Gisborne is a semi-rural locality near Melbourne, in Macedon Ranges Council. It is set against the Macedon Ranges.
Public transport coverage is exceptionally strong, placing it among the highest-ranked semi-rural and lifestyle localities. School access is strong. Household incomes sit well above the peer median, with household incomes 20% above the peer median, and recorded road-crash rates are lower than in comparable places, with recorded road crashes 73% below the peer median. The main trade-offs are more mapped flood cover and higher crime, with reported crime 26% above the peer median.
Gisborne is a better fit for people who value public transport and school access more than peace and quiet.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.
Strengths and weaknesses
Semi-rural locality · compared with semi-rural and lifestyle localities in Victoria (228)
Strengths
Public transport coverage is exceptionally strong
School access is strong
Household incomes sit well above the peer median
Recorded road-crash rates are lower than in comparable places
Weaknesses
Mapped flood cover is a relative weakness
Reported crime is somewhat elevated against comparable places
What stands out
Macedon Ranges
Who it suits
Stars are audience-fit ratings derived from Suburb.Guide data, not demographic counts or user reviews.
Families★★☆☆☆
Professionals★★★☆☆
Retirees★★☆☆☆
Students★★☆☆☆
Budget buyers★★☆☆☆
Housing, growth and risk
How Gisborne compares
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median house price
$945k
+10% change
Median rent (Census)
$423/wk
2021 Census median weekly rent
Population (ERP)
11,367
+3.6% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.1%
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
#49
among Country & regional · Established
Crime rate
53rd
percentile in state (higher = more crime)
Pop. growth
96th
percentile in VIC
Rented dwellings
16%
2021 Census tenure
Advantage (IRSAD)
9/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
73rd
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
49.1/100 — Average
State standing
Top 43% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
2176th in Australia
State rank
541st in VIC
Peer rank
#49 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#228 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
99%
Data sources & freshness
Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
+3.6% annual · +12.0% over 5 years · 96th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+3.6%
5-year growth
+12.0%
Change in 1 year
+394
Change in 5 years
+1,220
Growth rank in VIC
96th 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 (~12,850), extrapolated at +2.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
Population
10,142
Median age
39
Median household income / week
$2,294
Dwelling vacancy
5.1%
Unoccupied private dwellings
186 of 3,632
Median monthly mortgage
$2,167
Median weekly rent (2021 Census)
$423
Tenure (owned / mortgaged / rented)
35.2% / 48.7% / 16.2%
Employment rate
66%
Travel to work (WFH / public transport / car)
25.2% / 0.8% / 57.7%
Walked or cycled to work
1.5%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
3,053 / 359 / 33
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%) · Accessibility (12%) · Future Growth (6%)
Employment, household income and owned-outright tenure (2021 Census) Work-from-home and public-transport commute shares (2021 Census) Five-year population change as a healthy-growth band, not a boom bonus
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
26.8% of adults have a university degree, compared with 29.2% across Victoria. 18.2% have a trade or vocational qualification.
University qualified26.8% · 29.2% VIC
Diploma qualified11.9% · 9.8% VIC
Trade / vocational18.2% · 14.2% VIC
Year 12 or below43% · 46.8% VIC
Highest qualification field
Main field of the highest non-school qualification (2021 Census).
Management and commerce20.2%
Engineering and related technologies17.5%
Education13.4%
Society and culture12.3%
Health11.7%
Architecture and building8.7%
How these groups are defined
Measure
Definition
University qualified
Bachelor degree or higher
Diploma qualified
Advanced Diploma / Diploma
Trade / vocational
Certificate III + IV
Year 12
Year 12 as highest attainment
Below Year 12
Year 11 / 10 / 9 or below
People aged 15 years and over, 2021 Census. University, diploma and trade shares match ABS highest educational attainment (HEAP). Year 12 and below Year 12 are combined in the chart because the General Community Profile reports school-only attainment as a residual.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%)
University qualifications from the 2021 Census
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Tax & income
Median taxable income (2023–24)
$68,248
92nd percentile in VIC · +16% vs Australia
Median salary / wages (2023–24)
$74,395
95th percentile in VIC · +14% vs Australia
Residents with rental investments
15.0%
69th percentile in VIC · +9% vs Australia
Median super balance (2023–24)
$134,145
93rd percentile in VIC · +112% vs Australia
Residents with business income
10.0%
25th percentile in VIC · -4% vs Australia
Australian Taxation Office Taxation Statistics 2023–24, individuals Table 25. Figures describe taxpayers who live in postcode 3437 — not a suburb-level official statistic. Rental investment is the share of local taxpayers reporting rental income or loss, not the share of local properties owned by investors.
Counts, net rent & state comparison
Taxpayers in this postcode
7,878
Taxpayers reporting net rent
1,213
Median net rent
-$4,164
Taxpayers reporting business income
809
Taxable income vs state median
+28%
Salary / wages vs state median
+27%
Rental investment vs state median
+15%
Super vs state median
+67%
Business income vs state median
-9%
Percentiles rank this postcode among unique postcodes in VIC, so suburbs that share a postcode are not counted twice. Dollar figures are compared with Australia-wide ATO medians from the same release. Median net rent is among taxpayers who reported the rent label and can be negative.
Data sources & freshness
Taxation Statistics 2023–24 — individuals by postcode (Table 25) — Australian Taxation Office · Updated · Annual release; taxpayer residential postcode, not suburb boundary
Community & culture
5.5% speak a language other than English at home; 13.7% born overseas
Language at home
9,248 English only · 537 other
Non-English at home
5.5%
Born overseas
1,356 (13.7%)
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
92 (0.9%)
Australian citizens
9,467
Languages spoken at home (other than English)
19
Top languages other than English
Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
Italian29 · 15.8%
Punjabi22 · 12%
Spanish20 · 10.9%
Mandarin12 · 6.5%
Polish12 · 6.5%
Arabic11 · 6%
Greek11 · 6%
Afrikaans10 · 5.4%
Religion
47.1%No religion
No religion is the most common response at 47.1%, while Christianity accounts for 45.8%.
Measure
Suburb
State
No religion
47.1%
38.8%
Christianity
45.8%
40.9%
Other / not stated
7.1%
20.3%
Christian denominations
Denomination
Suburb
State
Catholic
26.7%
20.5%
Anglican
9%
6.5%
Uniting Church
3.3%
2.4%
2021 Census — languages spoken at home, birthplace, Indigenous status, and religious affiliation (usual residence). Religion is optional on the Census form.
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted 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)
650
Against the person
111
Against property
297
Rate per 1,000 residents
57.2
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 91 residents
State crime-rate percentile
53.3th (higher = more crime)
Increase (daily rate)
+38%
Recorded road crashes (in suburb)
154
Crash rate per 1,000 residents (state rank)
13.55
Most common offence types
B21 Criminal Damage39
B43 Steal From A Retail Store51
B49 Other Theft58
C32 Drug Possession40
E21 Breach Family Violence Order133
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Crime rate, offences against the person, year-on-year trend and recorded road crash rates
Great for outdoor family life — 15 parks mapped in suburb
Well connected by public transport — 54 public transport stops
Walkability proxy
30/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
1.48
Sport & outdoors(3)
Gisborne Court House Historic ReserveNature reserve
Mount Gisborne ReserveNature reserve
Pyrete Range Reference AreaNature reserve
Wineries & breweries(1)
Gisborne Peak WineryWinery
69 Short Road
Other(1)
Parking
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually. Campgrounds, beaches, wineries and local trails are included when they sit inside the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport per 1,000 residents (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Named sporting clubs from OpenStreetMap, assigned to this suburb's boundary. Sporting facilities such as ovals, courts and recreation centres are listed under Amenities.
Green cover is the share of this suburb's boundary overlapping OpenStreetMap parks, woodland and forest polygons — not a satellite tree-canopy product. Summer maximum is the WorldClim / Open-Meteo seasonal normal already collected for Weather.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (12%)
Tree canopy first, then green-cover area and parks per 1,000
Data sources & freshness
OpenStreetMap green cover and tree canopy — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated · Park/woodland polygons intersected with suburb boundaries
Health access
Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
3
Nearest hospital
Hospital (19.4 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
Not in suburb
GP clinics in suburb
1
GPs tagged bulk billing (OSM)
0 of 1
Aged-care services
2
Residential aged-care places
174
GP clinic counts from OpenStreetMap. Bulk-billing figures only include clinics tagged in OSM (sparse and unofficial — not a Medicare list).
Chemist WarehousePharmacy
Gisborne Medical CentreClinic
Priceline PharmacyPharmacy
Aged-care services
Arcare GisborneGISBORNEResidential
The Oaks Nursing Home-GisborneGISBORNEResidential
Australian Government–subsidised services from the AIHW GEN list (30 June 2025), assigned to this suburb by location.
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (12%)
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.
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 (12%)
Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).
101 planning-related records
2021· 39 proposals
August 2021
16 Lot Subdivision (staged) and removal of native vegetation (Amendment sought for change to development staging and alteration of Lot 3 boundary)
206 MCGEORGE ROAD GISBORNE 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Removal of Vegetation (Four (4) Native Trees)
40 ROBERTSON STREET GISBORNE 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development of an Outbuilding
179 MCGREGOR ROAD GISBORNE 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Removal of Native Vegetation
7 AITKEN STREET GISBORNE 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development of an extension to existing dwelling (carport)
21 MORAS COURT GISBORNE 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development and subsequent use of the land as a Store (Caravan and boat storage)
147 WEIGALL ROAD GISBORNE 3437NOD issued by a delegate
Removal of one (1) native tree
96 MELTON ROAD GISBORNE 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
Development of an outbuilding (shed)
412 MOUNT GISBORNE ROAD GISBORNE 3437Withdrawn
Variation to Easement
74 HAMILTON STREET GISBORNE 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development of an extension to the existing dwelling
166 KILMORE ROAD GISBORNE 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Use and Development of the Land for a Residential Village and Removal of Native Vegetation
48 BROOKING ROAD GISBORNE 3437In progress
June 2021
Eleven (11) Lot Subdivision.
128 WILLOWBANK ROAD GISBORNE 3437In progress
Development of three (3) dwellings.
13 WORCESTER ROAD GISBORNE 3437NOD issued by a delegate
Development of an indoor equestrian arena, stables and agricultural building and associated infrastructure (Amendment sought to re-site the Indoor Equestrian Arena & Stables, water tanks and Construction of a Horse Walker
122 WOODLAND DRIVE GISBORNE 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2021
Subdivision of the Land into Ten (10) Lots in Three (3) Stages (Amendment sought to alter plans and include an additional stage)
76 WILLOWBANK ROAD GISBORNE 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Subdivision of the Land into (2) Two Lots and Remove Restriction PS606916T
248 MCGEORGE ROAD GISBORNE 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
April 2021
Two (2) Lot Subdivision
74 WILLOWBANK ROAD GISBORNE 3437Refusal issued by a delegate
The permit allows the construction of five dwellings on a lot in accordance with the endorsed plans
5 BRUCE COURT GISBORNE 3437Refusal issued by a delegate
Variation to restriction (Covenant) on plan of subdivision (PS 609164A) to allow for the development (spa and pergola) outside of the building envelope for Lot 5, PS609164A
4 FAIRWAY DRIVE GISBORNE 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Subdivision of the Land into Six Hundred and Fifteen (615) Lots, Staged Subdivision (16 Stages) and Development of Eleven (11) single dwellings on lots less than 300m2 (Amendment sought to change conditions 11c, 14, 83 and 84)
39 WILLOWBANK ROAD GISBORNE 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2021
Development of a dwelling.
4 Collis CourtWithdrawn
Development of an extension to existing dwelling (Amendment sought for changes to roof material, north verandah height, internal laundry layout, family meals window and location of shed)
29 Duggan RoadWithdrawn
Development of a basketball court
11 MISTY VIEW COURT GISBORNE 3437Withdrawn
Subdivision of the Land into (2) Two Lots
1 ORMEROD COURT GISBORNE 3437Refusal issued by a delegate
Buildings and works in the Commercial 1 Zone (for the purpose of an office and dwellings)
48 BRANTOME STREET GISBORNE 3437Refusal issued by the Resp. Authority
Development of a verandah to existing dwelling.
19 Pindara PlacePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Two (2) lot subdivisions x3.
10 WALLABY RUN GISBORNE 3437Withdrawn
Use of land for display homes, reduction of car parking requirements and display of signage
1 WILLOWBANK ROAD GISBORNE 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
In accordance with the endorsed plans: Construction of six dwellings on a lot and associated works
35 CALTHORPE STREET GISBORNE 3437Refusal issued by the Resp. Authority
Development of Two (2) Dwellings on a Lot
16A CALTHORPE STREET GISBORNE 3437NOD issued by a delegate
Two (2) Lot Subdivision
30-34 Cherry LaneWithdrawn
Removal of Easement E-1 (sewerage and drainage) from Crown Allotment E on Title Plan TP 260592E
146 WILLOWBANK ROAD GISBORNE 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
February 2021
Development of an outbuilding (garage/carport) within 150mm of boundary.
52 Kilmore RoadNo permit required
Development of an extension to existing dwelling
6 KURUNG COURT WEST GISBORNE 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development of two dwellings
100 FERSFIELD ROAD GISBORNE 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development of two dwellings
102 FERSFIELD ROAD GISBORNE 3437Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
January 2021
16 Lot Subdivision (staged) and removal of native vegetation (Application to Amend Planning Permit/Plans/Conditions - Amend location of driveways on Lots 11 and 12, Amend staging of development, Amend Condition 9 to address removal of additional vegetation to accommodate driveway to Lot 9)
206 McGeorge RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Two (2) Lot Subdivision and Construction of Two (2) Dwellings
3 MELBOURNE ROAD GISBORNE 3437NOD issued by a delegate
Development of extension and alterations to existing dwelling
479 Couangalt RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 1 proposal
December 2020
Two (2) lot subdivision (boundary realignment) and construction of a dwelling
53 Goode StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Event from 06:00 AM to 04:00 PM. Event speed limit 40 km/h. Traffic delay nil.GISBORNE-MELTON ROAD, AITKEN STREET SERVICE ROAD REV01 Feb 2026 – 06 Dec 2026
Other Government Department Works activities occurring between 25/09/2025 and 31/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 PM to 5:30 AM, Weekends 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed northbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.CALDER FREEWAY, COUANGALT-CALDER OUT RAMP ON24 Sep 2025 – 30 Dec 2026
Other Government Department Works activities occurring between 25/09/2025 and 31/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed northbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.CALDER FREEWAY, COUANGALT-CALDER OUT RAMP ON24 Sep 2025 – 30 Dec 2026
Road Safety Camera Works activities occurring between 12/11/2025 and 12/11/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed southbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.CALDER FREEWAY, MELBOURNE-CALDER IN RAMP ON11 Nov 2025 – 11 Nov 2026
Road Safety Camera Works activities occurring between 12/11/2025 and 12/11/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed southbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.CALDER FREEWAY, MELBOURNE-CALDER IN RAMP ON11 Nov 2025 – 11 Nov 2026
Data sources & freshness
Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Heritage
2 heritage places
GISBORNE MAINSNH1889
MACEDON HOUSENH2085
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (12%)
Heritage listings as established streetscape
Data sources & freshness
State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid
Flood / inundation overlay
11.5% of suburb boundary
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay mapping. Flood cover uses inundation overlay polygons against the suburb boundary where published.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Bushfire and flood hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
Bushfire and flood planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
Federal electorate
McEwen
Member of Parliament
Rob MITCHELL (Australian Labor Party)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
117,921
Turnout (2025)
93.5%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+0.9 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 45.2%Labor 54.8%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 16.9 km away).
Coalition 41.9%Labor 58.1%
3.4 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +7.1 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
Gisborne SouthLabor 59.0% · Coalition 41.0% TPP (2025)1.2 km away
GisborneLabor 57.2% · Coalition 42.8% TPP (2025)2.1 km away
New GisborneLabor 55.7% · Coalition 44.3% TPP (2025)5.2 km away
BullengarookLabor 45.5% · Coalition 54.5% TPP (2025)5.9 km away
MacedonLabor 65.6% · Coalition 34.4% TPP (2025)10.0 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.
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 (12%)