Median house price
$345k
+41% change
VIC · Buloke Council
Donald, 3480
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,408
Growth (1 yr)
-0.6%
Growth (5 yr)
-4.3%
Median age
52
Median income
$1,044/wk
Employment rate
46%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$345,000
Languages at home
5.5%non-English
Most common: Malayalam, Filipino, Sinhalese
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Education hub
- Heritage area
- Excellent transport
Suburb profile
Donald is a quieter smaller community in Buloke Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood. 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. Housing is more affordable than in many parts of the state.
Local crime has been trending higher of late. Light infill development is updating a few streets while the wider area stays largely unchanged.
Against similar regional towns, the suburb sits below average overall, mainly because community and employment lag behind, despite relative strength in growth momentum. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Donald snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
1,408
-0.6% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
13.4%
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
#204
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
55th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
2nd
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
2/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
32nd
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
- 34.7/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4752nd in Australia
- State rank
- 912th in VIC
- Peer rank
- #204 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #434 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)
- $345,000
- Median price change
- +40.8%
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DFFH rent report and Valuer-General property sales report — Department of Families, Fairness and Housing / Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · 4th Quarter 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases; council median rent fallback where suburb rent unavailable
Population
Estimated resident population
1,408(June 2025)
-0.6% annual · -4.3% over 5 years · 2th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- -0.6%
- 5-year growth
- -4.3%
- Change in 1 year
- -8
- Change in 5 years
- -64
- 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 (~1,350), extrapolated at -0.7% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,472
- Median age
- 52
- Median household income / week
- $1,044
- Dwelling vacancy
- 13.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 94 of 699
- Median monthly mortgage
- $815
- Employment rate
- 46%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 566 / 8 / 24 (+ 7 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)
- 83
- Against the person
- 4
- Against property
- 52
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 58.9
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 368 residents
- State safety percentile
- 55th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +72.9%
Most common offence types
- B21 Criminal Damage5
- B41 Motor Vehicle Theft10
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle6
- B49 Other Theft11
- C32 Drug Possession10
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
- 3
- Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
- 968
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 32th
School list
- Donald High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 968 · 32th percentile · LBOTE 11% · 93 students · Top SEA quarter 4%View on My School →
- Donald Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 964 · 31th percentile · LBOTE 12% · 81 students · Top SEA quarter 4%View on My School →
- St Mary's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1001 · 47th percentile · LBOTE 17% · 28 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
Public transport
3 public transport stops in this suburb
- Post Office/Sunraysia Hwy
- Post Office/Sunraysia Hwy
- Post Office/Sunraysia Hwy
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
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
6 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Apex ParkPark
- Donald I146 Bushland ReserveNature reserve
- Donald I147 Bushland ReserveNature reserve
- Donald Public ParkPark
- Donald Recreation ReservePark
- Lake Buloke Wildlife Management Co-operative AreaNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 29
- Parks (OSM)
- 6
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
- East Wimmera Health Service - Donald Campus (3.9 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- On site
- East Wimmera Health Service - Donald CampusHospital
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)
- 39
- 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
- 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
- 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).
18 planning-related records
2021· 8 proposals
May 2021
- Construction of a machinery shed22 CAMP STREET DONALD 3480Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Two lot subdivision of land and use and development of land for animal production (cattle)SUNRAYSIA HIGHWAY DONALD 3480Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a domestic shed65 Woods StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
April 2021
- Works and removal of native vegatation to extend race trackRacecourse RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Two lot subdivision (rural dwelling excision)35 Aitken AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2021
- Two lot subdivision (boundary realignment) and use and development of land for one dwelling per lot (two dwellngs)AITKEN AVENUE DONALD 3480Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
February 2021
- Construct and display a double sided, non-illuminated major promotion sign5 Woods StreetRefusal issued by the Resp. Authority
January 2021
- Construction of six units, garage and storage shed associated with existing age care and residential living facility22 Camp StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 10 proposals
December 2020
- Construction of a shed for machinery storage and servicing36 Tower RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construct and display an internally illuminated sign with an electronic price board31 Bunker RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
November 2020
- Building and works to locate a sevice station (self-bunded fuel cell)31 Bunker RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Building and works to construct an extension to an existing food production facility22 Racecourse RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
October 2020
- Building and works to locate an office/amenities building31 Bunker RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a hay shed591 Donald-Stawell RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
September 2020
- Construction of a 5m x 4m outdoor deck at rear of existing dwelling12 Willow CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2020
- Extension to a building8 Racecourse RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
February 2020
- Construction of a domestic shed17 Camp StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
January 2020
- Church7 Blair StreetPermit 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
Heritage
3 heritage places
- DONALD SHIRE OFFICESNH2437
- GEORGIES HUT (CHINESE MARKET GARDEN)NH0873
- TAGGERTY BUFFET CARYH2318
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
- 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 50.3 km away).
Coalition 73.5%Labor 26.5%
4.5 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -0.1 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- DonaldLabor 26.8% · Coalition 73.2% TPP (2025)7.5 km away
- WycheproofLabor 22.6% · Coalition 77.4% TPP (2025)35.3 km away
- CharltonLabor 29.8% · Coalition 70.2% TPP (2025)35.6 km away
- BirchipLabor 20.3% · Coalition 79.7% TPP (2025)36.2 km away
- MinyipLabor 25.2% · Coalition 74.8% TPP (2025)37.2 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)
- 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
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
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.