The St Kilda East area was part of the lands of the Boon wurrung tribe of Indigenous Australians before being first settled by Anglo-British settlers in the 1850s.

Modern infill medium density apartments are being built on many blocks, with the Carlisle Street area designated an activity centre under the Melbourne 2030 planning scheme.

Other Countries of birth top responses were England 3.9%, India 2.3%, New Zealand 2.2%, United States of America 2.2% & Israel 1.7%.

The Rabbinical College of Australia and New Zealand (Yeshivah Gedolah Zal), a tertiary institution for the training of Orthodox rabbis and religious functionaries in the Chabad-Lubavitch denomination, is located on Alexandra Street.

Godfrey Avenue has well-preserved rows of Edwardian cottages on either side of the street and is protected by council heritage controls.

There are several churches in St Kilda East, and multiple synagogues, reflecting the area's extensive history of both Christian and Jewish migration.

Another Anglican Parish Church is St James the Great, established in 1914 and located at 435 Inkerman Street.

The East St Kilda Uniting Church, on the corner of Hotham and Inkerman Streets, was built in 1887, to the design of architect Hillson Beasley.

The St George's Uniting Church, on Chapel Street, was built in 1877, to the design of Albert Purchas and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

The former Balaclava Corps Hall, built in 1929 on Camden Street, is an unusual design, featuring castellated motifs.

The park has recreational facilities, including a heritage rotunda,[10] a cricket and football (soccer) oval and bike paths, as well as large stands of elm trees, Moreton Bay Figs and native vegetation areas.

The cemetery is the resting place of Alfred Deakin, the second Prime Minister of Australia, and Albert Jacka VC, MC, barrister and Mayor of St Kilda (1930).