suburb.guide

VIC · Ballarat Council

Newington, 3350

Est. population · Jun 2025

1,713

Growth (1 yr)

-0.3%

Growth (5 yr)

-4.2%

Median age

39

Median income

$1,695/wk

Employment rate

58%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$560,000

Languages at home

6.8%non-English

Most common: Mandarin, Russian, Cantonese

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

52.4/100
Average

Top 33% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 89% confidence

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

Suburb profile

Away from the major hubs, Newington is a smaller community in Ballarat Council with its own quieter rhythm. Working households and growing families are the backbone of local life, with plenty of young families in the mix. Schooling is a clear local strength compared with many peer areas.

Fitness and outdoor sport options are a real part of local life, not just a distant club trip away. Green space punches above what many regional towns offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses still link the suburb further afield.

Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. Active development is adding new homes and refreshed pockets throughout the suburb.

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

At a glance

Newington snapshot

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

Median house price

$560k

-25% change

Median rent

$430/wk

Population (ERP)

1,713

-0.3% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

10.1%

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

#28

among Country & regional · Established

Safety

50th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

3rd

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

9/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

70th

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
52.4/100 — Average
State standing
Top 33% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
1870th in Australia
State rank
418th in VIC
Peer rank
#28 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#90 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
89%

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)
$560,000
Median price change
-25.1%

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

1,713(June 2025)

-0.3% annual · -4.2% over 5 years · 3th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
-0.3%
5-year growth
-4.2%
Change in 1 year
-6
Change in 5 years
-75
Growth rank in VIC
3th 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 (~1,700), extrapolated at -0.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
1,844
Median age
39
Median household income / week
$1,695
Dwelling vacancy
10.1%
Unoccupied private dwellings
79 of 779
Median monthly mortgage
$1,517
Employment rate
58%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
588 / 99 / 6 (+ 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)
91
Against the person
6
Against property
76
Rate per 1,000 residents
53.1
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 307 residents
State safety percentile
50th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-3.2%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage9
  • B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary5
  • B41 Motor Vehicle Theft10
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle23
  • B49 Other Theft11

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
9
Median school ICSEA (9 schools)
1,055
Median ICSEA percentile
70th
School list
  • Newington Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1007 · 50th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 278 students · Top SEA quarter 17% · 0.4 km awayView on My School →
  • St Patrick's CollegeSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 1055 · 70th percentile · LBOTE 3% · 1,267 students · Top SEA quarter 21% · 0.6 km awayView on My School →
  • Ballarat Clarendon CollegeCombined · Independent · ICSEA 1172 · 98th percentile · LBOTE 46% · 1,896 students · Top SEA quarter 68% · 0.7 km awayView on My School →
  • Loreto CollegeSecondary · Catholic · ICSEA 1073 · 76th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 948 students · Top SEA quarter 27% · 0.9 km awayView on My School →
  • Pleasant Street Primary School (Ballarat)Primary · Government · ICSEA 1095 · 83th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 350 students · Top SEA quarter 39% · 1.3 km awayView on My School →
  • Ballarat High SchoolSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1016 · 54th percentile · LBOTE 12% · 1,461 students · Top SEA quarter 13% · 1.4 km awayView on My School →
  • Ballarat Specialist SchoolSpecial · Government · ICSEA 950 · 25th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 453 students · Top SEA quarter 7% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
  • St Patrick's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1096 · 83th percentile · LBOTE 14% · 249 students · Top SEA quarter 35% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
  • St Aloysius' SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1022 · 57th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 254 students · Top SEA quarter 11% · 1.8 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

10 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Ballarat Clarendon College/Sturt St
  • City Oval Bowling Club/Sturt St
  • Dawsons Ave/Sturt St
  • St Patricks College/Sturt St
  • Victoria Park/Sturt St

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

85 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

2 places of worship · 4 playgrounds · 3 sports centres

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Limited walkable amenities nearby
  • Great for outdoor family life — 3 parks mapped in suburb, 4 playgrounds nearby
  • Reasonable bus and transport access — 10 public transport stops
  • Strong local sport and recreation — 22 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
Walkability proxy
15/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
1.63
Shopping(1)
  • Pleasant Corner StoreConvenience store

    312 Pleasant Street South

Community(3)
  • Ballarat Clarendon CollegeSchool

    1425 Sturt Street

  • Newington Primary SchoolSchool

    49 Inkerman Street

  • St Patrick's CollegeSchool

    1431 Sturt Street

Sport & outdoors(26)
  • Park (2)
  • Victoria ParkPark
  • Picnic ShelterPicnic area
  • Playground (3)
  • Victoria Park Inclusive PlayspacePlayground
  • Community PavilionSports centre
  • Sports centre
  • St Roch's OvalSports centre
  • Hill OvalSports field
  • Main OvalSports field
  • Oval 1Sports field
  • Oval 10Sports field
  • Oval 11Sports field
  • Oval 12Sports field
  • Oval 13Sports field
  • Oval 2Sports field
  • Oval 3Sports field
  • Oval 6Sports field
  • Oval 7Sports field
  • Oval 8Sports field
  • Oval 9Sports field
  • Shed OvalSports field
  • Sports field
Transport(12)

12 bus stops

Other(19)
  • Bbq (2)
  • LibiraBeauty salon

    318 Pleasant Street South

  • Bench (4)
  • Drinking water
  • Garden
  • 4km/1km postInformation
  • Outdoor Seating
  • Parking (14)
  • Pleasant Street Baptist ChurchPlace of worship
  • Pleasant Street Uniting ChurchPlace of worship
  • Australia PostPost Box
  • Post Box
  • Public toilets
  • Schoolyard (5)
  • Shelter (2)
  • Telephone
  • Ballarat Pony ClubTrack

    Winter Street

  • Bicycle Pump TrackTrack
  • Waste Basket (3)

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

  • Victoria ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
5
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

2 places of worship within ~1.5 km

  • Pleasant Street Baptist Church
  • Pleasant Street Uniting Church

From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Nearest hospital
Queen Elizabeth Centre (1.3 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)
44
Participants per 1,000 residents
25.7

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).

43 planning-related records

2021· 21 proposals

  • August 2021

  • Partial demolition, alterations and additions to a dwelling
    9 MALAKOFF STREET NEWINGTON 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Partial demolition and alterations to a dwelling
    30 ST LEGER CLOSE NEWINGTON 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Demolition of outbuilding
    10 NIGHTINGALE STREET NEWINGTON 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Partial demolition, alterations and additions to dwelling
    36 ST LEGER CLOSE NEWINGTON 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Partial demolition, alterations and additions to dwelling
    6 QUEEN VICTORIA STREET NEWINGTON 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • St Patricks College - Development of a school building, works to upgrade existing sports oval and relocate car parking, construction of fences, demolition of existing works and the removal of vegetation
    1431 STURT STREET NEWINGTON 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Partial demolition, alterations and additions to dwelling
    4 MALAKOFF STREET NEWINGTON 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Partial demolition, alterations and additions to a dwelling, demolition of outbuildings and fencing, development of an outbuilding and development of vehicle crossover and creation of access to a Road Zone, Category 1
    1525 STURT STREET NEWINGTON 3350Withdrawn
  • Partial demolition, alterations and additions to existing dwelling and outbuilding
    7 AJAX STREET NEWINGTON 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two lot subdivision
    8 PLEASANT STREET SOUTH NEWINGTON 3350Withdrawn
  • Partial demolition and alterations to a dwelling (removal and replacement of windows)
    18 MUIR CRESCENT NEWINGTON 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • Development of a carport
    32 Durham StreetWithdrawn
  • Partial demolition of a dwelling Demolition of an outbuilding Removal of a mature tree Alterations and additions to an existing dwelling
    1140 EYRE STREET NEWINGTON 3350Withdrawn
  • Demolition of outbuildings, development of a habitable outbuilding and swimming pool
    14 Pleasant Street SouthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Partial demolition, alterations and additions to an existing dwelling and fencing, development of a second dwelling and new vehicle crossover, and a two (2) lot subdivision
    312 PLEASANT STREET SOUTH NEWINGTON 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use of land for a place of assembly and reduction in car parking requirements
    320 Pleasant Street SouthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a single dwelling and vehicle crossover, demolition of an outbuilding
    43 DUKE STREET NEWINGTON 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Demolition of carport and fencing and construction of a carport, shed, fencing and new vehicle crossover
    47 Waller AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of three (3) dwellings and a three (3) lot subdivision
    45 DURHAM STREET NEWINGTON 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Partial demolition and alterations to a dwelling
    43 Waller AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2021

  • Partial demolition, alterations and additions to a dwelling
    5 Waller AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 19 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Partial demolition and alterations to a dwelling, demolition of a garage and development of a carport
    10 Waller AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • Demolition and development of a boundary fence
    36A Pleasant Street SouthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Demolition of a garage and front fence and partial demolition, alterations and additions to a dwelling, and development of a new garage
    1507 Sturt StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Partial demolition, alterations and additions to an existing dwelling, demolition of an outbuilding (retrospective), development of an outbuilding, fencing and associated works
    19 Inkerman StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • partial demolition, alterations and additions to dwelling
    1113 Eyre StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • Demolition and construction of a fence
    2 Hope StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Demolition of existing shed and development of a garage and carport
    10 Redan StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Partial demolition, alteration and addition to a dwelling
    19 Muir CrescentPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Partial demolition, alterations and additions to dwelling, demolition and development of a front fence
    5 Murray StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Demolition of front fence
    17 Durham StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • Development of a pergola
    8 Redan StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of carport
    424 Pleasant Street SouthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2020

  • External alterations to a dwelling
    19 Russell StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2020

  • Demolition of outbuilding
    424 Pleasant Street SouthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Demolition of building (Wanliss House) and associated outbuildings
    2 Wanliss RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2020

  • Partial demolition, alterations and additions to a dwelling, demolition of an outbuilding, demolition of a front fence and associated works
    1142 Eyre StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2020

  • Partial demolition, alterations and additions to a dwelling and associated works
    314 Pleasant Street SouthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a vehicle crossover
    16 Junction StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Partial demolition, alterations and additions to a dwelling including outbuildings, fences and a vehicle crossover.
    36 Pleasant Street SouthPermit 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
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 2.6 km away).

Coalition 33.8%Labor 66.2%

5.5 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: -0.1 pp toward Coalition

Nearest polling places

  • NewingtonLabor 66.7% · Coalition 33.3% TPP (2025)0.4 km away
  • Lake WendoureeLabor 65.1% · Coalition 34.9% TPP (2025)1.2 km away
  • AlfredtonLabor 58.9% · Coalition 41.1% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
  • RedanLabor 70.9% · Coalition 29.1% TPP (2025)1.9 km away
  • BallaratLabor 71.8% · Coalition 28.2% TPP (2025)2.3 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)
9/10
IRSD decile (2021)
8/10

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.