suburb.guide

VIC · Greater Bendigo Council

California Gully, 3556

Est. population · Jun 2025

4,524

Growth (1 yr)

+0.6%

Growth (5 yr)

+5.4%

Median age

39

Median income

$1,054/wk

Employment rate

48.1%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$562,500

Languages at home

8.1%non-English

Most common: Australian Indigenous languages, Greek, Tagalog

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

51.6/100
Average

Top 34% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 96% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • Excellent transport
  • High desirability
  • Education hub
  • Café precinct
What California Gully is known for: Green suburb, Excellent transport, High desirability, Education hub, Café precinct

Suburb profile

California Gully is a hillside mid-sized suburb in Greater Bendigo Council, with elevated streets and a greener, quieter pace. Neighbouring centres cover more of the weekly rhythm than the distant capital does. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with family life visible on every street.

Sport and recreation are easy to access, with local venues supporting active weekends and after-work routines. Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many regional towns, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible.

Purchase and rent costs sit on the more affordable side of the local range. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.

Against similar regional towns, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because community and employment, plus safety lag behind, despite relative strength in growth momentum. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

California Gully snapshot

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

Median house price

$563k

+24% change

Median rent

$475/wk

Population (ERP)

4,524

+0.6% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

5.0%

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

#23

among Country & regional · Emerging

Safety

82nd

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

55th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

1/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

12th

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
51.6/100 — Average
State standing
Top 34% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
1949th in Australia
State rank
428th in VIC
Peer rank
#23 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
Cohort rank
#95 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
96%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

All types (Sep 2025 (council median))
$475
Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$562,500
Median price change
+24%

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

Population

Estimated resident population

4,524(June 2025)

+0.6% annual · +5.4% over 5 years · 55th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.6%
5-year growth
+5.4%
Change in 1 year
+25
Change in 5 years
+232
Growth rank in VIC
55th 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 (~5,000), extrapolated at +1.9% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
4,476
Median age
39
Median household income / week
$1,054
Dwelling vacancy
5%
Unoccupied private dwellings
94 of 1,870
Median monthly mortgage
$1,200
Employment rate
48.1%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
1,690 / 63 / 15 (+ 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)
580
Against the person
170
Against property
149
Rate per 1,000 residents
128.2
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 26 residents
State safety percentile
82th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+2.8%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage52
  • C32 Drug Possession32
  • D12 Prohibited And Controlled Weapons Offences43
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order123
  • Other Crimes Against The Person78

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
6
Median school ICSEA (6 schools)
904
Median ICSEA percentile
12th
School list
  • St Liborius' SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1018 · 55th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 258 students · Top SEA quarter 13% · 0.7 km awayView on My School →
  • Eaglehawk Secondary CollegeSecondary · Government · ICSEA 922 · 16th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 561 students · Top SEA quarter 4% · 1.0 km awayView on My School →
  • California Gully Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 913 · 14th percentile · LBOTE 1% · 181 students · Top SEA quarter 0% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
  • Eaglehawk Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 869 · 6th percentile · LBOTE 14% · 159 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
  • Lightning Reef Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 858 · 5th percentile · LBOTE 43% · 165 students · Top SEA quarter 1% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
  • Kalianna SchoolSpecial · Government · ICSEA 895 · 10th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 221 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap

  • Neangar KindergartenWatson Avenuekindergarten

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated

Public transport

24 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Bendigo-Eaglehawk Rd/Eaglehawk Rd
  • Sandhurst Rd/Eaglehawk Rd
  • Speedy St/Eaglehawk Rd
  • Thorpe St/Eaglehawk Rd
  • Weatherall St/Eaglehawk Rd

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

111 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

1 pubs · 2 fast food · 3 playgrounds · 1 sports centres · 31 swimming pools · 1 petrol stations · 1 post offices

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • A car helps for daily errands
  • Great for outdoor family life — 3 parks mapped in suburb, 3 playgrounds nearby
  • Well connected by public transport — 24 public transport stops
  • Strong local sport and recreation — 37 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
Walkability proxy
36/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0.67
Parks per 1,000 residents
0.67
Food & drink(3)
  • Cal Gully TakeawayFast food

    309 Eaglehawk Road, California Gully

  • McDonald'sFast food
  • White Horse HotelPub

    305 Eaglehawk Road, California Gully

Shopping(2)
  • California Gully Quality MeatsButcher

    317 Eaglehawk Road, California Gully

  • Sandhurst Milk BarConvenience store

    28 Sandhurst Road

Community(3)
  • California Gully Mechanics Institute HallCommunity centre

    8-12 School Street, California Gully

  • Neangar KindergartenKindergarten

    25 Watson Avenue

  • California Gully Primary SchoolSchool

    4-14 Staley Street

Sport & outdoors(40)
  • Bright Street ParkPark
  • Park
  • Truscott ReservePark
  • Pirate PlaygroundPlayground
  • Playground (2)
  • Sloan Swim SchoolSports centre

    76 Wood Street, California Gully

  • California Gully OvalSports field
  • Sports field
  • Swimming pool (31)
Transport(14)

14 bus stops

Other(21)
  • Highgrove BathroomsBathroom Furnishing

    320A Eaglehawk Road, California Gully

  • Bench
  • Borough Tyre & AutoCar repair

    328-330 Eaglehawk Road, California Gully

  • Car repair
  • H & V PearceCar repair

    80 Wood Street, California Gully

  • HG AutomotiveCar repair

    12A Dowding Street, California Gully

  • Jamie Hackett MotorsCar repair

    78 Wood Street, California Gully

  • Op ShopCharity

    324 Eaglehawk Road, California Gully

  • ASQ Garden & LandscapeGarden Centre
  • Parking (16)
  • Parking Space (13)
  • Waiting Bay 1Parking Space
  • Waiting Bay 2Parking Space
  • AmpolPetrol station

    51 Sandhurst Road

  • Eaglehawk Hire & SalesPlant Hire

    92-94 Wood Street, California Gully

  • Post Box (2)
  • AustralIa PostPost office

    313 Eaglehawk Road, California Gully

  • Shelter
  • St Laurence CourtSocial Facility

    112 Upper California Gully Road

  • TelstraTelephone
  • Waste Basket

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

2 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Bright Street ParkPark
  • Truscott ReservePark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
8
Parks (OSM)
3

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
Emergency Department (2.9 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)
295
Participants per 1,000 residents
65.2

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).

43 planning-related records

2021· 22 proposals

  • August 2021

  • 2 lot subdivision
    12 PARKER STREET CALIFORNIA GULLY 3556Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of an outbuilding
    13 EVANS STREET CALIFORNIA GULLY 3556Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Development of a second dwelling on the land and 2 Lot Subdivision
    48 NELSON STREET CALIFORNIA GULLY 3556Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Subdivide land into 3 lots, demolish outbuilding and alter access to a road in a Road Zone Category 1
    352 EAGLEHAWK ROAD CALIFORNIA GULLY 3556Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use of existing hall for dancing studio, including a display sign and parking to the satisfaction of the responsible authority (amended conditions of permit- increase number of patrons and increased hours of operation)
    107 UPPER CALIFORNIA GULLY ROAD CALIFORNIA GULLY 3556NOD issued by a delegate
  • Installation of a weighbridge
    41 TURNER STREET CALIFORNIA GULLY 3556Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Development of the land for a dwelling
    173 UPPER CALIFORNIA GULLY ROAD CALIFORNIA GULLY 3556Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Construction of 2 dwellings on a lot and 2 lot subdivision (amended permit and plans for design changes)
    3 Meggs CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 2 lot subdivision
    12 Brown StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 3 lot subdivision of land
    15 Llewellyn CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Development of a Second Dwelling on a Lot and 2 Lot Subdivision
    48 Nelson StreetLapsed
  • Construction of a dwelling
    70A Averys RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Demolition of existing house and construction of dwelling
    10 Vinton StreetNo permit required
  • Construction of Dependent Persons Unit
    1 Whitfield CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Part demolition and external alterations to an existing dwelling.
    270 Eaglehawk RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use of existing hall for dancing studio, including a display sign and parking to the satisfaction of the responsible authority
    107 Upper California Gully RoadNOD issued by a delegate

  • February 2021

  • Buildings and works for the extension of an undercover truck area to the rear of the existing warehouse
    84-90 Wood StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a dwelling
    18A Staley StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of land for self storage buildings
    14 Stafford StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2021

  • Construction of a dwelling
    9 Westwood DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of 3 dwellings
    15 Llewellyn CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a dwelling
    70B Averys RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 18 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Use of land for a restricted retail, display signage and reduction in car parking (retrospective)
    8 Stafford StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • 6 lot subdivision and creation of easement, construction of 6 dwellings and removal of vegetation
    347 EAGLEHAWK ROAD CALIFORNIA GULLY 3556NOD issued by a delegate
  • Construction of two dwellings
    4 Meggs CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • Construction of 14 dwellings and waiver of visitor parking requirements
    25 ALLIANCE AVENUE CALIFORNIA GULLY 3556Refusal issued by the Resp. Authority
  • Construction of 3 dwellings on a lot and 4 lot subdivision (Amended plans to allow for design change)
    31 Dowding StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Construction of dependant persons unit
    6 Meggs CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 2 lot subdivision
    8 Arblaster StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • Construction of 30 dwellings and subdivision of the land into 30 lots
    17-35 Poplar StreetWithdrawn
  • Extension to existing warehouse and the creation and alteration of access to a road zone category 1 (Amended plans to allow for design changes - relocation of parking and addition of 3 windows
    42 Sandhurst RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of land for the purpose of restricted recreation facility (to run private swimming and water safety classes) (Amended permit to allow for an increase in the hours of operation)
    76B Wood StreetWithdrawn

  • June 2020

  • Use and development of a store on the land
    80 Wood StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 2 lot subdivision
    50 Nelson StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2020

  • Replace roof on existing dwelling
    270 Eaglehawk RoadNo permit required

  • April 2020

  • Two lot subdivision. (Amended plans to change allotment configurations)
    18 Pearce StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of 5 dwellings, associated outbuildings, and alteration to vehicle crossover
    37 BARRELL STREET CALIFORNIA GULLY 3556Refusal issued by the Resp. Authority
  • Construction of a dependent persons unit. Amended plans to allow for design change
    33 Gill AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2020

  • Use of land for industry (storage and servicing of trucks and equipment) and reduction of car parking
    84-90 Wood StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Subdivision of land into six lots; construction of five dwellings; removal of easement E2 on LP131693; and creation of easements
    42 Nelson StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

1 active roadworks / incidents

  • Council Works activities occurring between 12/06/2026 and 29/01/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.SANDHURST ROAD, EAGLEHAWK ROAD11 Jun 2026 – 28 Jan 2027

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated

Heritage

2 heritage places

  • CALIFORNIA GULLY PRIMARY SCHOOLNH1623
  • FORMER METHODIST CHURCHNH0692

Data sources & freshness

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

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
Bendigo
Member of Parliament
Lisa CHESTERS (Australian Labor Party)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
120,088
Turnout (2025)
94.0%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+51.4 pp toward Labor

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 48.6%Labor 51.4%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 3.9 km away).

Coalition 44.8%Labor 55.2%

3.8 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +55.2 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • California GullyLabor 56.5% · Coalition 43.5% TPP (2025)0.9 km away
  • EaglehawkLabor 49.0% · Coalition 51.0% TPP (2025)1.0 km away
  • Eaglehawk EastLabor 55.6% · Coalition 44.4% TPP (2025)1.1 km away
  • Bendigo NorthLabor 56.3% · Coalition 43.7% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
  • Long GullyLabor 66.0% · Coalition 34.0% TPP (2025)1.8 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)
1/10
IRSD decile (2021)
1/10

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 Greater Bendigo Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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