Pakenham, Victoria

Pakenham Melbourne, Victoria
Aerial view from south west
Pakenham
Coordinates	38°04′16″S 145°29′16″E / 38.0712°S 145.4878°E / -38.0712; 145.4878Coordinates: 38°04′16″S 145°29′16″E / 38.0712°S 145.4878°E / -38.0712; 145.4878
Population	32,911 (2011 census)
Postcode(s)	3810
Elevation	101 m (331 ft)
Location	56 km (35 mi) from Melbourne 14 km (9 mi) from Berwick
LGA(s)	Shire of Cardinia
State electorate(s)	Bass Gembrook
Federal Division(s)	McMillan
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 23.4 °C 74 °F 12.3 °C 54 °F 865 mm 34.1 in
Suburbs around Pakenham: Beaconsfield Upper Pakenham Upper Nar Nar Goon North Officer Pakenham Nar Nar Goon Officer South Pakenham South and Koo Wee Rup Koo Wee Rup

Pakenham is a satellite suburb of Melbourne on the edge of the West Gippsland region of Victoria, Australia, 56 km (35 mi) south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its local government area is Cardinia Shire. At the 2011 Census, Pakenham had a population of 32,911.

Pakenham has become a major growth area in south-eastern Melbourne as new housing developments have boosted its population and infrastructure, as exemplified in the development of the Lakeside (developed by Lend Lease Group) and Heritage Springs estates.

Pakenham was named after Sir Edward Pakenham, a British general who fought in the Peninsular War. The Neville and Bourke families arrived in Sydney on the Alquis in 1837, sponsored by the Governor Gipps to migrate and settle in Melbourne. They arrived in Melbourne on the John Barry in 1839 and selected 5 miles by 5 miles of land now known as the area of Upper Pakenham.

The original Pakenham Post Office opened on 1 February 1859, was renamed Pakenham West on 1 October 1971, and was closed on 15 January 1974. The existing Pakenham Post Office was opened on 11 June 1888 as Pakenham Railway Station Post Office, was renamed Pakenham East in 1908, and further renamed Pakenham on 1 October 1971. The railway station was opened on 8 October 1877 and was a part of the east link connecting Melbourne to Pakenham and other eastern towns.

In Pakenham 76.2% of people were born in Australia. The most common countries of birth outside of Australia were England 4.8%, New Zealand 2.3%, India 1.2%, Scotland 0.8%, Sri Lanka 0.8% and Ireland 0.1%

Pakenham is on the main railway line between Melbourne and Gippsland, and its railway station marks the end of the suburban electrified service. Pakenham Station is the termination point of all services operated by Metro Trains Melbourne heading out of the city, but V/Line trains to and from Gippsland also serve Pakenham.