suburb.guide

VIC · Greater Bendigo Council

Golden Square, 3555

Est. population · Jun 2025

9,380

Growth (1 yr)

+0.0%

Growth (5 yr)

+2.1%

Median age

39

Median income

$1,344/wk

Employment rate

56.4%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$610,000

Languages at home

7.5%non-English

Most common: Punjabi, Mandarin, Malayalam

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

62.9/100
Good

Top 20% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 100% confidence

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

Suburb profile

Away from the major hubs, Golden Square is a established suburb in Greater Bendigo Council with its own quieter rhythm. Regional towns and local services do more of the everyday heavy lifting than the city. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with plenty of young families in the mix.

The town centre holds its own, with enough local flavour to make staying close to home appealing. Green space punches above what many regional towns offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Daily life works well on foot, with buses also serving the suburb.

Homes are relatively cheap compared with the wider market, which keeps entry costs lower. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.

Desirability rates good overall, led by growth momentum, while safety, plus community and employment land closer to the middle of the pack for similar regional towns.

At a glance

Golden Square snapshot

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

Median house price

$610k

+12% change

Median rent

$475/wk

Population (ERP)

9,380

+0.0% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

7.2%

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

#19

among Country & regional · Established

Safety

73rd

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

44th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

3/10

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
62.9/100 — Good
State standing
Top 20% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
741st in Australia
State rank
243rd in VIC
Peer rank
#19 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#32 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
100%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

All types (Sep 2025)
$475
Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$610,000
Median price change
+11.9%

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

9,380(June 2025)

+0.0% annual · +2.1% over 5 years · 44th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.0%
5-year growth
+2.1%
Change in 1 year
+4
Change in 5 years
+190
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 (~9,800), extrapolated at +0.9% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
9,220
Median age
39
Median household income / week
$1,344
Dwelling vacancy
7.2%
Unoccupied private dwellings
292 of 4,039
Median monthly mortgage
$1,300
Employment rate
56.4%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
3,429 / 162 / 148

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)
867
Against the person
136
Against property
366
Rate per 1,000 residents
92.4
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 68 residents
State safety percentile
73.4th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+6.6%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage73
  • B43 Steal From A Retail Store91
  • B49 Other Theft50
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order134
  • E22 Breach Intervention Order64

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
3
Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
967
Median ICSEA percentile
32th
School list
  • Golden Square Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 967 · 32th percentile · LBOTE 15% · 262 students · Top SEA quarter 8% · 0.5 km awayView on My School →
  • Specimen Hill Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 934 · 19th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 234 students · Top SEA quarter 7% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
  • Creek Street Christian CollegeCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1063 · 73th percentile · LBOTE 18% · 457 students · Top SEA quarter 28% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap

  • Golden Square KindergartenPanton Streetkindergarten

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated

Public transport

65 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Bay St/High St
  • Elm St/High St
  • Mimosa St/High St
  • Oak St/High St
  • Poplar St/High St

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

123 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

2 cafes · 1 pubs · 1 bars · 1 supermarkets · 1 pharmacies · 1 fast food · 1 bakeries · 4 places of worship

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Highly walkable for everyday errands
  • Great for outdoor family life — 8 parks mapped in suburb, 4 playgrounds nearby
  • Well connected by public transport — 65 public transport stops
  • Strong local sport and recreation — 9 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
Walkability proxy
82/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0.22
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0.65
Parks per 1,000 residents
0.87
Food & drink(6)
  • Golden Square BakeryBakery

    269 High Street

  • Mister Bobs Sports BarBar

    366 High Street, Golden Square

  • Cafe 307Cafe
  • Madame JudeCafe
  • Fast food
  • The Foundry Hotel ComplexPub

    366 High Street, Golden Square

Shopping(4)
  • Convenience store
  • The FoodaryConvenience store
  • WoolworthsSupermarket

    234-246 High Street

Community(4)
  • Golden Square Community CentreCommunity centre

    9 Old High Street, Golden Square

  • Golden Square KindergartenKindergarten

    45-51 Panton Street

  • Golden Square Primary SchoolSchool

    19-31 Maple Street

  • Specimen Hill Primary SchoolSchool

    21-27 Inglewood Street

Health & services(2)
  • Skintellect SolutionsClinic

    Unit 6 1-7 Chum Street

  • Pharmacy
Sport & outdoors(15)
  • Cooinda ParkPark
  • Park

    9 Alamein Court, Golden Square

  • Park (3)
  • RF Turner Memorial ParkPark
  • Alamein Court PlayspacePlayground
  • Playground (3)
  • Backhaus OvalSports field
  • Golden Square OvalSports field
  • Sports field
  • Swimming pool (2)
Entertainment(1)
  • Viewpoint
Transport(36)

36 bus stops

Other(42)
  • Celebrating WomenArtwork
  • Roy Francis (Dick) Turner M.B.E.Artwork
  • Bbq
  • InnesCar
  • Innes Motors HondaCar

    362-366 High Street

  • Innes Motors LDVCar

    366 High Street

  • Innes Motors SubaruCar

    364-366 High Street

  • Golden Square Fire StationFire station

    260 High Street, Golden Square

  • Proteas DirectFlorist
  • Garden
  • Hairdresser
  • Botanic HotelHotel
  • United Kingdom HotelHotel
  • Elm MotelMotel
  • Goldfields Motor InnMotel

    308 High Street

  • Homestead Motor InnMotel
  • The Heritage BendigoMotel

    259 High Street

  • Holly Street Natural Features ReserveNature Reserve
  • Specimen Hill Bushland ReserveNature Reserve
  • Golden Square NewsagencyNewsagent
  • Parking (15)
  • AmpolPetrol station
  • EG AmpolPetrol station
  • Westside PetroleumPetrol station
  • Abundant Life Christian FellowshipPlace of worship

    113-123 MacKenzie Street West, Golden Square

  • Bendigo Seventh-day Adventist ChurchPlace of worship
  • Golden City Baptist ChurchPlace of worship
  • Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's WitnessesPlace of worship

    8 Oak Street, Golden Square

  • Coates HirePlant Hire
  • Australia PostPost Box
  • Australia PostPost office
  • Public toilets
  • Bendigo FoodshareSocial Facility

    227 Breen Street, Golden Square

  • Golden Oaks ComplexSocial Facility
  • Mercy Health Bethlehem Home for the AgedSocial Facility

    36-42 Specimen Hill Road, Golden Square

  • Jets GymnasticsSports Hall

    41 Hattam Street, Golden Square

  • Sports Hall
  • Radio KLFMStudio

    Coach Street, Golden Square

  • Tattoo
  • TelstraTelephone
  • BridgestoneTyres
  • Yes

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

5 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Cooinda ParkPark
  • Holly Street Natural Features ReserveNature reserve
  • Mickey Mouse Hill Bushland ReserveNature reserve
  • RF Turner Memorial ParkPark
  • Specimen Hill Bushland ReserveNature reserve

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
16
Parks (OSM)
8

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

Places of worship

4 places of worship within ~1.5 km

  • Abundant Life Christian Fellowship

    113-123 MacKenzie Street West, Golden Square

  • Bendigo Seventh-day Adventist Church
  • Golden City Baptist Church
  • Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses

    8 Oak Street, Golden Square

From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
4
Nearest hospital
Bendigo Day Surgery (1.5 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
On site
  • Bendigo Day SurgeryChum StreetHospital
  • PharmacyPharmacy
  • Skintellect SolutionsChum StreetClinic
  • YesYes

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
487
Participants per 1,000 residents
51.9

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
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).

134 planning-related records

2021· 40 proposals

  • August 2021

  • Extension to an existing dwelling
    1 PETHARD PLACE GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for a dwelling
    3 MONTROSE COURT GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Carport
    38 BOOTH STREET GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of land for a retirement village comprising 176 detached dwellings and removal of native vegetation (Amended plans for design changes to Lot 15 - verandah)
    36-42 SPECIMEN HILL ROAD GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for a dwelling
    26 WADE LANE GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of the land for 4 warehouses (Amended plans for design changes)
    346 WOODWARD ROAD GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Construction of a Dwelling
    1/9 ALAMEIN COURT GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Dwelling
    2/9 ALAMEIN COURT GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a dwelling
    29 NORELLE CRESCENT GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for a dwelling
    31 NORELLE CRESCENT GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use of land for place of assembly (Change address from 22 Chum Street to 30A Chum Street)
    30A CHUM STREET GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Lapsed
  • Use of the land for the sale and consumption of liquor (Change address from 22 Chum Street to 30A Chum Street)
    30A CHUM STREET GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 2 lot subdivision of land and the alteration of access to a road in a Road Zone Category 1
    52 MACKENZIE STREET WEST GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Subdivide 1 into 2 allotments and creation of easement (Amended plans to change easement)
    193 MacKenzie Street WestPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of verandah and deck to rear of dwelling
    8 Booth StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use of building for industry (microbrewery)
    307-309 HIGH STREET GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 3 Lot Subdivision
    60-66 EMMETT STREET GOLDEN SQUARE 3555NOD issued by a delegate

  • May 2021

  • Removal of native vegetation
    168 Olympic ParadePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use as food and drink premises, partial demolition, buildings and works and display signage
    330 HIGH STREET GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of two outbuildings
    3 Abel StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for a dwelling
    7 Chevington ClosePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Replacement of front timber fence with colourbond fence
    2/6 Maple StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Demolition of existing dwelling and outbuildings and development of a dwelling (Adjustments to new dwelling boundary setbacks and reduced length of rear verandah)
    10 Burn StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for a dwelling
    33 NORELLE CRESCENT GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • Alter a vehicle cross-over
    47 Shamrock StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Sealing of crossover
    53 Shamrock StreetWithdrawn
  • Construction of a plant room
    234-246 High StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a dwelling
    2/86 Specimen Hill RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 2 lot subdivision and demolition of outbuildings
    611 HARGREAVES STREET GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a dwelling (Amended setbacks)
    29 Booth StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Partial demolition and construction of extension to a dwelling
    16 Booth StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Replacement of tile roof with colorbond corrugated iron roof
    52 Panton StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a dwelling
    37 NORELLE CRESCENT GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use of land for a medical centre and associated signage (extend hours of operation to sleep laboratory)
    406 High StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Partial Demolition of and Extension to Existing Childcare Centre, Construction of a Car Park and Removal of Native Vegetation (One Tree)
    45-51 PANTON STREET GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 3 lot subdivision
    37 Pallett StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a verandah
    1-5 Wade StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 10 lot subdivision
    22 RENWICK STREET GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Lapsed
  • 4 lot subdivision
    71 MAPLE STREET GOLDEN SQUARE 3555Lapsed

  • March 2021

  • 2 lot subdivision, demolition of an outbuilding and construction of a dwelling PS806849R (amend plans)
    23 Ophir StreetWithdrawn

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

6 heritage places

  • DEBORAH COMPANY QUARTZ GOLD MINENH1365
  • FORMER SAMSON FAMILY RESIDENCENH2231
  • FORTUNA VILLANH2211
  • GOLDMINES HOTELNH0827
  • NORTH DEBORAH QUARTZ GOLD MINENH1353
  • UNITING CHURCH GOLDEN SQUARENH1371

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
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 3.3 km away).

Coalition 40.6%Labor 59.4%

8.0 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +59.4 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • Golden SquareLabor 60.4% · Coalition 39.6% TPP (2025)0.6 km away
  • Golden Square SouthLabor 63.3% · Coalition 36.7% TPP (2025)1.5 km away
  • BendigoLabor 52.5% · Coalition 47.5% TPP (2025)1.9 km away
  • Kangaroo FlatLabor 50.4% · Coalition 49.6% TPP (2025)2.2 km away
  • Kangaroo Flat SouthLabor 55.2% · Coalition 44.8% TPP (2025)2.3 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)
3/10
IRSD decile (2021)
3/10

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 Greater Bendigo Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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