suburb.guide

VIC · Campaspe Council

Rochester, 3561

Est. population · Jun 2025

2,896

Growth (1 yr)

+0.2%

Growth (5 yr)

-7.1%

Median age

53

Median income

$1,073/wk

Employment rate

45.7%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$477,500

Languages at home

2.3%non-English

Most common: Italian, Mandarin, Thai

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

49.5/100
Average

Top 38% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 93% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • National parks
  • Excellent transport
  • Education hub
  • Heritage area
What Rochester is known for: Green suburb, National parks, Excellent transport, Education hub, Heritage area

Suburb profile

Rochester is a quieter mid-sized suburb in Campaspe Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Retirees and empty-nesters are well represented here, with multiple generations sharing the same neighbourhood. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting.

With limited local amenities, residents regularly travel to a neighbouring town for shops, appointments and a wider choice. Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many regional towns, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible.

Homes are relatively cheap compared with the wider market, which keeps entry costs lower. A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.

Against similar regional towns, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because community and employment lag behind, despite relative strength in growth momentum and safety. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Rochester snapshot

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

Median house price

$478k

+38% change

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

2,896

+0.2% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

9.2%

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

#36

among Country & regional · Mature

Safety

57th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

47th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

2/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

37th

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
49.5/100 — Average
State standing
Top 38% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
2236th in Australia
State rank
475th in VIC
Peer rank
#36 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#122 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
93%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$477,500
Median price change
+38.4%

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

2,896(June 2025)

+0.2% annual · -7.1% over 5 years · 47th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.2%
5-year growth
-7.1%
Change in 1 year
+6
Change in 5 years
-221
Growth rank in VIC
47th 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 (~2,850), extrapolated at -0.3% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
3,154
Median age
53
Median household income / week
$1,073
Dwelling vacancy
9.2%
Unoccupied private dwellings
131 of 1,430
Median monthly mortgage
$1,083
Employment rate
45.7%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
1,210 / 71 / 0 (+ 28 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)
178
Against the person
40
Against property
64
Rate per 1,000 residents
61.5
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 79 residents
State safety percentile
56.9th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-10.1%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage14
  • B49 Other Theft16
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order40
  • E23 Breach Bail Conditions17
  • Other Crimes Against The Person10

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
3
Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
978
Median ICSEA percentile
37th
School list
  • Rochester Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 978 · 37th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 181 students · Top SEA quarter 11% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
  • Rochester Secondary CollegeSecondary · Government · ICSEA 964 · 31th percentile · LBOTE 3% · 343 students · Top SEA quarter 7% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
  • St Joseph's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 991 · 43th percentile · LBOTE 0% · 95 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

24 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Gilles St/Moore St
  • Queen St/McKenzie St
  • Rochester Railway Station
  • Rochester Station
  • Rochester Station/Northern Hwy

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

5 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

1 playgrounds

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • A car helps for daily errands
  • Great for outdoor family life — 8 parks mapped in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
  • Well connected by public transport — 24 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
2.54
Sport & outdoors(3)
  • Apex ParkPark
  • Park
  • Playground
Other(2)
  • Rochester MotelMotel
  • Waste Basket

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

6 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Apex ParkPark
  • Campaspe ParkPark
  • Dohertys Pine Nature Conservation ReserveNature reserve
  • Lions ParkPark
  • Rochester Recreation ReservePark
  • Rotary ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
26
Parks (OSM)
8

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
2
Nearest hospital
Rochester and Elmore District Health Service (1.6 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
On site
  • Rochester and Elmore District Health ServicePascoe StreetHospital
  • TerryWhite ChemmartGillies StreetPharmacy

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
118
Participants per 1,000 residents
40.7

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
30° / 14°
Rainfall
89 mm · ~11 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
23° / 9°
Rainfall
106 mm · ~13 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
14° / 4°
Rainfall
120 mm · ~15 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
22° / 8°
Rainfall
122 mm · ~15 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).

51 planning-related records

2021· 25 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Buildings and works (dwelling extension) in the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    72 VICTORIA STREET ROCHESTER 3561Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works (outbuilding) in the Farming Zone Schedule 1 associated with an existing Landscape Garden Supplies and the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    6525 NORTHERN HIGHWAY ROCHESTER 3561Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2021

  • Development of the land for 4 dwellings in the General Residential Zone and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    46 ECHUCA ROAD ROCHESTER 3561Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • VICSMART - Buildings and works (agricultural shed) in the Farming Zone Schedule 1
    400 DIGGORA ROAD ROCHESTER 3561Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Building and Works (dwelling) in the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    46 Morton StreetPermit issued by the RA
  • Building and works (dwelling extension) in the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    15 Moore StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for three (3) dwellings in the General Residential Zone and Land Subject to Inundation
    37 MACKAY STREET ROCHESTER 3561Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Building and Works (dwelling) in the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    46 Morton StreetWithdrawn
  • Buildings and Works (dwelling) in the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    63 Northcote StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • VICSMART - Buildings and works (external painting) and Business Identification Signage in the Heritage Overlay Schedule 203
    60 Mackay StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • Subdivision of the land into two lots in the General Residential Zone and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    39 EDWARD STREET ROCHESTER 3561Permit issued by the RA
  • Building and Works (extension to manufacturing building) in the Industrial Zone Schedule 1 and a reduction in car parking pursuant to Clause 52.06
    80 Lowry StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works (building extension, partial demolition and tree removal) in the General Residential Zone, Land Subject to Inundation Overlay and Heritage Overlay 212 and business identification signage in the General Residential Zone and Heritage Overlay Schedule 212
    11 Campaspe StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works (external alterations and additions and partial demolition) and internally illuminated business identification signage in the Commercial 1 Zone and Heritage Overlay Schedule 203, a reduction of car parking pursuant to Clause 52.06 and alteration to existing red line plan pursuant to Clause 52.27
    10-20 Gillies StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Building and Works (dwelling extension) in the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    20 Echuca RoadPermit issued by the RA
  • Building and works (silo artwork and sculptures) in the Public Conservation and Resource Zone and Heritage Overlay 203 and 210
    31 Ramsay StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and Works (external painting) and Business Identification Signage Heritage Overlay Schedule 203
    41 Moore StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Boundary realignment and creation of a carriageway easement in the Farming Zone Schedule 1, Floodway Overlay and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    6708 Northern HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Subdivision of the Land into three Lots in the General Residential Zone and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    54 Echuca RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and works (minor utility station pipe and pump) in the Public Conservation and Resource Zone
    16 Bridge RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and Works (Ablutions Block) in association with Existing Section 2 Use (Police Station) in the General Residential Zone and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    29 Moore StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and Works (outbuilding) in the Farming Zone Schedule 1
    6533 Northern HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2021

  • Use and development (fence) of the land for vehicle store (in association with a rural store) in the Farming Zone Schedule 1, Floodway Overlay and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    Northern HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works (external painting) and Business Identification Signage in the Heritage Overlay Schedule HO203
    11-13 Gillies StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • VICSMART Building and Works (outbuilding) in the General Residential Zone
    25 Hotham StreetNo permit required
2020· 15 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Buildings and Works (Dwelling) in the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay, Removal of Native Vegetation (3 Trees) pursuant to Clause 52.17 and Alteration to Access to a Road Zone Category 1 pursuant to Clause 52.29 - Amendment to Permit Description, Endorsed Plans and Condition 3
    12-14 Bridge RoadWithdrawn

  • November 2020

  • Building and Works (dwelling) in the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    4 Edward StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Subdivision of the land into two (2) lots in the General Residential Zone
    41 Kerford StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Development of the land for a dwelling and outbuilding in the Farming Zone Schedule 1 and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    O'Donnell RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • Buildings and works (dwelling extension) in the Commercial 1 Zone and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    8 Moore StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • Building and Works (Dwelling and Outbuilding) in the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    40 High StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • External Painting and Business Identification Signage in the Heritage Overlay Schedule 203
    64 Mackay StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of the land for a Dwelling in the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    4-6 Church StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • Buildings and Works (Extension) in the Commercial 1 Zone and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    58 Campaspe StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Floodlit Major Promotion Sign in the Commercial 1 Zone
    18 Moore StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Development of the Land for a Dwelling in the Farming Zone Schedule 1
    Diggora RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2020

  • Creation of an easement (E-1) pursuant to Clause 52.02
    81 Lowry StreetPermit issued by the RA
  • Buildings and Works (Dwelling) in the Land Subject to Inundation Overlay, Removal of Native Vegetation (3 Trees) pursuant to Clause 52.17 and Alteration to Access to a Road Zone Category 1 pursuant to Clause 52.29
    12-16 Bridge RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings & Works (extension to building) in the Public Use Zone (PUZ4 - Transport) and Land Subject to Inundation Overlay
    14 Moore StreetWithdrawn
  • Buildings and works (external painting) and Business Identification Signage in the Heritage Overlay Schedule 203
    19 Gillies StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

1 active roadworks / incidents

  • Building / 3rd Party Works activities occurring between 01/01/2026 and 30/09/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed northbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.ELIZABETH STREET, MACKAY STREET31 Dec 2025 – 29 Sep 2026

Data sources & freshness

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

Heritage

1 heritage place

  • ROCHESTER COURT HOUSENH1482

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 52.8 km away).

Coalition 71.2%Labor 28.8%

22.6 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +28.8 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • RochesterLabor 28.7% · Coalition 71.3% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
  • ElmoreLabor 31.7% · Coalition 68.3% TPP (2025)16.1 km away
  • GoornongLabor 37.2% · Coalition 62.8% TPP (2025)32.9 km away
  • HuntlyLabor 46.3% · Coalition 53.7% TPP (2025)46.2 km away
  • RaywoodLabor 38.3% · Coalition 61.7% TPP (2025)47.5 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)
2/10
IRSD decile (2021)
2/10

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

Compare with

Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.

More in Campaspe Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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