suburb.guide

VIC · Ararat Council

Ararat, 3377

Est. population · Jun 2025

8,410

Growth (1 yr)

+1.3%

Growth (5 yr)

-1.8%

Median age

45

Median income

$1,216/wk

Employment rate

46.5%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$430,500

Languages at home

7.2%non-English

Most common: Mandarin, Punjabi, Urdu

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

51.1/100
Average

Top 35% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 100% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • National parks
  • Excellent transport
  • High desirability
  • Education hub
What Ararat is known for: Green suburb, National parks, Excellent transport, High desirability, Education hub

Suburb profile

Ararat is a quieter established suburb in Ararat Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with family life visible on every street. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting.

Local shops are sparse, so a fuller set of amenities usually means travelling to a neighbouring town or regional hub. Green space punches above what many regional towns offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible.

Homes are relatively cheap compared with the wider market, which keeps entry costs lower. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.

The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus community and employment compared with similar regional towns, though growth momentum, plus schools and education remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Ararat snapshot

A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk

Median house price

$431k

+9.0% change

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

8,410

+1.3% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

9.5%

Census unoccupied dwellings

Livability profile

Desirability pillars vs the peer median (50th percentile)

How it compares

Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles

Desirability

#29

among Country & regional · Mature

Safety

87th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

78th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

2/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

37th

percentile among schools with ICSEA

Population growth

Recent ERP change over 1 and 5 years

Housing mix

Dwelling types from the 2021 Census

Risks & flags

Quick scan — open a section below for full context

Living here

Desirability

Ranks & confidence
Desirability score
51.1/100 — Average
State standing
Top 35% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
2021st in Australia
State rank
439th in VIC
Peer rank
#29 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#101 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
100%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated

Housing

Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$430,500
Median price change
+9%

Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)

Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum

Data sources & freshness

Population

Estimated resident population

8,410(June 2025)

+1.3% annual · -1.8% over 5 years · 78th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+1.3%
5-year growth
-1.8%
Change in 1 year
+111
Change in 5 years
-153
Growth rank in VIC
78th percentile

ABS Estimated Resident Population allocated to this suburb from SA2-level data. Not an official ABS suburb count.

Methodology

Figures are allocated from ABS Estimated Resident Population at Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2), using 2021 Census share within overlapping SA2 regions. Where Census data is unavailable, area overlap is used instead.

The dashed chart line is a simple growth-trend estimate to June 2030 (~8,500), extrapolated at +0.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
8,500
Median age
45
Median household income / week
$1,216
Dwelling vacancy
9.5%
Unoccupied private dwellings
338 of 3,559
Median monthly mortgage
$1,083
Employment rate
46.5%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
2,885 / 293 / 13 (+ 23 other)

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

  • Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries

Community & culture

No 2021 Census cultural diversity data for this suburb yet.

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

Crime & safety

Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.

Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
1,326
Against the person
284
Against property
528
Rate per 1,000 residents
157.7
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 30 residents
State safety percentile
86.6th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-4.8%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage105
  • B43 Steal From A Retail Store83
  • B49 Other Theft73
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order121
  • E23 Breach Bail Conditions95

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
6
Median school ICSEA (6 schools)
977.5
Median ICSEA percentile
37th
School list
  • Ararat North Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 862 · 6th percentile · LBOTE 22% · 49 students · Top SEA quarter 0%View on My School →
  • Ararat Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 971 · 34th percentile · LBOTE 14% · 223 students · Top SEA quarter 8%View on My School →
  • Ararat Secondary CollegeSecondary · Government · ICSEA 940 · 21th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 332 students · Top SEA quarter 4%View on My School →
  • Ararat West Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 984 · 40th percentile · LBOTE 6% · 257 students · Top SEA quarter 7%View on My School →
  • Marian CollegeSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 1017 · 55th percentile · LBOTE 2% · 369 students · Top SEA quarter 10%View on My School →
  • St Mary's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1038 · 63th percentile · LBOTE 14% · 121 students · Top SEA quarter 17%View on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • Jack & Jill Kindergartenkindergarten
  • Jack and Jill Kindergartenkindergarten

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated

Public transport

70 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Ararat Railway Station
  • Ararat Railway Station
  • Ararat Railway Station/High St
  • Ararat Station
  • Ararat Station

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

1 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • A car helps for daily errands
  • Great for outdoor family life — 8 parks mapped in suburb
  • Well connected by public transport — 70 public transport stops
Walkability proxy
30/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
0.94
Transport(1)

1 bus stops

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually.

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)

Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated

Parks & reserves

12 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Ararat (Heath St) Bushland ReserveNature reserve
  • Ararat (McLean St) Bushland ReserveNature reserve
  • Ararat Bushland ReserveNature reserve
  • Ararat Community College Nature ReserveNature reserve
  • Bridal Hill Bushland ReserveNature reserve
  • Edith Cavell ReservePark
  • Emu ParkPark
  • Gordon Street OvalPark
  • Grump's ParkPark
  • Montara Bushland ReserveNature reserve

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
18
Parks (OSM)
8

OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.

Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)

Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
7
Nearest hospital
East Grampians Health Service (4.2 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
On site
  • Ararat DentalDentist
  • Ararat Medical CentreDoctor
  • Barkly St DentalDentist
  • Blooms The ChemistPharmacy
  • East Grampians Health ServiceHospital
  • HealthClinic
  • Priceline PharmacyPharmacy

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
361
Participants per 1,000 residents
42.9

Active NDIS participants allocated from NDIA Statistical Area Level 2 (SA2, ASGS 2016) counts to this suburb boundary. Not an official suburb-level NDIS figure · as at 31 March 2026.

For NDIS spend and service-demand exploration by SA2 or postcode, see the Care Sector Demand Map.

Data sources & freshness

Weather

Typical conditions by season for suburbs in the same ~44 km climate area. Rainfall totals are summed from monthly WorldClim layers; rainy-day counts are approximate.

Summer (Dec–Feb)

Usual max / min
27° / 12°
Rainfall
102 mm · ~13 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
20° / 8°
Rainfall
138 mm · ~17 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
13° / 4°
Rainfall
197 mm · ~25 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
19° / 7°
Rainfall
169 mm · ~21 rainy days

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)

Temperature and humidity comfort

Data sources & freshness

  • Seasonal climate normals — WorldClim 2.1 · Updated

Future & Planning

Planning & development

Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).

117 planning-related records

2021· 40 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Use and Development of a 4wheel drive training track and club facilities
    WESTERN HIGHWAY AND GREEN HILL LAKE ROAD ARARAT 3377Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of FM Broadcast Transmission Site
    ONE TREE HILL ROAD ARARAT 3377Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Second dwelling to the rear of the block & Bushfire Management
    115 BREWSTER ROAD NORTH ARARAT 3377Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2021

  • 2 Lot Subdivision
    5 NOTT ROAD ARARAT 3377NOD issued by a delegate
  • Use and Development of a Single car garage and entertainment deck above
    11A COAD STREET ARARAT 3377Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Boundary realignment of two existing lots, use and development of a dwelling, removal of vegetation and removal of native vegetation
    4 MCDONALD PARK ROAD ARARAT 3377Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of Native Vegetation from old prestige mill site
    87 QUEEN STREET ARARAT 3377Withdrawn
  • Construction of forty-six (46) dwellings on a lot, staged multi lot subdivision and an associated reduction in car parking requirements
    137-139 GRANO STREET ARARAT 3377NOD issued by the Resp. Authority

  • July 2021

  • 7 Lot Subdivision
    QUEEN STREET SOUTH ARARAT 3377Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works (2 Mechanical Workshops). reduction in car parking & signage
    6 CALEDONIAN COURT ARARAT 3377Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 2 lot subdivision
    75 CAMPBELL STREET ARARAT 3377Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop the site into four units and four lot subdivision.
    67-69 GIRDLESTONE ARARAT 3377Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Solar carpark for the hospital including removal of vegetation
    9-29 GIRDLESTONE STREET ARARAT 3377Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 2 Lot Subdivision
    8 BAIRD STREET ARARAT 3377Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • The proposal will not alter the existing use and is for the development of a 36 square metre shed to be constructed to the rear of the church
    86 HIGH STREET ARARAT 3377Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct an outbuilding
    23 PICNIC ROAD ARARAT 3377Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 2 Lot Subdivision and Development of 2 units
    44 MAUDE STREET ARARAT 3377Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 2 Lot Subdivision
    22 PORT FAIRY ROAD ARARAT 3377Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 7 Lot Subdivision
    109 GRANO STREET ARARAT 3377Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of a dwelling and provision of new access driveway onto High Street (Western Highway)
    125 HIGH STREET ARARAT 3377NOD issued by a delegate

  • June 2021

  • Construction of three new dwellings, one existing dwelling and subdivision of one lot into 4 lots with common area.
    16 TOBIN STREET 3377Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works associated with refurbishment of staff amenities
    29-31 BLAKE STREET ARARAT 3377Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Farm Shed within 5m of a boundary and 100m of a waterway
    884 Warrayatkin RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Pole sign and business identification sign for Green Hill Lake Estate
    Green Hill DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and works for a shed within 100m of a waterway
    105 Burke RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of 2 new dwellings on lots less than 300m2 and 3 Lot Subdivision
    7 BARKLY STREET WEST ARARAT 3377Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Buildings and Works (Workers Accommodation) associated with a Residential Building
    31 Albert StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of 2 single storey duplex dwellings
    18 Blake StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use & Development of 5 dwellings & 5 Lot Subdivision
    385 BARKLY STREET ARARAT 3377Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Boundary realignment of 10 existing lots, use and development of 9 dwellings and removal of native vegetation
    118 GOLF LINKS ROAD ARARAT 3377NOD issued by the Resp. Authority
  • Use and Development of 2 single storey weatherboard dwellings
    54 Smith StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • 2 lot subdivision
    18 Carey StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Multi-lot subdivision in stages
    Green Hill DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use & Development of Dwelling & Vegetation Removal
    35 Henderson StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • To remove the old Rotunda.
    1 Waratah AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use & Development of additional four dwellings and subdivision of five lots
    14 Spalding StreetNOD issued by a delegate
  • Building and Works inc. Business Identification Signage including lighting and light box signage
    84-86 Barkly StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Second garage for storage and workshop
    65 Bellinghams Hill RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Consolidation of 4 lots into 2 Lot Subdivision
    Alexandra AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Business Identification Signage
    133 High StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

7 active roadworks / incidents

  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 06/05/2026 and 30/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.WESTERN HIGHWAY, AERODROME ROAD05 May 2026 – 29 Dec 2026
  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 13/01/2026 and 30/06/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.PYRENEES HIGHWAY, NOAHS ARK ROAD12 Jan 2026 – 29 Jun 2027
  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 13/01/2026 and 30/06/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.MORTLAKE-ARARAT ROAD, BISHOP ROAD12 Jan 2026 – 29 Jun 2027
  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 18/04/2026 and 01/10/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed both directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.VINCENT STREET, HIGH STREET17 Apr 2026 – 30 Sep 2026
  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 18/04/2026 and 01/10/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed both directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.HIGH STREET, VINCENT STREET17 Apr 2026 – 30 Sep 2026
  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 23/04/2026 and 30/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:30 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 9:30 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.WESTERN HIGHWAY, HEATH STREET22 Apr 2026 – 29 Dec 2026
  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 31/03/2026 and 30/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Weekends 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.WESTERN HIGHWAY, HEATH STREET30 Mar 2026 – 29 Dec 2026

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated

Heritage

11 heritage places

  • ARADALENH1223
  • ARARAT CIVIC PRECINCTNH2286
  • ARARAT COURT HOUSENH1657
  • FORMER ARARAT LOCOMOTIVE DEPOT & TURNTABLENH1093
  • FORMER ARARAT LOCOMOTIVE DEPOT & TURNTABLENH1093
  • FORMER ARARAT SUB-TREASURY AND POST OFFICENH0618
  • J WARD (ARARAT ASYLUM)NH1067
  • MIDLAND THEATRENH2228
  • PYRENEES HOUSENH1688
  • SIGNAL BOX A & SIGNAL POSTSNH1094

Data sources & freshness

  • State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay mapping.

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Bushfire hazard overlays

Data sources & freshness

  • Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated

Politics & representation

Federal electorate
Wannon
Member of Parliament
Dan TEHAN (Liberal)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
121,788
Turnout (2025)
94.0%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
-2.3 pp toward Coalition

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 60.9%Labor 39.1%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 52.2 km away).

Coalition 56.3%Labor 43.7%

4.6 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +43.7 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • AraratLabor 41.3% · Coalition 58.7% TPP (2025)4.9 km away
  • Ararat WestLabor 49.0% · Coalition 51.0% TPP (2025)5.9 km away
  • MoystonLabor 44.5% · Coalition 55.5% TPP (2025)19.6 km away
  • ElmhurstLabor 25.6% · Coalition 74.4% TPP (2025)25.5 km away
  • WillauraLabor 26.8% · Coalition 73.2% TPP (2025)37.7 km away

Federal electorate from AEC federal division boundaries (2025 redistribution). Division-level results are official AEC figures from the latest general election, with by-election updates where applicable. The estimated suburb profile blends up to eight nearest ordinary polling booths in the same electorate using inverse-distance weighting from the suburb centroid — an approximation, not official AEC data. Nearest polling places are shown for reference.

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic

IRSAD decile (2021)
2/10
IRSD decile (2021)
2/10

ABS Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2021 release — the latest available, derived from the 2021 Census. Deciles rank suburbs nationally from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest).

What do IRSAD and IRSD measure?

IRSAD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Advantage and Disadvantage. Combines indicators of advantage (e.g. high income, skilled occupations) and disadvantage. Higher decile = more advantaged relative to other Australian areas.

IRSD — Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage. Focuses on disadvantage only (e.g. low income, unemployment, limited education). Higher decile = less disadvantage nationally.

A new SEIFA edition typically follows each census; the ABS has not announced a release date beyond 2021.

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)

Data sources & freshness

Compare with

Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.

More in Ararat Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.