Median house price
$960k
-14% change
VIC · Merri-bek Council
Gowanbrae, 3043
Est. population · Jun 2025
2,407
Growth (1 yr)
+1.3%
Growth (5 yr)
+1.9%
Median age
40
Median income
$2,208/wk
Employment rate
64.2%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$960,000
Languages at home
29.8%non-English
Most common: Italian, Hindi, Turkish
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Education hub
Suburb profile
Gowanbrae is a well-connected mid-sized suburb in Merri-bek Council with everyday amenities close at hand. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Overseas-born and multilingual households are a noticeable part of the local population.
Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses still link the suburb further afield. Homes cost more here than in most comparable suburbs.
Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. A trickle of new development is refreshing selected pockets without changing the overall feel.
Against similar metro suburbs, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because growth momentum, 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
Gowanbrae snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$550/wk
Population (ERP)
2,407
+1.3% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
3.9%
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
#130
among Metro Melbourne · Established
Safety
18th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
78th
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
9/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
45th
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
- 52.3/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 33% of Victoria's suburbs
- National rank
- 1876th in Australia
- State rank
- 420th in VIC
- Peer rank
- #130 among Metro Melbourne · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #281 among Metro Melbourne suburbs
- Data confidence
- 96%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (Sep 2025 (council median))
- $550
- Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
- $960,000
- Median price change
- -13.5%
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 (council median) · Updated · Quarterly releases; council median rent fallback where suburb rent unavailable
Population
Estimated resident population
2,407(June 2025)
+1.3% annual · +1.9% over 5 years · 78th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.3%
- 5-year growth
- +1.9%
- Change in 1 year
- +31
- Change in 5 years
- +45
- Growth rank in VIC
- 78th 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 (~2,500), extrapolated at +0.8% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 2,971
- Median age
- 40
- Median household income / week
- $2,208
- Dwelling vacancy
- 3.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 43 of 1,100
- Median monthly mortgage
- $2,000
- Employment rate
- 64.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 731 / 296 / 33
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 decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (2026)
- 56
- Against the person
- 5
- Against property
- 30
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 23.3
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 594 residents
- State safety percentile
- 17.8th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -31.7%
Most common offence types
- B21 Criminal Damage5
- B41 Motor Vehicle Theft5
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle12
- D11 Firearms Offences4
- E21 Breach Family Violence Order13
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
- 5
- Median school ICSEA (5 schools)
- 997
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 45th
School list
- Glenroy West Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1031 · 60th percentile · LBOTE 73% · 333 students · Top SEA quarter 20% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
- School of the Good ShepherdPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1046 · 67th percentile · LBOTE 14% · 374 students · Top SEA quarter 17% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- Tullamarine Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 997 · 45th percentile · LBOTE 41% · 206 students · Top SEA quarter 11% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
- Gladstone Views Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 997 · 45th percentile · LBOTE 30% · 312 students · Top SEA quarter 9% · 1.6 km awayView on My School →
- Gladstone Park Secondary CollegeSecondary · Government · ICSEA 994 · 44th percentile · LBOTE 48% · 1,309 students · Top SEA quarter 9% · 1.7 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
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Gowanbrae Community and Children's CentreMarigold Crescentkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
14 public transport stops in this suburb
- Bluebell Cres/Gowanbrae Dr
- Bush Mews/Rutherglen Cres
- Clover Ct/Bluebell Cres
- Gowanbrae Retirement Village/Gowanbrae Dr
- Lilac Mews/Rutherglen Cres
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
57 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 fast food · 4 playgrounds
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Great for outdoor family life — 6 parks mapped in suburb, 4 playgrounds nearby
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 14 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 23/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.34
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 2.02
Food & drink(1)
- Fast food
Shopping(1)
- Convenience store
Community(1)
- Gowanbrae Community and Children's CentreKindergarten
2A Marigold Crescent
Sport & outdoors(12)
- Fran Street ReservePark
- Park (5)
- Picnic area
- Playground (4)
- Sports field
Transport(12)
12 bus stops
Other(9)
- Bbq (2)
- Bench (19)
- Bicycle Parking
- Drinking water
- Parking (3)
- Post Box
- Shelter
- Social Facility
- Waste Basket
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
- Fran Street ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 6
- 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
- Nearest hospital
- Broadmeadows Hospital (2.6 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Public hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
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)
- 53
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 22.0
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
- 24° / 13°
- Rainfall
- 155 mm · ~19 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 20° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 186 mm · ~23 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 14° / 6°
- Rainfall
- 203 mm · ~25 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 18° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 207 mm · ~26 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).
16 planning-related records
2021· 10 proposals
September 2021
- Construction of a dwelling8 DURANTA DRIVE GOWANBRAE 3043Lapsed
- Construction of a dwelling16 DURANTA DRIVE GOWANBRAE 3043Withdrawn
August 2021
- Development of the land for a double storey dwelling and basement76 MARIGOLD CRESCENT GOWANBRAE 3043Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
- Development of the land for 60 dwellings and associated roads and works14-58 MARIGOLD CRESCENT GOWANBRAE 3043Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a deck5 BIRK COURT GOWANBRAE 3043Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a swimming pool in the Erosion Management Overlay and Environmental Signficance Overlay62 MARIGOLD CRESCENT GOWANBRAE 3043Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2021
- CONSTRUCTION OF A DOUBLE STOREY DWELLING142 GOWANBRAE DRIVE GOWANBRAE 3043Refusal issued by a delegate
- Proposed verandah, ancillary to the existing dwelling1 Kalmia MewsWithdrawn
April 2021
- Construct buildings and works to an existing dwelling within an Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO2)104 GOWANBRAE DRIVE GOWANBRAE 3043Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2021
- Development of the land for 60 dwellings and associated roads and works6 Duranta DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 6 proposals
October 2020
- Construction of a two storey dwelling in an Environmental Significance Overlay75 Gowanbrae DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
September 2020
- Construction of a dwelling8 Hannah Pascoe DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2020
- Proposed deck area and change to ground levels5 Birk CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
April 2020
- Construction of a dwelling37 Primula BoulevardPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
January 2020
- Construction of a new single storey dwelling53 Marigold CrescentPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a dwelling in an Environmental Significance Overlay160 Gowanbrae DrivePermit 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
- ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) activities occurring between 30/01/2025 and 30/09/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed both directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.TULLAMARINE FREEWAY, MELBOURNE DRIVE29 Jan 2025 – 29 Sep 2026
- ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) activities occurring between 30/01/2025 and 30/09/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed both directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.TULLAMARINE FREEWAY, MELBOURNE DRIVE29 Jan 2025 – 29 Sep 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · 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
- Maribyrnong
- Member of Parliament
- Jo BRISKEY (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 123,249
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.7%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- -0.4 pp toward Coalition
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 37.4%Labor 62.6%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 2.9 km away).
Coalition 42.6%Labor 57.4%
5.2 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -2.1 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- GowanbraeLabor 54.4% · Coalition 45.6% TPP (2025)0.4 km away
- Gladstone Park WestLabor 60.8% · Coalition 39.2% TPP (2025)1.0 km away
- Glenroy WestLabor 73.7% · Coalition 26.3% TPP (2025)1.1 km away
- TullamarineLabor 61.2% · Coalition 38.8% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
- Gladstone Park (Maribyrnong)Labor 62.5% · Coalition 37.5% TPP (2025)1.8 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)
- 9/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 9/10
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
This suburb ranks highly for
More in Merri-bek Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.