Manufacturing was the largest employer of residents with 3,451 employees, followed by retail with 2,668, health care 2,576; scientific and technical services 2,185 and education with 2,145.

Victoria University has two principal campuses located in Footscray with a student population of around 15,000 and staff of almost 1,200.

Victoria University is Maribyrnong City Council's largest employer, second only to Western Health.

[clarification needed] Five secondary schools employ approximately 530 staff and enroll more than 4,000 students.

Reflecting the multiculturalism of the community, the library service has a large amount of non-English material.