suburb.guide

VIC · Indigo Council

Barnawartha, 3688

Est. population · Jun 2025

1,004

Growth (1 yr)

+1.1%

Growth (5 yr)

+2.9%

Median age

40

Median income

$1,742/wk

Employment rate

66.5%

Languages at home

2%non-English

Most common: Italian

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

40.5/100
Average

728th in VIC

Verified 78% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • National parks
  • Excellent transport
  • Education hub
  • Heritage area
What Barnawartha is known for: Green suburb, National parks, Excellent transport, Education hub, Heritage area

Suburb profile

In Indigo Council, Barnawartha keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with family life visible on every street. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting.

Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many regional towns, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses still link the suburb further afield. Homes are neither a bargain nor a premium buy against the wider market.

Reported crime has been falling recently. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.

Against similar regional towns, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because schools and education lag behind, despite relative strength in growth momentum. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Barnawartha snapshot

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

Median house price

—

No data available

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

1,004

+1.1% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

8.1%

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

#68

among Country & regional · Established

Safety

24th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

72nd

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

5/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

42nd

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
40.5/100 — Average
National rank
3659th in Australia
State rank
728th in VIC
Peer rank
#68 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#281 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
78%

Data sources & freshness

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

Population

Estimated resident population

1,004(June 2025)

+1.1% annual · +2.9% over 5 years · 72th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+1.1%
5-year growth
+2.9%
Change in 1 year
+11
Change in 5 years
+28
Growth rank in VIC
72th 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 (~1,050), extrapolated at +0.8% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
987
Median age
40
Median household income / week
$1,742
Dwelling vacancy
8.1%
Unoccupied private dwellings
31 of 385
Median monthly mortgage
$1,495
Employment rate
66.5%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
337 / 15 / 0 (+ 3 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)
29
Against the person
5
Against property
14
Rate per 1,000 residents
28.9
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 197 residents
State safety percentile
23.7th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-58.6%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage2
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle3
  • B49 Other Theft5
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order5
  • Other Crimes Against The Person3

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
991
Median ICSEA percentile
42th
School list
  • Barnawartha Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 991 · 42th percentile · LBOTE 0% · 60 students · Top SEA quarter 8%View on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

1 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Havelock St/High St

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

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

Parks & reserves

3 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Barnawartha Scenic ReserveNature reserve
  • Fryingpan Creek Streamside ReserveNature reserve
  • Indigo Creek ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
14
Parks (OSM)
1

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
Albury Wodonga Private Hospital (18.9 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)
30
Participants per 1,000 residents
29.9

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
29° / 15°
Rainfall
153 mm · ~19 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
22° / 9°
Rainfall
178 mm · ~22 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
13° / 4°
Rainfall
254 mm · ~32 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
20° / 8°
Rainfall
206 mm · ~26 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).

40 planning-related records

2021· 19 proposals

  • August 2021

  • Shed
    30 HIGH STREET BARNAWARTHA 3688Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Shed
    70 GRASSLAND DRIVE BARNAWARTHA 3688Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Hayshed
    598 CHILTERN-BARNAWARTHA ROAD BARNAWARTHA 3688Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • shed
    253 SOLDIERS ROAD BARNAWARTHA 3688Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Dwelling
    80 GRASSLAND DRIVE BARNAWARTHA 3688Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • New Dwelling
    17 TO 19 HIGH STREET BARNAWARTHA 3688Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 8 Lot Subdivision and the removal of native vegretation (two trees).
    19 ELLIOT ROAD BARNAWARTHA 3688Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • public footpath/recreation link to future residential properties
    TAYLOR STREET BARNAWARTHA 3688Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Vegetation removal
    TOM TANNERS ROAD BARNAWARTHA 3688Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construct Shed
    493 CHILTERN-BARNAWARTHA ROAD BARNAWARTHA 3688Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Dwelling extension (covered outdoor area)
    39 High StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • Amended alterations
    2 TO 16 HIGH STREET BARNAWARTHA 3688Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Food truck
    37 High StreetLapsed
  • 2 dwellings & grazing
    612 Chiltern-Barnawartha RoadNo permit required
  • Dwelling
    70 Grassland DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Amendment to Permit
    97 Grassland DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Shed
    289 SOLDIERS ROAD BARNAWARTHA 3688No permit required

  • January 2021

  • Dwelling
    95 Grassland DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Dwelling
    70 Grassland DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 21 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Patio
    32 Grassland DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • November 2020

  • Shed
    6 Schlue CourtNo permit required

  • October 2020

  • Bridge - Altered design
    758A Barnawartha-Howlong RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Amend Permit
    97 Williams RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • Dependant Persons Unit
    49 High StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Shed
    5 Wilson PlaceWithdrawn
  • Dwelling & Shed
    96 Grassland DriveRefusal issued by the Resp. Authority
  • Dwelling
    61 Grassland DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Shed & Carport
    64 Grassland DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Amend Plan of Subdivision
    Chiltern-Barnawartha RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Extend Dwelling and Replace Shed
    712 Chiltern-Barnawartha RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Native Vegetation Removal
    10 High StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Certification
    229 Lady Franklin RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Extension to Permit Expiry - Dwelling
    50 Neil StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Extension to Existing Shed
    25 Stanley StreetNo permit required

  • July 2020

  • Alterations and Additions to Existing Building for the Purposes of a Dwelling
    2 to 16 High StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two Lot Subdivision
    1 Wilson PlacePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2020

  • Dwelling and two associated sheds
    97 Grassland DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2020

  • Carport & Covered Deck
    27 Williams RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2020

  • Shed
    8 to 12 Canning StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Bridge - Altered design
    758A Barnawartha-Howlong RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

1 active roadworks / incidents

  • Building / 3rd Party Works activities occurring between 04/12/2025 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 5:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Weekends 5:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed southbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be Nil and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.HUME FREEWAY, HUME IN-INDIGO CREEK RAMP OF03 Dec 2025 – 30 Aug 2026

Data sources & freshness

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

Heritage

1 heritage place

  • THE HERMITAGENH0279

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
Indi
Member of Parliament
Helen HAINES (Independent)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
120,774
Turnout (2025)
92.8%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
-1.4 pp toward Coalition

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 56.7%Labor 43.3%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 20.6 km away).

Coalition 62.9%Labor 37.1%

6.3 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: -5.1 pp toward Coalition

Nearest polling places

  • BarnawarthaLabor 34.9% · Coalition 65.1% TPP (2025)2.9 km away
  • ChilternLabor 47.3% · Coalition 52.7% TPP (2025)10.2 km away
  • West Wodonga VictoryLabor 47.6% · Coalition 52.4% TPP (2025)15.2 km away
  • Wodonga CentralLabor 51.0% · Coalition 49.0% TPP (2025)18.3 km away
  • WodongaLabor 47.9% · Coalition 52.1% TPP (2025)18.9 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)
5/10
IRSD decile (2021)
7/10

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 Indigo Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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