Median house price
$1.56M
+3.5% change
VIC · Greater Geelong Council
Barwon Heads, 3227
Est. population · Jun 2025
4,807
Growth (1 yr)
+9.5%
Growth (5 yr)
+46.7%
Median age
46
Median income
$2,226/wk
Employment rate
56.7%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$1,557,500
Languages at home
1.7%non-English
Most common: Japanese, Greek, Italian
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Coastal
- Green suburb
- High desirability
- Excellent transport
- Café precinct
Suburb profile
Barwon Heads is a coastal mid-sized suburb where beach life and relaxed outdoor living shape the local character. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with family life visible on every street. Neighbourhood food and coffee spots add warmth to the local routine.
Green space punches above what many coastal suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Most routine trips are on foot, while buses cover longer journeys across the metro area. Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers.
Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.
Against similar coastal suburbs, community and employment, plus growth momentum stand out and the overall desirability rating is good, with local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus schools and education less decisive.
At a glance
Barwon Heads snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$570/wk
Population (ERP)
4,807
+9.5% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
26.4%
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
#14
among Coastal & beach · Mature
Safety
29th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
99th
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
10/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
89th
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
- 59.3/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 24% of Victoria's suburbs
- National rank
- 1092nd in Australia
- State rank
- 298th in VIC
- Peer rank
- #14 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #41 among Coastal & beach suburbs
- Data confidence
- 93%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (Sep 2025)
- $570
- Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
- $1,557,500
- Median price change
- +3.5%
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 · Updated · Quarterly releases; council median rent fallback where suburb rent unavailable
Population
Estimated resident population
4,807(June 2025)
+9.5% annual · +46.7% over 5 years · 99th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +9.5%
- 5-year growth
- +46.7%
- Change in 1 year
- +417
- Change in 5 years
- +1,531
- Growth rank in VIC
- 99th 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 (~7,500), extrapolated at +9.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 4,353
- Median age
- 46
- Median household income / week
- $2,226
- Dwelling vacancy
- 26.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 559 of 2,114
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,184
- Employment rate
- 56.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,416 / 94 / 44 (+ 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)
- 158
- Against the person
- 20
- Against property
- 106
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 32.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 218 residents
- State safety percentile
- 29th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -24%
Most common offence types
- B21 Criminal Damage15
- B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary10
- B41 Motor Vehicle Theft7
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle25
- B49 Other Theft14
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
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,120
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 89th
School list
- Barwon Heads Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1120 · 89th percentile · LBOTE 2% · 416 students · Top SEA quarter 48% · 0.7 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
Public transport
25 public transport stops in this suburb
- Barwon Heads Rd/Sheepwash Rd
- Knox Dr/Carr St
- Knox Dr/Sheepwash Rd
- Saratoga Ave/Sheepwash Rd
- Taits Rd/Carr St
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
86 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 restaurants · 4 cafes · 1 pubs · 1 bars · 1 supermarkets · 1 pharmacies · 4 fast food · 2 places of worship
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Highly walkable for everyday errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 10 parks mapped in suburb, 6 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 25 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 12 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 92/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.92
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 2.53
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 2.3
Food & drink(11)
- Bakery Bar LoungeBar
- Annie's Provedore & Produce StoreCafe
- Bacman OrangeCafe
- Shack Dining Co.Cafe
- Starfish BakeryCafe
- Australian Ice Cream CompanyFast food
- Barwon Heads Fish & ChipsFast food
- Gilligan's Fish & ChipsFast food
- Kebabs on the CoastFast food
- Barwon Heads HotelPub
- At The HeadsRestaurant
Jetty Road
Shopping(2)
- Barwon Heads General StoreSupermarket
Community(1)
- Barwon Heads Primary SchoolSchool
3A Golf Links Road
Health & services(1)
- Barwon Heads PharmacyPharmacy
Sport & outdoors(21)
- Barwon Heads Community ParkPark
- Moonah ParkPark
- Park (5)
- Seabanks EstatePark
- The MewsPark
- Barwon Community PlaygroundPlayground
- Barwon TennisPlayground
- Frank Ellis ReservePlayground
- Playground (2)
- Seabanks Estate PlaygroundPlayground
- Barwon Heads Bowling ClubSports field
- Barwon Heads Football ClubSports field
- Barwon Heads SkateparkSports field
- H. Blyth FieldSports field
- R. T. Fuller OvalSports field
- Sports field
Transport(2)
2 bus stops
Other(32)
- Bendigo BankBank
- Bbq (2)
- Beach BooksBooks
- Car wash
- Barwon Heads Caravan ParkCaravan Site
- Barwon Heads Caravan ParkCaravan Site
1 Ewing Blyth Drive
- Drinking water
- Barwon Heads CFA Fire StationFire station
- Peppercorn Fine FoodsFood
- Barwon Heads Community Arts GardenGarden
- Barwon Heads & District Pony ClubHorse Riding
- FrithHouseware
- Seahaven VillageMotel
- Barwon Heads News Lotto & GiftsNewsagent
- Cylinders Car ParkParking
- Parking (11)
- APCOPetrol station
41 Geelong Road
- All Saints Anglican ChurchPlace of worship
61 Hitchcock Avenue, Barwon Heads
- Barwon Heads Uniting ChurchPlace of worship
- Post Box
- Barwon Heads LPOPost office
70 Hitchcock Avenue
- BARWON HEADS HITCHCOCK TOILETSPublic toilets
- BARWON HEADS RES TLTSPublic toilets
- Barwon Heads Reserve Cricket ToiletPublic toilets
- Barwon Heads Reserve ToiletPublic toilets
- BHEADS RES TOILET (RIVER END)Public toilets
- Public toilets
- Shelter (5)
- Slipway (3)
- Telephone
- Rasta Surf Co.Water Sports
- Tonik Surf CentreWater Sports
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
- Barwon Heads Community ParkPark
- Moonah ParkPark
- Seabanks EstatePark
- The MewsPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 12
- Parks (OSM)
- 10
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
- All Saints Anglican Church
61 Hitchcock Avenue, Barwon Heads
- Barwon Heads Uniting Church
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 1
- Nearest hospital
- Geelong Clinic (13.2 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Barwon Heads PharmacyPharmacy
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)
- 148
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 30.8
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).
109 planning-related records
2021· 40 proposals
September 2021
- Construction of Two (2) Dwellings and a Front Fence32 OZONE ROAD BARWON HEADS 3227NOD issued by a delegate
- Extension of a Dwelling and Construction of a Fence in a Special Building Overlay20 GLYNDON COURT BARWON HEADS 3227Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Single Dwelling in a Special Building Overlay34 COTTESLOE DRIVE BARWON HEADS 3227Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of an Outbuilding and Garage13 GOLIGHTLY STREET BARWON HEADS 3227Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Alterations and Additions to a Dwelling in a Special Building Overlay14 MULGOA COURT BARWON HEADS 3227Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Swimming Pool in a Special Building Overlay4 CHANTICLEER PLACE BARWON HEADS 3227Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and Works Associated with an Extension and Addition to an Existing Dwelling in an SBO and DDO18 HOPGOOD PLACE BARWON HEADS 3227Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and Works Associated with an Existing Dwelling95 CARR STREET BARWON HEADS 3227Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Dwelling1-3 GEORGE STREET BARWON HEADS 3227Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and Works Associated with an Existing Dwelling in a Special Building Overlay69 TAITS ROAD BARWON HEADS 3227Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
August 2021
- Construction of a Dwelling126 HITCHCOCK AVENUE BARWON HEADS 3227Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Dwelling12 PUNT ROAD BARWON HEADS 3227Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Dwelling within an Environmental Significance Overlay3/36 SARATOGA AVENUE BARWON HEADS 3227Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Dwelling10 SEAVIEW AVENUE BARWON HEADS 3227Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use and Development of a Cafe and Reduction of Car Parking64 HITCHCOCK AVENUE BARWON HEADS 3227NOD issued by a delegate
- Extension to Existing Outbuildings8 CURLEW COURT BARWON HEADS 3227Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
- Construction of a Dwelling38A WATTLE BIRD CRESCENT BARWON HEADS 3227Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Dwelling20 BARWON TERRACE BARWON HEADS 3227Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Front Fence1C Grandview ParadePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Fence on the Front Boundary6 REID STREET BARWON HEADS 3227Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings & Works Associated with an Extension to Existing Dwelling25 Hopgood PlacePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use of Land for Sale and Consumption of Liquor (Restaurant and Cafe Licence)64 HITCHCOCK AVENUE BARWON HEADS 3227NOD issued by a delegate
- Buildings and Works Associated with an Extension to an Existing Dwelling5/45 HITCHCOCK AVENUE BARWON HEADS 3227NOD issued by a delegate
- Construction of a second dwelling and 2 lot subdivision25-27 ARALUEN COURT BARWON HEADS 3227Lapsed
June 2021
- Construction of a Fence Associated with an Existing Dwelling6 River ParadePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Front Fence39 Margate StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and Works Associated with an Extension to an Existing Dwelling3/45 Hitchcock AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a dwelling on a lot less than 300m2 and works on land affected by a Design and Development Overlay (DDO41)96 GOLF LINKS ROAD BARWON HEADS 3227Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2021
- Construction of a Dwelling28 Von Nida AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Additions to a Dwelling and Deck within a Special Building Overlay37 Reid StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Dwelling3 Chanticleer PlacePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of Two (2) Dwellings31 WATTLE BIRD CRESCENT BARWON HEADS 3227Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of an Outbuilding31 George StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and Works Associated with an Extension to an Existing Dwelling in a Special Building Overlay12 Tremont CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Building and Works Associated with an Extension to an Existing Dwelling3 Cosham CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of Two (2) Dwellings1 COTTESLOE DRIVE BARWON HEADS 3227NOD issued by a delegate
April 2021
- Alterations and Additions to Dwelling6 Tremont CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Fence17 Cottesloe DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Extension to an Existing Dwelling15 Mulgoa CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and Works Associated with the Construction of a Dwelling and Swimming Pool in a Special Building Overlay16 Coogee CourtPermit 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
Heritage
2 heritage places
- BARWON HEADS BRIDGENH1848
- BARWON HEADS GOLF CLUBNH2258
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
- Corangamite
- Member of Parliament
- Libby COKER (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 114,123
- Turnout (2025)
- 94.7%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +0.2 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 42.0%Labor 58.0%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 9.9 km away).
Coalition 38.1%Labor 61.9%
3.9 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +2.8 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Barwon HeadsLabor 61.5% · Coalition 38.5% TPP (2025)0.9 km away
- Ocean Grove WestLabor 62.9% · Coalition 37.1% TPP (2025)2.3 km away
- Ocean GroveLabor 69.6% · Coalition 30.4% TPP (2025)3.7 km away
- Ocean Grove SouthLabor 66.4% · Coalition 33.6% TPP (2025)4.8 km away
- WallingtonLabor 49.9% · Coalition 50.1% TPP (2025)6.4 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)
- 10/10
- 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
- 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 Greater Geelong Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.