Ballan vs Blackwood, VIC suburb comparison

Ballan for retirees and families.

See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.

Head to head

Visual comparison

BallanBlackwood

Overall score

Ballan

57.2/100

Blackwood

20.3/100

Crime rate

Ballan

78.1 / 1k

Blackwood

43.3 / 1k

Nearby amenities

Ballan

45

Blackwood

2

Population

Ballan

3,392

Blackwood

387

Metric leadBallan 5Blackwood 21 tiedacross 8 compared metrics

Livability profile

Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs

Quick verdicts

Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)

Audience fit

Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100

All metrics

Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.

Full comparison table

Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.

CategoryBallanBlackwood
Overall score57.2/10020.3/100
Housing (desirability)74.8/1002.6/100
Crime rate78.1 / 1k43.3 / 1k
Schools & preschools2
Parks & reserves8
Public transport stops13
Walkability79.5/1000.0/100
Nearby amenities452
Planning activity7923
Population3,392387
SEIFA (IRSAD decile)5/105/10

Comparison summary

Ballan is a hillside mid-sized suburb with greener streets and a quieter pace, while Blackwood is a slower-paced smaller community with open surrounds. Ballan sits among greener hillside streets, while Blackwood keeps a flatter suburban layout.

On the data, Ballan is stronger for housing affordability and walkability; Blackwood answers with a quieter safety profile and a calmer planning outlook.

On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Ballan, while Blackwood remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.

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