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Northcote

About the profile areas

The 2023 Estimated Resident Population for Northcote is 26,191, with a population density of 4,341 persons per square km.

Location and boundaries

Northcote is bounded by the suburb of Thornbury, Bird Avenue, Kemp Street and Darebin Road in the north, Rathmines Street in the east, Heidelberg Road in the south-east, and Merri Creek in the south-west and west.

Name origin

Northcote is thought to be named after Stafford Henry Northcote, a leader of the English Conservative Party in the mid 1800s.

Profile areas
Northcote

Settlement history

Settlement of the area dates from the late 1830s, although population was minimal until the 1850s when the township was surveyed. Residential growth took place during the late 1880s and early 1890s, aided by industrial and commercial development and the opening of the railway line. Growth resumed during the 1920s, spurred by improved access. Incremental development occurred from the post-war years. The population has increased slightly since the mid 1990s, a result of new dwellings being added to the area.

Land use

Northcote is an established residential area, with commercial areas along High Street, and some industrial areas.

Major features

  • Major features of the area include Northcote Shopping Plaza,
  • Northcote Central Shopping Centre,
  • Northcote Shopping Centre (High Street),
  • Westgarth Shopping Centre,
  • Northcote Public Golf Course,
  • All Nations Park,
  • Northcote Aquatic & Recreation Centre,
  • Northcote Town Hall,
  • Jika Jika Community Centre,
  • Greek Orthodox Monastery,
  • Batman Park,
  • Bill Lewry Oval,
  • Johnson Park,
  • McDonnell Park,
  • Merri Park,
  • Merri Park Wetland,
  • Northcote Park,
  • Rubie Thomson Reserve and several schools.

Included areas

  • This area encompasses the suburb of Northcote.
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