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Barwon Heads vs Ocean Grove, VIC suburb comparison

Barwon Heads for retirees and families; Ocean Grove for beach lifestyle and investment.

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

Head to head

Visual comparison

Barwon HeadsOcean Grove

Overall score

Barwon Heads

59.3/100

Ocean Grove

69.1/100

Crime rate

Barwon Heads

32.9 / 1k

Ocean Grove

24.6 / 1k

Nearby amenities

Barwon Heads

86

Ocean Grove

163

Population

Barwon Heads

4,353

Ocean Grove

17,714

Metric leadBarwon Heads 2Ocean Grove 9across 11 compared metrics

Livability profile

Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs

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.

CategoryBarwon HeadsOcean Grove
Overall score59.3/10069.1/100
Housing (desirability)22.2/10048.5/100
Crime rate32.9 / 1k24.6 / 1k
Schools & preschools13
Parks & reserves413
Public transport stops2556
Walkability92.0/10094.0/100
Nearby amenities86163
Planning activity109218
Population4,35317,714
SEIFA (IRSAD decile)10/109/10

Comparison summary

Put side by side, Barwon Heads is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, and Ocean Grove is a beachside established suburb where the coast sets the tone.

On the data, Barwon Heads is stronger for a calmer planning outlook and stronger socioeconomic advantage; Ocean Grove answers with housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.

Barwon Heads suits retirees more clearly, whereas Ocean Grove is the stronger match for people chasing a beach lifestyle and investors.

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