suburb.guide

VIC · Golden Plains Council

Meredith, 3333

Est. population · Jun 2025

984

Growth (1 yr)

+2.5%

Growth (5 yr)

+15.2%

Median age

45

Median income

$1,638/wk

Employment rate

56.8%

Languages at home

2%non-English

Mostly English at home

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

33.5/100
Below average

959th in VIC

Verified 78% confidence

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

Suburb profile

Meredith offers a slower smaller community life in Golden Plains Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with family life visible on every street. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting.

Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many regional towns, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses still link the suburb further afield. Homes are neither a bargain nor a premium buy against the wider market.

Crime reports are up on the previous period. Steady development is bringing new homes and gradual renewal to parts of the suburb.

Desirability sits below average overall, with schools and education the main drag compared with similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Meredith snapshot

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

Median house price

—

No data available

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

984

+2.5% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

10.9%

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

#225

among Country & regional · Mature

Safety

44th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

92nd

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

5/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

41st

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
33.5/100 — Below average
National rank
4955th in Australia
State rank
959th in VIC
Peer rank
#225 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#473 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
78%

Data sources & freshness

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

Population

Estimated resident population

984(June 2025)

+2.5% annual · +15.2% over 5 years · 92th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+2.5%
5-year growth
+15.2%
Change in 1 year
+24
Change in 5 years
+130
Growth rank in VIC
92th 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 (~1,100), extrapolated at +2.6% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
821
Median age
45
Median household income / week
$1,638
Dwelling vacancy
10.9%
Unoccupied private dwellings
37 of 338
Median monthly mortgage
$1,517
Employment rate
56.8%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
300 / 3 / 0 (+ 5 other)

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 increased compared with the previous period.

Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
45
Against the person
7
Against property
24
Rate per 1,000 residents
45.7
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 117 residents
State safety percentile
43.9th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+36.4%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage5
  • B49 Other Theft6
  • D35 Improper Movement On Public Or Private Space4
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order7
  • Other Crimes Against The Person3

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
987
Median ICSEA percentile
41th
School list
  • Meredith Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 987 · 41th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 71 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

Public transport

2 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Lawler St/Midland Hwy
  • Lawler St/Midland Hwy

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

5 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Cargerie I43 Bushland ReserveNature reserve
  • Coolebarchurk Streamside ReserveNature reserve
  • Meredith Pioneer ParkPark
  • Meredith Police PaddocksPark
  • Moreep I44 Bushland ReserveNature reserve

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
163
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

Health access

Nearest hospital
Ballan District Health and Care (33.1 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)
38
Participants per 1,000 residents
38.6

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).

31 planning-related records

2021· 7 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Construction of a building (agricultural shed) within specified setbacks under clause 35.07-4 (FZ)
    726 TAYLOR ROAD MEREDITH 3333Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2021

  • Construction and carrying out works associated with extension to existing dwelling under clause 43.02-2 (DDO)
    7 LAWLER STREET MEREDITH 3333Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • construction of a building (dwelling) and associated works under clause 43.02-2 (DDO)
    18 READ STREET MEREDITH 3333Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • The development of the land for the purposes of an agricultural shed pursuant to the provisions of the RCZ2 (Clause 35.06-5)
    807 MEREDITH-MT MERCER ROAD MEREDITH 3333Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Construction of a building (shed) under clauses 43.01-1 (HO) and 42.02-2 (DDO)
    39 Staughton StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • The development of the land for the purposes of a shed pursuant to the provisions of the RCZ3 (Clause 35.06-5) ESO1 & ESO3 (Clause 42.01-2) & BMO (Clause 44.06-2)
    205 Pioneer Ridge RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • construction of a building (shed) under clause 43.02-2 (DDO)
    32 Mercer StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 24 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Construction of a building and associated works under clauses 35.05-10 (TZ) and 43.02-2 (DDO), use of the land for Retail premises (Supermarket and 2 shops) under clause 32.05-2 (TZ), reduction of car parking requirements under clause 52.06-3 (Car parking) and creation of access to a road in a Road Zone Category 1 under clause 52.29-2 (Land adjacent to a Road Zone Category 1)
    14 WALLACE STREET MEREDITH 3333Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • November 2020

  • The use of the land at Lot 3 PS432572S Midland Highway Meredith for a broiler farm to grow 40,000 birds in addition to the approved 160,000 birds (refer P01-249) making 200,000 birds in total, and to develop one further broiler shed thereon subject to the following conditions:
    3920 Midland HighwayNOD issued by a delegate

  • October 2020

  • subdivision of the land into two (2) lots under clause 32.05-5 (TZ) and clause 43.02-3 (DDO) in accordance with endorsed plans
    4 BALLAN-MEREDITH ROAD MEREDITH 3333Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of buildings and associated works under clause 42.01-2, to construct buildings and carry out works associated with a an Education centre and Group accomodation under clause 44.06-2, buildings and works associated with a section 2 use under clause 35.06-3 and the removal of native vegetation under clause 52.17-1, in accordance with endorsed plans
    355 Pioneer Ridge RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • The removal of native vegetation
    3675 Road reserve fronting Midland HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Telecommunications Facility
    CA22B2 Meredith-Mt Mercer RoadWithdrawn
  • The development of the land for buildings and works (dwelling) under Clause 43.02
    32 Mercer StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • The development of the land for a Telecommunications facility
    . Meredith-Mt Mercer RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • The development of the land for a dwelling
    40 Mercer StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • The development of the land for a six (6) lot subdivision
    51 Watson StreetLapsed
  • The use and development of the land for a dwelling in accordance with endorsed plans
    726 Taylor RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • The development of the land for a dwelling
    30 Mercer StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • The development of the land for a dwelling
    2 Read StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2020

  • Amend permit number P16-055 for the use of land for a music festival (place of assembly) by amending the event dates and times specified in condition numbers 1 and 6 of the permit
    20 Nolan RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • The development of the land for a dwelling in accordance with endorsed plans
    39 MCLEOD STREETPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2020

  • Buildings and works (including partial demolition) associated with existing dwelling
    48 STAUGHTON STREETPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works associated with existing intensive animal husbandry.
    106 CAMERONS ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2020

  • The use of the land for a place of assembley
    10 WALLACE STREETPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2020

  • The development of the land for a dwelling
    42 MERCER STREETPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2020

  • The development of the land for a shed
    8 READ STREETPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • The development of the land for a shed
    81 MEREDITH-STEIGLITZ ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • The development of the land for a dwelling
    SUTHERLAND STREETPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • The demolition of a chimney
    43 STAUGHTON STREETPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • The development of the land for a shed
    4220 MIDLAND HIGHWAYWithdrawn

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

1 heritage place

  • DARRANH0268

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
Ballarat
Member of Parliament
Catherine KING (Australian Labor Party)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
116,238
Turnout (2025)
93.3%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
-2.3 pp toward Coalition

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 39.3%Labor 60.7%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 27.6 km away).

Coalition 46.5%Labor 53.5%

7.1 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: -3.1 pp toward Coalition

Nearest polling places

  • MeredithLabor 53.7% · Coalition 46.3% TPP (2025)4.1 km away
  • ElaineLabor 51.3% · Coalition 48.7% TPP (2025)10.0 km away
  • LethbridgeLabor 54.8% · Coalition 45.2% TPP (2025)14.1 km away
  • TeesdaleLabor 54.6% · Coalition 45.4% TPP (2025)18.0 km away
  • DereelLabor 58.2% · Coalition 41.8% TPP (2025)25.2 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)
5/10
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 Golden Plains Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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