Median house price
$388k
+17% change
VIC · Baw Baw Council
Rawson, 3825
Est. population · Jun 2025
302
Growth (1 yr)
+0.7%
Growth (5 yr)
+4.9%
Median age
46
Median income
$840/wk
Employment rate
37.6%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$387,500
Languages at home
Mostly English at home
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- Education hub
- Heritage area
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Away from the major hubs, Rawson is a smaller community in Baw Baw Council with its own quieter rhythm. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with a strong presence of young families throughout. There are enough cafés and casual dining options to keep weekends interesting without the inner-city crush.
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 trains still link the suburb further afield. Housing is more affordable than in many parts of the state.
Crime reports are up on the previous period. The streetscape feels settled and established, with older homes giving the area a familiar, lived-in look.
Versus similar regional towns, the suburb reads below average on desirability, chiefly because community and employment trail behind. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Rawson snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
—
No data available
Population (ERP)
302
+0.7% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
20.9%
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
#328
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
79th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
59th
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
1/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
17th
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
- 26.8/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 6042nd in Australia
- State rank
- 1143rd in VIC
- Peer rank
- #328 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #630 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 81%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
- $387,500
- Median price change
- +17.4%
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
302(June 2025)
+0.7% annual · +4.9% over 5 years · 59th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.7%
- 5-year growth
- +4.9%
- Change in 1 year
- +2
- Change in 5 years
- +14
- Growth rank in VIC
- 59th 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 (~300), extrapolated at +0.8% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 296
- Median age
- 46
- Median household income / week
- $840
- Dwelling vacancy
- 20.9%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 36 of 172
- Median monthly mortgage
- $867
- Employment rate
- 37.6%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 122 / 0 / 0 (+ 10 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)
- 34
- Against the person
- 14
- Against property
- 4
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 112.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 21 residents
- State safety percentile
- 78.8th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +142.9%
Most common offence types
- A212 Non-Fv Serious Assault2
- A231 Fv Common Assault2
- A711 Fv Stalking3
- B21 Criminal Damage3
- E21 Breach Family Violence Order13
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
- 926
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 17th
School list
- Rawson Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 926 · 17th percentile · LBOTE 0% · 8 students · Top SEA quarter 0% · 0.8 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
Amenities
36 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 pubs · 3 playgrounds · 1 sports centres
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Great for outdoor family life — 1 parks mapped in suburb, 3 playgrounds nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 2/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 3.38
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 3.38
Food & drink(1)
- Rawson StockyardPub
Shopping(1)
- Rawson General StoreConvenience store
Community(1)
- Rawson Primary SchoolSchool
140 Knotts Siding Road
Sport & outdoors(7)
- Croxford ParkPark
- Playground (3)
- Rawson Swimming PoolSports centre
- Dunstan OvalSports field
- Sports field
Transport(1)
1 train stations
Other(13)
- Rawson Caravan ParkCamp Site
- Thompson Bridge CampgroundCamp Site
- Rawson Caravan ParkCaravan Site
- Firepit
- Mountain Rivers LodgeGuest House
- Phoenix Paint BallHunting Stand
- Information
- Thomson River Canoe TrailInformation
- Tanglin Trust School Gippsland CampusMotel
- Parking (13)
- Police
- Public toilets
- Rawson Recreation ReserveRecreation Ground
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
- Croxford ParkPark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 5
- Parks (OSM)
- 1
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
- Maryvale Private Hospital (28.3 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)
- 7
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 23.2
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
- 25° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 197 mm · ~25 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 20° / 9°
- Rainfall
- 228 mm · ~28 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 13° / 5°
- Rainfall
- 261 mm · ~33 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 18° / 7°
- Rainfall
- 304 mm · ~38 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).
5 planning-related records
2021· 2 proposals
August 2021
- Use and development for group accommodation5 STANDER DRIVE RAWSON 3825NOD issued by a delegate
July 2021
- Building and works to construct a dwelling and alter access to a road in a Road Zone, Category 1KNOTTS SIDING ROAD RAWSON 3825Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 3 proposals
November 2020
- Resubdivide the land into two (2) lots and create access to a road in a Transport Zone 250 KNOTTS SIDING ROAD RAWSON 3825Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
April 2020
- Use and development of land for camping and caravan park11 DEPOT ROAD RAWSON 3825Refusal issued by the Resp. Authority
March 2020
- The use of land for Motor Racing Tracks (4 Day Enduro - Motorcycle Club Event) and create access to a road in a Road Zone, Category 1175 Knotts Siding RoadPermit 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
- RAIL BRIDGE WALHALLANH1443
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · 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
- Monash
- Member of Parliament
- Mary ALDRED (Liberal)
- Results from
- 2025 federal election
- Electorate enrolment (2025)
- 116,463
- Turnout (2025)
- 93.5%
- Swing since 2022 (2025)
- -1.2 pp toward Coalition
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 54.1%Labor 45.9%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 35.4 km away).
Coalition 58.9%Labor 41.1%
4.8 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: -8.6 pp toward Coalition
Nearest polling places
- EricaLabor 39.9% · Coalition 60.1% TPP (2025)3.6 km away
- WillowgroveLabor 30.1% · Coalition 69.9% TPP (2025)23.3 km away
- Newborough EastLabor 56.3% · Coalition 43.7% TPP (2025)26.2 km away
- MoeLabor 56.7% · Coalition 43.3% TPP (2025)26.7 km away
- NewboroughLabor 59.0% · Coalition 41.0% TPP (2025)27.2 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
More in Baw Baw Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.