Median house price
—
No data available
VIC · East Gippsland Council
Bruthen, 3885
Est. population · Jun 2025
856
Growth (1 yr)
+1.1%
Growth (5 yr)
+6.3%
Median age
43
Median income
$1,198/wk
Employment rate
57%
Languages at home
2.6%non-English
Most common: French
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- National parks
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Bruthen offers a slower smaller community life in East Gippsland Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with plenty of young families in the mix. Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice.
Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many regional towns, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area. Purchase and rent costs sit on the more affordable side of the local range.
Local crime has been trending higher of late. A trickle of new development is refreshing selected pockets without changing the overall feel.
The desirability picture is below average, weighed down by softer community and employment relative to similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Bruthen snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
856
+1.1% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
17.8%
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
#121
among Country & regional · Emerging
Safety
36th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
70th
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
2/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
44th
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
- 26.9/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6022nd in Australia
- State rank
- 1138th in VIC
- Peer rank
- #121 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #626 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Population
Estimated resident population
856(June 2025)
+1.1% annual · +6.3% over 5 years · 70th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.1%
- 5-year growth
- +6.3%
- Change in 1 year
- +9
- Change in 5 years
- +51
- Growth rank in VIC
- 70th 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 (~900), extrapolated at +1.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 820
- Median age
- 43
- Median household income / week
- $1,198
- Dwelling vacancy
- 17.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 71 of 398
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,083
- Employment rate
- 57%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 316 / 9 / 3 (+ 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 increased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (2026)
- 33
- Against the person
- 13
- Against property
- 14
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 38.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 63 residents
- State safety percentile
- 35.6th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +17.9%
Most common offence types
- A231 Fv Common Assault3
- B21 Criminal Damage3
- B49 Other Theft3
- E13 Resist Or Hinder Officer4
- Other Crimes Against The Person4
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
- 994
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 44th
School list
- Bruthen Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 994 · 44th percentile · LBOTE 6% · 72 students · Top SEA quarter 12%View 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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Bruthen Uniting Early Learningchildcare
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
2 public transport stops in this suburb
- General Store/Main St
- Station Rd/Great Alpine Rd
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
1 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Great for outdoor family life — 4 parks mapped in suburb
- Walkability proxy
- 3/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 4.88
Other(1)
- The Glen Flora ReserveNature Reserve
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
6 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Bruthen Community Recreation ReserveNature reserve
- Bruthen Recreation ReservePark
- Main Street ParkPark
- The Glen Flora ReserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 7
- Parks (OSM)
- 4
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
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 1
- Nearest hospital
- Bairnsdale Regional Health Service (26.3 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Gippsland Lakes Complete HealthYes
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)
- 24
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 28.0
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
- 24° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 187 mm · ~23 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 20° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 190 mm · ~24 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 15° / 6°
- Rainfall
- 188 mm · ~24 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 19° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 218 mm · ~27 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).
16 planning-related records
2021· 7 proposals
August 2021
- Removal of two native trees (to facilitate buildings and works for an outbuilding)74 STATION ROAD BRUTHEN 3885Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
- Buildings and works for an outbuilding (carport) with reduced setbacks within the Rural Living Zone68 GREAT ALPINE ROAD BRUTHEN 3885Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Two lot subdivision (boundary realignment)144 GREAT ALPINE ROAD BRUTHEN 3885Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2021
- Earthworks associated with construction of a Dam1203 TAMBO UPPER ROAD BRUTHEN 3885Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use and development of a retail premise, business identification signage, associated facilities and car parking dispensation64 MAIN STREET BRUTHEN 3885Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
April 2021
- Buildings and works of an outbuilding (covered porch)7 Church StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2021
- Two lot subdivision6 MILL STREET BRUTHEN 3885Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 9 proposals
October 2020
- Development of a dwelling and associated carport within a Bushfire Management Overlay190 ENGINEERS ROAD BRUTHEN 3885Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
September 2020
- Buildings and works for an outbuilding431 Great Alpine RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works for a dwelling including earthworks24 Gardam CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2020
- Development of an outbuilding within 100m of a waterway2165 Great Alpine RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a second dwelling and associated earthworks114 Great Alpine RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a dwelling46 Engineers RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2020
- Two lot subdivision (dwelling excision)1304 Tambo Upper RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2020
- Development of a shed12 Lambournes RoadNo permit required
February 2020
- Alteration to red line plan10 Bruthen-Nowa Nowa RoadPermit 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
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
- Gippsland
- Member of Parliament
- Darren CHESTER (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 118,075
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.0%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +1.2 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 69.4%Labor 30.6%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 23.0 km away).
Coalition 69.8%Labor 30.2%
0.4 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +6.9 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- BruthenLabor 30.4% · Coalition 69.6% TPP (2025)1.8 km away
- JohnsonvilleLabor 24.6% · Coalition 75.4% TPP (2025)12.7 km away
- MetungLabor 38.5% · Coalition 61.5% TPP (2025)19.5 km away
- Nowa NowaLabor 22.9% · Coalition 77.1% TPP (2025)21.3 km away
- LucknowLabor 22.3% · Coalition 77.7% TPP (2025)21.4 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)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 3/10
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 East Gippsland Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.