Median house price
$605k
+18% change
VIC · Ballarat Council
Bonshaw, 3352
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,334
Growth (1 yr)
+7.2%
Growth (5 yr)
+56.0%
Median age
28
Median income
$1,854/wk
Employment rate
74.6%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$605,000
Languages at home
17.8%non-English
Most common: Punjabi, Hindi, Nepali
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- National parks
- Green suburb
- High desirability
Suburb profile
In Ballarat Council, Bonshaw keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. Young professionals and new households shape much of the local mix, 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. A car helps for most daily errands, with fewer amenities clustered within an easy walk. Homes are priced below the dearer neighbouring markets, though not at the bottom of the scale.
Reported crime has been rising recently. Occasional new builds add variety while most of the suburb keeps its established look.
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
Bonshaw snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$430/wk
Population (ERP)
1,334
+7.2% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
2.6%
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
#31
among Country & regional · Growth area
Safety
79th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
98th
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
6/10
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
- 40.5/100 — Average
- National rank
- 3660th in Australia
- State rank
- 729th in VIC
- Peer rank
- #31 among Country & regional · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #282 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 80%
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)
- $605,000
- Median price change
- +18.2%
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
1,334(June 2025)
+7.2% annual · +56.0% over 5 years · 98th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +7.2%
- 5-year growth
- +56.0%
- Change in 1 year
- +90
- Change in 5 years
- +479
- Growth rank in VIC
- 98th 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 (~1,900), extrapolated at +7.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 949
- Median age
- 28
- Median household income / week
- $1,854
- Dwelling vacancy
- 2.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 9 of 350
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,500
- Employment rate
- 74.6%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 321 / 18 / 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)
- 150
- Against the person
- 20
- Against property
- 110
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 112.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 47 residents
- State safety percentile
- 78.8th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +63%
Most common offence types
- B21 Criminal Damage12
- B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary21
- B41 Motor Vehicle Theft9
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle9
- B49 Other Theft47
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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Kidscape Early Learning CentreTait Streetchildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Amenities
18 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
2 playgrounds
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Great for outdoor family life — 5 parks mapped in suburb, 2 playgrounds nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 0/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 5.27
Community(1)
- Kidscape Early Learning CentreChildcare
282 Tait Street, Bonshaw
Sport & outdoors(7)
- Chifley ParkPark
- Dairymans Way ReservePark
- Park (3)
- Playground (2)
Other(5)
- Bench (4)
- Garden (3)
- Ploughmans Arms WetlandsNature Reserve
- Outdoor Seating
- Shelter
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
3 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Chifley ParkPark
- Dairymans Way ReservePark
- Ploughmans Arms WetlandsNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 5
- Parks (OSM)
- 5
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
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Queen Elizabeth Centre (5.1 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)
- 69
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 51.7
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).
14 planning-related records
2021· 7 proposals
July 2021
- Multi lot subdivision64 WEBB ROAD BONSHAW 3352Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2021
- Staged Multi-Lot Subdivision30 Cobden StreetWithdrawn
May 2021
- Multi-lot subdivision and removal of registered restrictive covenant U133202A on PS329735R73 WEBB ROAD BONSHAW 3352Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Display of signageLOT 1 TAIT STREET BONSHAW 3352Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2021
- construction of single dwelling and garage29 Edmund DriveWithdrawn
February 2021
- Staged multi-lot subdivision and removal of restrictive building envelopes on PS405208T36 ROSS CREEK ROAD BONSHAW 3352Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
January 2021
- Staged multi-lot subdivision and removal of registered restrictive Covenant U008879N70 Webb RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 7 proposals
November 2020
- Development of 11 dwellings and staged multi lot subdivision12 Ross Creek RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
October 2020
- Removal of restrictive covenant U009020B from Lot 1 of PS807477X64 Webb RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Removal of restrictive covenant U360135M from Lot 8 of PS329735R74 Webb RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Display of three promotional signs (retrospectively)3 Indigo StreetWithdrawn
June 2020
- Development of two dwellings65 Berrigan DriveLapsed
May 2020
- Staged multi lot subdivisionLot 1 Tait StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
April 2020
- Two lot subdivision30 COBDEN STREET BONSHAW 3352Lapsed
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
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 5.1 km away).
Coalition 32.2%Labor 67.8%
7.1 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -1.0 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- DelacombeLabor 68.0% · Coalition 32.0% TPP (2025)2.4 km away
- SebastopolLabor 69.5% · Coalition 30.5% TPP (2025)2.4 km away
- Sebastopol NorthLabor 68.0% · Coalition 32.0% TPP (2025)2.5 km away
- MagpieLabor 62.0% · Coalition 38.0% TPP (2025)3.0 km away
- RedanLabor 70.9% · Coalition 29.1% TPP (2025)3.5 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)
- 6/10
- 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
- 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.