Median house price
$520k
+12% change
VIC · Mount Alexander Council
Newstead, 3462
Est. population · Jun 2025
864
Growth (1 yr)
+1.1%
Growth (5 yr)
+7.7%
Median age
51
Median income
$1,105/wk
Employment rate
51%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$520,000
Languages at home
2.4%non-English
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Excellent transport
- Education hub
- Café precinct
- Heritage area
Suburb profile
Newstead sits in Mount Alexander Council as a regional smaller community that feels self-contained and a long way from big-city bustle. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. Neighbourhood food and coffee spots add warmth to the local routine.
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. Homes are priced below the dearer neighbouring markets, though not at the bottom of the scale.
Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. Tree-lined streets and established homes set the tone, with little pressure to reinvent the neighbourhood.
Desirability sits around average overall, with growth momentum, plus community and employment the main drag compared with similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Newstead snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
864
+1.1% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
12.8%
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
#66
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
34th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
70th
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
4/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
65th
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
- 44.6/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 49% of Victoria's suburbs
- National rank
- 2988th in Australia
- State rank
- 614th in VIC
- Peer rank
- #66 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #197 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 96%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
- $520,000
- Median price change
- +12.4%
Contributes to desirability score · Housing (15%) · Future Growth (7%)
Median price, rental yield and vacancy Recent price momentum
Data sources & freshness
- DFFH rent report and Valuer-General property sales report — Department of Families, Fairness and Housing / Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · 4th Quarter 2025 · Updated · Quarterly releases; council median rent fallback where suburb rent unavailable
Population
Estimated resident population
864(June 2025)
+1.1% annual · +7.7% over 5 years · 70th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +1.1%
- 5-year growth
- +7.7%
- Change in 1 year
- +9
- Change in 5 years
- +62
- Growth rank in VIC
- 70th 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 (~900), extrapolated at +1.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 820
- Median age
- 51
- Median household income / week
- $1,105
- Dwelling vacancy
- 12.8%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 52 of 406
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,300
- Employment rate
- 51%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 345 / 0 / 5 (+ 4 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)
- 32
- Against the person
- 9
- Against property
- 18
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 37
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 91 residents
- State safety percentile
- 33.9th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -25.6%
Most common offence types
- A231 Fv Common Assault4
- B21 Criminal Damage4
- B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary2
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle4
- B49 Other Theft4
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)
Crime rate and year-on-year trend
Data sources & freshness
- Recorded offences by suburb/town — Crime Statistics Agency (Victoria) · 2025 · Updated
Family & Lifestyle
Schools & preschools
- Schools within 2 km
- 1
- Median school ICSEA
- 1,041
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 65th
School list
- Newstead Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1041 · 65th percentile · LBOTE 6% · 82 students · Top SEA quarter 17% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA
Data sources & freshness
- ACARA school locations — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
- School ICSEA scores — Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority · 2025 · Updated · Annual release
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- Newstead Pre-schoolkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
4 public transport stops in this suburb
- Panmure St/Pyrenees Hwy
- Panmure St/Pyrenees Hwy
- Railway Hotel/Creswick - Newstead Rd
- Railway Hotel/Creswick - Newstead Rd
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Amenities
26 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 cafes · 2 pubs · 1 playgrounds · 1 sports centres · 2 swimming pools · 1 post offices
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Great for outdoor family life — 4 parks mapped in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 12/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 1.22
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 3.66
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 4.88
Food & drink(3)
- Dig CafeCafe
13 Lyons Street
- Crown HotelPub
8 Lyons Street, Newstead
- Railway HotelPub
Shopping(2)
- Newstead ButchersButcher
- IGAConvenience store
11-13 Lyons Street, Newstead
Community(2)
- Newstead Pre-schoolKindergarten
- Newstead Primary SchoolSchool
28 Lyons Street
Sport & outdoors(7)
- Newstead Memorial ParkPark
- Newstead ParkPark
- Playground
- Newstead Swimming PoolSports centre
Panmure Street, Newstead
- Sports field
- Swimming pool (2)
Other(10)
- Newstead Racecourse ReserveCaravan Site
- Newstead CFAFire station
- Parking (3)
- Picnic Table
- Newstead Police StationPolice
37 Lyons Street, Newstead
- Australia PostPost Box
- Newstead LPOPost office
41 Lyons Street, Newstead
- Public toilets
- Shelter
- TelstraTelephone
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
4 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Newstead Memorial ParkPark
- Newstead ParkPark
- Newstead Racecourse and Leisure ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
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
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Maldon Hospital (12.6 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Hospitals and GP clinics
Data sources & freshness
- Hospitals & clinics — OpenStreetMap + state health datasets · current · Updated
NDIS participation
- NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
- 27
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 31.2
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
- NDIS participants by SA2 — National Disability Insurance Agency · 2026-Q1 · Updated · Quarterly SA2 counts allocated to suburb boundaries
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).
2 planning-related records
2021· 1 proposal
May 2021
- s72 Amendment: Amend Condition 10 transport route and intersection upgrade for the Pyrenees Highway and Captains Gully Road.3059 PYRENEES HIGHWAY NEWSTEAD 3462Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 1 proposal
June 2020
- Use and development of the land for a renewable energy facility (other than wind energy facility), utility installation and associated buildings and works and removal of native vegetation.000 part of the Captains Gully Road reservePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)
Development and planning activity
Data sources & freshness
- PPARS planning permit activity (statewide) — Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · 2020–2022 · Updated · MapServer through FY 2022–23; newer data needs council/API access
Heritage
1 heritage place
- NEWSTEAD COURT HOUSENH1705
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 19.1 km away).
Coalition 31.0%Labor 69.0%
17.6 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +69.0 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- NewsteadLabor 68.9% · Coalition 31.1% TPP (2025)0.9 km away
- GuildfordLabor 69.7% · Coalition 30.3% TPP (2025)11.3 km away
- MaldonLabor 63.7% · Coalition 36.3% TPP (2025)13.3 km away
- Campbells CreekLabor 66.4% · Coalition 33.6% TPP (2025)13.7 km away
- Castlemaine SouthLabor 84.0% · Coalition 16.0% TPP (2025)14.6 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
- Federal election results — Australian Electoral Commission · Updated · 2025 election with by-election overlays
Socio-economic
- IRSAD decile (2021)
- 4/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 4/10
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
- SEIFA 2021 (IRSAD / IRSD) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Mount Alexander Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.