Whether you’re a newcomer to the big city of Melbourne or an old acquaintance who has lived there for a long time, are you curious about the safest and most dangerous suburbs in Melbourne? Combined with the latest data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics, which ranked every part of the greater Melbourne area based on crime rates, from low-level drunk driving to murder, it’s possible to see the most dangerous Suburbs in Melbourne. Below is a list of violent and dangerous crimes, analysed separately from physical assault and aggravated burglary to sexual assault and weapons offences. You can find out the safest and most dangerous suburbs in Melbourne and the prevalence of crime in the location where you live.
Is Melbourne Safe?
Melbourne is the capital city of the Australian state of Victoria and the second largest city in Australia. Overall, Melbourne is considered a relatively safe city to live in, but there are certain areas that need attention for safety. According to information provided by the University of Melbourne, Melbourne is ranked high in the global rankings for overall safety, indicating that Melbourne receives high ratings for digital security, health security, infrastructure security and personal safety. Melbourne is relatively safe, but there are some crime issues, such as burglary, personal injury, financial fraud and drug offences. Women should also take care of their safety in Melbourne and avoid unfamiliar or poorly-lit places.
5 Most Dangerous Suburbs in Melbourne
According to data released by the media, the top 5 most crime-ridden areas in Melbourne are the City of Melbourne, Yarra, Port Phillip, Greater Dandenong, and Stonnington. It can be seen that apart from the city centre, the south-east area of Melbourne is also very unsettled. Below are the details of the top 5 dangerous suburbs in Melbourne:
1. City of Melbourne
20859.7 crimes per 100,000 people
Population base: 135,969
The City of Melbourne is the home of sports in Victoria and also has the highest crime rate in Melbourne; it is one of the most dangerous suburbs in Melbourne. It is estimated that more than 35,000 triple offences were recorded in the area, including murder, alcohol and disorderly conduct.
These offences included 11 homicides, 2,963 assaults and 625 sexual assaults, an average of 2,460 per 100,000 residents, giving the City of Melbourne the highest crime rate in Victoria last financial year. The City of Melbourne recorded the highest assault rate in the state (2,310.7 per 100,000), the highest robbery rate (140.3 per 100,000 people) and the highest rate of riots and fights (177.9 per 100,000 people) in the state.
| Crime Type | Estimated Incidents | Rate per 100,000 Residents |
|---|---|---|
| Assault | 2,963 | 2,310.7 |
| Sexual Assault | 625 | 250.0 |
| Robbery | ~351 | 140.3 |
| Riots and Fights | ~445 | 177.9 |
| Homicide | 11 | 4.4 |
Suburbs governed:
Carlton North (shared with the City of Yarra)
Port Melbourne (shared with the City of Port Phillip)
Parkville (shared with the City of Moreland)
South Wharf (shared with the City of Port Phillip)
South Yarra (shared with the City of Stonnington)
2. Yarra
13,566.6 offences per 100,000 people
Population base: 86,657
The second-highest crime rate is in the City of Yarra, located in the northern and eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Unlike other areas, the number one crime category in this area is not domestic violence. This area has more common assaults and aggravated assaults than the equivalent range of domestic violence offences.
Common assault (non-domestic violence) was the most serious violence in Yarra, with 338.52 probability of people being assaulted per 100,000 people, followed by 3,233.7 per 100,000 people who suffered a prohibited and regulated weapons offence and 257.59 cases of aggravated assault (non-domestic violence) per 100,000 people.
| Crime Type | Rate per 100,000 Residents |
|---|---|
| Assault | 2310.7 |
| Sexual Assault | 250.0 |
| Robbery | 140.3 |
| Riots and Fights | 177.9 |
| Homicide | 4.4 |
Suburbs governed:
Alphington (shared with the City of Darebin)
Burnley
Carlton North (shared with the City of Melbourne)
Cremorne (shared with the City of Darebin)
Fairfield (shared with the City of Darebin)
Fitzroy North (shared with the City of Moreland)
3. Port Phillip
11793.0 offences per 100,000 population
Population base: 100,863
Port Phillip has the third-highest crime rate for aggravated residential burglaries (83 per 100,000 people), second only to Maribyrnong, which has a rate of 116 burglaries.
Port Phillip also ranked second in common assault offences, with 342 offences per 100,000 people. But in other offences, Port Phillip does not make the top ten in the crime rankings. It ranked 18th for dangerous driving offences.
| Crime Type | Rate per 100,000 Residents |
|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 11,884.0 |
| Common Assault | 338.5 |
| Aggravated Assault | 257.6 |
Suburbs governed:
Balaclava
Elwood
Middle Park
Port Melbourne (Shared with the City of Melbourne)
Ripponlea
South Wharf (Shared with the City of Melbourne)
St Kilda East (Shared with the City of Glen Eira)
St Kilda West
Windsor (Shared with the City of Stonnington)
4. Greater Dandenong
11,574.5 offences per 100,000 people
Population base: 152,050
The LGA in Melbourne’s south-east has the highest rate of domestic violence and common assault offences, with 374 per 100,000 people experiencing domestic violence. In the Greater Dandenong area, non-domestic related violent offences (286.35 offences per 100,000 people) and prohibited and regulated weapons offences (237.9 offences per 100,000 people).
| Crime Type | Rate per 100,000 Residents |
|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 4,641.0 |
| Break‑ins | 1,267.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 2,707.0 |
Suburbs governed:
Bangholme
Dandenong North
Dandenong South
Lyndhurst (shared with the City of Casey)
Noble Park North
Springvale South
5. Stonnington
10041.7 crimes per 100,000 people
Population base: 103832
The three most common types of violent crime are non-domestic violence, common assault (201.6 per 100,000), prohibited and regulated weapons offences (201.6 per 100,000) and domestic violence-related common assault (198.1 per 100,000). Victoria Police say overall crime rates in all five areas are consistent with previous years, with decreases in the Yarra and Stonnington areas.
Here’s a look at the top 10 most dangerous suburbs in Melbourne and some of the most dangerous train stations, so take extra care when passing through!
Top 10 Most Dangerous Suburbs in Melbourne
| Suburb | Crime Rate |
|---|---|
| Melbourne City | 35.76 incidents per 100 residents |
| Collingwood | 21.51 incidents per 100 residents |
| Fitzroy | 19.64 incidents per 100 residents |
| Campbellfield | 19.05 incidents per 100 residents |
| Docklands | 18.65 incidents per 100 residents |
| South Melbourne | 15.68 incidents per 100 residents |
| St Kilda West | 13.87 incidents per 100 residents |
| Abbotsford | 13.59 incidents per 100 residents |
| Parkville | 13.28 incidents per 100 residents |
| Southbank | 13.24 incidents per 100 residents |
Most Dangerous Railway Stations in Melbourne
With more than 3,300 offences recorded on the Victorian rail network last year, which train stations are the most dangerous?
1. CBD Railway Stations
Not only does Melbourne’s CBD hold the top spot for crime in all districts, but the city’s train stations are also the most dangerous. Data from the Bureau of Crime Statistics shows that last year there were a total of 300 crimes committed at Melbourne’s train stations, including Flinders St, Parliament, Melbourne Central and Flagstaff. More than a third of these were crimes against individuals (105), including assaults, robberies and kidnappings. This was followed by public order and safety offences (101), drug offences (48) and property and deception offences (31). Especially on Friday and Saturday evenings, it’s nice to see the streets full of vagrants and drunken passers-by gathering in the streets and travelling through the train stations. There are still many risks associated with such a scenario, and some people avoid public transport at night in favour of Uber for safety reasons.
2. Southern Cross Station
Southern Cross Station came in second with 263 offences. Over 80 offences against persons, public order and safety were recorded, the highest level in the last five years.
3. Dandenong Railway Station
Dandenong is regarded as the most dangerous local government area for travelling by public transport outside the Melbourne metropolitan area. It has the third highest number of offences, with 172 offences, including 57 public order and safety offences and 53 drug offences.
4. Frankston Railway Station
Frankston Station in Melbourne’s southeast recorded 137 offences, the majority of which (51) related to public order and safety.
5. Ringwood Railway Station
Ringwood Station saw an 84 per cent increase in crimes from 57 to 105.
6. Springvale Railway Station
As a Vietnamese neighbourhood, Springvale’s river noodles are tasty and cheap, but the station is not as safe. Ninety crimes, including 35 drug offences, were recorded at Springvale Station.
7. Clayton Railway Station
For those of you who live in Claytoon, be aware that Peace & Love may be gone for good. Clayton Station is the station with the highest increase in crime, from 6 crimes in 2022 to 61 crimes in 2023, an increase of 916%.
It’s essential always to take care when you’re out and about. Try to travel in pairs and avoid the dangerous areas as much as possible! When travelling on a train after 7 p.m., try to sit in the first carriage so more people can see you!
5 Safest Suburbs in Melbourne
What areas in Melbourne have the lowest chance of crime? Below is a ranking of areas with low crime rates.
1. City of Boroondara
As East Melbourne’s No.1 affluent neighbourhood, Boroondara is the safest suburb in Melbourne. It has the lowest crime rate in Melbourne and the second lowest in Victoria. In the past year, there have been 760 violent crimes, including 470 assaults, 155 sexual assaults, and 80 aggravated burglaries. Last year, Boroondara’s effective crime rate was 426.7 violent offences per 100,000 residents, less than half the Victorian average.
City of Boroondara Population: 181,289
| Crime Type | Rate per 100,000 Residents |
|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 1,170 |
| Break‑ins | 981 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 991 |
Suburbs governed:
Ashburton
Balwyn North
Camberwell
Deepdene
Glen Iris (Shared with the City of Stonnington)
Hawthorn East
Kew East
Mont Albert (Shared with the City of Whitehorse)
Surrey Hills (Shared with the City of Whitehorse)
2. City of Manningham
The second safest suburb in Melbourne is the City of Manningham in the northeast, which recorded only 617 violent crimes in the past year, for a total of 484.2 per 100,000 residents. The City of Manningham has a total population of 125,508.
| Crime Type | Rate per 100,000 Residents |
|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 1,342 |
| Break‑ins | 675 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1,185 |
The Northeast region recorded zero murders, 22 robberies, and 432 assaults and has the second-highest rate of sexual assault in Victoria at 86.3 per 100,000 residents.
3. City of Bayside
The third safest suburb in Melbourne’s South East Coast LGA, which had 594 violent crimes in the past year, or 555.6 violent crimes per 100,000 residents.
City of Bayside Population: 105,718
| Crime Type | Rate per 100,000 Residents |
|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 1,427 |
| Break‑ins | 957 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1,119 |
Suburbs governed:
Black Rock
Brighton East (shared with the City of Glen Eira)
Cheltenham (shared with the City of Kingston)
Hampton
Hampton East
Highett (shared with the City of Kingston)
4. Shire of Nillumbik
Population 64,941
Nillumbik, north of Melbourne, has 559.6 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. With no homicides and only four robberies, it has the lowest rate of attacks on police and emergency services in the whole of Greater Melbourne (12.3 per 100,000 people). It is one of the safest suburbs in Melbourne.
5. City of Glen Eira
The City of Glen Eira in Melbourne’s South East is the 5th safest suburb in Melbourne. Eight hundred eighty-one offences were recorded in the past year, with a rate of 565.1 per 100,000 residents.
City of Glen Eira Population: 153,858
| Crime Type | Rate per 100,000 Residents |
|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 1,414 |
| Break‑ins | 802 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1,118 |
Suburbs governed:
Bentleigh East
Brighton East (shared with the City of Bayside)
Caulfield
Caulfield North
Caulfield South
Elsternwick
St Kilda East
Top 10 Safest Suburbs in Melbourne
| Suburb | Crime Rate |
|---|---|
| The Patch | 1.03 incidents per 100 residents |
| Park Orchards | 1.33 incidents per 100 residents |
| Ferny Creek | 1.38 incidents per 100 residents |
| Selby | 1.47 incidents per 100 residents |
| Kallista | 1.53 incidents per 100 residents |
| Warrandyte | 1.74 incidents per 100 residents |
| Montmorency | 1.74 incidents per 100 residents |
| Donvale | 1.86 incidents per 100 residents |
| Sassafras | 1.88 incidents per 100 residents |
| Black Rock, Beaumaris | 1.94 incidents per 100 residents |
Melbourne Safety Tips: How to be Cautious in Melbourne
Keep your personal belongings safe: Before you leave home, make sure that any items you have with you, such as mobile phones, wallets, cameras, etc., are in plain sight and properly secured. Try to avoid placing valuables on the outside of your backpack to avoid attracting unwanted attention.
Be wary of thieves and pickpockets: Although Melbourne is a relatively safe city, thieves and pickpockets are still active. Always be alert and keep a proper distance from strangers in crowded places, especially in crowded areas such as railway stations, public transport and art venues.
Avoid walking alone at night: While Melbourne’s nightlife is vibrant, it can also be potentially dangerous. Try to avoid walking alone at night, especially in areas that are not safe enough. If you must go out, it’s best to do so in a group.
Be aware of your surroundings: When in crowded places or unfamiliar environments, be vigilant, look out for suspicious individuals or behaviour, and take timely precautions.
Renting through regular channels: When renting in Melbourne, look for information through regular websites, intermediaries, and other channels. Check on-site and meet with the landlord to understand and verify the landlord and the property before transferring money. Avoid sending money to someone else’s designated bank account just by a phone call or simple internet communication.
Stay alert: Unscrupulous individuals may exploit the fact that international students are not well-travelled, leading to telecommunication fraud. If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from the Public Prosecutor’s Office or an embassy or consulate, stay calm and do not trust the person’s words.
Conclusion about the Safest and Most Dangerous Suburbs in Melbourne
To sum up, Melbourne’s affluent inner city, mature East and South East districts generally have a lower crime rate; of course, these places also have relatively higher house prices. For those choosing where to settle, this will be of some reference value. In each municipality, there may be suburbs with varying levels of security. Within each suburb, there may be areas with completely different risk factors, so it is important not to be biased. You can refer to the safest and the most dangerous suburbs in Melbourne when you choose to rent an apartment.
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FAQ about Safest and Most Dangerous Suburbs in Melbourn
What is the poorest part of Melbourne?
The poorest part of Melbourne is often identified as the suburb of Broadmeadows. Located in the northern suburbs, Broadmeadows has historically faced higher levels of socio-economic disadvantage compared to other areas in Melbourne.
Which side of Melbourne is better to live?
According to statistics, St Kilda, South Yarra, Richmond and Brighton are popular with expatriates. The Central Business District and inner suburbs also attract many international residents due to their amenities and job opportunities.
Is it safe to walk around Melbourne at night?
Walking around Melbourne at night is generally safe, especially in well-populated and well-lit areas. However, like any major city, there are some precautions you should take to ensure your safety.
What suburb has the lowest crime rate in Victoria?
The suburb with the lowest crime rate in Victoria is generally considered to be Portsea on the Mornington Peninsula, which has a consistently low crime rate and is one of the safest residential areas in the state. Other suburbs known for their low crime rates include Beaumaris and Balwyn, which also have relatively low crime rates compared to metropolitan Melbourne.
Which area is not to stay in Melbourne?
In Melbourne, as in other big cities, there are some areas that tend to have higher crime rates or are less liveable due to other factors, especially for newcomers or tourists. Here are the less safe places to live:
- Dandenong
- Broadmeadows
- Frankston
- Melbourne CBD
Is Dandenong a safe suburb?
Dandenong is a large and diverse suburb in Melbourne’s southeast, known for its cultural diversity and vibrant community. However, when it comes to safety, Dandenong has had a reputation for higher crime rates compared to many other Melbourne suburbs. This includes some incidents of violent crime, property crime, and social challenges.
How safe is it to live in Melbourne?
Melbourne is generally a safe city to live in, with low violent crime rates and good public services. Like any large city, safety can vary by neighbourhood and time of day, so it’s wise to stay aware, especially at night or in certain suburbs with higher crime. Overall, with basic precautions, most people live comfortably and safely in Melbourne.
What is the best family friendly suburb in Melbourne?
One of the best family-friendly suburbs in Melbourne is Balwyn. It offers excellent schools, plenty of parks and green spaces, low crime rates, and a strong community feel. The area is peaceful, well-connected to the city, and provides many family-oriented amenities, making it a popular choice for raising children.
