Median house price
$525k
+6.1% change
VIC · Greater Bendigo Council
Ironbark, 3550
Est. population · Jun 2025
1,138
Growth (1 yr)
+0.3%
Growth (5 yr)
-4.1%
Median age
41
Median income
$1,274/wk
Employment rate
54.7%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$525,000
Languages at home
8%non-English
Most common: Hindi, Urdu
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Education hub
- Excellent transport
- Café precinct
- Heritage area
- National parks
Suburb profile
Ironbark sits in Greater Bendigo Council as a regional smaller community that feels self-contained and a long way from big-city bustle. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Families have many nearby school and early-learning options to choose from.
Local eateries and coffee spots give the area a friendly, everyday social rhythm. Local parks and tree cover add a welcome outdoor dimension to suburban life. Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus, and buses help with longer trips.
Housing is more affordable than in many parts of the state. Steady development is bringing new homes and gradual renewal to parts of the suburb.
Desirability sits around average overall, with community and employment, plus local dining and lifestyle amenities the main drag compared with similar regional towns.
At a glance
Ironbark snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$475/wk
Population (ERP)
1,138
+0.3% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
8.0%
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
#32
among Country & regional · Established
Safety
70th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
48th
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
2/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
49th
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
- 50.7/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 36% of Victoria's suburbs
- National rank
- 2072nd in Australia
- State rank
- 447th in VIC
- Peer rank
- #32 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #108 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (Sep 2025 (council median))
- $475
- Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
- $525,000
- Median price change
- +6.1%
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
1,138(June 2025)
+0.3% annual · -4.1% over 5 years · 48th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.3%
- 5-year growth
- -4.1%
- Change in 1 year
- +3
- Change in 5 years
- -49
- Growth rank in VIC
- 48th 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 -0.2% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 1,163
- Median age
- 41
- Median household income / week
- $1,274
- Dwelling vacancy
- 8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 43 of 537
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,300
- Employment rate
- 54.7%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 425 / 65 / 3
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)
- 96
- Against the person
- 22
- Against property
- 48
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 84.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 53 residents
- State safety percentile
- 70.2th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -8.6%
Most common offence types
- B21 Criminal Damage8
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle12
- B49 Other Theft9
- C32 Drug Possession7
- Other Crimes Against The Person5
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
- 11
- Median school ICSEA (11 schools)
- 1,005
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 49th
School list
- Bendigo Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1005 · 49th percentile · LBOTE 11% · 196 students · Top SEA quarter 20% · 0.3 km awayView on My School →
- Catherine McAuley CollegeSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 1055 · 70th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 1,567 students · Top SEA quarter 23% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
- Girton Grammar SchoolCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1148 · 95th percentile · LBOTE 23% · 1,195 students · Top SEA quarter 60% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
- Camp Hill Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1040 · 64th percentile · LBOTE 16% · 251 students · Top SEA quarter 23% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- Creek Street Christian CollegeCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1063 · 73th percentile · LBOTE 18% · 457 students · Top SEA quarter 28% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
- Bendigo Senior Secondary CollegeSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1003 · 48th percentile · LBOTE 12% · 1,918 students · Top SEA quarter 15% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- St Peter's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 979 · 37th percentile · LBOTE 34% · 132 students · Top SEA quarter 12% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
- Specimen Hill Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 934 · 19th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 234 students · Top SEA quarter 7% · 1.6 km awayView on My School →
- Golden Square Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 967 · 32th percentile · LBOTE 15% · 262 students · Top SEA quarter 8% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
- St Kilian's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1059 · 72th percentile · LBOTE 13% · 268 students · Top SEA quarter 22% · 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
Public transport
15 public transport stops in this suburb
- Don St/Eaglehawk Rd
- Energetic St/Eaglehawk Rd
- Old Violet St/Barnard St
- St John of God Bendigo Hospital/Barnard St
- Susan St/Eaglehawk 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
52 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 cafes · 1 pubs · 1 supermarkets · 2 fast food · 2 places of worship · 2 swimming pools
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 15 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 56/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.86
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 3.44
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.72
Food & drink(4)
- Bedford Brew CoffeeCafe
8-32 Marong Road, Ironbark
- Fast food
- Nelson PizzaFast food
42 Eaglehawk Road, Ironbark
- British & American HotelPub
84-86 Eaglehawk Road, Ironbark
Shopping(1)
- The Fruit ShackSupermarket
46 Eaglehawk Road, Ironbark
Community(1)
- Bendigo Primary SchoolSchool
91 Old Violet Street
Sport & outdoors(5)
- Garden Gully Recreation ReservePark
- South Garden Gully Recreation ReservePark
- Sports field
- Clark RubberSwimming pool
8-32 Marong Road, Ironbark
- Swimming pool
Transport(12)
12 bus stops
Other(15)
- Barnard Street Car SalesCar
- Car repair
- HarrosCar wash
- SalvosCharity
2-6 Marong Road, Ironbark
- Lindsays Lingerie WarehouseClothes
8-32 Marong Road, Ironbark
- SpotlightFabric
8-32 Marong Road, Ironbark
- Garden (3)
- Mall
8-32 Marong Road, Ironbark
- AnacondaOutdoor
8-32 Marong Road, Ironbark
- Parking (13)
- Dormition of Our Lady Greek Orthodox ChurchPlace of worship
3 Marong Road, Ironbark
- Enjoy ChurchPlace of worship
- Estia HealthSocial Facility
41-47 Victoria Street, Ironbark
- ScopeSocial Facility
- ToyworldToys
8-32 Marong Road, Ironbark
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
- Garden Gully Recreation ReservePark
- South Garden Gully Recreation ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 3
- Parks (OSM)
- 2
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
- Dormition of Our Lady Greek Orthodox Church
3 Marong Road, Ironbark
- Enjoy Church
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- St John of God Bendigo Hospital (0.8 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)
- 77
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 67.7
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
Planning & development
Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).
22 planning-related records
2021· 9 proposals
August 2021
- Demolition of outbuilding, partial demolition of dwelling, construction of an extension, new garage, pool and front fence (Amended plans for design changes)27 MARONG ROAD IRONBARK 3550Withdrawn
- Demolition of an existing dwelling, alterations and extension to car wash, and alterations to an access to a road in a Road Zone - Category 122-24 EAGLEHAWK ROAD IRONBARK 3550Lapsed
July 2021
- Subdivide land into 2 lots6-8 ASHLEY STREET IRONBARK 3550Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- 2 lot subdivision308 BARNARD STREET IRONBARK 3550Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2021
- Partial demolition and works to an existing dwelling and carport (retrospective)6 WEBSTER STREET IRONBARK 3550Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition, construction of an extension, carport and pool to an existing dwelling and removal of vegetation (Amended plans addition of solar panels)214 DON STREET IRONBARK 3550Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Replacement of front fence, construction of window awning, pergola and arbor, removal of cladding and replacement of weatherboards and alter external paint colours16 Thomas StreetNo permit required
March 2021
- Demolition of outbuilding265 Wattle StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition of the existing dwelling and outbuildings, construction of an extension and external alterations to the existing dwelling and subdivision of the land into 3 lots29 WEBSTER STREET IRONBARK 3550Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 13 proposals
December 2020
- Alterations and additions to an existing dwelling71 OLD VIOLET STREET IRONBARK 3550Lapsed
November 2020
- Construction of a dwelling85 Langston StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Demolition of outbuilding, partial demolition of dwelling, construction of an extension, new garage, pool and front fence27 Marong RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition, construction of an extension, carport and pool to an existing dwelling and removal of vegetation214 Don StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a dwelling34A Victoria StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
October 2020
- Demolition and reconstruction of front verandah7 Thomas StreetWithdrawn
- 3 lot subdivision of land and construction of 3 dwellings35 Webster StreetNOD issued by a delegate
September 2020
- Buildings and works associated with alterations and additions to a dwelling34 Valentine StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Removal and replacement of existing carport, construction of deck and external alterations80 Eaglehawk RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2020
- Use and Development of Land for a Childcare Centre, Removal of Native Vegetation and Alteration of Access from a Transport Zone 2 Road62-68 EAGLEHAWK ROAD IRONBARK 3550NOD issued by the Resp. Authority
- Construction of shelter104 Eaglehawk RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2020
- External alterations to existing dwelling17 Marong RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- In accordance with the endorsed plans Demolition of a dwelling Three lot subdivision Construction of two dwellings Construction of two crossovers4 Robshaw StreetNOD issued by the Resp. Authority
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
3 active roadworks / incidents
- Council Works activities occurring between 12/06/2026 and 29/01/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.EAGLEHAWK ROAD, VALENTINE STREET11 Jun 2026 – 28 Jan 2027
- Council Works activities occurring between 12/06/2026 and 29/01/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.EAGLEHAWK ROAD, MARONG ROAD11 Jun 2026 – 28 Jan 2027
- Council Works activities occurring between 12/06/2026 and 29/01/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.MARONG ROAD, EAGLEHAWK ROAD11 Jun 2026 – 28 Jan 2027
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Heritage
2 heritage places
- FORMER FUSE FACTORYNH1680
- VICTORIA HILL QUARTZ GOLD MINESNH1355
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 2.7 km away).
Coalition 40.8%Labor 59.2%
7.8 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +59.2 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- BendigoLabor 52.5% · Coalition 47.5% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- Long GullyLabor 66.0% · Coalition 34.0% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- Golden Square SouthLabor 63.3% · Coalition 36.7% TPP (2025)1.6 km away
- Golden SquareLabor 60.4% · Coalition 39.6% TPP (2025)1.8 km away
- Bendigo NorthLabor 56.3% · Coalition 43.7% TPP (2025)2.1 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)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 2/10
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 Bendigo Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.