Median house price
$592k
+12% change
VIC · Greater Bendigo Council
Flora Hill, 3550
Est. population · Jun 2025
3,991
Growth (1 yr)
+0.1%
Growth (5 yr)
-0.3%
Median age
32
Median income
$1,347/wk
Employment rate
60.3%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$592,000
Languages at home
10.7%non-English
Most common: Mandarin, Cantonese, Gujarati
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- National parks
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Flora Hill is a regional mid-sized suburb in Greater Bendigo Council, oriented around local life rather than the metro orbit of Melbourne. The community skews younger, with plenty of young families in the mix. Fitness and outdoor sport options are a real part of local life, not just a distant club trip away.
Green space punches above what many regional towns offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Buses are a genuine asset, linking residents to work, study and nearby neighbourhoods. Housing is more affordable than in many parts of the state.
Local crime has been trending higher of late. Renewal is happening in measured doses, with new development complementing what is already there.
The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer community and employment compared with similar regional towns, though schools and education, plus growth momentum remain brighter spots.
At a glance
Flora Hill snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$460/wk
Population (ERP)
3,991
+0.1% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
10.3%
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
#18
among Country & regional · Growth area
Safety
86th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
44th
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
3/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
67th
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
- 50.6/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 36% of Victoria's suburbs
- National rank
- 2085th in Australia
- State rank
- 451st in VIC
- Peer rank
- #18 among Country & regional · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #111 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (Sep 2025)
- $460
- Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
- $592,000
- Median price change
- +12.3%
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
- DFFH rent report and Valuer-General property sales report — Department of Families, Fairness and Housing / Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · 4th Quarter 2025; Sep 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases; council median rent fallback where suburb rent unavailable
Population
Estimated resident population
3,991(June 2025)
+0.1% annual · -0.3% over 5 years · 44th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.1%
- 5-year growth
- -0.3%
- Change in 1 year
- +2
- Change in 5 years
- -13
- Growth rank in VIC
- 44th 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 (~4,050), extrapolated at +0.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 3,989
- Median age
- 32
- Median household income / week
- $1,347
- Dwelling vacancy
- 10.3%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 182 of 1,764
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,300
- Employment rate
- 60.3%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,282 / 276 / 17
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)
- 613
- Against the person
- 391
- Against property
- 116
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 153.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 10 residents
- State safety percentile
- 86.1th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +81.9%
Most common offence types
- A211 Fv Serious Assault16
- B21 Criminal Damage24
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle25
- E21 Breach Family Violence Order65
- Other Crimes Against The Person345
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
- 6
- Median school ICSEA (6 schools)
- 1,046.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 67th
School list
- Bendigo South East 7-10 Secondary CollegeSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1016 · 54th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 1,030 students · Top SEA quarter 18% · 0.6 km awayView on My School →
- Quarry Hill Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1037 · 63th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 324 students · Top SEA quarter 24% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
- Victory Christian CollegeCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1077 · 77th percentile · LBOTE 26% · 900 students · Top SEA quarter 30% · 1.6 km awayView on My School →
- Spring Gully Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1056 · 71th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 426 students · Top SEA quarter 30% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
- St Therese's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1076 · 77th percentile · LBOTE 17% · 460 students · Top SEA quarter 29% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
- Kennington Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 979 · 37th percentile · LBOTE 16% · 581 students · Top SEA quarter 15% · 1.8 km awayView 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
Childcare
2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap
- Goodstart Flora HillSomerville Streetkindergarten
- Shine Bright Flora Hill KindergartenSomerville Streetkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
32 public transport stops in this suburb
- Cook St/Retreat Rd
- Ellis St/Somerville St
- La Trobe University Bendigo/Ellis St
- La Trobe University Bendigo/Retreat Rd
- Miller St/Somerville St
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
149 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 pharmacies · 1 fast food · 1 bakeries · 2 places of worship · 5 playgrounds · 2 sports centres · 31 swimming pools · 1 post offices
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Great for outdoor family life — 4 parks mapped in suburb, 5 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 32 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 41 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 49/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.5
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1
Food & drink(2)
- Flora Hill BakehouseBakery
Unit Shop 1 13 Retreat Road
- Smokin' Joe's Pizza & GrillFast food
5 Somerville Street, Flora Hill
Shopping(2)
- Flora Hill Quality MeatsButcher
15 Retreat Road
Community(3)
- Goodstart Flora HillKindergarten
32 Somerville Street
- Shine Bright Flora Hill KindergartenKindergarten
23-23A Somerville Street
- Bendigo South East CollegeSchool
56-64 Ellis Street
Health & services(4)
- Somerville Street ClinicClinic
28A Somerville Street, Flora Hill
- Bendigo CosmeticsMedical clinic
28A Somerville Street, Flora Hill
- Bendigo Skin DoctorsMedical clinic
28A Somerville Street, Flora Hill
- Vanstan’s PharmacyPharmacy
Cnr Neale & Hammer Street, Flora Hill
Sport & outdoors(45)
- P BlockGym
- Park (3)
- Wolstencroft ReservePark
- Curtin Street PlayspacePlayground
- Playground (2)
- Somerville Street PlayspacePlayground
- Wolstencroft PlaygroundPlayground
- C BlockSports centre
- Lar Birpa Athletics ComplexSports centre
58 Retreat Road, Flora Hill
- Sports field
- Sports Field 1Sports field
- Swimming pool (31)
Entertainment(1)
- P BlockTheatre
Transport(19)
19 bus stops
Other(47)
- Drinking water (4)
- AA RadioElectronics
2 Ellis Street
- House of ClothFabric
Unit Shop 5 13 Retreat Road, Flora Hill
- Bendigo Funeral CentreFuneral Directors
29 Miller Street, Flora Hill
- Garden
- Advanced Hair Studio BendigoHairdresser
Unit Shop 4 11 Retreat Road, Flora Hill
- Hair RetreatHairdresser
15A Retreat Road, Flora Hill
- The Hair TheoryHairdresser
33 Somerville Street, Flora Hill
- Your Bendigo LaundromaLaundry
Unit Shop 3 13 Retreat Road, Flora Hill
- Kilmartin CourtOutdoor Seating
- P1Parking
- P10Parking
- P11Parking
- P13Parking
- P15Parking
- P17Parking
- P18Parking
- P19Parking
- P2Parking
- P20Parking
- P21Parking
- P22Parking
- P23Parking
- P24Parking
- P25Parking
- P26Parking
- P27Parking
- P28Parking
- P4Parking
- P5aParking
- P5bParking
- P6Parking
- P7Parking
- P7aParking
- P9Parking
- Parking (18)
- Patient Car ParkParking
- Parking Space
- Bendigo Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsPlace of worship
11 Houston Street, Flora Hill
- Holy TrinityPlace of worship
- Post Box
- Bendigo South LPOPost office
35 Somerville Street, Flora Hill
- Public toilets
- Shelter (2)
- mecwacare Flora HillSocial Facility
64 Somerville Street, Flora Hill
- Track (7)
- La Trobe University (Bendigo Campus)University
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
- Wolstencroft ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 8
- Parks (OSM)
- 4
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
Places of worship
2 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Bendigo Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
11 Houston Street, Flora Hill
- Holy Trinity
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 4
- Nearest hospital
- St John of God Bendigo Hospital (3.6 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Bendigo CosmeticsSomerville StreetDoctor
- Bendigo Skin DoctorsSomerville StreetDoctor
- Somerville Street ClinicSomerville StreetClinic
- Vanstan’s PharmacyNeale & Hammer StreetPharmacy
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)
- 181
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 45.4
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
- 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
- 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).
26 planning-related records
2021· 13 proposals
August 2021
- Partial demolition and extension of a dwelling, including replacement of fences (Amended plans for design changes)9 HALLAM STREET FLORA HILL 3550Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
- 6 lot subdivision and removal of native vegetation22 DRECHSLER STREET FLORA HILL 3550Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a dwelling7 DEAKIN DRIVE FLORA HILL 3550Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- 3 Lot subdivision; construction of 2 dwellings; and removal and creation of an easement54 RACE STREET FLORA HILL 3550Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2021
- 7 Lot subdivision (staged) (Amended permit and plans to stage development and removal of part of Condition 1)21-25 CURTIN STREET FLORA HILL 3550Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- 2 Lot subdivision10 HOULAHAN STREET FLORA HILL 3550Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- 4 lot subdivision and removal of native vegetation14 RACE STREET FLORA HILL 3550Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a secondary dwelling13 Churchill AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of an outbuilding69 Ellis StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2021
- Partial demolition and extension of a dwelling, including replacement of fences.9 Hallam StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
February 2021
- Display of a Business Identification Sign20 Townsend StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
January 2021
- Development of land with 6 dwellings20 RETREAT ROAD FLORA HILL 3550NOD issued by a delegate
- 5 Lot subdivision, construction of 5 dwellings and removal of native vegetation (Reduce to 3 subdivision)22 Drechsler StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 13 proposals
November 2020
- Construction of 2 dwellings7 Churchill AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
September 2020
- 2 lot subdivision, removal of an easement & construction of 2 dwellings on a lot14 Wolstencroft StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Extension to a dwelling30 Wirth StreetNo permit required
- Partial demolition, extension and alterations to existing dwelling14 Hallam StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
August 2020
- 5 Lot subdivision, construction of 5 dwellings and removal of native vegetation (Amended permit and plans to include a stage permit - 2 stages)22 Drechsler StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- 3 lot subdivision20 Wirth StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2020
- Partial demolition and extension to dwelling7 Carolin StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2020
- Construction of a dwelling and removal of a fence19 Retreat RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of dwelling on each lot2 Lorne TerracePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2020
- 5 lot subdivision of land and construction of 3 dwellings124 Neale StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
January 2020
- Native vegetation removal (18 scattered trees)134 Edwards RoadNo permit required
- Partial change of land use to medical centre ancillary to existing pharmacy, and associated works, including parking waiver.26-28 Hammer StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition and extension to existing dwelling5 Dungey AvenuePermit 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
Roadworks & transport
2 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.TOWNSEND STREET, CURTIN STREET11 Jun 2026 – 28 Jan 2027
- 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.TOWNSEND STREET, CONDON STREET11 Jun 2026 – 28 Jan 2027
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
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
- 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 3.5 km away).
Coalition 43.6%Labor 56.4%
5.0 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +56.4 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Flora HillLabor 56.4% · Coalition 43.6% TPP (2025)0.7 km away
- Spring GullyLabor 59.7% · Coalition 40.3% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- Quarry HillLabor 60.4% · Coalition 39.6% TPP (2025)1.5 km away
- StrathdaleLabor 50.0% · Coalition 50.0% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
- KenningtonLabor 57.9% · Coalition 42.1% TPP (2025)2.0 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)
- 3/10
- 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
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.