suburb.guide

VIC · Ararat Council

Ararat, VIC, 3377

Current weather

10.6°CThunderstorm

96% humidity · 28.1 km/h wind · 14.1° / 8.3° today · 11.4 mm rain

Desirability index

60.1/100

#207 among Country & regional suburbs

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

Ararat is a mid-sized suburb in the Ararat area, home to around 8,500 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 1,326 offences in 2026 with relatively stable year-on-year trends (-5%), roughly 156.0 offences per 1,000 residents, 6 school and preschool sites in the area, strong public transport coverage with many Public Transport Victoria stops, a quieter amenity profile than busier neighbouring suburbs, 8 active roadworks or transport incidents on nearby routes, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb and hospitals or GP clinics within the suburb.

Population

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)
326 / 293 / 13

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release

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

Crime & safety

Total offences (2026)
1,326
Against the person
284
Against property
528
Rate per 1,000 residents
156
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 30 residents
State safety percentile
87.3th (lower crime is better)
Year-on-year change
-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

Data sources & freshness

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
6
Median school ICSEA (6 schools)
977.5
  • Ararat North Primary SchoolPrimary
  • Ararat Primary SchoolPrimary
  • Ararat Secondary CollegeSecondary
  • Ararat West Primary SchoolPrimary
  • Marian CollegeSecondary
  • St Mary's SchoolPrimary

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

69 public transport stops in this suburb

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

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

8 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.HIGH STREET, VINCENT 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.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 · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported

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· 55 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
2020· 62 proposals

62 proposals lodged in 2020. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

Data sources & freshness

  • PPARS planning permit activity (statewide) — Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · Period: 2020; 2020–2022; 2021 · Updated on site · Public MapServer last updated Feb 2024 — applications through FY 2022–23 only; newer PPARS data requires council/API access

Amenities

1 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Christians Bus CompanyBus stop

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

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

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
7
Emergency department
On site
  • Ararat Dentaldentist
  • Ararat Medical Centredoctor
  • Barkly St Dentaldentist
  • Blooms The Chemistpharmacy
  • East Grampians Health Servicehospital
  • Healthclinic
  • Priceline Pharmacypharmacy

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

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

SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

11 state 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 · Period: current · Updated on site

Childcare

2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • Jack & Jill Kindergartenkindergarten
  • Jack and Jill Kindergartenkindergarten

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid

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

Data sources & freshness

  • Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site

Green cover

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

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

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Desirability index

Desirability score
60.1/100
Cohort rank
#207 among Country & regional suburbs

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • Jack & Jill Kindergartenchildcarekindergarten
  • Jack and Jill Kindergartenchildcarekindergarten
  • ARADALEheritageNH1223
  • ARARAT CIVIC PRECINCTheritageNH2286
  • ARARAT COURT HOUSEheritageNH1657
  • FORMER ARARAT LOCOMOTIVE DEPOT & TURNTABLEheritageNH1093
  • FORMER ARARAT LOCOMOTIVE DEPOT & TURNTABLEheritageNH1093
  • FORMER ARARAT SUB-TREASURY AND POST OFFICEheritageNH0618
  • J WARD (ARARAT ASYLUM)heritageNH1067
  • MIDLAND THEATREheritageNH2228

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Updated on site
  • State heritage register — State heritage authority · Updated on site

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