Overall score
Golden Square
62.9/100
Ironbark
50.7/100
Golden Square vs Ironbark, VIC suburb comparison
Golden Square for investment and value; Ironbark for families and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Golden SquareIronbark
Crime rate
Golden Square
92.4 / 1k
Ironbark
84.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Golden Square
123
Ironbark
52
Population
Golden Square
9,220
Ironbark
1,163
Metric leadGolden Square 8Ironbark 3across 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 familiesIronbark
- Best for investmentGolden Square
- Best for best valueGolden Square
- Best for best schoolsIronbark
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 | Golden Square | Ironbark |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 62.9/100 | 50.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 80.9/100 | 78.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 92.4 / 1k | 84.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 11 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 2 |
| Public transport stops | 65 | 15 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 55.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 123 | 52 |
| Planning activity | 134 | 22 |
| Population | 9,220 | 1,163 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 3/10 | 2/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Golden Square is a regional established suburb with local services and a more relaxed pace, and Ironbark is a regional smaller community that feels self-contained without feeling remote.
On the data, Golden Square is stronger for housing affordability and parks and reserves; Ironbark answers with a quieter safety profile and schools and education options.
Investors and value-focused buyers may find Golden Square the better fit, while families and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Ironbark.