In 2016, the total Indigenous population was approximately 7,200 within the SMR. While this number is not as substantial as found in other parts of Victoria, this still represents a large proportion of those living in the SMR. The LGAs of Frankston, Mornington Peninsula, Cardinia and Casey had the highest proportions of Indigenous Australians.
In the latest ABS (2022) data release, Victoria had 66,000 people who identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander which represented 1.0% of Victoria’s population.
Of the 66,000 people who identified as being of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin:
- 94.2% identified as Aboriginal.
- 3.2% identified as Torres Strait Islander
- 2.6% identified as both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.
Table: Indigenous population status compared to non-indigenous population (ABS, 2022).
| LGA | Indigenous | Non-indigenous | Not stated | Total |
| Bayside | 269 | 97,915 | 3,124 | 101,308 |
| Casey | 2,395 | 348,167 | 14,685 | 365,247 |
| Cardinia | 1,145 | 111,691 | 5,356 | 466,555 |
| Frankston | 1,800 | 131,002 | 6,478 | 139,280 |
| Glen Eira | 411 | 144,066 | 4,431 | 148,908 |
| Greater Dandenong | 615 | 150,271 | 7,321 | 288,188 |
| Kingston | 722 | 152,739 | 4,669 | 158,130 |
| Mornington Peninsula | 1,724 | 158,924 | 8,306 | 168,954 |
| Port Phillip | 514 | 95,336 | 6,098 | 327,084 |
| Stonnington | 363 | 99,703 | 4,631 | 104,697 |