VIC · Alpine Council

Hotham Heights, 3741

Est. population · Jun 2025

126

Growth (1 yr)

+0.8%

Growth (5 yr)

+3.3%

Median age

30

Median income

$2,107/wk

Employment rate

74.2%

University qualified

22.7%

Work from home

12.2%

Languages at home

10.7%non-English

Most common: Mandarin

2021 Census · usual residence

  • Green suburb
  • Holiday parks
  • Hills
  • Country town
What Hotham Heights is known for: Green suburb, Holiday parks, Hills, Country town

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Hotham Heights, VIC suburb snapshot — Suburb Guide

Cite this suburb snapshot

Suburb Guide, “Hotham Heights, VIC Suburb Guide”, updated 2 October 2026, https://suburb.guide/vic/hotham-heights

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Suburb profile

Hotham Heights is a regional town in Victoria, in Alpine Council. Notable landmarks include Red Robin Gold Mine & Battery.

Local amenity access is stronger than in most comparable places, with local amenities 43% above the peer median. Walkability is an exceptional strength. Socio-economic advantage is among the highest in the peer group, placing it among the highest-ranked regional towns, and university qualifications are more common than in comparable places, with university qualifications 66% above the peer median. The main trade-offs are limited health access and thinner park access, with health access 67% below the peer median.

Overall, Hotham Heights suits people prioritising socio-economic advantage and local amenities over health access.

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

Regional town · compared with regional towns in Victoria (187)

Strengths

  • Socio-economic advantage is among the highest in the peer group
  • Local amenity access is stronger than in most comparable places
  • Walkability is a relative strength
  • University qualifications are more common than in comparable places

Weaknesses

  • Health-facility access is relatively limited
  • Park access is a relative weakness

What stands out

  • Red Robin Gold Mine & Battery

Who it suits

  • StudentsInsufficient data

Housing, growth and risk

How Hotham Heights compares

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

Median house price

—

No data available

Median rent (Census)

$470/wk

2021 Census median weekly rent

Population (ERP)

126

+0.8% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

82.2%

Census unoccupied dwellings

How it compares

Relative standing using percentiles, ranks, and national deciles

Crime rate

10th

percentile in state (higher = more crime)

Pop. growth

62nd

percentile in VIC

Rented dwellings

49%

2021 Census tenure

Advantage (IRSAD)

9/10

national SEIFA decile

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

Population

Estimated resident population

126(June 2025)

+0.8% annual · +3.3% over 5 years · 62th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.8%
5-year growth
+3.3%
Change in 1 year
+1
Change in 5 years
+4
Growth rank in VIC
62th 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 (~150), extrapolated at +1.0% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
128
Median age
30
Median household income / week
$2,107
Dwelling vacancy
82.2%
Unoccupied private dwellings
152 of 185
Median monthly mortgage
$834
Median weekly rent (2021 Census)
$470
Tenure (owned / mortgaged / rented)
30.3% / 21.2% / 48.5%
Employment rate
74.2%
Travel to work (WFH / public transport / car)
12.2% / 13.3% / 10%
Walked or cycled to work
45.6%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
0 / 0 / 25

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.

  • Estimated Resident Population — Australian Bureau of Statistics · 2025 · Updated · SA2 ERP allocated to suburb boundaries

Qualifications

22.7% of adults have a university degree, compared with 29.2% across Victoria. 26.1% have a trade or vocational qualification.

  • University qualified22.7% · 29.2% VIC
  • Diploma qualified6.7% · 9.8% VIC
  • Trade / vocational26.1% · 14.2% VIC
  • Year 12 or below44.5% · 46.8% VIC

Highest qualification field

Main field of the highest non-school qualification (2021 Census).

  • Food, hospitality and personal services17.2%
  • Management and commerce17.2%
  • Society and culture15.6%
  • Engineering and related technologies14.1%
  • Education9.4%
  • Creative arts6.2%
How these groups are defined
MeasureDefinition
University qualifiedBachelor degree or higher
Diploma qualifiedAdvanced Diploma / Diploma
Trade / vocationalCertificate III + IV
Year 12Year 12 as highest attainment
Below Year 12Year 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)
$49,040

30th percentile in VIC · -16% vs Australia

Median salary / wages (2023–24)
$51,455

17th percentile in VIC · -21% vs Australia

Residents with rental investments
19.0%

89th percentile in VIC · +38% vs Australia

Median super balance (2023–24)
$94,359

70th percentile in VIC · +49% vs Australia

Residents with business income
15.0%

82nd percentile in VIC · +44% vs Australia

Australian Taxation Office Taxation Statistics 2023–24, individuals Table 25. Figures describe taxpayers who live in postcode 3741 — 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
2,232
Taxpayers reporting net rent
415
Median net rent
$3,403
Taxpayers reporting business income
327
Taxable income vs state median
-8%
Salary / wages vs state median
-12%
Rental investment vs state median
+46%
Super vs state median
+17%
Business income vs state median
+36%

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

10.7% speak a language other than English at home; 18.7% born overseas

Language at home
92 English only · 11 other
Non-English at home
10.7%
Born overseas
20 (18.7%)
Australian citizens
97
Languages spoken at home (other than English)
1

Top languages other than English

Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).

  • Mandarin3 · 100%

Religion

56.2%No religion

No religion is the most common response at 56.2%, while Christianity accounts for 19.5%.

MeasureSuburbState
No religion56.2%38.8%
Christianity19.5%40.9%
Other / not stated24.2%20.3%
Christian denominations
DenominationSuburbState
Catholic7.8%20.5%

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)
2
Against the person
0
Against property
0
Rate per 1,000 residents
15.9
State crime-rate percentile
9.9th (higher = more crime)
Increase (daily rate)
+100%
Recorded road crashes (in suburb)
54
Crash rate per 1,000 residents (state rank)
428.57

Most common offence types

  • D25 Criminal Intent2

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)

Crime rate, offences against the person, year-on-year trend and recorded road crash rates

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

School list
School catchments
  • Bright P-12 CollegeGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundarysecondary_catchment
  • Falls Creek Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
  • Harrietville Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
  • Mount Beauty Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
  • Mount Beauty Secondary CollegeGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundarysecondary_catchment
  • Omeo Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment

Government school intake zones that overlap this suburb boundary. Living in a catchment does not guarantee enrolment; check the education authority.

Contributes to desirability score · Education (14%)

Median school ICSEA first, then school and catchment counts

Data sources & freshness

  • Victorian designated neighbourhood zones — Victorian Department of Education · current · Updated · Open catchment polygons where published

Public transport

3 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Big D/Great Alpine Rd
  • Big D/Great Alpine Rd
  • Transit Lounge/Great Alpine Rd

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (12%)

Public transport stops per 1,000 residents and walkability

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

20 mapped amenities

4 campgrounds

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Limited walkable amenities nearby
Walkability proxy
5/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
0
Sport & outdoors(16)
  • Boiler Plain Reference AreaNature reserve
  • Bundara - Cobungra Remote and Natural AreaNature reserve
  • Brabralung TrailWalking trail
  • Collectors CirqueWalking trail
  • Dargo LoopWalking trail
  • Dead Timber HillWalking trail
  • Dungey Track (route)Walking trail
  • McMillan Alternative Walking TrackWalking trail
  • Montane LoopWalking trail
  • Montane Walking TrackWalking trail
  • Possum Flat LoopWalking trail
  • Room with a ViewWalking trail
  • Summit WalkWalking trail
  • Tabletop WalkWalking trail
  • The Cobungra DitchWalking trail
  • The Huts WalkWalking trail
Camping & holiday parks(4)
  • Campground
  • Dibbins HutCampground
  • Dibbins Hut free camping areaCampground
  • Federation HutCampground

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
  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated

Parks & reserves

1 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Boiler Plain Reference AreaNature reserve

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Green cover of suburb area
0.1%
Woodland / forest cover
0.1%
Parks & woodland features (OSM)
35
Parks (OSM)
0
Typical summer maximum
20°C

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
1
Nearest hospital
Alpine Health [Mount Beauty] (29.9 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

GP clinic counts from OpenStreetMap. Bulk-billing figures only include clinics tagged in OSM (sparse and unofficial — not a Medicare list).

  • Mount Hotham Medical CentreGreat Alpine RoadClinic

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (12%)

Hospitals, GPs and aged care

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
2
Participants per 1,000 residents
15.9

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
20° / 9°
Rainfall
232 mm · ~29 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
14° / 5°
Rainfall
299 mm · ~37 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
5° / -1°
Rainfall
420 mm · ~52 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
12° / 3°
Rainfall
345 mm · ~43 rainy days

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)

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).

8 planning-related records

2021· 4 proposals
  • June 2021

  • Alterations and additions to an existing dwelling, construction of a second dwelling and removal of native vegetation
    130 GREAT ALPINE ROAD HOTHAM HEIGHTS 3741Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • April 2021

  • Construction of a single dwelling on leasehold lots 22, 24, 26 and 31, and associated vegetation removal
    22 HOTPLATE DRIVE MOUNT HOTHAM 3741In progress
  • The Mount Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board (RMB) are the public land manager proposing a new development at Wire Plain to support leisure and recreational activities. A new public building will include food and beverage and retail premise to support existing informal outdoor recreational use. A permit is required for use of the land, buildings and works associated with leisure and recreation and retail premises, use of land to sell or consume liquor, removal of native vegetation, a reductio
    WIRE PLAIN GREAT ALPINE ROAD HOTHAM HEIGHTS 3741In progress
  • January 2021

  • Building and works for a public building (associated with leisure and recreation) including the removal of native vegetation.
    WHISKEY FLAT GREAT ALPINE ROAD HOTHAM HEIGHTS 3741Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 4 proposals
  • November 2020

  • s72 Amendment: minor adjustments to the proposed heights and car parking layout proposed in the decision plans, and a revised preliminary geotechnical assessment requiring amendment to conditions 1 and 25 and necessitating the inclusion of a new condition at condition 6.
    1 Great Alpine RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • July 2020

  • s72 Amendment: change to proposed roofline of Unit 3, amendments to covered entry walkway to Unit 3 & 4, new cladding to Unit 3 and steel balcony to match Unit 4 replacing dilapidated existing timber balcony.
    3 & 4 17 Higgi DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works associated with the installation of underground cables, scanning gates and the removal of vegetation including native vegetation
    Gotcha Ski Lift Access TrackPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • March 2020

  • Alterations and additions to a structure (pedestrian stairway) and existing building (covered deck and ski cupboard), relocation of a building (waste hut) and associated vegetation removal
    8 1 Hot Plate DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

5 active roadworks / incidents

  • During the declared snow season, 6 June 2026 to 4 October 2026, the Great Alpine Road may be affected by snow, ice or fog. All vehicles MUST carry chains and fit them as required or instructed. Drivers are advised to slow down and drive carefully. Wet and cold weather can reduce visibility and cause roads to be more slippery. For more information on snow alerts and traffic conditions listen to local radio reports, phone Transport Victoria on 13 11 70 (24 hours) or visit https://www.mthotham.com.GREAT ALPINE ROAD, WORKSHOP ACCESS, GREAT ALPINE ROAD23 Aug 2024 – 05 Oct 2026
  • Great Alpine Road (B500), Hotham Heights - 60 km/h speed limit near Brandy Creek Firetrail due to road damage. Drive safely and comply with the 60 km/h limitGREAT ALPINE ROAD26 Mar 2026 – 28 Oct 2026
  • Seasonal closure of Dargo High Plains Road from Great Alpine Road to Alpine Shire/Wellington Shire boundary at Wongungarra, Road expected to reopen 29 October 2026. Further details: Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) www.deeca.vic.gov.auDARGO HIGH PLAINS ROAD, GREAT ALPINE ROAD, DARGO HIGH PLAINS ROAD23 Aug 2024 – 30 Oct 2026
  • Seasonal closure of Dargo High Plains Road from Great Alpine Road to Alpine Shire/Wellington Shire boundary at Wongungarra, Road expected to reopen 29 October 2026. Further details: Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) www.deeca.vic.gov.auDARGO HIGH PLAINS ROAD, WHITE TIMBER SPUR NORTH TRACK, DARGO HIGH PLAINS ROAD23 Aug 2024 – 30 Oct 2026
  • Seasonal closure of Dargo High Plains Road from Great Alpine Road to Alpine Shire/Wellington Shire boundary at Wongungarra, Road expected to reopen 29 October 2026. Further details: Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) www.deeca.vic.gov.auDARGO HIGH PLAINS ROAD, DARGO HIGH PLAINS ROAD, WHITE TIMBER SPUR NORTH TRACK23 Aug 2024 – 30 Oct 2026

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated

Heritage

4 heritage places

  • MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY MOUNTAINEERING CLUB (MUMC) HUT NH2470
  • RED ROBIN GOLD MINE & BATTERYNH1881
  • RED ROBIN GOLD MINE & BATTERYNH1881
  • SPARGOS HUTNH1609

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
Overlay applies
Flood / inundation overlay
No mapped inundation on 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
Indi
Member of Parliament
Helen HAINES (Independent)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
120,774
Turnout (2025)
92.8%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
-1.4 pp toward Coalition

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 56.7%Labor 43.3%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 62.9 km away).

Coalition 43.6%Labor 56.4%

13.0 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: -0.7 pp toward Coalition

Nearest polling places

  • HarrietvilleLabor 60.6% · Coalition 39.4% TPP (2025)15.2 km away
  • Mount BeautyLabor 56.3% · Coalition 43.7% TPP (2025)28.6 km away
  • WandiligongLabor 56.4% · Coalition 43.6% TPP (2025)30.5 km away
  • BrightLabor 57.5% · Coalition 42.5% TPP (2025)34.9 km away
  • PorepunkahLabor 52.6% · Coalition 47.4% TPP (2025)40.3 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)
9/10
IRSD decile (2021)
8/10

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 (12%)

Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD and IRSD deciles)

Data sources & freshness

More in Alpine Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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