The origin of the name of Caulfield is not known for certain, but the name seemed to be linked with Baron Caulfield of Ireland, perhaps through John Caulfield, a pioneer of the colony. The name Caulfield was in use by 1853, and the early maps always place it somewhere around the racecourse.
Pre-European history
The local Yalukit people were coastal and dependent on seafoods, so few Aboriginal relics have been found in Caulfield. Nevertheless, some contact did occur in the area between Aborigines and European settlers. Murrum Murrumbean was a local native from whom the placename Murrumbeena derives. Frederick Chapman was able to recollect a corroboree which took place in Hotham Street, involving hundreds of Gippsland Aborigines.
Establishment
In the mid nineteenth century, the Caulfield area was swampy, low-lying ground. It served as watering and pasture land for the pastoralists driving stock from Gippsland to Melbourne. In the 1840s, several distinct communities had arisen throughout the area. Owensville was located around the western end of Glen Eira Road. Alma Road Village was another middle class area further north. Camden Town was a working class area at the junction of Glen Huntly and Hawthorn Roads. Meanwhile, the area south of Paddy's Swamp developed into the main commercial area of Caulfield. Initially the Black Chapel at that point served as the area's first church. This building was soon converted to Boxill's general store. The whole area was proclaimed the Caulfield Road District in 1857. It served as a location for several grand mansions for wealthy Melbourne citizens over the following decades. Caulfield Post Office opened on 1 January 1863 and closed in 1974. Caulfield Junction Post Office opened in 1923 and remains open.
Population
At the 2016 Census, Caulfield had a population of 5,595. 53.0% of people were born in Australia. The most common countries of birth were South Africa 5.4%, China 3.3%, Israel 3.0%, Poland 2.8% and England 2.3%. 63.1% of people only spoke English at home. Other languages spoken at home included Russian 6.0%, Hebrew 4.1%, Greek 3.8% and Mandarin 3.4%. The most common responses for religion in Caulfield were Judaism 40.5%, No Religion 21.6% and Catholic 10.5%.
Parks and open space
Caulfield Park, which is nearby in Caulfield North, is a large Victorian garden flanked by Hawthorn, Balaclava and Inkerman Roads, which features a war memorial, a decorative lake and playing fields for various sports.
Transport
The principal north-south roads that serve the suburb are Kooyong Road, Hawthorn Road, Bambra Road, Kambrook Road, and Booran Road. The major east-west roads are Glen Eira Road, Neerim Road, and Glen Huntly Road. Two tram routes serve the suburb;
