suburb.guide

VIC · Ballarat Council

Durham Lead, 3352

Est. population · Jun 2025

418

Growth (1 yr)

+0.7%

Growth (5 yr)

+4.8%

Median age

44

Median income

$1,916/wk

Employment rate

63.4%

Languages at home

4.9%non-English

Mostly English at home

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

30.4/100
Below average

1064th in VIC

Verified 62% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • National parks
  • High desirability
What Durham Lead is known for: National parks, High desirability

Suburb profile

Durham Lead offers a slower smaller community life in Ballarat Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with plenty of young families in the mix. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name.

Local green pockets are modest, with bigger outdoor outings usually found in neighbouring areas. A car helps for most daily errands, with fewer amenities clustered within an easy walk. Housing sits above the suburban middle: not the top of the market, but clearly pricier than average.

Crime reports are up on the previous period. A trickle of new development is refreshing selected pockets without changing the overall feel.

Against similar regional towns, the suburb sits below average overall, mainly because parks and green space, plus local dining and lifestyle amenities lag behind, despite relative strength in community and employment. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Durham Lead snapshot

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

Median house price

—

No data available

Median rent

$430/wk

Population (ERP)

418

+0.7% 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

#126

among Country & regional · Established

Safety

11th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

60th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

7/10

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
30.4/100 — Below average
National rank
5508th in Australia
State rank
1064th in VIC
Peer rank
#126 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#562 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
62%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

All types (Sep 2025 (council median))
$430

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

418(June 2025)

+0.7% annual · +4.8% over 5 years · 60th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.7%
5-year growth
+4.8%
Change in 1 year
+3
Change in 5 years
+19
Growth rank in VIC
60th 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 (~450), extrapolated at +1.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
408
Median age
44
Median household income / week
$1,916
Dwelling vacancy
11.4%
Unoccupied private dwellings
18 of 158
Median monthly mortgage
$1,850
Employment rate
63.4%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
141 / 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)
7
Against the person
0
Against property
7
Rate per 1,000 residents
16.7
State safety percentile
11.4th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+40%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage1
  • B41 Motor Vehicle Theft1
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle1
  • B49 Other Theft4

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Amenities

1 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Limited walkable amenities nearby
Walkability proxy
0/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
0
Other(1)
  • Durham Lead Bushland ReserveNature Reserve

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

  • Durham Lead Bushland ReserveNature reserve

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
1
Parks (OSM)
0

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
Queen Elizabeth Centre (16.0 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)
12
Participants per 1,000 residents
28.7

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
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).

21 planning-related records

2021· 11 proposals

  • August 2021

  • Alterations and addition to existing dwelling
    638 BUNINYONG - MOUNT MERCER ROAD DURHAM LEAD 3352Withdrawn
  • Development of a farm shed
    638 BUNINYONG - MOUNT MERCER ROAD DURHAM LEAD 3352Withdrawn
  • Use and development of a dwelling and outbuildings and removal of native vegetation
    CA 2B MACLEODS ROAD DURHAM LEAD 3352Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Buildings and works associated with a single dwelling
    75A SANDYS HILL ROAD DURHAM LEAD 3352Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a shed
    67 SLAUGHTERHOUSE ROAD DURHAM LEAD 3352Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Installation of a shipping container for storage
    679 BUNINYONG - MOUNT MERCER ROAD DURHAM LEAD 3352Withdrawn

  • April 2021

  • Development of a Shed Ancillary to an Existing Dwelling
    243 Sand RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Development of a replacement dwelling
    31 Smarts LanePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development for a dwelling
    Lot 2 Nicholsons RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of a dwelling and associated outbuilding and native vegetation removal
    LOT 1 BUNINYONG - MOUNT MERCER ROAD DURHAM LEAD 3352Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2021

  • Development of Two (2) Sheds Ancillary to an Existing Dwelling; Removal of Vegetation (1 tree)
    175 Sand RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 10 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Development and Use of a Dwelling (partially commenced)
    150 Sand RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • November 2020

  • Use and development of a single dwelling and shed and removal of native vegetation
    LOT 2 ALLUVIAL LANE DURHAM LEAD 3352Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • Extension to an outbuilding
    719 Buninyong - Mount Mercer RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • Construction of an outbuilding
    237 Sandys Hill RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a shed
    11 South Durham Bridge RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • Re-Advertisement S72 Amendment: Amend the plans and conditions on the permit Current Permit: Use and development of a dwelling, associated outbuilding and removal of native vegetation
    CA 3A BRENNANS ROAD DURHAM LEAD 3352Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2020

  • Development of a dam
    Lot 5 Sandys Hill RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2020

  • Use and development of a second dwelling
    475 Buninyong - Mount Mercer RoadLapsed
  • Development of a single dwelling, swimming pool and associated earthworks, and variation of a restriction
    51 Sandys Hill RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2020

  • The development of the land for a two lot subdivision (boundary re-alignment) and removal of native vegetation
    81 LOCKYERS 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
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
Ballarat
Member of Parliament
Catherine KING (Australian Labor Party)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
116,238
Turnout (2025)
93.3%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
-2.3 pp toward Coalition

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 39.3%Labor 60.7%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 13.8 km away).

Coalition 37.1%Labor 62.9%

2.3 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: -1.1 pp toward Coalition

Nearest polling places

  • BuninyongLabor 62.8% · Coalition 37.2% TPP (2025)5.1 km away
  • NapoleonsLabor 60.1% · Coalition 39.9% TPP (2025)5.7 km away
  • Mount ClearLabor 67.0% · Coalition 33.0% TPP (2025)9.9 km away
  • MagpieLabor 62.0% · Coalition 38.0% TPP (2025)10.0 km away
  • SebastopolLabor 69.5% · Coalition 30.5% TPP (2025)12.1 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)
7/10
IRSD decile (2021)
7/10

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 Ballarat Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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