suburb.guide

VIC · Macedon Ranges Council

Bullengarook, 3437

Est. population · Jun 2025

800

Growth (1 yr)

+3.5%

Growth (5 yr)

+11.9%

Median age

44

Median income

$2,302/wk

Employment rate

59.3%

Languages at home

3.9%non-English

Most common: Italian

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

36.7/100
Below average

851st in VIC

Verified 70% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • Excellent transport
  • High desirability
What Bullengarook is known for: Green suburb, Excellent transport, High desirability

Suburb profile

Bullengarook is a hillside smaller community in Macedon Ranges Council, with elevated streets and a greener, quieter pace. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with family life visible on every street. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting.

There is enough green space nearby for walks, picnics and after-school play. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses still link the suburb further afield. Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers.

Reported crime has been rising recently. Renewal is happening in measured doses, with new development complementing what is already there.

Desirability lands below average here: softer local dining and lifestyle amenities weighing on the result versus similar regional towns, even with community and employment holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Bullengarook snapshot

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

Median house price

—

No data available

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

800

+3.5% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

7.8%

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

#89

among Country & regional · Emerging

Safety

20th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

95th

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

Desirability

Ranks & confidence
Desirability score
36.7/100 — Below average
National rank
4352nd in Australia
State rank
851st in VIC
Peer rank
#89 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
Cohort rank
#380 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
70%

Data sources & freshness

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

Population

Estimated resident population

800(June 2025)

+3.5% annual · +11.9% over 5 years · 95th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+3.5%
5-year growth
+11.9%
Change in 1 year
+27
Change in 5 years
+85
Growth rank in VIC
95th 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 +2.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
714
Median age
44
Median household income / week
$2,302
Dwelling vacancy
7.8%
Unoccupied private dwellings
19 of 243
Median monthly mortgage
$2,210
Employment rate
59.3%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
226 / 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)
20
Against the person
4
Against property
14
Rate per 1,000 residents
25
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 178 residents
State safety percentile
19.7th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+42.9%

Most common offence types

  • A211 Fv Serious Assault3
  • B21 Criminal Damage3
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle4
  • B49 Other Theft3
  • Other Crimes Against The Person1

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Public transport

1 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Bullengarook CFA/Bacchus Marsh Rd

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

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

  • Bullengarook Recreation ReservePark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
11
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 (17.9 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)
25
Participants per 1,000 residents
31.2

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
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).

22 planning-related records

2021· 10 proposals

  • August 2021

  • Development of a Horse Arena Building and a Domestic Outbuilding (Shed) and Removal of Vegetation (Two Non-Native Trees)
    959 BACCHUS MARSH ROAD BULLENGAROOK 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Development of the Land for a Replacement Dwelling and Removal of Non-native Vegetation (19 Trees)
    841 BACCHUS MARSH ROAD BULLENGAROOK 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use of the Land for Animal Husbandry.
    1136 BACCHUS MARSH ROAD BULLENGAROOK 3437No permit required

  • April 2021

  • Development of an extension to existing dwelling.
    1526 BACCHUS MARSH ROAD BULLENGAROOK 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Development of the Land for a Dwelling and Removal of Vegetation
    95 COFFEYS ROAD BULLENGAROOK 3437Withdrawn

  • March 2021

  • Construction of a replacement dwelling (Amendment sought to allow original dwelling to be decommissioned instead of being demolished or removed and modify conditions).
    917 Bacchus Marsh RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Land use for Agriculture (propagate, cultivate and/or harvest flowers)
    67 WILLIAM ROAD BULLENGAROOK 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for a replacement dwelling and vegetation removal and lopping
    821 BACCHUS MARSH ROAD BULLENGAROOK 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Development of the land for a replacement dwelling and two (2) 48,000L Water Tanks
    47 DOHONEY ROAD BULLENGAROOK 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of a dwelling, outbuilding and associated works and vegetation removal (Amendment sought to construct a verandah and additional outbuilding)
    103 Spotiswood RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 12 proposals

  • November 2020

  • Development of an outbuilding (shed).
    71 Dunne RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • Development of a verandah to existing dwelling.
    292 Walsh RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • Use and development of a dwelling, outbuilding and associated works.
    863 BACCHUS MARSH ROAD BULLENGAROOK 3437In progress
  • Development of an outbuilding (shed).
    24 Waterloo Flat RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of an outbuilding and removal of vegetation
    829 Bacchus Marsh RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Development of an outbuilding (shed).
    50 White RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • Development of an outbuilding (Shed)
    1180 Bacchus Marsh RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the Land for an Extension to an Existing Dwelling and two (2) Water Tanks
    1010 Bacchus Marsh RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of three (3) outbuildings (pavilion, garden shed and studio)
    17 William RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2020

  • Development of an Outbuilding (Shed) and a Water Tank
    35 Dineen RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2020

  • Construct buildings and works (Agricultural shed)
    16 Carrolls LanePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two (2) lot subdivision
    1 PYRETE ROAD BULLENGAROOK 3437Permit 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
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
McEwen
Member of Parliament
Rob MITCHELL (Australian Labor Party)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
117,921
Turnout (2025)
93.5%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+0.9 pp toward Labor

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 45.2%Labor 54.8%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 14.6 km away).

Coalition 52.4%Labor 47.6%

7.1 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: -3.9 pp toward Coalition

Nearest polling places

  • BullengarookLabor 45.5% · Coalition 54.5% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
  • Gisborne SouthLabor 59.0% · Coalition 41.0% TPP (2025)7.6 km away
  • GisborneLabor 57.2% · Coalition 42.8% TPP (2025)7.8 km away
  • New GisborneLabor 55.7% · Coalition 44.3% TPP (2025)8.7 km away
  • MacedonLabor 65.6% · Coalition 34.4% TPP (2025)8.9 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)
9/10

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 Macedon Ranges Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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