Overall score
Barkers Creek
59.3/100
Castlemaine
65.4/100
Barkers Creek vs Castlemaine, VIC Suburb Comparison
Barkers Creek for schools; Castlemaine for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Barkers CreekCastlemaine
Crime rate
Barkers Creek
15.6 / 1k
Castlemaine
97.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Barkers Creek
6
Castlemaine
384
Population
Barkers Creek
487
Castlemaine
7,506
Metric leadBarkers Creek 3Castlemaine 71 tiedacross 11 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesCastlemaine
- Best for familiesCastlemaine
- Best for investmentCastlemaine
- Best for best valueCastlemaine
- Best for best schoolsBarkers Creek
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.
| Category | Barkers Creek | Castlemaine |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 59.3/100 | 65.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 48.0/100 | 71.1/100 |
| Crime rate | 15.6 / 1k | 97.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 4 |
| Weather (desirability) | 53.4/100 | 53.4/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 16 |
| Public transport stops | 1 | 45 |
| Walkability | 1.5/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 6 | 384 |
| Green cover | 32.3% | 18.3% |
| Population | 487 | 7,506 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 5/10 |
Comparison summary
Barkers Creek reads as a more rural smaller community that rewards people who want room to breathe; Castlemaine is a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience.
Barkers Creek tends to lead on a quieter safety profile and stronger socioeconomic advantage, while Castlemaine stands out for housing affordability, parks and reserves, and public transport access. Barkers Creek generally means housing toward the upper end of the market, while Castlemaine leans toward more mid-market housing value.
Retirees and families may find Barkers Creek the better fit, while investors, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Castlemaine.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.