St Kilda, Victoria

St Kilda Melbourne, Victoria
Luna Park and the Palais Theatre on the St Kilda foreshore
St Kilda Location in metropolitan Melbourne
Coordinates	37°51′50″S 144°58′55″E / 37.864°S 144.982°E / -37.864; 144.982
Population	19,490 (2021 census)[1]
• Density	6,090/km2 (15,770/sq mi)
Established	1839
Postcode(s)	3182
Elevation	13 m (43 ft)
Area	3.2 km2 (1.2 sq mi)
Location	6 km (4 mi) from Melbourne CBD
LGA(s)	City of Port Phillip
State electorate(s)	Albert Park Caulfield Prahran
Federal division(s)	Macnamara
Suburbs around St Kilda: St Kilda West Albert Park and Lake Windsor Port Phillip St Kilda St Kilda East Port Phillip Elwood Balaclava

St Kilda is an inner seaside suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 6 km (4 miles) south-east of the Melbourne central business district, located within the City of Port Phillip local government area. St Kilda recorded a population of 19,490 at the 2021 census.^[1]

St Kilda was named by Charles La Trobe, then superintendent of the Port Phillip District, after a schooner, Lady of St Kilda, which moored at the main beach in early 1842.^[2] Later in the Victorian era, St Kilda became a favoured suburb of Melbourne's elite, and many palatial mansions and grand terraces were constructed along its hills and waterfront. After the turn of the century, the St Kilda foreshore became Melbourne's favoured playground, with electric tram lines linking the suburbs to the seaside amusement rides, ballrooms, cinemas and cafes, and crowds flocked to St Kilda Beach. Many of the mansions and grand terraces became guest houses, and gardens were filled in with apartment buildings, making St Kilda the most densely populated suburb in Melbourne.

After World War II, St Kilda became Melbourne's red-light district, and the guest houses became low-cost rooming houses. By the late 1960s, St Kilda had developed a culture of bohemianism, attracting prominent artists and musicians, including those in the punk^[3] and LGBT subcultures.^[4] While some of these groups still maintain a presence in St Kilda, since the 2000s the district has experienced rapid gentrification, pushing many lower socio-economic groups out to other areas,^[5][6][7] with the suburb again being sought after by the wealthy. Since at least the 1950s, the suburb has been the centre of Melbourne's Jewish community.^[8]

St Kilda is home to many of Melbourne's visitor attractions including Luna Park, St Kilda Pier, the Palais Theatre and the Esplanade Hotel. It hosts many of Melbourne's big events and festivals.