suburb.guide

VIC · Wellington Council

Loch Sport, 3851

Est. population · Jun 2025

622

Growth (1 yr)

+0.5%

Growth (5 yr)

+4.2%

Median age

63

Median income

$674/wk

Employment rate

23.7%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$395,000

Languages at home

4.5%non-English

Most common: Tagalog, Greek, Italian

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

31.6/100
Below average

1023rd in VIC

Verified 93% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • National parks
  • Green suburb
  • Excellent transport
  • Education hub
  • High desirability
What Loch Sport is known for: National parks, Green suburb, Excellent transport, Education hub, High desirability

Suburb profile

In Wellington Council, Loch Sport keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name.

Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses still link the suburb further afield. Purchase and rent costs sit on the more affordable side of the local range.

Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. Renewal is happening in measured doses, with new development complementing what is already there.

The overall desirability read is below average, pulled by softer community and employment compared with similar regional towns, though growth momentum remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Loch Sport snapshot

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

Median house price

$395k

+13% change

Median rent

$450/wk

Population (ERP)

622

+0.5% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

69.7%

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

#257

among Country & regional · Mature

Safety

87th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

53rd

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

1/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

13th

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
31.6/100 — Below average
National rank
5308th in Australia
State rank
1023rd in VIC
Peer rank
#257 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#525 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
93%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

All types (Sep 2025 (council median))
$450
Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$395,000
Median price change
+12.9%

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

622(June 2025)

+0.5% annual · +4.2% over 5 years · 53th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.5%
5-year growth
+4.2%
Change in 1 year
+3
Change in 5 years
+25
Growth rank in VIC
53th 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 (~700), extrapolated at +1.8% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
1,021
Median age
63
Median household income / week
$674
Dwelling vacancy
69.7%
Unoccupied private dwellings
1,208 of 1,732
Median monthly mortgage
$700
Employment rate
23.7%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
518 / 0 / 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)
99
Against the person
43
Against property
24
Rate per 1,000 residents
159.2
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 24 residents
State safety percentile
86.8th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-31.2%

Most common offence types

  • A211 Fv Serious Assault6
  • A231 Fv Common Assault11
  • B21 Criminal Damage6
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order11
  • E22 Breach Intervention Order12

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
910
Median ICSEA percentile
13th
School list
  • Loch Sport Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 910 · 13th percentile · LBOTE 7% · 21 students · Top SEA quarter 1% · 0.4 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

14 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Charlies St/Government Rd
  • Charlies St/Government Rd
  • Cliff St/Lake St
  • First St/Lake St
  • First St/Lake St

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

12 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

1 post offices

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Limited walkable amenities nearby
  • Great for outdoor family life — 4 parks mapped in suburb
  • Reasonable bus and transport access — 14 public transport stops
Walkability proxy
21/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
3.92
Community(1)
  • Loch Sport Primary SchoolSchool

    7 Charlies Street

Sport & outdoors(3)
  • Loch Sport Golf ClubGolf course
  • Charlies Street ReservePark
  • Sports field
Transport(1)

1 bus stops

Other(7)
  • Loch Sport Caravan ParkCaravan Site
  • Information
  • Parking
  • Loch Sport Police StationPolice

    1 Government Road

  • Post office
  • Public toilets
  • Yes

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

  • Charlies Street ReservePark
  • Point WilsonPark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
5
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

Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
3
Nearest hospital
Bairnsdale Regional Health Service (25.7 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
Not in suburb
  • Loch Sport Medical CentreDoctor
  • Loch Sport PharmacyPharmacy
  • The Loch Sport Community Health CentreGraham StreetYes

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
17
Participants per 1,000 residents
27.3

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
24° / 14°
Rainfall
187 mm · ~23 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
20° / 11°
Rainfall
190 mm · ~24 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
15° / 6°
Rainfall
188 mm · ~24 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
19° / 9°
Rainfall
218 mm · ~27 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).

29 planning-related records

2021· 14 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Buildings and works associated with construction of an outbuilding. Buildings and works associated with construction of an outbuilding.
    43 WILHELM STREET LOCH SPORT 3851Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings & works associated with construction of a carport. Buildings & works associated with construction of a carport.
    19 NATIONAL PARK ROAD LOCH SPORT 3851Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2021

  • Buildings & works associated with an outbuilding. Buildings & works associated with an outbuilding.
    50 VICTORIA STREET LOCH SPORT 3851Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use of land to sell or consume liquor. Use of land to sell or consume liquor.
    CHARLIES STREET LOCH SPORT 3851Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Buildings and works for the development of a dwelling. Buildings and works for the development of a dwelling.
    156 National Park RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings & works associated with construction of a dwelling. Buildings & works associated with construction of a dwelling.
    1 CHRISTOPHER COURT LOCH SPORT 3851Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings & works for the development of a dwelling. Buildings & works for the development of a dwelling.
    6 GEOFREY AVENUE LOCH SPORT 3851Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works for extensions to the existing dwelling. Buildings and works for extensions to the existing dwelling.
    1-3 Leon StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings & works associated with a dwelling & outbuilding. Buildings & works associated with a dwelling & outbuilding.
    45 Wilhelm StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Buildings and works associated with a dwelling. Buildings and works associated with a dwelling.
    4 Karen CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Buildings and works associated with development of a single dwelling. Buildings and works associated with development of a single dwelling.
    16 Davies StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings & works associated with extension to existing dwelling. Buildings & works associated with extension to existing dwelling.
    57 Seagull DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Use of land for place of assembly (Loch Sport Community House). Use of land for place of assembly (Loch Sport Community House).
    55 National Park RoadWithdrawn

  • January 2021

  • Buildings and works associated with construction of a dwelling. Buildings and works associated with construction of a dwelling.
    156 National Park RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 15 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Buildings & works associated with construction of a dwelling. Buildings & works associated with construction of a dwelling.
    91 The BoulevardPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works associated with construction of a dwelling. Buildings and works associated with construction of a dwelling.
    52 Government RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works associated with construction of a dwelling. Buildings and works associated with construction of a dwelling.
    29 Bluff DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works associated with construction of a dwelling. Buildings and works associated with construction of a dwelling.
    50 National Park RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • November 2020

  • Buildings and works associated with construction of a dwelling. Buildings and works associated with construction of a dwelling.
    4 Aneta CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • Buildings and works associated with construction of 3 storey dwelling. Buildings and works associated with construction of a three storey dwelling.
    30 Wallaby StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Buildings and works associated with use as a service station. Buildings and works for a canopy and other minor works associated with the use of the site as a service station.
    89 Goodlett AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2020

  • Buildings and works associated with construction of a dwelling. Buildings and works associated with construction of a dwelling.
    9 Sanctuary RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2020

  • Buildings and works associated with construction of a dwelling. Buildings and works associated with construction of a dwelling.
    67 Seagull DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2020

  • Building and works/construction of a dwelling and outbuilding. Building and works/construction of a dwelling and outbuilding.
    9 Horder StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works associated with construction of a dwelling. Buildings and works associated with construction of a dwelling
    27 Caldwell StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works associated with construction of a dwelling. Buildings and works associated with construction of a dwelling.
    104 Lake StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings & works associated with extension to existing dwelling. Buildings & works associated with extension to existing dwelling.
    4 The BoulevardPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2020

  • Buildings and works associated with construction of an outbuilding. Buildings and works associated with construction of an outbuilding.
    48 Fisher ParadePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2020

  • Buildings and works associated with construction of a shed. Buildings and works associated with construction of a shed.
    2 Campbell StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
Overlay applies

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
Gippsland
Member of Parliament
Darren CHESTER (The Nationals)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
118,075
Turnout (2025)
92.0%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+1.2 pp toward Labor

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 69.4%Labor 30.6%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 25.5 km away).

Coalition 65.9%Labor 34.1%

3.5 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +0.4 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • Loch SportLabor 34.2% · Coalition 65.8% TPP (2025)1.2 km away
  • Newlands ArmLabor 32.7% · Coalition 67.3% TPP (2025)15.5 km away
  • PaynesvilleLabor 39.8% · Coalition 60.2% TPP (2025)17.8 km away
  • Eagle PointLabor 31.8% · Coalition 68.2% TPP (2025)18.4 km away
  • Bairnsdale WestLabor 34.7% · Coalition 65.3% TPP (2025)24.4 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)
1/10
IRSD decile (2021)
1/10

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 Wellington Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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