Median house price
$730k
+10% change
VIC · Mount Alexander Council
Harcourt, 3453
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,094
Growth (1 yr)
+1.0%
Growth (5 yr)
+7.8%
Median age
46
Median income
$1,430/wk
Employment rate
56%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$730,000
Languages at home
2%non-English
Most common: French, Indonesian, Russian
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- National parks
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Heritage area
- Education hub
Suburb profile
Harcourt is a regional smaller community in Mount Alexander Council, oriented around local life rather than the metro orbit of Melbourne. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with family life visible on every street. The town centre holds its own, with enough local flavour to make staying close to home appealing.
Pocket parks and green corners give residents room to get outside without leaving the neighbourhood. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area. Property prices are middling for the area: fair relative to what is nearby.
Crime reports are up on the previous period. This is a mature, settled pocket where the existing streetscape still defines the local character.
The desirability picture is below average, weighed down by softer local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus community and employment relative to similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Harcourt snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
1,094
+1.0% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
11.7%
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
#147
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
92nd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
69th
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
5/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
54th
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
- 38.5/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4044th in Australia
- State rank
- 799th in VIC
- Peer rank
- #147 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #337 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 85%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
- $730,000
- Median price change
- +10.4%
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 · Updated · Quarterly releases; council median rent fallback where suburb rent unavailable
Population
Estimated resident population
1,094(June 2025)
+1.0% annual · +7.8% over 5 years · 69th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.0%
- 5-year growth
- +7.8%
- Change in 1 year
- +11
- Change in 5 years
- +79
- Growth rank in VIC
- 69th 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 (~1,150), extrapolated at +1.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,038
- Median age
- 46
- Median household income / week
- $1,430
- Dwelling vacancy
- 11.7%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 52 of 446
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,517
- Employment rate
- 56%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 391 / 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)
- 238
- Against the person
- 181
- Against property
- 32
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 217.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 6 residents
- State safety percentile
- 91.7th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +366.7%
Most common offence types
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle5
- B49 Other Theft9
- C32 Drug Possession7
- E21 Breach Family Violence Order8
- Other Crimes Against The Person172
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
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,015
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 54th
School list
- Harcourt Valley Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1015 · 54th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 73 students · Top SEA quarter 15% · 1.1 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
Public transport
6 public transport stops in this suburb
- Blackjack Rd/Midland Hwy
- Coolstore Rd/Midland Hwy
- Market St/Harmony Way
- Market St/Harmony Way
- Market St/Harmony Way
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
30 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 pubs · 1 sports centres · 2 swimming pools · 1 ev charging · 1 petrol stations · 1 post offices
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Great for outdoor family life — 3 parks mapped in suburb
- Walkability proxy
- 11/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0.96
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 2.89
Food & drink(1)
- Pub
Community(2)
- Harcourt Valley Primary SchoolSchool
3 Wilkinson Street
- ANA HallTownhall
Sport & outdoors(7)
- Harcourt Recreation ReservePark
- Park (2)
- Harcourt Swimming PoolSports centre
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (2)
Transport(2)
2 bus stops
Other(13)
- Victorian Miniature RailwayAttraction
- Drinking water
- Charging the RegionsEV charging
- Harcourt Fire StationFire station
- General
- Motel
- Parking (6)
- Victorian Miniature RailwayParking
- BPPetrol station
- Post Box
- Harcourt Post OfficePost office
- Public toilets
- Telstra coin phoneTelephone
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
2 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Harcourt Recreation ReservePark
- Walmer I139 Bushland ReserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 4
- Parks (OSM)
- 3
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
- Mt Alexander Hospital (7.7 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- 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)
- 34
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 31.1
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
Roadworks & transport
57 active roadworks / incidents
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 16/04/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Weekends 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Impact to traffic will be exit ramp closed. Altered speed limit during operation will be 80 and the traffic delay is expected to be Greater than 10 min.CALDER FREEWAY, CALDER OUT-MIDLAND RAMP OF15 Apr 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 16/04/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Weekends 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Impact to traffic will be exit ramp closed. Altered speed limit during operation will be 80 and the traffic delay is expected to be Greater than 10 min.CALDER OUT-MIDLAND RAMP OF, CALDER FREEWAY15 Apr 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 16/04/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Weekends 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 60 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.CALDER OUT-MIDLAND RAMP OF, CALDER FREEWAY15 Apr 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 16/04/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Weekends 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 60 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.CALDER FREEWAY, CALDER OUT-MIDLAND RAMP OF15 Apr 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 16/06/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed both directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 60 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.CALDER FREEWAY, FOGARTYS GAP ROAD15 Jun 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 17/05/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Impact to traffic will be exit ramp closed. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.CALDER IN-VICTORIA RAMP OF, CALDER FREEWAY16 May 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 17/05/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Impact to traffic will be exit ramp closed. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.VICTORIA-CALDER IN RAMP ON, VICTORIA ROAD16 May 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 17/05/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Impact to traffic will be exit ramp closed. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.VICTORIA ROAD, CALDER IN-VICTORIA RAMP OF16 May 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 17/05/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Impact to traffic will be exit ramp closed. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.CALDER OUT-MIDLAND RAMP OF, CALDER FREEWAY16 May 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
- Maintenance Works activities occurring between 17/05/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed eastbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.CALDER IN-VICTORIA RAMP OF, CALDER FREEWAY16 May 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Heritage
4 heritage places
- BLACKJACK ROAD RAILWAY PRECINCTNH1783
- HARCOURT RAILWAY PRECINCTNH1785
- PORCUPINE HILL RAILWAY PRECINCTNH1784
- RAIL BRIDGENH1433
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 17.4 km away).
Coalition 40.1%Labor 59.9%
8.5 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +59.9 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- HarcourtLabor 58.9% · Coalition 41.1% TPP (2025)0.9 km away
- Castlemaine NorthLabor 84.8% · Coalition 15.2% TPP (2025)6.7 km away
- CastlemaineLabor 78.0% · Coalition 22.0% TPP (2025)8.5 km away
- ChewtonLabor 80.8% · Coalition 19.2% TPP (2025)9.4 km away
- Castlemaine SouthLabor 84.0% · Coalition 16.0% TPP (2025)9.5 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)
- 5/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 5/10
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 Mount Alexander Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.