suburb.guide

VIC · Greater Geelong Council

Little River, 3211

Est. population · Jun 2025

1,500

Growth (1 yr)

+5.9%

Growth (5 yr)

+30.6%

Median age

42

Median income

$2,005/wk

Employment rate

55.5%

Languages at home

14.6%non-English

Most common: Arabic, Punjabi, Mandarin

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

42.6/100
Average

661st in VIC

Verified 85% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • National parks
  • River access
  • Heritage area
  • Excellent transport
What Little River is known for: Green suburb, National parks, River access, Heritage area, Excellent transport

Suburb profile

Little River is a hillside smaller community in Greater Geelong Council, with elevated streets and a greener, quieter pace. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice.

With limited local amenities, residents regularly travel to a neighbouring town for shops, appointments and a wider choice. Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many regional towns, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area.

Property prices run toward the upper end of the local market. Active development is adding new homes and refreshed pockets throughout the suburb.

Desirability lands around average here: softer schools and education, plus safety weighing on the result versus similar regional towns, even with growth momentum holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Little River snapshot

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

Median house price

—

No data available

Median rent

$490/wk

Population (ERP)

1,500

+5.9% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

7.6%

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

#61

among Country & regional · Emerging

Safety

84th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

98th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

6/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

37th

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
42.6/100 — Average
National rank
3314th in Australia
State rank
661st in VIC
Peer rank
#61 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
Cohort rank
#233 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
85%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated

Housing

All types (Sep 2025 (council median))
$490

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

Population

Estimated resident population

1,500(June 2025)

+5.9% annual · +30.6% over 5 years · 98th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+5.9%
5-year growth
+30.6%
Change in 1 year
+84
Change in 5 years
+351
Growth rank in VIC
98th 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 (~1,850), extrapolated at +4.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
1,353
Median age
42
Median household income / week
$2,005
Dwelling vacancy
7.6%
Unoccupied private dwellings
33 of 435
Median monthly mortgage
$2,167
Employment rate
55.5%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
400 / 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 decreased compared with the previous period.

Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
208
Against the person
36
Against property
140
Rate per 1,000 residents
138.7
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 38 residents
State safety percentile
83.8th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-9.2%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage10
  • B41 Motor Vehicle Theft21
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle10
  • B45 Receiving Or Handling Stolen Goods11
  • B49 Other Theft54

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
1
Median school ICSEA
978
Median ICSEA percentile
37th
School list
  • Little River Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 978 · 37th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 102 students · Top SEA quarter 8%View on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap

  • Little River Centrekindergarten

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated

Public transport

3 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Little River Railway Station
  • Little River Station
  • Little River Station

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.

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

6 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Bulban ReservePark
  • Bull ReservePark
  • Freshwater Swamp, Little River Wildlife Reserve (no hunting)Nature reserve
  • Possy Newland ReservePark
  • Rees ReservePark
  • Rothwell ReserveNature reserve

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
22
Parks (OSM)
4

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

Health access

Nearest hospital
Werribee Mercy Hospital (20.9 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
62
Participants per 1,000 residents
41.3

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
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).

44 planning-related records

2021· 26 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Construction of a Shelter Area Adjacent to Existing Building and Direction Signage
    760 SANDY CREEK ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Alterations and Additions to a Dwelling
    30 CALVERT ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Site Entry / Gatehouse Building and Removal of Vegetation
    760 SANDY CREEK ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2021

  • Use and development for the purposes of an extension to the existing sports pavilion
    RIVER STREET LITTLE RIVER 3211No permit required
  • Amendment to the Planning Permit - Extension of scope of removal of native vegetation. - Removal of native vegetation for the construction of Rothwell Road between Old Melbourne Rd & McLeans Road - and removal of vegetation for the construction of a swale drain along Gleesons Rd within Environmental Significance Overlay Schedule 1 .
    230 ROTHWELL ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Use and development of one single storey dwelling
    100 ROTHWELL ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Construction of a Shed
    155 Minns RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works Associated with an Existing Warehouse, Construction of a Warehouse and Removal of Vegetation
    760 SANDY CREEK ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Shed
    15 Bates RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and Works for an Extension to a Dwelling
    125 MINNS ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Construction of Two (2) Sheds and Removal of Native Vegetation
    760 SANDY CREEK ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Shed in an Environmental Significance Overlay
    80 Bates RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of Machinery Shed
    2-4 ROBS LANE LITTLE RIVER 3211Withdrawn

  • April 2021

  • Alterations and Additions to an Existing Dwelling
    700 Old Melbourne RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use of the Land for a Contractors Depot
    70 EXPRESS ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Refusal issued by a delegate
  • Construction of a Shed
    20 Calvert RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Shed
    120 KIRKS BRIDGE ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Construction of a Shed
    50 Hughes RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Development of a Dwelling and Removal of Native Vegetation
    30 BATES ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Shed
    125-135 Argyle StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Construction of Dwelling to replace existing Dwelling.
    18-32 GLEESONS ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Shed in Farming Zone and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    35 Oxford StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development and Use of an Animal Boarding Facility
    135 You Yangs RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Shed
    110 Minns RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Shed Associated with a Dwelling
    50 Edgars RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2021

  • Use of the land for domestic animal day care including the removal of native grasses
    55 MINNS ROAD LITTLE RIVER 3211Withdrawn
2020· 14 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Earthworks Associated with Quarry Rehabilitation
    555 Sandy Creek RoadNOD issued by the Resp. Authority
  • Buildings and Works Associated with a Telecommunications Facility (30m Monopole)
    10 ARGYLE STREET LITTLE RIVER 3211NOD issued by a delegate
  • Construction of a single storey dwelling
    111-117 Old Melbourne RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Garage Associated with a Dwelling in a Farming Zone
    85 Shaws RoadWithdrawn

  • November 2020

  • Construction of Shed Associated with Existing Dwelling
    85 Shaws RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Secondary Consent - Amendment to the Endorsed Plans to Increase the Length of the Shed by Five Metres and Alter the Alignment of the Building.
    34-48 Gleesons RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • Construction of Antenna Mast
    85 Shaws RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Shed in a Farming Zone
    55 Express RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • Construction of a Replacement Dwelling and Decommissioning of Existing Dwelling on the Land and Removal of Scattered Native Vegetation
    55 Express RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • The Use and Development of the land with a Replacement Dwelling and associated buildings and works in accordance with the endorsed plans.
    27-31 Old Melbourne RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Buildings and Works - Covered Horse Arena / Pavilion - Amendment to the endorsed plans to include an enclosed wall in the northern elevation.
    63 McNaughton DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • Use and Development of Land for Landscape Gardening supplies
    10 Hughes RoadLapsed

  • June 2020

  • Buildings and Works - Covered Horse Arena / Pavilion
    63 McNaughton DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2020

  • Alterations and Additions to an Existing Dwelling
    100 Calvert RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

13 active roadworks / incidents

  • Building / 3rd Party Works activities occurring between 26/05/2026 and 02/10/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed southbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.WESTS ROAD, MORRISONS LANE25 May 2026 – 01 Oct 2026
  • Building / 3rd Party Works activities occurring between 26/05/2026 and 02/10/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed southbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.PRINCES FREEWAY, LITTLE RIVER-PRINCES IN RAMP ON25 May 2026 – 01 Oct 2026
  • Building / 3rd Party Works activities occurring between 26/05/2026 and 02/10/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed northbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.PRINCES FREEWAY, LITTLE RIVER-PRINCES IN RAMP ON25 May 2026 – 01 Oct 2026
  • Road Safety Camera Works activities occurring between 01/01/2022 and 30/06/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 9:30 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 6:00 AM to 6:00 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 Nil.PRINCES HIGHWAY, POINT WILSON-PRINCES IN RAMP ON31 Dec 2021 – 29 Jun 2027
  • Road Safety Camera Works activities occurring between 03/04/2023 and 31/03/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 9:30 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.PRINCES FREEWAY, PRINCES OUT-160 SOUTH RAMP OF02 Apr 2023 – 30 Mar 2027
  • Road Safety Camera Works activities occurring between 07/05/2026 and 31/08/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed inbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.PRINCES HIGHWAY, POINT WILSON-PRINCES IN RAMP ON06 May 2026 – 30 Aug 2027
  • Road Safety Camera Works activities occurring between 07/05/2026 and 31/08/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed outbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.PRINCES HIGHWAY, PRINCES OUT-POINT WILSON RAMP OF06 May 2026 – 30 Aug 2027
  • Road Safety Camera Works activities occurring between 20/07/2026 and 30/04/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed northbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.PRINCES HIGHWAY, PRINCES OUT-POINT WILSON RAMP OF19 Jul 2026 – 29 Apr 2027
  • Road Safety Camera Works activities occurring between 20/07/2026 and 30/04/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed northbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.PRINCES OUT-POINT WILSON RAMP OF, PRINCES HIGHWAY19 Jul 2026 – 29 Apr 2027
  • Road Safety Camera Works activities occurring between 20/07/2026 and 30/04/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed northbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.PRINCES HIGHWAY, POINT WILSON-PRINCES IN RAMP ON19 Jul 2026 – 29 Apr 2027

Data sources & freshness

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

Heritage

4 heritage places

  • LITTLE RIVER RAILWAY STATION & GOODS YARDNH1572
  • MT ROTHWELL HOMESTEADNH1107
  • ROTHWELL BRIDGENH1454
  • ROTHWELL BRIDGENH1454

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
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 18.8 km away).

Coalition 37.3%Labor 62.7%

0.5 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: -0.1 pp toward Coalition

Nearest polling places

  • Little RiverLabor 59.3% · Coalition 40.7% TPP (2025)4.2 km away
  • Lara EastLabor 71.6% · Coalition 28.4% TPP (2025)10.5 km away
  • Lara CBDLabor 62.3% · Coalition 37.7% TPP (2025)10.9 km away
  • Lara CentralLabor 62.5% · Coalition 37.5% TPP (2025)11.5 km away
  • Lara LakeLabor 64.3% · Coalition 35.7% TPP (2025)12.4 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)
6/10
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

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.