suburb.guide

VIC · Loddon Council

Bridgewater, 3516

Est. population · Jun 2025

119

Growth (1 yr)

0.0%

Growth (5 yr)

+0.8%

Median age

49

Median income

$1,771/wk

Employment rate

62.6%

Languages at home

Mostly English at home

2021 Census · usual residence

    What Bridgewater is known for:

    Suburb profile

    Set among the hills of Loddon Council, Bridgewater is a smaller community with bushland views and a cooler, leafier feel. A mature community gives the area a calm, settled social fabric, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. Everyday basics may be close by, but bigger shopping and services typically require a trip to a nearby centre.

    Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here than in denser, more walkable pockets. Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers.

    Crime reports are up on the previous period. Light infill development is updating a few streets while the wider area stays largely unchanged.

    At a glance

    Bridgewater snapshot

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

    Median house price

    —

    No data available

    Median rent

    —

    No data available

    Population (ERP)

    119

    0.0% annual growth

    Dwelling vacancy

    21.4%

    Census unoccupied dwellings

    How it compares

    Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles

    Safety

    87th

    percentile in state (higher = safer)

    Pop. growth

    8th

    percentile in VIC

    Advantage (IRSAD)

    9/10

    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

    Population

    Estimated resident population

    119(June 2025)

    0.0% annual · +0.8% over 5 years · 8th percentile in VIC

    Growth figures & methodology
    Annual growth
    0.0%
    5-year growth
    +0.8%
    Change in 1 year
    0
    Change in 5 years
    +1
    Growth rank in VIC
    8th 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 (~100), extrapolated at +0.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

    2021 Census figures

    2021 Census

    Population
    133
    Median age
    49
    Median household income / week
    $1,771
    Dwelling vacancy
    21.4%
    Unoccupied private dwellings
    15 of 70
    Median monthly mortgage
    $1,350
    Employment rate
    62.6%
    Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
    50 / 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)
    19
    Against the person
    1
    Against property
    9
    Rate per 1,000 residents
    159.7
    Person-crime prevalence
    About 1 in 133 residents
    State safety percentile
    86.9th (lower crime is better)
    Increase (daily rate)
    +35.7%

    Most common offence types

    • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle2
    • B49 Other Theft4
    • B53 Obtain Benefit By Deception2
    • C32 Drug Possession2
    • E21 Breach Family Violence Order5

    Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

    Crime rate and year-on-year trend

    Data sources & freshness

    Family & Lifestyle

    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

    1 parks and public open space in this suburb

    • Old Chinese Market GardensPark

    Data sources & freshness

    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
    Inglewood Hospital (10.7 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)
    3
    Participants per 1,000 residents
    25.2

    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
    27° / 12°
    Rainfall
    115 mm · ~14 rainy days

    Autumn (Mar–May)

    Usual max / min
    21° / 8°
    Rainfall
    133 mm · ~17 rainy days

    Winter (Jun–Aug)

    Usual max / min
    13° / 4°
    Rainfall
    180 mm · ~22 rainy days

    Spring (Sep–Nov)

    Usual max / min
    19° / 7°
    Rainfall
    172 mm · ~22 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).

    15 planning-related records

    2021· 7 proposals

    • July 2021

    • Use and development of the land for a dwelling
      11 PARK STREET BRIDGEWATER 3516Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

    • June 2021

    • Use and development of the land for a dwelling in the LSIO
      13 PARK STREET BRIDGEWATER 3516Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

    • May 2021

    • Buildings and works with a total area of more than 130 metres squared
      LOT 2 BRIDGEWATER-MALDON ROAD BRIDGEWATER 3516Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

    • April 2021

    • Woks for the installation of a Minor Utility (water pipeline) within the PCRZ
      3610 Bridgewater-Dunolly RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
    • Buildings and works with a total area of more than 130 metres squared
      1684 Yorkshire RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

    • March 2021

    • Buildings and works (carport) heritage overlay
      38 Camp StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

    • February 2021

    • 2 Lot Subdivision
      10-16 Camp StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
    2020· 8 proposals

    • December 2020

    • Proposed amendments is for the inclusion of an Office and Staff Room.
      Calder HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

    • November 2020

    • 15 Lot Staged Subdivision
      CEMETERY ROAD BRIDGEWATER 3516Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

    • October 2020

    • 2-lot subdivision
      Lot 1 Bridgewater-Dunolly RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

    • September 2020

    • Use and development of the land for a store (shipping container)
      38 Camp StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

    • July 2020

    • Buildings and works in an LSIO and HO
      11 Main StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

    • May 2020

    • The use and development of land for a dwelling, development of the site for an aircraft hangar, use of land for industry (aircraft maintenance - very small ultralights and rotorcraft, up to and including turbine commuter aircraft) and creation of access to a road in a Road Zone Category 1
      Sky Diving Club, 58 Fantasy RoadNOD issued by the Resp. Authority

    • March 2020

    • Buildings and works with a floor area of more than 130 metres squared within an LSIO
      3620 Bridgewater-Dunolly RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

    • February 2020

    • Use and development of a farm shed in an LSIO
      38 Avondale LanePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

    Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

    Development and planning activity

    Data sources & freshness

    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
    Mallee
    Member of Parliament
    Anne WEBSTER (The Nationals)
    Results from
    2025 federal election
    Electorate enrolment (2025)
    121,604
    Turnout (2025)
    91.5%
    Swing since 2022 (2025)
    -0.1 pp toward Coalition

    Two-party preferred (2025)

    Coalition 69.0%Labor 31.0%

    Estimated suburb voting profile

    Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 38.7 km away).

    Coalition 71.2%Labor 28.8%

    2.1 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

    Estimated swing since 2022: -7.8 pp toward Coalition

    Nearest polling places

    • BridgewaterLabor 26.7% · Coalition 73.3% TPP (2025)3.9 km away
    • InglewoodLabor 35.7% · Coalition 64.3% TPP (2025)9.6 km away
    • NewbridgeLabor 29.1% · Coalition 71.0% TPP (2025)12.0 km away
    • TarnagullaLabor 45.5% · Coalition 54.5% TPP (2025)17.7 km away
    • SerpentineLabor 17.5% · Coalition 82.5% TPP (2025)25.5 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

    Socio-economic

    IRSAD decile (2021)
    9/10
    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

    More in Loddon Council

    Other suburbs in the same local government area.

    Comparable suburbs

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