How Big Is Melbourne?

Australia · Oceania

Area

9,993 km²

3,858 mi²

Population

5.1M

Metro: 5.1M

Density

508/km²

Founded

1835

Melbourne Size Overview

Melbourne covers an area of 9,993 km² (3,858 mi²) in Australia, Oceania. Capital city of Victoria, Australia. To put this in perspective, Melbourne is about 1.6x the size of Shanghai. In more relatable units, that's about 1,400,000 American football fields, 170 times the area of Manhattan, or 95 times the area of Paris.

Melbourne is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second most-populous city in Australia. The city's name generally refers to a 9,993-square-kilometre (3,858 sq mi) area, comprising an urban agglomeration of 31 local government areas. The name is also used to specifically refer to the local government area named City of Melbourne, whose area is centred on the Melbourne central business district and some immediate surrounds.

With a population of 5.1 million (5.1 million in the metropolitan area), Melbourne has a population density of 508 people per km².

Melbourne has a history stretching back to 1835. The city is renowned for Federation Square, Flinders Street Station, Melbourne Cricket Ground, and Royal Botanic Gardens.

Melbourne has a oceanic climate, with summer temperatures averaging 21°C and winters around 10°C. The city's main public transit system is the Melbourne Trams & Metro.

Did You Know?

  • Melbourne's metropolitan area spans 9,993 square kilometers across 31 local government areas, making it Australia's second-most-populous city.
  • Melbourne is the capital of Victoria and home to roughly 5.35 million residents in its urban agglomeration.

Compare Melbourne with Other Cities

Compare Melbourne with any city using our interactive map tool.

Cities Similar in Size to Melbourne

Melbourne covers 9,993 km². Cities with a similar urban footprint include Xi'an (10,097 km²), Wuhan (8,569 km²), Sydney (12,368 km²), Guangzhou (7,434 km²), or Chengdu (14,378 km²).

Frequently Asked Questions about Melbourne

How big is Melbourne in square miles?
Melbourne covers 9,993 km², which is approximately 3,858 square miles.
What is the population of Melbourne?
Melbourne has a population of approximately 5.1 million people. The greater metropolitan area is home to 5.1 million.
What is the population density of Melbourne?
Melbourne has a population density of 508 people per km² (1,316 per mi²).
How does Melbourne compare to Sydney?
Melbourne covers 9,993 km² while Sydney covers 12,368 km². Sydney is 1.2x larger. Use our interactive map tool to compare them side by side.
Can I compare Melbourne with other cities on a map?
Yes! City Map Compare lets you compare Melbourne with any of 50+ cities side by side on synchronized maps. Both maps maintain the same zoom level so you can see the real difference in size.