Kensington
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Kensington, VIC 3031.
About Kensington
Welcome to Kensington
Kensington sits about five kilometres north-west of the Melbourne CBD, tucked between the Maribyrnong River flats and the rail corridor that links the city to Melbourne's inner north-west. Bordered by Flemington, Travancore, North Melbourne, Ascot Vale and Footscray, it's one of those pockets of Melbourne that still feels like a village despite sitting so close to the centre of town.
With a population of 10,745 and a median age of 35, Kensington has become a magnet for young professionals, couples and families who want inner-city convenience without the price tag (or crowds) of neighbouring Melbourne suburbs. Its mix of Victorian workers' cottages, converted warehouses and newer apartment developments gives it a layered, lived-in character that appeals to buyers looking for something with genuine local texture.
Lifestyle & dining
Kensington's café and dining scene has grown up around its old industrial bones, with a cluster of good coffee spots, bakeries and casual eateries scattered through the streets near the station and along Macaulay Road. The suburb has a settled, low-key feel rather than a strip of bars and nightlife, which suits residents who want a quiet weeknight coffee run more than a big night out. For a wider spread of restaurants and pubs, Footscray and North Melbourne are both a short trip away and add plenty of variety without residents needing to leave their own postcode too often.
Shopping
Everyday shopping in Kensington is handled by a smattering of local grocers, bakeries and specialty stores, with the bigger retail centres in Flemington and Footscray picking up the slack for supermarkets, homewares and larger shopping needs. Footscray in particular is known for its produce markets and Vietnamese grocers, giving Kensington locals easy access to some of Melbourne's best value fresh food just one suburb over.
Getting around
Kensington railway station, on the Craigieburn line, puts the CBD within easy, direct reach and is one of the suburb's biggest drawcards for commuters. Tram and bus routes through neighbouring North Melbourne and Flemington fill in the gaps, while the suburb's flat, compact layout makes it genuinely walkable and popular with cyclists heading into the city via the Maribyrnong River and Moonee Ponds Creek paths. CityLink and the wider arterial network are close by too, making it a reasonably easy suburb for drivers to get in and out of despite its inner-city location.
Schools & families
Families are well served locally by Kensington Primary School and Holy Rosary School, both long-standing parts of the community, while older students have access to SEDA College (Victoria)'s Melbourne City Talented Player Program based in Kensington, which combines schooling with elite sport pathways. The suburb's proximity to Flemington and North Melbourne also opens up a broader range of secondary options for families willing to travel a few minutes further.
Housing & architecture
Kensington's housing stock is a genuine mix, and the current listing figures reflect that diversity: 45% apartments or units, 38% houses, 14% townhouses and a small 2% share of land. Older Victorian and Edwardian cottages sit alongside converted warehouses and newer apartment blocks, many of which have sprung up around the old rail yards and industrial sites that once defined the suburb's economy. It's a suburb where buyers can choose between heritage character and low-maintenance new builds within the same few streets.
The property market
Kensington's median house price currently sits at $1.20 million, having posted recent growth of 7.4%, a solid result for an inner-north-west suburb this close to the city. Units and apartments offer a considerably more accessible entry point at a median of $500,000, which helps explain why they make up the largest share of current listings. Renters are looking at a median of $790 a week, reflecting steady demand from tenants drawn by the train line, the walkable village feel and the easy run into the CBD.
Market snapshot
Kensington property market
Median sale price
$1.20m
House · 3 bed
Median rent
$790
per week
Gross rental yield
3.4%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$917k
Median
$1.20m
Premium
$1.83m
Days on market
40
Auction clearance
65%
Sold this year
64
Median sold price trend · House 3 bed
Compound growth -0.7% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · House
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Kensington by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Kensington, VIC 3031.
Population
10,745
residents (2021)
Median age
35
years
Household income
$2,216
median, per week
Median rent
$416
per week
Median mortgage
$2,162
per month
Mortgage / income
23%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Kensington
Government school catchment
Independent & Catholic schools
SEDA College (Victoria) - Melbourne City Talented Player Program - Kensington
Recent results
Recently sold in Kensington
$1.25m
4 Bent Street
Sold ~July 2026
$891k
206 Stockmans Way
Sold ~July 2026
$1.37m
67 Collett Street
Sold ~July 2026
$430k
20 Calwell Street
Sold ~July 2026
$395k
103/77 Hobsons Road
Sold ~July 2026
$390k
6/85-87 Lambeth Street
Sold ~July 2026
$537k
201/30 Rankins Road
Sold ~July 2026
$315k
102/255 Racecourse Road
Sold ~July 2026
Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.
Explore the area
Properties & amenities in Kensington
Compare the area
Price map around Kensington
Every listing for sale near Kensington, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
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Nearby suburbs
Quick switch to nearby areas
Common questions
Kensington suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Kensington?
The median unit price in Kensington, VIC is $500k for a 2-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have fallen about 5.5%.
How much is rent in Kensington?
The median weekly rent in Kensington is around $645 per week.
Is Kensington a good place to live?
Kensington is an inner-city suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 4 km (2.5 mi) north-west of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the City of Melbourne local government area. Kensington is an established residential suburb in VIC, with a population of around 10,745 and 3 schools in the area.
What is the population of Kensington?
Kensington has a population of 10,745 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 35.
What schools are in Kensington?
There are 3 schools in or near Kensington, including Holy Rosary School, Kensington Primary School and SEDA College (Victoria) - Melbourne City Talented Player Program - Kensington.
How long do homes take to sell in Kensington?
Properties in Kensington take around 34 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 50%.
How much do you need to buy in Kensington?
Entry-level properties in Kensington start around $385k, while premium homes reach $656k.
What suburbs are near Kensington?
Suburbs near Kensington include Flemington, Footscray, Travancore, North Melbourne and Ascot Vale.
Fresh to market
New this week in Kensington
Tremendous, trendy, tree house
Expressions of Interest Closing Wednesday 5 August at 5pm
Period prize reimagined for magnificent modern living
Boutique living in a prime Kensington pocket
Available now