Kensington, Victoria

Kensington Melbourne, Victoria
The corner of Bellair Street and Macaulay Road, the commercial heart of Kensington opposite the main railway station
Kensington
Coordinates	37°47′28″S 144°55′52″E / 37.791°S 144.931°E / -37.791; 144.931Coordinates: 37°47′28″S 144°55′52″E / 37.791°S 144.931°E / -37.791; 144.931
Population	9,719 (2011 census)
• Density	2,490/km2 (6,450/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	3031
Area	3.9 km2 (1.5 sq mi)
Location	4 km (2 mi) from Melbourne
LGA(s)	City of Melbourne
State electorate(s)	Melbourne
Federal Division(s)	Melbourne
Suburbs around Kensington: Flemington Flemington Parkville Footscray Kensington North Melbourne Footscray West Melbourne

Kensington is an inner suburb of Melbourne, Australia, 4 km north-west of Melbourne's central business district. Its local government area is the City of Melbourne. At the 2011 Census, Kensington had a population of 9,719.

Kensington is known for its village feel, cafes, and diversity of architecture - including Victorian terraces, cottages, warehouse apartments and new structures in the west of the suburb. The suburb is hilly in sections and contains established tree lined streets.

The suburb is bounded by Racecourse Road to the north, Smithfield Road and the Maribyrnong River to the west, Dynon Road to the south, and Moonee Ponds Creek to the east. Kensington was once home to one of Victoria's major abbatoirs and livestock saleyards, an army ordnance depot and a number of factories. The stock yards ceased operation in 1984, prompting significant urban renewal.

Kensington was named after Kensington in London.

Prior to European settlement, the area was settled by Wurundjeri people, who have lived in the area surrounding the Birrarung Valley for up to 40,000 years. They lived predominantly as hunters and gatherers, moving around the present-day City of Melbourne and its surrounds depending on changes in the weather and the availability of food.

Neighbouring Flemington was initially settled in 1839 by James Watson, who named the area after Flemington Estate in Scotland, where his father-in-law was a manager. The first land release came in 1840, when land adjacent to the Maribyrnong River was made available for cattle grazing. Kensington was part of the City of Essendon on its foundation in 1861, but later split away to form the Borough of Flemington and Kensington in 1882. The area was originally known for horse proving grounds, its cattle yards, and abattoirs.