Median house price
$591k
+4.3% change
VIC · Ballarat Council
Ballarat North, 3350
Est. population · Jun 2025
3,896
Growth (1 yr)
+0.6%
Growth (5 yr)
+3.5%
Median age
43
Median income
$1,290/wk
Employment rate
54.5%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$590,500
Languages at home
4.4%non-English
Most common: Spanish, Mandarin, Sinhalese
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Education hub
- National parks
Suburb profile
Ballarat North sits in Ballarat Council as a regional mid-sized suburb that feels self-contained and a long way from big-city bustle. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Local shops, markets and community spots keep everyday life grounded in the town itself.
Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many regional towns, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Daily life works well on foot, with buses also serving the suburb. The local market is more attainable than many surrounding suburbs.
Local crime has been trending higher of late. Infill and new builds are slowly updating the area without overwhelming its existing character.
Desirability rates good overall, led by housing affordability, while growth momentum land closer to the middle of the pack for similar regional towns.
At a glance
Ballarat North snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$430/wk
Population (ERP)
3,896
+0.6% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
7.9%
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
#25
among Country & regional · Established
Safety
72nd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
55th
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
5/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
57th
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
- 55.5/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 29% of Victoria's suburbs
- National rank
- 1498th in Australia
- State rank
- 362nd in VIC
- Peer rank
- #25 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #66 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 96%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (Sep 2025 (council median))
- $430
- Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
- $590,500
- Median price change
- +4.3%
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
- DFFH rent report and Valuer-General property sales report — Department of Families, Fairness and Housing / Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · 4th Quarter 2025; Sep 2025 (council median) · Updated · Quarterly releases; council median rent fallback where suburb rent unavailable
Population
Estimated resident population
3,896(June 2025)
+0.6% annual · +3.5% over 5 years · 55th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.6%
- 5-year growth
- +3.5%
- Change in 1 year
- +22
- Change in 5 years
- +133
- Growth rank in VIC
- 55th 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 (~4,050), extrapolated at +0.8% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 4,041
- Median age
- 43
- Median household income / week
- $1,290
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 150 of 1,895
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,416
- Employment rate
- 54.5%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,429 / 299 / 12
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 increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (2026)
- 342
- Against the person
- 45
- Against property
- 226
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 87.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 90 residents
- State safety percentile
- 71.8th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +41.3%
Most common offence types
- B21 Criminal Damage24
- B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary21
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle51
- B49 Other Theft70
- E21 Breach Family Violence Order41
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- Recorded offences by suburb/town — Crime Statistics Agency (Victoria) · 2025 · Updated
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 4
- Median school ICSEA (4 schools)
- 1,022
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 57th
School list
- Ballarat North Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1002 · 48th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 330 students · Top SEA quarter 12% · 0.3 km awayView on My School →
- St Columba's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1090 · 81th percentile · LBOTE 1% · 334 students · Top SEA quarter 36% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
- Black Hill Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1042 · 65th percentile · LBOTE 6% · 397 students · Top SEA quarter 23% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
- Macarthur Street Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 951 · 25th percentile · LBOTE 11% · 83 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Neighbourhood Early Learning Centrekindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
20 public transport stops in this suburb
- Howitt St/Lydiard St N
- Howitt St/Lydiard St N
- Lydiard St/Landsborough St
- Norman St/Doveton St N
- Walker St/Lydiard St N
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Amenities
59 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
2 cafes · 1 supermarkets · 1 pharmacies · 2 fast food · 1 bakeries · 2 places of worship · 9 playgrounds · 1 petrol stations
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 8 parks mapped in suburb, 9 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 20 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 10 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 80/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.49
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 1.24
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.98
Food & drink(5)
- Bakery
- Common Ground CafeCafe
306 Howitt Street
- Steam Coffee BallaratCafe
- Northway TakeawayFast food
- SubwayFast food
Shopping(3)
- Convenience store
- Ryan's Super IGASupermarket
Community(2)
- Neighbourhood Early Learning CentreKindergarten
- Ballarat North Primary SchoolSchool
513 Landsborough Street
Health & services(1)
- Terry White ChemmartPharmacy
Unit Shop 8 1113 Doveton Street North, Ballarat North
Sport & outdoors(18)
- Bullock Gully ReservePark
- Inkerman Gully ReservePark
- Marks ReservePark
- Midlands ReservePark
- Park (4)
- Marks Reserve PlaygroundPlayground
- Playground (8)
- Sports field
Transport(9)
9 bus stops
Other(15)
- Dazzlers Car WashCar wash
- Drinking water (2)
- The Laundry KingLaundry
Simpson Street
- Parking (4)
- BPPetrol station
- Picnic Table
- Ballarat North Baptist ChurchPlace of worship
- Place of worship
- Australia PostPost Box
- Post Box
- Public toilets
- Midlands Terrace Retirement VillageRetirement Village
1111 Doveton Street
- Shelter (4)
- WIN Corporation VTV/STV StudiosStudio
- Water Park
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
4 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Bullock Gully ReservePark
- Inkerman Gully ReservePark
- Marks ReservePark
- Midlands ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 10
- 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
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Places of worship
2 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Ballarat North Baptist Church
- Place of worship
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Nazareth House Aged Care (2.4 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 153
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 39.3
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
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
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
- 26° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 128 mm · ~16 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 10°
- Rainfall
- 124 mm · ~16 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 14° / 6°
- Rainfall
- 149 mm · ~19 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 19° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 182 mm · ~23 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).
30 planning-related records
2021· 12 proposals
August 2021
- Development of a dwelling2 MIKAELA COURT BALLARAT NORTH 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of an additional dwelling, two lot subdivision and removal of covenant which limits the development of the site to one dwelling115 NORMAN STREET BALLARAT NORTH 3350Refusal issued by a delegate
July 2021
- Two (2) lot subdivision and development of two (2) dwellings1117 ARMSTRONG STREET NORTH BALLARAT NORTH 3350In progress
- Development of a second dwelling and a 2 lot subdivision321 NORMAN STREET BALLARAT NORTH 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2021
- Alterations and additions to an existing Childcare centre1007 ARMSTRONG STREET NORTH BALLARAT NORTH 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Extension of a childcare centre and reduction in carparking requirements1007-1015 ARMSTRONG STREET NORTH BALLARAT NORTH 3350Withdrawn
May 2021
- Development for a dwelling1244 HAVELOCK STREET BALLARAT NORTH 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2021
- Development of an additional dwelling and a two lot subdivision327 NORMAN STREET BALLARAT NORTH 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Three lot subdivision1005 Sherrard StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
February 2021
- Development of a carport909-911 Doveton Street NorthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of three dwellings and a four lot subdivision1011 Lydiard Street NorthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
January 2021
- Use of land for a food and drink premises (cafe), sale and consumption of liquor (cafe and restaurant licence) and a reduction in car parkingShop 4/100 Simpson StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 18 proposals
December 2020
- Development of a dwelling3 Philip AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
October 2020
- Two lot subdivision1016 Ligar StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Two lot subdivision (Re-subdivision)1002 Armstrong Street NorthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
August 2020
- Development of two dwellings420 Walker StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of two dwellings and two lot subdivision11 Loren ClosePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- New driveway including crossover123 Moola StreetWithdrawn
July 2020
- Development of a dwelling4 Mikaela CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2020
- Two lot subdivision408 Landsborough StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of two additional dwellings11 Aquila CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Two lot subdivision5 Kinnane CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2020
- Display of business identification signage8/1113 Doveton Street NorthWithdrawn
- Two lot subdivision1206 Havelock StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
April 2020
- Two lot subdivision207 Walker StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2020
- Two lot subdivision (boundary realignment)327 Norman StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use of land for a food and drink premises (cafe) and sale and consumption of liquor (cafe and restaurant liquor licence)Shop 4/100 Simpson StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a dwelling9 Mikaela CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
February 2020
- Two lot subdivision23 Lilley StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
January 2020
- Use of existing building as place of worship, display of business identification signage (incl. internally illuminated signage)7/502 Howitt StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- PPARS planning permit activity (statewide) — Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · 2020–2022 · Updated · MapServer through FY 2022–23; newer data needs council/API access
Roadworks & transport
6 active roadworks / incidents
- Utility Works activities occurring between 25/06/2026 and 02/10/2026 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 eastbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.WESTERN FREEWAY, DAYLESFORD-WESTERN OUT RAMP ON24 Jun 2026 – 01 Oct 2026
- Utility Works activities occurring between 25/06/2026 and 02/10/2026 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 eastbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 60 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.WESTERN FREEWAY, DAYLESFORD-WESTERN OUT RAMP ON24 Jun 2026 – 01 Oct 2026
- Utility Works activities occurring between 25/06/2026 and 02/10/2026 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 eastbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 80 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.WESTERN FREEWAY, DAYLESFORD-WESTERN OUT RAMP ON24 Jun 2026 – 01 Oct 2026
- Utility Works activities occurring between 25/06/2026 and 02/10/2026 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 westbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.WESTERN FREEWAY, DAYLESFORD-WESTERN OUT RAMP ON24 Jun 2026 – 01 Oct 2026
- Utility Works activities occurring between 25/06/2026 and 02/10/2026 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 westbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 60 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.WESTERN FREEWAY, DAYLESFORD-WESTERN OUT RAMP ON24 Jun 2026 – 01 Oct 2026
- Utility Works activities occurring between 30/04/2026 and 30/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 8:00 PM to 6:00 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 0 to 5 min.CRESWICK ROAD, NORMAN STREET29 Apr 2026 – 29 Aug 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · 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
- Ballarat
- Member of Parliament
- Catherine KING (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 116,238
- Turnout (2025)
- 93.3%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- -2.3 pp toward Coalition
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 39.3%Labor 60.7%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 3.3 km away).
Coalition 32.8%Labor 67.2%
6.5 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +1.0 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Ballarat NorthLabor 67.0% · Coalition 33.0% TPP (2025)0.3 km away
- Black HillLabor 72.1% · Coalition 27.9% TPP (2025)1.5 km away
- WendoureeLabor 60.4% · Coalition 39.6% TPP (2025)2.6 km away
- Ballarat EastLabor 72.9% · Coalition 27.1% TPP (2025)2.8 km away
- Lake WendoureeLabor 65.1% · Coalition 34.9% TPP (2025)3.1 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
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 5/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 4/10
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
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Ballarat Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.