suburb.guide

VIC · Corangamite Council

Cobden, 3266

Est. population · Jun 2025

1,759

Growth (1 yr)

-0.3%

Growth (5 yr)

-1.6%

Median age

51

Median income

$1,162/wk

Employment rate

51.4%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$455,000

Languages at home

1.3%non-English

Most common: Greek, Nepali

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

45.4/100
Average

Top 47% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 93% confidence

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

Suburb profile

Cobden is a quieter smaller community in Corangamite Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. Weekends tend to revolve around local favourites: a café, a market run, a walk through town.

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. Buses link the suburb to surrounding neighbourhoods.

Housing is more affordable than in many parts of the state. Renewal is happening in measured doses, with new development complementing what is already there.

Desirability lands around average here: softer community and employment, plus schools and education weighing on the result versus similar regional towns, even with growth momentum holding up better.

At a glance

Cobden snapshot

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

Median house price

$455k

+31% change

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

1,759

-0.3% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

11.4%

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

#61

among Country & regional · Mature

Safety

64th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

3rd

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

2/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

37th

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
45.4/100 — Average
State standing
Top 47% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
2852nd in Australia
State rank
587th in VIC
Peer rank
#61 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#178 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
93%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$455,000
Median price change
+30.9%

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

1,759(June 2025)

-0.3% annual · -1.6% over 5 years · 3th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
-0.3%
5-year growth
-1.6%
Change in 1 year
-6
Change in 5 years
-28
Growth rank in VIC
3th 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 (~1,700), extrapolated at -0.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
1,804
Median age
51
Median household income / week
$1,162
Dwelling vacancy
11.4%
Unoccupied private dwellings
94 of 824
Median monthly mortgage
$1,083
Employment rate
51.4%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
674 / 56 / 0 (+ 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)
128
Against the person
30
Against property
45
Rate per 1,000 residents
72.8
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 60 residents
State safety percentile
64.1th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+4.1%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage15
  • B49 Other Theft11
  • E13 Resist Or Hinder Officer12
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order12
  • Other Crimes Against The Person11

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
1
Median school ICSEA
978
Median ICSEA percentile
37th
School list
  • Cobden Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 978 · 37th percentile · LBOTE 3% · 123 students · Top SEA quarter 4% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

5 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Bond St/Camperdown-Cobden Rd
  • Bond St/Camperdown-Cobden Rd
  • Cobden Post Office/Curdie St
  • McKenzie St/Curdie St
  • McKenzie St/Curdie St

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

15 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

1 cafes · 1 pubs · 1 supermarkets

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • A car helps for daily errands
  • Great for outdoor family life — 9 parks mapped in suburb
Walkability proxy
37/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0.55
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
1.11
Parks per 1,000 residents
4.99
Food & drink(2)
  • Cafe
  • Cobden HotelPub
Shopping(1)
  • Ritchies Supa IGASupermarket
Community(1)
  • Cobden Primary SchoolSchool

    18 Silvester Street

Health & services(1)
  • Cobden HospitalHospital
Sport & outdoors(2)
  • Cobden Botanic GardensPark
  • Park
Transport(1)

1 bus stops

Other(4)
  • Parking (4)
  • Cobden - Victoria StreetPublic toilets
  • Public toilets
  • BBQ shelterShelter

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

1 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Cobden Botanic GardensPark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
15
Parks (OSM)
9

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
1
Nearest hospital
Cobden Hospital (1.3 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
On site
  • Cobden HospitalHospital

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
50
Participants per 1,000 residents
28.4

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
25° / 11°
Rainfall
117 mm · ~15 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
20° / 9°
Rainfall
157 mm · ~20 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
13° / 5°
Rainfall
211 mm · ~26 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
18° / 7°
Rainfall
201 mm · ~25 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).

28 planning-related records

2021· 12 proposals

  • August 2021

  • Buildings and works to construct a verandah and display business identification signage
    50 VICTORIA STREET COBDEN 3266Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works Associated with Outdoor Recreation (Cobden Mini-Golf Storage Shed Extension)
    29 GRAYLAND STREET COBDEN 3266Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Two Lot Subdivision (Boundary Realignment)
    7-11 LORD STREET COBDEN 3266Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Five (5) Lot Subdivision and Creation of Access to a Road in Road Zone Category 1 (Curdie Street)
    67 CURDIE STREET COBDEN 3266Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Two Lot Subdivision (Excision of Dwelling)
    54 Cemetery RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • Use of Land for a Camping and Caravan Park (Free Camp)
    Golf coursePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Three Lot Subdivision
    43 ROBERTS ROAD COBDEN 3266Lapsed
  • Buildings and Works Associated with Office Building (Installation of Storage Container and Construction of Roof Structure)
    12 Curdie StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Buildings and Works for Construction of Outbuilding
    421 Lavers Hill-Cobden RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works for a dog wash
    1236 CAMPERDOWN-COBDEN ROAD COBDEN 3266Lapsed

  • February 2021

  • Display of Business Identification Signage and Exterior Painting
    31 Curdie StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2021

  • Buildings and Works Associated with Open Sports Ground (Installation of New Lighting System for Netball Courts)
    Parrott StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 16 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Use of land for Motor Repairs
    24 Mills RoadWithdrawn

  • October 2020

  • Buildings and works associated with rural industry (covered area)
    9 L Graylands RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works for alterations and extension to existing dwelling
    10 Cobden-Scotts Creek RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • Buildings and works for the construction of a Store associated with Industry
    1-3 Station StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Development of the Land for a Dwelling and Outbuilding
    Blandford StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Erection and Display of Floodlit Double Sided Major Promotional Sign
    1232 Camperdown-Cobden RoadRefusal issued by the Resp. Authority
  • Display of Business Identification Signage
    28 Silvester StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two Lot Subdivision
    1 Stirling StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • Buildings and works for construction of extension to carport
    13-15 Curdie StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2020

  • Two Lot Subdivision (Boundary Realignment)
    26 Shenfield StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Three Lot Subdivision
    26 Shenfield StreetWithdrawn

  • May 2020

  • Buildings and works for the construction of a building associated with a cemetery (amenities building)
    195 Cemetery RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works for Alterations and Additions to Building
    1236 Camperdown-Cobden RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2020

  • Buildings and works for the construction of a Store associated with an Outdoor Recreation Facility (Cobden Miniature Railway and Mini Golf Park)
    29 Grayland StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2020

  • Use of land for group accommodation
    131 Boundary RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works for Construction of an Outbuilding
    31 N Graylands RoadPermit 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
Wannon
Member of Parliament
Dan TEHAN (Liberal)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
121,788
Turnout (2025)
94.0%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
-2.3 pp toward Coalition

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 60.9%Labor 39.1%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 20.7 km away).

Coalition 74.7%Labor 25.4%

13.7 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +25.4 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • CobdenLabor 25.4% · Coalition 74.6% TPP (2025)0.8 km away
  • CamperdownLabor 33.7% · Coalition 66.3% TPP (2025)11.7 km away
  • Scotts CreekLabor 21.7% · Coalition 78.3% TPP (2025)13.4 km away
  • CarpendeitLabor 18.2% · Coalition 81.8% TPP (2025)14.5 km away
  • Ecklin SouthLabor 13.1% · Coalition 86.9% TPP (2025)15.8 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)
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 Corangamite Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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