suburb.guide

VIC · Moyne Council

Port Fairy, 3284

Est. population · Jun 2025

3,822

Growth (1 yr)

+0.7%

Growth (5 yr)

+3.9%

Median age

51

Median income

$1,450/wk

Employment rate

51.1%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$800,000

Languages at home

2.2%non-English

Most common: Mandarin, Persian, Afrikaans

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

45.5/100
Average

Top 46% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 93% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Coastal
  • Green suburb
  • National parks
  • Heritage area
  • Excellent transport
What Port Fairy is known for: Coastal, Green suburb, National parks, Heritage area, Excellent transport

Suburb profile

Life in Port Fairy revolves around the coast at a genuine remove from Melbourne. A mature community gives the area a calm, settled social fabric, with families and grandchildren still a visible part of community life. Local shops are sparse, so a fuller set of amenities usually means travelling to a neighbouring town or regional hub.

Green space punches above what many coastal suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible. Buyers typically pay more than the metro middle for a home here.

Crime reports are up on the previous period. The built character feels historic and distinctive, with heritage detail visible throughout.

Against similar coastal suburbs, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities lag behind, despite relative strength in schools and education. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Port Fairy snapshot

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

Median house price

$800k

-7.5% change

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

3,822

+0.7% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

33.2%

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

#34

among Coastal & beach · Mature

Safety

44th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

58th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

8/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

73rd

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
45.5/100 — Average
State standing
Top 46% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
2839th in Australia
State rank
583rd in VIC
Peer rank
#34 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#70 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data confidence
93%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$800,000
Median price change
-7.5%

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

3,822(June 2025)

+0.7% annual · +3.9% over 5 years · 58th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.7%
5-year growth
+3.9%
Change in 1 year
+25
Change in 5 years
+144
Growth rank in VIC
58th 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 (~4,000), extrapolated at +0.9% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
3,742
Median age
51
Median household income / week
$1,450
Dwelling vacancy
33.2%
Unoccupied private dwellings
724 of 2,178
Median monthly mortgage
$1,733
Employment rate
51.1%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
1,309 / 125 / 4 (+ 8 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)
175
Against the person
28
Against property
79
Rate per 1,000 residents
45.8
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 134 residents
State safety percentile
44.1th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+60.6%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage13
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle19
  • B43 Steal From A Retail Store16
  • D11 Firearms Offences12
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order37

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
2
Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
1,062.5
Median ICSEA percentile
73th
School list
  • Port Fairy Consolidated SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1055 · 70th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 152 students · Top SEA quarter 32%View on My School →
  • St Patrick's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1070 · 75th percentile · LBOTE 5% · 180 students · Top SEA quarter 26%View on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

22 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Goldies Lane/Princes Hwy
  • Goldies Lane/Princes Hwy
  • Port Fairy Visitor Centre/Bank St
  • Port Fairy Visitor Centre/Bank St
  • Princes Hwy/Regent St

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

1 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • A car helps for daily errands
  • Great for outdoor family life — 14 parks mapped in suburb
  • Well connected by public transport — 22 public transport stops
Walkability proxy
30/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
3.74
Other(1)
  • Lake Aringa Wildlife Reserve (no hunting)Nature Reserve

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

7 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Fiddlers GreenPark
  • George Dodds ReservePark
  • Goose Lagoon Wildlife Reserve (hunting)Nature reserve
  • Lake Aringa Wildlife Reserve (no hunting)Nature reserve
  • Port Fairy Botanic GardensPark
  • Russell Clark ReservePark
  • Wetland ReserveNature reserve

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
14
Parks (OSM)
14

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

Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
3
Nearest hospital
Moyne Health (6.6 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
On site
  • Moyne HealthHospital
  • Pharmacy NeoSackville StreetPharmacy
  • Port Fairy PhysiotherapyPhysiotherapist

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
102
Participants per 1,000 residents
26.7

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
24° / 11°
Rainfall
112 mm · ~14 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
20° / 9°
Rainfall
164 mm · ~20 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
14° / 6°
Rainfall
251 mm · ~31 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
18° / 8°
Rainfall
212 mm · ~26 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).

237 planning-related records

2021· 40 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Buildings and works to construct an outbuilding
    12 MILLS CRESCENT PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Alterations and additions to a dwelling, part demolition of a dwelling, demolition of an outbuilding and construction of an outbuilding.
    63 COX STREET PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Display of Business identification signage
    32 VILLIERS STREET PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and works to display business identification signage
    34 SACKVILLE STREET PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of an emergency services facility and alteration of access to a Road Zone ¿ Category 1
    116 PRINCES HIGHWAY PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of a dwelling
    PRINCES HIGHWAY PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct a solar array and removal of vegetation
    2891 PRINCES HIGHWAY PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to alter a dwelling (replace a garage door)
    22 COX STREET PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Alterations and additions to a dwelling
    230 PRINCES HIGHWAY PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Display of business identification signage
    66 SACKVILLE STREET PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Variation to liquor licence to change the licence category
    24 BANK STREET PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct an outbuilding
    20 VILLIERS STREET PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • One or more new buildings (garden shed)
    226 GRIFFITHS STREET PORT FAIRY 3284Withdrawn
  • Partial demolition, alterations and additions to a dwelling
    13 CAMPBELL STREET PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two lot subdivision
    7 THISTLE PLACE PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct a dwelling
    196 GRIFFITHS STREET PORT FAIRY 3284NOD issued by the Resp. Authority

  • August 2021

  • Buildings and works to construct a dwelling
    7 HILL STREET PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of restrictive covenant
    108 PRINCES HIGHWAY PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Alterations and additions to a dwelling
    41 MODEL LANE PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works including partial demolition, extensions to a dwelling and construction of an outbuilding
    40 ALBERT STREET PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of the land for a store (storage units), the display of a sign and reduction in the number of car parking spaces required
    1/215 PRINCES HIGHWAY PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Alterations and additions to a dwelling (including partial demolition of dwelling and outbuilding)
    75 COX STREET PORT FAIRY 3284No permit required
  • Alterations and additions to a dwelling
    1 BROPHY STREET PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct a fence
    2 POWLING STREET PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Alterations and additions to a dwelling
    108 OCEAN DRIVE PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct an outbuilding
    371 BLACKWOOD ROAD PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct a dwelling, outbuilding and create an access to a Road Zone Category 1
    PRINCES HIGHWAY PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct an outbuilding
    19 NORFOLK PLACE PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Alterations and additions to a dwelling
    49 MODEL LANE PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct a dwelling and outbuilding
    PRINCES HIGHWAY PORT FAIRY 3284Withdrawn
  • Buildings and works including partial demolition and alterations and additions to a dwelling
    90 SACKVILLE STREET PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct an outbuilding (green house)
    5 HILL STREET PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building & works associated with a golf course
    110 SKENES ROAD PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Buildings and works to demolish a pergola, demolish a verandah, construct a verandah and construct a carport
    59 CAMPBELL STREET PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by the RA
  • Display of a home based business sign
    117 REGENT STREET PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of the land for extractive industry (bluestone)
    3462 PRINCES HIGHWAY PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct a dwelling
    52 PHILIP STREET PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Alterations and additions to a dwelling
    127 Beach StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to alter a non-contributory building
    ANZ BANK PORT FAIRY 3284Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Sixteen lot subdivision and variation of access to a Road Zone Category 1
    103 PRINCES HIGHWAY PORT FAIRY 3284In progress

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

24 heritage places

  • BATTERY HILLNH1504
  • CALEDONIAN INNNH0247
  • COTTAGE 14 WILLIAM STREET PORT FAIRYNH2078
  • COTTAGE PORT FAIRY (64 CAMPBELL ST)NH0249
  • COTTAGE PORT FAIRY (66 CAMPBELL ST)NH0250
  • COTTAGE PORT FAIRY (68 CAMPBELL ST)NH0251
  • EMOHNH0252
  • FORMER BANK OF AUSTRALASIA PORT FAIRYNH0749
  • FORMER CUSTOMS SHEDNH2046
  • FORMER WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCHNH0884

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
Wannon
Member of Parliament
Dan TEHAN (Liberal)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
121,788
Turnout (2025)
94.0%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
-2.3 pp toward Coalition

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 60.9%Labor 39.1%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 27.5 km away).

Coalition 60.7%Labor 39.3%

0.3 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +39.3 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • Port FairyLabor 44.4% · Coalition 55.6% TPP (2025)8.7 km away
  • KoroitLabor 37.5% · Coalition 62.5% TPP (2025)17.7 km away
  • DenningtonLabor 41.7% · Coalition 58.3% TPP (2025)24.4 km away
  • Warrnambool WestLabor 41.1% · Coalition 58.9% TPP (2025)26.2 km away
  • Mailors FlatLabor 26.1% · Coalition 73.9% TPP (2025)26.7 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)
8/10
IRSD decile (2021)
7/10

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 Moyne Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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