia — Italy: 0.7%
New Zealand 1.1% / 1.2%
Watsonia North — New Zealand: 1.1% Watsonia — New Zealand: 1.2%
Malaysia 0.9% / 1.0%
Watsonia North — Malaysia: 0.9% Watsonia — Malaysia: 1.0%
Greece 1.7% / —
Watsonia North — Greece: 1.7% Watsonia — Greece: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (2.5%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Watsonia North 98.2% houses
Watsonia North — Houses: 98.2% Watsonia North — Townhouses: 1.7% Watsonia North — Flats / Apartments: 0.1%
Watsonia 86.1% houses
Watsonia — Houses: 86.1% Watsonia — Townhouses: 12.8% Watsonia — Flats / Apartments: 1.1%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Watsonia North Watsonia
Median house price $927,500 $975,000
Median unit price — $680,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 25 days
from 25 sales
 24 days
from 31 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.

Watsonia North Watsonia
3 bed $895K / $950K
Watsonia North — 3 bed: $895K (47 sales) Watsonia — 3 bed: $950K (62 sales)

47 vs 62 sales

4 bed $1.1M / $1.12M
Watsonia North — 4 bed: $1.1M (23 sales) Watsonia — 4 bed: $1.12M (35 sales)

23 vs 35 sales

Zoning mix

Watsonia North Watsonia
Residential 80%
same for both
Infrastructure and transport 10%
same for both
Parks and recreation 9%
same for both
Commercial 0% 2%
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

Watsonia North Watsonia
New dwellings approved 722
across Banyule
same for both
Approvals change year on year -75%
same for both

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.

Watsonia North Watsonia
Houses 4.0%
$725/wk on $938K
 3.2%
$600/wk on $974K
Units —
same for both

Ranking within VIC

Watsonia North Watsonia
House price Higher than 65% of VIC Higher than 72% of VIC
Income Higher than 80% of VIC Higher than 71% of VIC
Schools — Higher than 91% of VIC
Walkability Higher than 87% of VIC Higher than 97% of VIC
Affordability Higher than 58% of VIC Higher than 30% of VIC
EV adoption Higher than 83% of VIC
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 82% of VIC Higher than 94% of VIC
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 69% of VIC Higher than 22% of VIC

Liveability

Watsonia is more walkable (92 vs 59); Watsonia scores higher overall (81 vs 76).

Watsonia North Watsonia
Grade A
same for both
Score 76/100 81/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 9/10
 advantaged area
decile 8/10

Risk profile

Watsonia carries more crime risk (69 vs 43).

Watsonia North Watsonia
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime Moderate
43/100
 Moderate
69/100
Flood Low
29/100
 Low
24/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 3
within 5 km
 4
within 5 km

Schools

Watsonia North Watsonia
Inside the suburb 1 3
Rated above peers 0 2
Rated at peers 1 0
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 2
Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus, 2.3 km
 2
Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus, 2.5 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 2.1% 1.8%

Schools in Watsonia North

  • Watsonia North Primary School Government · Primary at peers

Schools in Watsonia

  • Loyola College Catholic · Secondary above peers
  • Watsonia Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • Concord School-Concord Junior Campus Government · Primary · Special school

Amenities in the suburb

Watsonia North Watsonia
Supermarkets 0 2
Cafes & restaurants 0 10
Parks & reserves 9 6
Childcare 3 7
GPs 0 4
Pharmacies 0 5
Banks & Bank@Post 0 1
Fuel stations 0 1
Waterways 3 0

Mobility

Watsonia North sits further from the CBD (22.8 km vs 20.6 km).

Watsonia North Watsonia
Walkability score 59/100 92/100
Distance to Melbourne 22.8 km
+10% vs other
 20.6 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 36 min 32 min
Public transport score 79/100
Bus
 93/100
Rail · Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 60.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 90.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
 0 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 1.3%
postcode 3087
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 26
postcode 3087
same for both

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.

Watsonia North Watsonia
Car (driver) 56.9% / 53.2%
Watsonia North — Car (driver): 56.9% Watsonia — Car (driver): 53.2%
Worked from Home 34.9% / 35.4%
Watsonia North — Worked from Home: 34.9% Watsonia — Worked from Home: 35.4%
Train 3.2% / 6.4%
Watsonia North — Train: 3.2% Watsonia — Train: 6.4%
Car (passenger) 3.0% / 2.6%
Watsonia North — Car (passenger): 3.0% Watsonia — Car (passenger): 2.6%
Walked Only 0.9% / 1.4%
Watsonia North — Walked Only: 0.9% Watsonia — Walked Only: 1.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (56.9%).

Setting

Watsonia North Watsonia
Elevation 72 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 99 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 20.7 km 19.3 km

NBN connectivity

Watsonia North Watsonia
Connectivity score 75/100 87/100
Most common technology Hybrid fibre-coaxial Fibre to the curb
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 0%
1,459 premises
 41%
2,543 premises

Climate

Watsonia North Watsonia
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)

Watsonia North Watsonia
PM2.5 3.9 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 —
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

Watsonia North Watsonia
Average residential rate $1,787/yr
same for both
Council Banyule
same for both

Federal electorate

Watsonia North Watsonia
Division Jagajaga
same for both
Member Kate Thwaites
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

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

Tags

Watsonia North

Middle-Ring Parks Quiet River

Watsonia

Easy Commute Middle-Ring Parks Transport Hub

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Watsonia North

Watsonia North vs Bundoora Watsonia North vs Greensborough

Other comparisons with Watsonia

Watsonia vs Bundoora Watsonia vs Greensborough Watsonia vs Macleod
Full data on Watsonia North Full data on Watsonia
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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.

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