suburb.guide

VIC · Greater Bendigo Council

Axe Creek, 3551

Est. population · Jun 2025

528

Growth (1 yr)

+1.7%

Growth (5 yr)

+11.4%

Median age

44

Median income

$2,230/wk

Employment rate

65.4%

Languages at home

3.2%non-English

Mostly English at home

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

51.1/100
Average

Top 35% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 70% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • High desirability
  • Education hub
  • Heritage area
What Axe Creek is known for: Green suburb, High desirability, Education hub, Heritage area

Suburb profile

In Greater Bendigo Council, Axe Creek keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. 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.

Green space punches above what many regional towns offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here than in denser, more walkable pockets. Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs.

Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. A trickle of new development is refreshing selected pockets without changing the overall feel.

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

At a glance

Axe Creek snapshot

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

Median house price

—

No data available

Median rent

$475/wk

Population (ERP)

528

+1.7% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

5.2%

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

#26

among Country & regional · Emerging

Safety

3rd

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

84th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

9/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

66th

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
2022nd in Australia
State rank
440th in VIC
Peer rank
#26 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
Cohort rank
#102 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
70%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

All types (Sep 2025 (council median))
$475

Median weekly rent from Victorian government rent reports. Council median fallback may apply where suburb rent is unavailable.

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

528(June 2025)

+1.7% annual · +11.4% over 5 years · 84th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+1.7%
5-year growth
+11.4%
Change in 1 year
+9
Change in 5 years
+54
Growth rank in VIC
84th 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 (~600), extrapolated at +2.7% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
452
Median age
44
Median household income / week
$2,230
Dwelling vacancy
5.2%
Unoccupied private dwellings
8 of 154
Median monthly mortgage
$1,809
Employment rate
65.4%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
142 / 0 / 0

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)
4
Against the person
1
Against property
3
Rate per 1,000 residents
7.6
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 452 residents
State safety percentile
2.8th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-78.9%

Most common offence types

  • A211 Fv Serious Assault1
  • B21 Criminal Damage1
  • B311 Residential Aggravated Burglary1
  • B322 Non-Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary1

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
1
Median school ICSEA
1,043
Median ICSEA percentile
66th
School list
  • Eppalock Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1043 · 66th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 49 students · Top SEA quarter 20%View on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.

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

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
21
Parks (OSM)
0

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

Nearest hospital
Anne Caudle Campus (15.5 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
18
Participants per 1,000 residents
34.1

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
115 mm · ~14 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
21° / 8°
Rainfall
133 mm · ~17 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
13° / 4°
Rainfall
180 mm · ~22 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
19° / 7°
Rainfall
172 mm · ~22 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).

20 planning-related records

2021· 10 proposals

  • August 2021

  • Construction of a dwelling and outbuilding (Amended plans for design changes to outbuilding)
    LOT 11 PATONS ROAD AXE CREEK 3551Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Staged 8 Lot subdivision and use and development of land for a dwelling on lots 7 and 8
    39 O'CONNELL DRIVE AXE CREEK 3551Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Extension to an existing dwelling
    50 STEENS ROAD AXE CREEK 3551Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Subdivide land into 5 lots and use and development of 3 dwellings (on proposed lots 2, 3 and 5) . (Amended plans for design changes)
    147 Axe Creek RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works to Extend Existing Dwelling
    331 Patons RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Subdivide land into 5 lots and use and development of 2 dwellings (on proposed lots 2 and 5) . Amend permit & plans (amend conditions 2 and 3, include construction of dwelling on Lot 3 and amend plan to alter building envelope and effluent envelope locations for Lot 3) (Amend endorsed site plan)
    147 Axe Creek RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Construction of a dwelling and an outbuilding
    LOT 2 GEORGE TERRACE AXE CREEK 3551Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of land for a dwelling and outbuilding (Amended permit and plans to include two dams and a variation of a restriction (shown on PS628835U) to allow an outbuilding outside of a building envelope)
    527 Patons RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Extension to an existing dwelling
    1440 Strathfieldsaye RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2021

  • Development of the land for an outbuilding (shed)
    Lot 13 Patons RoadWithdrawn
2020· 10 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Construction of a dwelling and removal of vegetation
    LOT 1 CURTIS ROAD AXE CREEK 3551Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a dwelling and outbuilding
    Lot 11 Patons RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • November 2020

  • Subdivide land into 5 lots and use and development of 2 dwellings (on proposed lots 2 and 5) . Amend permit & plans (amend conditions 2 and 3, include construction of dwelling on Lot 3 and amend plan to alter building envelope and effluent envelope locations for Lot 3)
    147 Axe Creek RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • Two lot subdivision, use and development of a dwelling on Lot 1 and removal of native vegetation
    38 George TerracePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • Buildings and works for the construction of an outbuilding
    331 Patons RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2020

  • Construction of a storage shed
    297 Mannes LanePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2020

  • Construction of a hay shed. Amended plans to allow for design change (revised orientation of shed)
    39 O'Connell DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2020

  • 2 lot subdivision (Amendment to BMS and condition 6 to show new access point to lot 1)
    Lot 4 Emu Creek RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a shed
    90 Gleesons RoadNo permit required

  • January 2020

  • Construction of a hay shed
    39 O'Connell DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

1 heritage place

  • FORMER GREIFFENHAGENS WINERY AND HOMESTEADNH0681

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
Bendigo
Member of Parliament
Lisa CHESTERS (Australian Labor Party)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
120,088
Turnout (2025)
94.0%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+51.4 pp toward Labor

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 48.6%Labor 51.4%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 12.6 km away).

Coalition 49.6%Labor 50.4%

1.0 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +50.4 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • Axe CreekLabor 50.2% · Coalition 49.8% TPP (2025)2.2 km away
  • StrathfieldsayeLabor 50.2% · Coalition 49.8% TPP (2025)7.0 km away
  • MandurangLabor 46.6% · Coalition 53.4% TPP (2025)8.4 km away
  • JunortounLabor 44.6% · Coalition 55.4% TPP (2025)10.8 km away
  • StrathdaleLabor 50.0% · Coalition 50.0% TPP (2025)10.8 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)
9/10
IRSD decile (2021)
10/10

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 Greater Bendigo Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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