suburb.guide

VIC · Alpine Council

Porepunkah, 3740

Est. population · Jun 2025

1,007

Growth (1 yr)

+0.9%

Growth (5 yr)

+2.8%

Median age

46

Median income

$1,576/wk

Employment rate

64.8%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$875,000

Languages at home

2.3%non-English

Mostly English at home

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

36.8/100
Below average

848th in VIC

Verified 89% confidence

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

Suburb profile

Porepunkah offers a slower smaller community life in Alpine Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. The area suits established families and long-term locals, with plenty of young families in the mix. 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. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here, with buses covering longer trips across the wider area. Buyers typically pay more than the metro middle for a home here.

Reported crime has been rising recently. A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.

Desirability lands below average here: softer growth momentum and housing affordability 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

Porepunkah snapshot

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

Median house price

$875k

+3.8% change

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

1,007

+0.9% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

12.2%

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

#171

among Country & regional · Mature

Safety

37th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

65th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

7/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

71st

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
36.8/100 — Below average
National rank
4329th in Australia
State rank
848th in VIC
Peer rank
#171 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#377 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
89%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$875,000
Median price change
+3.8%

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

1,007(June 2025)

+0.9% annual · +2.8% over 5 years · 65th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.9%
5-year growth
+2.8%
Change in 1 year
+9
Change in 5 years
+27
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 (~1,050), extrapolated at +0.9% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
1,024
Median age
46
Median household income / week
$1,576
Dwelling vacancy
12.2%
Unoccupied private dwellings
52 of 427
Median monthly mortgage
$1,633
Employment rate
64.8%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
353 / 14 / 0 (+ 6 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)
40
Against the person
9
Against property
15
Rate per 1,000 residents
39.7
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 114 residents
State safety percentile
36.5th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+48.1%

Most common offence types

  • A212 Non-Fv Serious Assault2
  • A721 Fv Harassment And Private Nuisance2
  • B49 Other Theft10
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order11
  • Other Crimes Against The Person4

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
1,056
Median ICSEA percentile
71th
School list
  • Porepunkah Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1056 · 71th percentile · LBOTE 9% · 103 students · Top SEA quarter 20%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

  • Bailey St/Nicholson St
  • Bailey St/Nicholson St

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

3 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

3 swimming pools

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Limited walkable amenities nearby
Walkability proxy
3/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
1.95
Sport & outdoors(3)
  • Swimming pool (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

3 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Mount Porepunkah Scenic ReserveNature reserve
  • Porepunkah OvalPark
  • Riverside ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
30
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
Bright Hospital (6.9 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)
18
Participants per 1,000 residents
17.9

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
20° / 9°
Rainfall
232 mm · ~29 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
14° / 5°
Rainfall
299 mm · ~37 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
5° / -1°
Rainfall
420 mm · ~52 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
12° / 3°
Rainfall
345 mm · ~43 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).

36 planning-related records

2021· 16 proposals

  • August 2021

  • Subdivision of Land (6 Lots) and Native Vegetation Removal SPEAR REF: S179154A
    29-35 SERVICE STREET POREPUNKAH 3740Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Buildings and Works for the Construction of Two (2) Dwellings, and the Creation of access to a road zoned Transport Zone 2.
    6930 GREAT ALPINE RD POREPUNKAH 3740Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Buildings and Works for a Store
    35 STATION STREET POREPUNKAH 3740NOD issued by the Resp. Authority
  • Buildings and Works
    49 STATION ST POREPUNKAH 3740Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Subdivision of Land - 2 Lot Subdivision
    9 NICHOLSON ST POREPUNKAH 3740Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Buildings and Works for the Construction of a Dwelling SPEAR REF: S178817J
    32-34 STATION STREET POREPUNKAH 3740Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works for the Construction of a Dwelling ALISON
    1B WOOD STREET POREPUNKAH 3740Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Buildings and Works for the Construction of an Outbuilding
    266 BUCKLAND VALLEY RD POREPUNKAH 3740Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works for alterations and additions to an existing dwelling including an Outbuilding (Shed and Carport)
    329 BUCKLAND VALLEY RD POREPUNKAH 3740Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Buildings and Works for the Construction of a Dwelling
    28 BAILEY STREET POREPUNKAH 3740Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works for the Construction of a Dwelling
    26 BAILEY STREET POREPUNKAH 3740Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • Buildings and Works ALISON
    6774 GREAT ALPINE RDPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Three (3) lot subdivision
    19 MARTLEY ST POREPUNKAH 3740Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works for the Construction of a Dwelling ALISON
    7 McCullough StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Buildings and Works for the Construction of a Dwelling
    15 BAILEY ST POREPUNKAH 3740Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Extension to Existing Dwelling ALISON
    6815 GREAT ALPINE RDPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 20 proposals

  • November 2020

  • Use of Land, Buildings and Works
    301 BUCKLAND VALLEY ROAD POREPUNKAH 3740NOD issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and Works for the Construction of a Second Dwelling, and Alterations and Additions to an Existing Dwelling.
    9 Francis StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • Two (2) Lot Subdivision, Use and Buildings and Works for the Construction of a Retail Premises, and Building and Works for the construction of a Dwelling.
    35 STATION STREET POREPUNKAH 3740NOD issued by the Resp. Authority

  • September 2020

  • Liquor License
    6815 Great Alpine RoadNo permit required

  • August 2020

  • Buildings and Works for the Construction of a Dwelling ALISON
    64B StationPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Amendment to existing permit conditions (Increase to maximum patronage and altered licensed hours)
    3 Nicholson StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • Buildings and Works for the construction of two (2) dwellings
    5 Holmes CourtRefusal issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and Works associated with an existing Camping and Caravan Park (Ancillary Caretakers Dwelling, Ancillary Group Accommodation Building, Amenity Block, 4 New Cabins, 2 Replacement Cabins and Replacement Maintenance Sheds)
    36 MOUNT BUFFALO RDPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works for the Construction of a Dwelling
    6893 Great Alpine RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2020

  • Buildings and Works for the Construction of an Outbuilding
    10 Grange RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works for the construction of a hangar on Site 6
    266 BUCKLAND VALLEY RDPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works (Construction of a Carport associated with a Dwelling)
    76 MCCONNELLS RDPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2020

  • 2 Lot Subdivision SPEAR REF: S158178E FRANK
    42 STATION STREETWithdrawn
  • Buildings and Works (Construction of a below ground Swimming Pool)
    18 JUNCTION RDPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Subdivision
    6893 Great Alpine RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 2 lot subdivision
    82 STATION STPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2020

  • Buildings & Works (Development of a Second Dwelling) in a Bushfire Management Overlay
    44 Station StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2020

  • Boundary Realignment (2 Lot ReSubdivision)
    55 ROBERTS CREEK RDWithdrawn
  • Farming Zone (FZ) Buildings and Works
    9 MOUNT BUFFALO RDPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2020

  • SUBDIVISION OF LAND - (1 TO 9 LOTS)
    94-102 STATION STREETPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

2 active roadworks / incidents

  • Other Government Department Works activities occurring between 05/06/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Weekends 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed westbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 20 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.MOUNT BUFFALO ROAD, EUROBIN CREEK TRACK04 Jun 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
  • Other Government Department Works activities occurring between 05/06/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Weekends 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed westbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.MOUNT BUFFALO ROAD, EUROBIN CREEK TRACK04 Jun 2026 – 30 Aug 2026

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated

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
Indi
Member of Parliament
Helen HAINES (Independent)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
120,774
Turnout (2025)
92.8%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
-1.4 pp toward Coalition

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 56.7%Labor 43.3%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 26.0 km away).

Coalition 46.8%Labor 53.2%

9.8 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +3.6 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • PorepunkahLabor 52.6% · Coalition 47.4% TPP (2025)2.8 km away
  • BrightLabor 57.5% · Coalition 42.5% TPP (2025)6.3 km away
  • WandiligongLabor 56.4% · Coalition 43.6% TPP (2025)10.7 km away
  • Mount BeautyLabor 56.3% · Coalition 43.7% TPP (2025)22.4 km away
  • MudgegongaLabor 33.5% · Coalition 66.5% TPP (2025)22.7 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

Socio-economic

IRSAD decile (2021)
7/10
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

More in Alpine Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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