suburb.guide

VIC · Macedon Ranges Council

Malmsbury, 3446

Est. population · Jun 2025

920

Growth (1 yr)

+0.8%

Growth (5 yr)

+2.8%

Median age

45

Median income

$1,636/wk

Employment rate

58.8%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$835,000

Languages at home

4.8%non-English

Most common: French, Spanish, Arabic

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

46.7/100
Average

Top 43% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 89% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • Excellent transport
  • Heritage area
  • Education hub
  • National parks
What Malmsbury is known for: Green suburb, Excellent transport, Heritage area, Education hub, National parks

Suburb profile

In Macedon Ranges Council, Malmsbury keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with plenty of young families in the mix. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting.

Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. 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.

Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. Active development is adding new homes and refreshed pockets throughout the suburb.

Against similar regional towns, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities lag behind, despite relative strength in growth momentum. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Malmsbury snapshot

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

Median house price

$835k

+13% change

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

920

+0.8% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

11.1%

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

#50

among Country & regional · Mature

Safety

40th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

61st

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

7/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

77th

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
46.7/100 — Average
State standing
Top 43% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
2617th in Australia
State rank
539th in VIC
Peer rank
#50 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#153 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
89%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$835,000
Median price change
+13.3%

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

920(June 2025)

+0.8% annual · +2.8% over 5 years · 61th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.8%
5-year growth
+2.8%
Change in 1 year
+7
Change in 5 years
+25
Growth rank in VIC
61th 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 (~1,000), extrapolated at +1.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
905
Median age
45
Median household income / week
$1,636
Dwelling vacancy
11.1%
Unoccupied private dwellings
44 of 396
Median monthly mortgage
$1,324
Employment rate
58.8%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
347 / 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)
39
Against the person
10
Against property
21
Rate per 1,000 residents
42.4
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 90 residents
State safety percentile
39.9th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-32.8%

Most common offence types

  • A89 Other Dangerous Or Negligent Acts Endangering People3
  • B21 Criminal Damage9
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle4
  • B49 Other Theft4
  • D35 Improper Movement On Public Or Private Space3

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
1,074
Median ICSEA percentile
77th
School list
  • Malmsbury Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1074 · 77th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 69 students · Top SEA quarter 36% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

5 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Campbell St/Mollison St
  • Malmsbury Railway Station
  • Malmsbury Station
  • Malmsbury Station/Campbell St
  • Police Station/Mollison St

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

13 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

1 places of worship · 5 swimming pools

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Limited walkable amenities nearby
  • Great for outdoor family life — 3 parks mapped in suburb
Walkability proxy
8/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
3.31
Community(2)
  • Malmsbury Primary SchoolSchool

    28 Cameron Street

  • Parkville College Malmsbury CampusSchool
Sport & outdoors(5)
  • Swimming pool (5)
Other(5)
  • Malmsbury NurseryGarden Centre
  • Parking (2)
  • Saint JohnsPlace of worship
  • Malmsbury Youth Justice CentrePrison
  • Prison

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

  • Malmsbury Botanical GardensPark
  • Malmsbury Reservoir Recreation ReservePark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
7
Parks (OSM)
3

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

Places of worship

1 places of worship within ~1.5 km

  • Saint Johns

From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Nearest hospital
Kyneton District Health Service (10.6 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)
33
Participants per 1,000 residents
35.9

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
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).

72 planning-related records

2021· 29 proposals

  • August 2021

  • Use and development of a dwelling, associated works and lopping of vegetation
    35 ROSS STREET MALMSBURY 3446Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for a replacement dwelling (Amendment sought to modify exisiting dwelling to a B & B) and provide a carport
    391 YOUNGS ROAD MALMSBURY 3446In progress
  • Development of outdoor shower & pavilion
    21 WALSH STREET MALMSBURY 3446Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for a dwelling
    UNIT 2/7 TUCKER STREET MALMSBURY 3446Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a Dwelling, Outbuilding (Shed) and Crossover.
    31 CLOWES STREET MALMSBURY 3446Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Development of a Dwelling, Removal of two (2) trees (non-native) and Alteration of Access to a Road Zone, Category 1
    126 MOLLISON STREET MALMSBURY 3446Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of an extension to an existing dwelling and associated vegetation removal (Amendment sought to modify building)
    152 MOLLISON STREET MALMSBURY 3446Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the Land for a Dwelling
    915 MALMSBURY METCALFE ROAD MALMSBURY 3446Withdrawn

  • June 2021

  • Development of the Land for a Dwelling & Outbuilding (shed)
    11 CLOWES STREET MALMSBURY 3446Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a dwelling, outbuilding, swimming pool and fence, associated works and vegetation removal (Amendment Sought to alter Endorsed Plans (Double storey Dwelling) and Development of an Outbuilding (shed) & Pool.
    115 MOLLISON STREET MALMSBURY 3446NOD issued by a delegate

  • May 2021

  • Development of an extension to the existing dwelling and removal of non-native vegetation (8 trees)
    3-5 ROSS STREET MALMSBURY 3446Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Demolition of Existing Changing Rooms and Toilets.
    ELLESMERE PLACE MALMSBURY 3446Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two (2) Lot Subdivision
    14-18 WALSH STREET MALMSBURY 3446Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a single dwelling, outbuilding (carport) and crossover.
    4 BRODIE STREET MALMSBURY 3446Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Development of the land for a dwelling.
    37 ROSS STREET MALMSBURY 3446Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a single dwelling
    20 URQUHART STREET MALMSBURY 3446Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • Development of an outbuilding (garage).
    154 Mollison StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a single dwelling
    11 URQUHART STREET MALMSBURY 3446Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a dwelling and outbuilding.
    35 URQUHART STREET MALMSBURY 3446Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a single dwelling.
    12 ROSS STREET MALMSBURY 3446Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a Dwelling and Outbuilding (Garage) and Post and Wire Fence
    9-25 MOLLISON STREET MALMSBURY 3446Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Development of the land for a dwelling with 1m high front boundary fence, two outbuildings (carport and shed) and removal of vegetation (Amendment sought for changes to trees, deletion of retaining wall and water tank, addition of solar panels, and reduction of deck.)
    6 Brodie StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of an outbuilding (shed).
    53 URQUHART STREET MALMSBURY 3446Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of an outbuilding (shed).
    4 ADAMSON STREET MALMSBURY 3446Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a dwelling and removal of vegetation.
    43 CLOWES STREET MALMSBURY 3446Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of multiple outbuildings
    55 MITCHELL STREET MALMSBURY 3446NOD issued by a delegate

  • February 2021

  • Building and works associated with installation of four (4) shade sails
    30 Mollison StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of an outbuilding.
    8 FLEMING STREET MALMSBURY 3446Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2021

  • In accordance with the endorsed plans: Change of Use of an Agricultural Building to a Dwelling with Associated Buildings and Works (Amendment sought to change the use of a farm shed to a dwelling with associated works)
    386 YOUNGS ROAD MALMSBURY 3446Refusal issued by the Resp. Authority
2020· 11 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Two (2) Lot Subdivision
    Daylesford RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Retrospective Use and Development of the Land for a Dwelling
    386 Youngs RoadWithdrawn
  • Re-subdivision of twenty-nine (29) lots into twenty-nine (29) lots in three (3) stages, alter access to a Road Zone Category 1 and removal of native vegetation
    BOWEN STREET MALMSBURY 3446NOD issued by the Resp. Authority
  • Development of an extension to and partial demolition of an existing dwelling and removal of vegetation
    31 RALEIGH STREET MALMSBURY 3446Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of an extension to the existing dwelling (deck) and an outbuilding (carport)
    31 Patterson StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • November 2020

  • Development of a dwelling, creation of vehicle crossover and removal of vegetation
    31 Clowes StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a replacement pergola
    44 Ross StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Installation of fourteen (14) Solar Panels on roof of an existing dwelling
    19B Ross StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Demolition of outbuilding (shed)
    8 Ross StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of a dwelling and associated outbuilding
    34 CLOWES STREET MALMSBURY 3446NOD issued by a delegate

  • October 2020

  • Development of a business identification sign.
    81 Mollison StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

8 heritage places

  • COLIBAN WATER SUPPLYNH1021
  • COLIBAN WATER SUPPLYNH1021
  • COLIBAN WATER SUPPLYNH1021
  • COLIBAN WATER SUPPLYNH1021
  • COLIBAN WATER SUPPLYNH1021
  • MALMSBURY BOTANIC GARDENSNH1993
  • MALMSBURY RAILWAY BRIDGENH1434
  • MALMSBURY RAILWAY STATIONNH1574

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 19.5 km away).

Coalition 35.7%Labor 64.3%

12.9 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +64.3 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • MalmsburyLabor 64.3% · Coalition 35.7% TPP (2025)0.5 km away
  • TaradaleLabor 73.1% · Coalition 26.9% TPP (2025)6.0 km away
  • KynetonLabor 65.3% · Coalition 34.7% TPP (2025)9.3 km away
  • Kyneton EastLabor 60.0% · Coalition 40.0% TPP (2025)9.6 km away
  • ElphinstoneLabor 53.2% · Coalition 46.8% TPP (2025)10.2 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)
7/10
IRSD decile (2021)
7/10

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

More in Macedon Ranges Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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