Crime and safety analysis based on 246 blocks and 20,527 residents. SEIFA score 1100 (low disadvantage)
Total crime rate 11,647 per 100,000 residents. Violent crime: 1 in 133. Property crime: 1 in 11.
Is Port Melbourne safe? Property crime is the primary concern, though violent crime remains relatively low. Crime varies 43 times across the suburb, creating stark differences between safe and dangerous blocks. The variation is large enough to demand street-level research.
The highest-crime streets are Ingles Street, Bay Street, Bridge Street, Todd Road, Spring Street, and Lalor Street. These areas average 17,215 offences per 100,000 people, with violent crime at 2,145 per 100,000, property crime at 7,877 per 100,000, and drugs at 3,049 per 100,000. These are commercial corridors and waterfront precincts where density creates opportunity. Retail precincts and entertainment zones show elevated property crime due to foot traffic and available targets.
The safest residential streets are Graham Street, Munro Street, Tom Hills Court, Sunlight Road, Pier Street, and Quinn Road. These areas average 7,427 offences per 100,000, with violent crime at 861 per 100,000 and property crime at 3,400 per 100,000. The difference is measurable and stark. Safe streets have less than half the crime rate of high-crime streets, despite both being in Port Melbourne.
The 43x crime range is substantial. Commercial blocks are 2.3 times more dangerous than residential areas. Buyers on Bay Street face significantly higher property crime than buyers on Graham Street, though both technically live in Port Melbourne. The difference in daily safety is profound.
Port Melbourne has 20,527 residents, SEIFA of 1,100, and weekly income of $2,370. Public housing is 6.2%, welfare dependency is 8.6%, and 32% of residents rent. This is a relatively affluent, well-resourced neighbourhood with strong incomes and low dependency rates. The suburb has better socioeconomic indicators than many regional cities.
For buyers, Port Melbourne offers genuine safety in quiet residential zones away from commercial activity. Bay Street and Ingles Street carry real crime risk. The commercial-residential divide is critical and measurable. Don't assume postcode. Research your specific street before committing. Safe neighbourhoods exist here, but careless buyers end up in high-crime corridors. Choose based on location, not assumptions.
| Category | Port Melbourne | VIC Avg |
|---|---|---|
| Violent crime | 750 | 1,200 |
| Property crime | 8,776 | 4,000 |
| Drug offences | 362 | 700 |
| Public order | 431 | 1,000 |
Rates per 100,000 residents. Source: BOCSAR, Victoria Police, QPS.
| Metric | Port Melbourne |
|---|---|
| Public housing | 6.2% |
| Unemployment | 0.0% |
| Welfare dependent | 8.6% |
| SEIFA disadvantage | 1100 |
| Median household income | $2,370/wk |
Source: ABS Census 2021.
Some high-crime suburbs grow faster than their quiet neighbours. Others do not. The difference depends on what is driving the crime. We studied 14,000 suburbs to find out which side Port Melbourne falls on.
The full Port Melbourne report includes block-level growth forecasts, the streets where crime is costing owners money, and the streets where it is not.
Which Streets in Port Melbourne Are Affected?