Median house price
$369k
+0.4% change
VIC · East Gippsland Council
Orbost, 3888
Est. population · Jun 2025
2,214
Growth (1 yr)
+0.9%
Growth (5 yr)
+1.6%
Median age
53
Median income
$785/wk
Employment rate
38%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$369,000
Languages at home
3.4%non-English
Most common: Italian, German, Mandarin
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Education hub
- Excellent transport
- National parks
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Orbost is a quieter smaller community in East Gippsland Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood. Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice.
Pocket parks and green corners give residents room to get outside without leaving the neighbourhood. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses still link the suburb further afield. Housing is more affordable than in many parts of the state.
Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. Occasional new builds add variety while most of the suburb keeps its established look.
The desirability picture is below average, weighed down by softer local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus community and employment relative to similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Orbost snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
2,214
+0.9% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
13.6%
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
#298
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
90th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
64th
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
1/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
21st
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
- 29.7/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 5639th in Australia
- State rank
- 1087th in VIC
- Peer rank
- #298 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #583 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
- $369,000
- Median price change
- +0.4%
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
2,214(June 2025)
+0.9% annual · +1.6% over 5 years · 64th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.9%
- 5-year growth
- +1.6%
- Change in 1 year
- +19
- Change in 5 years
- +36
- Growth rank in VIC
- 64th 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 (~2,200), extrapolated at -0.1% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 2,264
- Median age
- 53
- Median household income / week
- $785
- Dwelling vacancy
- 13.6%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 152 of 1,118
- Median monthly mortgage
- $867
- Employment rate
- 38%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 902 / 37 / 22 (+ 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)
- 403
- Against the person
- 90
- Against property
- 122
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 182
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 25 residents
- State safety percentile
- 89.8th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -13.1%
Most common offence types
- B21 Criminal Damage38
- B49 Other Theft24
- C32 Drug Possession14
- E21 Breach Family Violence Order94
- E23 Breach Bail Conditions17
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
- 2
- Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
- 937
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 21th
School list
- Orbost Community CollegeCombined · Government · ICSEA 918 · 15th percentile · LBOTE 2% · 347 students · Top SEA quarter 3%View on My School →
- St Joseph's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 956 · 27th percentile · LBOTE 0% · 26 students · Top SEA quarter 11%View 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
- Orbost Kindergartenkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
1 public transport stops in this suburb
- Nicholson St/Wolseley St
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
1 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 2/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.33
Other(1)
- Public toilets
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
- Forest ParkPark
- Koala Court ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 11
- 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
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 5
- Nearest hospital
- Orbost Regional Health (7.1 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- On site
- Gippsland HealthDoctor
- Gippsland HealthlinksDoctor
- Orbost PharmacyPharmacy
- Orbost Regional HealthYes
- Orbost Regional HealthBoundary RoadHospital
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)
- 68
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 30.7
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
- 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
- 24° / 14°
- Rainfall
- 187 mm · ~23 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 20° / 11°
- Rainfall
- 190 mm · ~24 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 15° / 6°
- Rainfall
- 188 mm · ~24 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 19° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 218 mm · ~27 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).
14 planning-related records
2021· 8 proposals
August 2021
- Development of an open sided machinery shed190 FOREST ROAD ORBOST 3888In progress
- Lopping and removal of native vegetation2-6 LOCHIEL STREET ORBOST 3888No permit required
July 2021
- Two lot residential subdivision47 EVANS STREET ORBOST 3888Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Two lot subdivision72 REED STREET ORBOST 3888Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2021
- Buildings and works of an agricultural outbuilding169 COULSONS ROAD ORBOST 3888Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2021
- Native vegetation removal16 YOUNGS CREEK ROAD ORBOST 3888Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2021
- Two lot subdivision (realignment of existing boundaries)98 Stanley StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
February 2021
- Buildings and works for an outbuilding to a section 2 dwelling within road and boundary setbacks174 Duggans RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 6 proposals
October 2020
- Buildings and works for two dwellings43 Reed StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works for two dwellings8 Ralston CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works (alterations and additions to a a school)4-8 Raymond StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
August 2020
- Develop and use land into 13 Rural Living lots and remove an easement66 Jarrahmond RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2020
- Extension to a fire station31-35 Gladstone StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2020
- Building and works (carport and shed)19 McLeod StreetPermit 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
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
- Gippsland
- Member of Parliament
- Darren CHESTER (The Nationals)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 118,075
- Turnout (2025)
- 92.0%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- +1.2 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 69.4%Labor 30.6%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 52.4 km away).
Coalition 73.5%Labor 26.4%
4.2 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +1.5 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- OrbostLabor 29.3% · Coalition 70.7% TPP (2025)6.8 km away
- NewmerellaLabor 14.4% · Coalition 85.6% TPP (2025)11.1 km away
- MarloLabor 35.7% · Coalition 64.3% TPP (2025)15.9 km away
- BuchanLabor 28.8% · Coalition 71.2% TPP (2025)33.9 km away
- Nowa NowaLabor 22.9% · Coalition 77.1% TPP (2025)37.7 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)
- 1/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 1/10
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 East Gippsland Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.