suburb.guide

VIC · Buloke Council

Charlton, 3525

Est. population · Jun 2025

1,047

Growth (1 yr)

-0.6%

Growth (5 yr)

-4.4%

Median age

56

Median income

$958/wk

Employment rate

44.7%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$320,000

Languages at home

3.5%non-English

Mostly English at home

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

34.1/100
Below average

939th in VIC

Verified 100% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • National parks
  • Education hub
  • Excellent transport
  • High desirability
What Charlton is known for: Green suburb, National parks, Education hub, Excellent transport, High desirability

Suburb profile

In Buloke Council, Charlton keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting.

Local shops are sparse, so a fuller set of amenities usually means travelling to a neighbouring town or regional hub. Green space punches above what many regional towns offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area.

Homes are relatively cheap compared with the wider market, which keeps entry costs lower. A trickle of new development is refreshing selected pockets without changing the overall feel.

Desirability sits below average overall, with local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus community and employment the main drag compared with similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Charlton snapshot

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

Median house price

$320k

+16% change

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

1,047

-0.6% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

17.6%

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

#214

among Country & regional · Mature

Safety

57th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

2nd

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

2/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

48th

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
34.1/100 — Below average
National rank
4856th in Australia
State rank
939th in VIC
Peer rank
#214 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#457 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
100%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$320,000
Median price change
+16.4%

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

1,047(June 2025)

-0.6% annual · -4.4% over 5 years · 2th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
-0.6%
5-year growth
-4.4%
Change in 1 year
-6
Change in 5 years
-48
Growth rank in VIC
2th 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 (~1,000), extrapolated at -0.7% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
1,095
Median age
56
Median household income / week
$958
Dwelling vacancy
17.6%
Unoccupied private dwellings
102 of 579
Median monthly mortgage
$758
Employment rate
44.7%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
450 / 20 / 3 (+ 4 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 are unchanged compared with the previous period.

Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
64
Against the person
9
Against property
33
Rate per 1,000 residents
61.1
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 122 residents
State safety percentile
56.7th (lower crime is better)
No change (daily rate)
0%

Most common offence types

  • B322 Non-Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary7
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle10
  • B49 Other Theft8
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order16
  • E22 Breach Intervention Order4

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
2
Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
1,002
Median ICSEA percentile
48th
School list
  • Charlton CollegeCombined · Government · ICSEA 995 · 44th percentile · LBOTE 7% · 123 students · Top SEA quarter 14%View on My School →
  • St Joseph's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1009 · 51th percentile · LBOTE 20% · 38 students · Top SEA quarter 16%View 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

  • kindergartenkindergarten

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

  • Travellers Rest/John Curtin Dr
  • Travellers Rest/John Curtin Dr

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

7 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Charlton East I160 Bushland ReserveNature reserve
  • Charlton East I161 Bushland ReserveNature reserve
  • Charlton West I149 Bushland ReserveNature reserve
  • Elliot GardensPark
  • Gordon ParkPark
  • Park or reserveNature reserve
  • Rotary ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
49
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

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
3
Nearest hospital
East Wimmera Health Service - Charlton Campus (2.6 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
On site
  • Charlton PharmacyPharmacy
  • East Wimmera Health Service - Charlton CampusHospital
  • YesYes

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
29
Participants per 1,000 residents
27.7

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

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
30° / 14°
Rainfall
75 mm · ~9 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
23° / 9°
Rainfall
87 mm · ~11 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
15° / 4°
Rainfall
107 mm · ~13 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
22° / 8°
Rainfall
111 mm · ~14 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).

19 planning-related records

2021· 4 proposals

  • March 2021

  • Use and developemt of land for a store (shipping container)
    4 ARUNDELL SQUARE CHARLTON 3525Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Dwelling (studio cabin)
    5 Gunyah Flat RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a commercial shed for retail business
    7 Lundy StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Change category of liquor licence, vary hours, increase red line area and patron capacity
    16 to 18 Mildura WayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 15 proposals

  • October 2020

  • Construction of a single dwelling
    40 Armstrong StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • Use and development of land for a service station (self bunded diesel fuel cell)
    148 to 150 High StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Construction of a shed
    Back St Arnaud RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of horse stalls
    Mildura WayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a carport
    52 High StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a hay shed
    44 Wright StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a shed and removal of three buildings
    Mildura WayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • Construction of a golf cart shed
    286 Golf Links RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2020

  • Construction of a domestic shed
    21 Kaye StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2020

  • Carport ancillary to a dwelling
    7 Donald RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2020

  • Footpath, fence and covered walkway at Traveller's Rest
    John Curtain DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Disabled access ramp
    5 Armstrong StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2020

  • Removal of 2.1 metres of hedge
    11 Peel StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2020

  • Demolition of existing dwelling and construction of a new dwelling
    7 Orr StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Extension to the Rex Theatre for the provision of amenities and storage
    30 to 34 High StreetPermit 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 50.7 km away).

Coalition 70.3%Labor 29.7%

1.2 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +1.9 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • CharltonLabor 29.8% · Coalition 70.2% TPP (2025)1.5 km away
  • WycheproofLabor 22.6% · Coalition 77.4% TPP (2025)25.1 km away
  • WedderburnLabor 35.8% · Coalition 64.2% TPP (2025)28.8 km away
  • DonaldLabor 26.8% · Coalition 73.2% TPP (2025)33.9 km away
  • St ArnaudLabor 29.6% · Coalition 70.4% TPP (2025)37.5 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)
2/10
IRSD decile (2021)
2/10

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 Buloke Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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