suburb.guide

VIC · Ballarat Council

Mount Helen, 3350

Est. population · Jun 2025

3,095

Growth (1 yr)

+0.9%

Growth (5 yr)

+0.2%

Median age

36

Median income

$2,076/wk

Employment rate

62.7%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$722,500

Languages at home

5.9%non-English

Most common: Mandarin, Punjabi, Hindi

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

53.5/100
Average

Top 31% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 96% confidence

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

Suburb profile

Mount Helen is a hillside mid-sized suburb in Ballarat Council, with elevated streets and a greener, quieter pace. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Local shops, markets and community spots keep everyday life grounded in the town itself.

Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many regional towns, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Buses make commuting and cross-suburb trips straightforward. Housing sits above the suburban middle: not the top of the market, but clearly pricier than average.

Reported crime has been falling recently. Infill and new builds are slowly updating the area without overwhelming its existing character.

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

At a glance

Mount Helen snapshot

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

Median house price

$723k

+17% change

Median rent

$430/wk

Population (ERP)

3,095

+0.9% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

4.3%

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

#16

among Country & regional · Growth area

Safety

29th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

65th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

8/10

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
53.5/100 — Average
State standing
Top 31% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
1727th in Australia
State rank
391st in VIC
Peer rank
#16 among Country & regional · Growth area suburbs
Cohort rank
#76 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
96%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

All types (Sep 2025 (council median))
$430
Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$722,500
Median price change
+16.5%

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

3,095(June 2025)

+0.9% annual · +0.2% over 5 years · 65th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.9%
5-year growth
+0.2%
Change in 1 year
+27
Change in 5 years
+6
Growth rank in VIC
65th 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 (~3,200), extrapolated at +0.7% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
3,011
Median age
36
Median household income / week
$2,076
Dwelling vacancy
4.3%
Unoccupied private dwellings
45 of 1,035
Median monthly mortgage
$1,600
Employment rate
62.7%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
931 / 34 / 16 (+ 3 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 decreased compared with the previous period.

Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
102
Against the person
20
Against property
61
Rate per 1,000 residents
33
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 151 residents
State safety percentile
29.1th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-12.1%

Most common offence types

  • A211 Fv Serious Assault8
  • B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary11
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle15
  • B49 Other Theft12
  • E21 Breach Family Violence 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
1,076
Median ICSEA percentile
77th
School list
  • Ballarat Steiner SchoolPrimary · Independent · ICSEA 1076 · 77th percentile · LBOTE 14% · 64 students · Top SEA quarter 31%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

  • kindergartenkindergarten

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated

Public transport

19 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Federation University/Chancellor Dr
  • Greenhill Rd/Geelong Rd
  • Shire Ave/Geelong Rd
  • Wetlands Dr/Gear Ave
  • Wetlands Dr/University Dr

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

78 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

2 cafes · 1 libraries · 3 playgrounds · 2 sports centres · 1 swimming pools

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • A car helps for daily errands
  • Great for outdoor family life — 7 parks mapped in suburb, 3 playgrounds nearby
  • Well connected by public transport — 19 public transport stops
  • Strong local sport and recreation — 8 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
Walkability proxy
33/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0.66
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0.66
Parks per 1,000 residents
2.32
Food & drink(2)
  • Liv It Up CafeCafe
  • Pompeii Woodfired CafeCafe
Community(2)
  • Kindergarten
  • L Building: E J Barker LibraryLibrary
Sport & outdoors(14)
  • Park

    Mount Helen

  • Park (4)
  • The Horizon Linear ReservePark
  • Playground (3)
  • Sports centre (2)
  • Sports field
  • Tennis CourtsSports field
  • Swimming pool
Transport(15)

10 bus stops · 5 transport platforms

Other(23)
  • ANZ ATMATM
  • Ballarat Bird WorldAttraction
  • Bench (2)
  • Bicycle Parking
  • Federation UniversityBicycle Parking
  • Jete! Exploring DanceDance
  • Filtered Water TapDrinking water
  • Mount Helen Fire StationFire station
  • Garden (2)
  • 15 Minute ParkingParking
  • Car Park 1Parking
  • Car Park 2Parking
  • Car Park 3Parking
  • Car Park 4 - Zone 4&7Parking
  • Car Park 5Parking
  • Car Park 6Parking
  • Car Park 7Parking
  • Disabled ParkingParking
  • Parking (21)
  • Zone 4Parking
  • Zone 7Parking
  • Shelter
  • Federation University Australia (Mt Helen Campus)University

    University Drive, Mount Helen

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

1 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • The Horizon Linear ReservePark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
27
Parks (OSM)
7

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
Queen Elizabeth Centre (8.2 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)
81
Participants per 1,000 residents
26.2

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).

30 planning-related records

2021· 6 proposals

  • August 2021

  • Construction of a Fence within property boundary
    2131 GEELONG ROAD MOUNT HELEN 3350In progress

  • July 2021

  • Change of use to place of assembly (activity centre associated with Step Up) and group accommodation (four respite units)
    403-407 EDDY AVENUE MOUNT HELEN 3350Lapsed

  • May 2021

  • Construction of a front fence and side boundary fence extension
    11 Darriwell DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Construction of Verandah
    2203A Geelong RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of five native trees
    11 Darriwell DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Construction of an educational building (a height and confined spaces safety training facility) and attached amenities
    University DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 24 proposals

  • October 2020

  • Development of a dwelling and garage
    56 Vincent DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • Alterations and additions to a carpark associated with an emergency service facility
    14 Greenhill RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a dwelling
    2 Kookaburra ClosePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a dwelling and outbuilding
    2008 Geelong RoadWithdrawn
  • Development of a dwelling, outbuilding and associated works
    3 Brodie CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of native vegetation (one tree)
    305 Eddy AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Native vegetation removal
    Lot 3 University DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Removal of one tree
    146 Greenhill RoadWithdrawn
  • Alterations and additions to a dwelling including the development of an inground swimming pool
    133 Moss AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • Development of a dwelling and shed
    13 Sobey StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2020

  • Use and development of a dwelling, outbuilding and associated works and removal of native vegetation
    10 WIRREANDA DRIVE MOUNT HELEN 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of reserve status of Reserve No. 1 of PS326983M, removal of drainage easement E-5 from the reserve and consolidate the land with Lot 1 of LP128750G
    14 BOAK AVENUE MOUNT HELEN 3350In progress
  • Buildings and works within a Vegetation Protection Envelope Restriction on Plan of Subdivision 529663A
    44 Ploughshare DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a habitable outbuilding
    6 Shakespeare AvenueWithdrawn
  • Development of a dwelling
    17 Zoe DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2020

  • Development of shed
    1801 Geelong RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a dependant persons unit
    206 Boak AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2020

  • Development of a dwelling and associated works
    11 Brodie CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2020

  • Development of a dwelling and boundary fences.
    30 Oakbank DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2020

  • Removal of native vegetation
    University DriveWithdrawn
  • Development of a dwelling
    3 Woodland DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Alterations and additions to a dwelling
    4 Fisken RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2020

  • Use and development of a dwelling and construction of fencing
    2001 Geelong RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of one dwelling
    27 Mount Helen AvenuePermit 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
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 7.0 km away).

Coalition 34.8%Labor 65.2%

4.6 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: -0.6 pp toward Coalition

Nearest polling places

  • Mount ClearLabor 67.0% · Coalition 33.0% TPP (2025)2.4 km away
  • BuninyongLabor 62.8% · Coalition 37.2% TPP (2025)2.9 km away
  • MagpieLabor 62.0% · Coalition 38.0% TPP (2025)4.0 km away
  • SebastopolLabor 69.5% · Coalition 30.5% TPP (2025)5.4 km away
  • Mount PleasantLabor 70.5% · Coalition 29.5% TPP (2025)6.2 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)
8/10
IRSD decile (2021)
9/10

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 Ballarat Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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