Median house price
$800k
+15% change
VIC · Greater Geelong Council
Herne Hill, 3218
Est. population · Jun 2025
3,698
Growth (1 yr)
+1.5%
Growth (5 yr)
+6.0%
Median age
36
Median income
$1,420/wk
Employment rate
66.2%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$800,000
Languages at home
7.8%non-English
Most common: Punjabi, Urdu, German
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Education hub
- High desirability
- Excellent transport
- Café precinct
- Cycling
Suburb profile
Herne Hill is a practical mid-sized suburb in Greater Geelong Council, well placed for families who want metro access without the inner-city squeeze. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with family life visible on every street. There is a dense cluster of schools and early-learning options nearby.
Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many metro suburbs, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus, and buses help with longer trips. Buyers typically pay more than the metro middle for a home here.
Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. Infill and new builds are slowly updating the area without overwhelming its existing character.
The desirability picture is good, powered mainly by growth momentum relative to similar metro suburbs.
At a glance
Herne Hill snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$480/wk
Population (ERP)
3,698
+1.5% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
6.4%
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
#91
among Metro Melbourne · Growth area
Safety
32nd
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
81st
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
5/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
72nd
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
- 59.1/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 24% of Victoria's suburbs
- National rank
- 1123rd in Australia
- State rank
- 303rd in VIC
- Peer rank
- #91 among Metro Melbourne · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #215 among Metro Melbourne suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (Sep 2025)
- $480
- Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
- $800,000
- Median price change
- +15.4%
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
3,698(June 2025)
+1.5% annual · +6.0% over 5 years · 81th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.5%
- 5-year growth
- +6.0%
- Change in 1 year
- +55
- Change in 5 years
- +210
- Growth rank in VIC
- 81th 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 (~3,900), extrapolated at +1.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 3,507
- Median age
- 36
- Median household income / week
- $1,420
- Dwelling vacancy
- 6.4%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 109 of 1,708
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,733
- Employment rate
- 66.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,141 / 158 / 298
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)
- 132
- Against the person
- 20
- Against property
- 57
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 35.7
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 175 residents
- State safety percentile
- 32th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -27.9%
Most common offence types
- B21 Criminal Damage15
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle12
- B49 Other Theft8
- E21 Breach Family Violence Order33
- E22 Breach Intervention Order11
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
- 10
- Median school ICSEA (10 schools)
- 1,059.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 72th
School list
- Holy Spirit Parish SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1068 · 75th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 326 students · Top SEA quarter 21% · 0.5 km awayView on My School →
- Clonard CollegeSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 1051 · 69th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 940 students · Top SEA quarter 20% · 0.7 km awayView on My School →
- Manifold Heights Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1082 · 79th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 469 students · Top SEA quarter 30% · 0.8 km awayView on My School →
- Herne Hill Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1023 · 57th percentile · LBOTE 18% · 267 students · Top SEA quarter 18% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
- Western Heights Secondary CollegeSecondary · Government · ICSEA 991 · 43th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 1,060 students · Top SEA quarter 9% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- Hamlyn Views SchoolSpecial · Government · ICSEA 998 · 46th percentile · LBOTE 17% · 150 students · Top SEA quarter 17% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- Newtown Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1076 · 77th percentile · LBOTE 21% · 193 students · Top SEA quarter 36% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
- Hamlyn Banks Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 976 · 36th percentile · LBOTE 16% · 290 students · Top SEA quarter 8% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →
- St Joseph's College GeelongSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 1075 · 77th percentile · LBOTE 7% · 1,742 students · Top SEA quarter 27% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
- St Patrick's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1107 · 86th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 418 students · Top SEA quarter 41% · 1.9 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
- Geelong World of LearningAutumn Streetkindergarten
- Rix Street Kindergartenkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
17 public transport stops in this suburb
- Beckley St/McCurdy Rd
- Bonview Ave/McCurdy Rd
- Church St/McCurdy Rd
- Hyland St/McCurdy Rd
- Rankin Rd/Minerva Rd
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
137 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 restaurants · 4 cafes · 1 pharmacies · 4 fast food · 1 bakeries · 2 places of worship · 5 playgrounds · 17 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus
- Great for outdoor family life — 6 parks mapped in suburb, 5 playgrounds nearby
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 17 public transport stops
- Strong local sport and recreation — 26 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 61/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 1.14
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 2.85
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.71
Food & drink(10)
- Brumby's BakeriesBakery
- Cafe BotticelliCafe
7 Minerva Road
- Manny's KitchenCafe
3 Church Street
- Sixteen06Cafe
24 Heytesbury Street
- Soft CafeCafe
29 Minerva Road
- Godfathers on WestsideFast food
3A Minerva Road
- MarkO's Charcoal Chicken & Souvlaki BarFast food
- Minerva Rd Fish ShopFast food
- Unorthodox Kitchen + GrillFast food
5 Minerva Road
- Restaurant
23 McCurdy Road
Shopping(3)
- McCurdy Road Milk BarConvenience store
25 McCurdy Road
- Minerva Road MilkbarConvenience store
Community(5)
- Geelong World of LearningKindergarten
332 Autumn Street
- Rix Street KindergartenKindergarten
- Clonard CollegeSchool
225 Church Street
- Holy Spirit Primary SchoolSchool
83-91 Minerva Road
- St Joseph's College Geelong Westcourt CampusSchool
41 Minerva Road
Health & services(1)
- Herne Hill PharmacyPharmacy
Sport & outdoors(32)
- Gabrielle Blythe Linear PathwayPark
- Herne Hill ReservePark
- Hurst ReservePark
- Kevin Kirby ReservePark
- Maurice ReservePark
- Park
- Herne Hill Reserve EastPlayground
- Playground (4)
- NH Drew OvalSports field
- Sports field
- Walker OvalSports field
- Western Heights Uniting Tennis ClubSports field
- Swimming pool (17)
Transport(6)
6 bus stops
Other(24)
- BottlemartAlcohol
- Bbq
- Bench (15)
- Bicycle Parking (5)
- Geelong West CFAFire station
67A McCurdy Road
- Petals By ParisaFlorist
1A Minerva Road
- Garden (3)
- Rose GardenGarden
- Impressions in HairHairdresser
9 Minerva Road
- Stassy's PlaceHairdresser
33 Fraser Street
- Geronimo OTOccupational Therapist
219A Church Street
- Parking (11)
- Parking Space (13)
- Manifold Physiotherapy ClinicPhysiotherapist
219 Church Street
- Picnic Table
- St. Alban's Community Anglican ChurchPlace of worship
- Western Heights Uniting ChurchPlace of worship
- Australia PostPost Box
- Minerva Road Lotto & PostPost office
1 Minerva Road
- Public toilets
- Shelter (8)
- Telephone (2)
- Waste Basket (8)
- Union CellarsWine
15 Minerva Road
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
- Gabrielle Blythe Linear PathwayPark
- Herne Hill ReservePark
- Hurst ReservePark
- Kevin Kirby ReservePark
- Maurice 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
Places of worship
2 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- St. Alban's Community Anglican Church
- Western Heights Uniting Church
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
- 3
- Nearest hospital
- McKellar Centre (1.9 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Geronimo OTChurch StreetOccupational_Therapist
- Herne Hill PharmacyPharmacy
- Manifold Physiotherapy ClinicChurch StreetPhysiotherapist
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)
- 140
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 37.9
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
- 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
- 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 (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· 10 proposals
September 2021
- Buildings and Works associated with Alterations to Existing Dwelling and Construction of Second Dwelling and Two (2) Lot Subdivision15 MATLOCK STREET HERNE HILL 3218Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Second Dwelling and Two (2) Lot Subdivision136 MCCURDY ROAD HERNE HILL 3218Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
- Construction of a Second Dwelling and Two (2) Lot Subdivision21 KAROOMBA AVENUE HERNE HILL 3218Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2021
- Use of the Land for Sale and Consumption of Liquor (General licence)13 MINERVA ROAD HERNE HILL 3218NOD issued by a delegate
May 2021
- Construction of Three (3) Dwellings Over 7.5m from Natural Ground Level and Three (3) Lot Subdivision18 CASTLETON ROAD HERNE HILL 3218Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
April 2021
- Two (2) Lot Subdivision7 Ashbourne StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of Two (2) Dwellings and a Two (2) Lot Subdivision5 ASHBOURNE STREET HERNE HILL 3218NOD issued by a delegate
- Use of land for Amusement Parlour (Board Games) and Reduction in Bicycle Spaces.22-24 Heytesbury StreetNOD issued by a delegate
February 2021
- Construction of a Second Dwelling and a Two (2) Lot Subdivision13 Matlock StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of Two Dwellings and a Two Lot Subdivision11 Bonview AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 16 proposals
December 2020
- Construction of Two (2) Dwellings over 7.5m in Height346 AUTUMN STREET HERNE HILL 3218NOD issued by a delegate
November 2020
- 2 Lot Subdivision3 Turkeith AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
October 2020
- Two (2) Lot Subdivision and Creation of Access to a Road Zone Category 163 McCurdy RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
September 2020
- Construction of a Second Dwelling and alter access to a Road Zone Category 1130 McCurdy RoadNOD issued by a delegate
August 2020
- Cafe/Restaurant Liquor Licence5 Minerva RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Two Lot Subdivision2C Azilemot AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of Three Dwellings and Three (3) Lot Subdivision360 Autumn StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2020
- Construction of a Second Dwelling and a Two (2) Lot Subdivision22 Knight AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2020
- Buildings and Works Associated with the Construction of Two (2) Dwellings and Two (2) Lot Subdivision27 Staverly RoadNOD issued by a delegate
- 2 Lot Subdivision18 Knight AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a Second Dwelling and a Two (2) Lot Subdivision316 Autumn StreetNOD issued by a delegate
March 2020
- Construction of Second Dwelling and Two (2) Lot Subdivision362 Autumn StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of the Land for a Second Dwelling130 MCCURDY ROAD HERNE HILL 3218In progress
February 2020
- Construction of Two (2) Dwellings2C Azilemot AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of the Land for a Second Dwelling7 Ashbourne StreetNOD issued by a delegate
January 2020
- Construction of Two (2) Dwellings and Two (2) Lot Subdivision19 Maurice StreetPermit 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
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
- Corio
- Member of Parliament
- Richard MARLES (Australian Labor Party)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 122,756
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.7%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +0.7 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 36.8%Labor 63.2%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 3.0 km away).
Coalition 31.3%Labor 68.7%
5.4 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +3.4 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Manifold HeightsLabor 71.4% · Coalition 28.6% TPP (2025)0.8 km away
- Herne HillLabor 70.7% · Coalition 29.3% TPP (2025)0.9 km away
- Hamlyn HeightsLabor 65.4% · Coalition 34.6% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- NewtownLabor 62.4% · Coalition 37.6% TPP (2025)1.7 km away
- Geelong West UpperLabor 68.0% · Coalition 32.0% TPP (2025)1.9 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 Greater Geelong Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.