Overall score
Barkers Creek
31.2/100
Castlemaine
68.2/100
Barkers Creek vs Castlemaine, VIC suburb comparison
Barkers Creek for retirees and families; Castlemaine for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Barkers CreekCastlemaine
Crime rate
Barkers Creek
7.8 / 1k
Castlemaine
101.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Barkers Creek
2
Castlemaine
367
Population
Barkers Creek
487
Castlemaine
7,506
Metric leadBarkers Creek 2Castlemaine 7across 9 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesBarkers Creek
- Best for familiesBarkers Creek
- Best for investmentCastlemaine
- Best for best valueCastlemaine
- Best for best schoolsCastlemaine
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 | 31.2/100 | 68.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 38.0/100 | 66.1/100 |
| Crime rate | 7.8 / 1k | 101.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 4 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 16 |
| Public transport stops | 1 | 45 |
| Walkability | 1.5/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 2 | 367 |
| 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 and parks and reserves.
Retirees and families may find Barkers Creek the better fit, while investors and value-focused buyers are more likely to prefer Castlemaine.