suburb.guide

VIC · Moorabool Council

Blackwood, 3458

Est. population · Jun 2025

393

Growth (1 yr)

+1.0%

Growth (5 yr)

+4.8%

Median age

47

Median income

$1,424/wk

Employment rate

58.7%

Languages at home

7.7%non-English

Most common: Greek

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

20.3/100
Below average

1239th in VIC

Verified 62% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Heritage area
  • High desirability
What Blackwood is known for: Heritage area, High desirability

Suburb profile

Blackwood offers a slower smaller community life in Moorabool Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. The area suits established families and long-term locals, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice.

There is enough green space nearby for walks, picnics and after-school play. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here than in denser, more walkable pockets. Property prices are middling for the area: fair relative to what is nearby.

Crime reports are up on the previous period. Renewal is happening in measured doses, with new development complementing what is already there.

Desirability sits below average overall, with local dining and lifestyle amenities the main drag compared with similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Blackwood snapshot

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

Median house price

—

No data available

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

393

+1.0% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

41.3%

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

#394

among Country & regional · Mature

Safety

41st

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

69th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

5/10

national SEIFA decile

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
20.3/100 — Below average
National rank
6685th in Australia
State rank
1239th in VIC
Peer rank
#394 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#713 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
62%

Data sources & freshness

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

Population

Estimated resident population

393(June 2025)

+1.0% annual · +4.8% over 5 years · 69th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+1.0%
5-year growth
+4.8%
Change in 1 year
+4
Change in 5 years
+18
Growth rank in VIC
69th 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 (~400), extrapolated at +1.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
387
Median age
47
Median household income / week
$1,424
Dwelling vacancy
41.3%
Unoccupied private dwellings
119 of 288
Median monthly mortgage
$1,300
Employment rate
58.7%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
160 / 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 increased compared with the previous period.

Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
17
Against the person
6
Against property
10
Rate per 1,000 residents
43.3
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 64 residents
State safety percentile
40.6th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+70%

Most common offence types

  • A211 Fv Serious Assault1
  • A212 Non-Fv Serious Assault1
  • A722 Non-Fv Harassment And Private Nuisance2
  • B19 Other Fire Related Offences2
  • B21 Criminal Damage4

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Amenities

2 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Limited walkable amenities nearby
  • Great for outdoor family life — 1 parks mapped in suburb
Walkability proxy
0/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
2.58
Other(2)
  • Camp Site
  • Parking

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

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
1
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
Trentham Aged Care Hostel (12.1 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)
13
Participants per 1,000 residents
33.1

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
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).

23 planning-related records

2021· 11 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Development and Use of a Dwelling and Shed
    LOT 16 821 GREENHILLS ROAD BLACKWOOD 3458Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development and Use of a Dwelling and a Shed
    LOT 12, 821 GREENHILLS ROAD BLACKWOOD 3458Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Development and Use of a Dwelling and Ancillary Outbuilding
    LOT 14, 821 GREENHILLS ROAD BLACKWOOD 3458NOD issued by a delegate
  • Development of Additions Ancillary to an Existing Dwelling
    108 SIMMONS REEF ROAD BLACKWOOD 3458Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a Dwelling and removal of vegetation
    35 BATES ROAD BLACKWOOD 3458Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Development of Additions Ancillary to an Existing Dwelling and Works in an ESO1
    89 Simmons Reef RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • Development of Additions Ancillary to an Existing Dwelling and Works in an ESO1
    89 Simmons Reef RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development and Use of a Dwelling and Shed
    LOT 11, 821 GREENHILLS ROAD BLACKWOOD 3458NOD issued by a delegate

  • March 2021

  • Development of Additions Ancillary to an Existing Dwelling
    106 Golden Point RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development and Use of a Dwelling and a Shed
    821 Greenhills RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2021

  • Two (2) Lot Subdivision and Development of a Dwelling
    20 Decker StreetWithdrawn
2020· 12 proposals

  • November 2020

  • Development and Use of a Dwelling and Ancillary Outbuilding
    LOT 10, 821 GREENHILLS ROAD BLACKWOOD 3458Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of an Ancillary Outbuilding (Double Garage)
    3 Clarendon StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • Development of a Dwelling and Removal of Vegetation (2 Trees)
    6 Rayner CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a Shed Ancillary to an Existing Dwelling and Replacement of Sewerage Treatment Plant
    7 Whipstick LanePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • Two (2) Lot Subdivision and Development of a Dwelling
    20 Decker StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a Dwelling
    Victoria StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Development of a Shed Ancillary to an Existing Dwelling
    6 King StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • Development and Use of a Dwelling
    GREENHILLS ROAD BLACKWOOD 3458In progress

  • May 2020

  • Alteration to an Existing Dwelling (Roof)
    Byres RoadNOD issued by a delegate

  • April 2020

  • Development of a Dwelling
    Victoria StreetNOD issued by a delegate

  • January 2020

  • Development of a Dam
    Greenhills RoadRefusal issued by a delegate
  • Development of a Shed Ancillary to an Existing Dwelling and Replacement of Sewerage Treatment Plant
    Whipstick LaneNOD issued by a delegate

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

1 heritage place

  • WHEELERS TRAMWAYNH2015

Data sources & freshness

  • State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
Overlay applies

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
Hawke
Member of Parliament
Sam RAE (Australian Labor Party)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
118,785
Turnout (2025)
91.1%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
0.0 pp

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 42.4%Labor 57.6%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 30.0 km away).

Coalition 33.4%Labor 66.6%

9.0 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +1.1 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • BlackwoodLabor 68.1% · Coalition 31.9% TPP (2025)2.7 km away
  • BallanLabor 58.6% · Coalition 41.4% TPP (2025)13.5 km away
  • MyrniongLabor 47.3% · Coalition 52.7% TPP (2025)15.5 km away
  • Pentland HillsLabor 57.1% · Coalition 42.9% TPP (2025)22.0 km away
  • DarleyLabor 56.8% · Coalition 43.2% TPP (2025)22.7 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)
6/10

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 Moorabool Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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