suburb.guide

VIC · Golden Plains Council

Rokewood, 3330

Est. population · Jun 2025

249

Growth (1 yr)

+2.5%

Growth (5 yr)

+15.3%

Median age

41

Median income

$1,286/wk

Employment rate

56.3%

Languages at home

3.2%non-English

Mostly English at home

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

22.9/100
Below average

1209th in VIC

Verified 85% confidence

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

Suburb profile

Rokewood offers a slower smaller community life in Golden Plains Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with plenty of young families in the mix. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name.

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 buses still link the suburb further afield. Homes are relatively cheap compared with the wider market, which keeps entry costs lower.

Reported crime has been falling recently. An emerging neighbourhood feel is building here, with new households gradually reshaping local life.

Versus similar regional towns, the suburb reads below average on desirability, chiefly because local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus growth momentum trail behind. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Rokewood snapshot

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

Median house price

—

No data available

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

249

+2.5% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

22.0%

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

#125

among Country & regional · Emerging

Safety

82nd

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

92nd

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

3/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

28th

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
22.9/100 — Below average
National rank
6507th in Australia
State rank
1209th in VIC
Peer rank
#125 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
Cohort rank
#685 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
85%

Data sources & freshness

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

Population

Estimated resident population

249(June 2025)

+2.5% annual · +15.3% over 5 years · 92th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+2.5%
5-year growth
+15.3%
Change in 1 year
+6
Change in 5 years
+33
Growth rank in VIC
92th 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 +2.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
208
Median age
41
Median household income / week
$1,286
Dwelling vacancy
22%
Unoccupied private dwellings
22 of 100
Median monthly mortgage
$867
Employment rate
56.3%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
75 / 3 / 0

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)
32
Against the person
1
Against property
27
Rate per 1,000 residents
128.5
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 208 residents
State safety percentile
82.1th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-17.9%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage3
  • B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary2
  • B322 Non-Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary2
  • B41 Motor Vehicle Theft3
  • B49 Other Theft14

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
959
Median ICSEA percentile
28th
School list
  • Rokewood Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 959 · 28th percentile · LBOTE 0% · 42 students · Top SEA quarter 5%View on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap

  • Rokewood 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

  • Health Centre/Ferrars St

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.

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

  • Park or reserveNature reserve

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
120
Parks (OSM)
0

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
Winchelsea Hospital (40.8 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)
10
Participants per 1,000 residents
40.2

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

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
26° / 12°
Rainfall
128 mm · ~16 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
21° / 10°
Rainfall
124 mm · ~16 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
14° / 6°
Rainfall
149 mm · ~19 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
19° / 8°
Rainfall
182 mm · ~23 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).

9 planning-related records

2021· 2 proposals

  • September 2021

  • The development of the land for the purposes of buildings and works associated with trade supplies and rural industry (storage shed) pursuant to the provisions of the FZ (Clause 35.07-4)
    4 CEMETERY ROAD ROKEWOOD 3330Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2021

  • The development of the land for the purposes of a three (3) lot subdivision pursuant to the provisions of the TZ (Clause 32.05-5) and associated native vegetation removal in accordance with Clause 52.17-1 of the planning scheme
    CA 5 AITCHISON STREET ROKEWOOD 3330Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 7 proposals

  • October 2020

  • Use of the land for Extractive industry under clause 35.07-1 (FZ), carrying out of works associated with a section 2 use under clause 35.07-4 (FZ), use and development of the land for earth and energy resources industry under clause 52.08-1 (Earth and energy resources industry) and alteration to access in a Road Zone Category 1 (RDZ1) under clause 52.29-2 in accordance with endorsed plans
    1805 ROKEWOOD-SHELFORD ROAD ROKEWOOD 3330Permit issued by the RA

  • September 2020

  • Construction of a building (dwelling) under clause 42.01-2 and creation of access to a road in a Road Zone Category 1 under clause 52.29-2
    30 Ferrars StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • The use and development of the land for a dwelling
    894 Mcphersons RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • The development of the land for a shed
    1911 ROKEWOOD-SHELFORD ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2020

  • Amendment to existing planning permit for the development of the land for a shed associated with existing pig farm
    460 GUMLEY ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • The use and development of the land for a second dwelling
    1911 ROKEWOOD-SHELFORD ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2020

  • The development of the land for a shed
    705 MEADOWS ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

10 active roadworks / incidents

  • Building / 3rd Party Works activities occurring between 25/02/2026 and 30/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 4:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Weekends 4:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Greater than 10 min.TWO BRIDGES ROAD, ROKEWOOD-SKIPTON ROAD24 Feb 2026 – 29 Aug 2026
  • Building / 3rd Party Works activities occurring between 25/02/2026 and 30/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 4:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Weekends 4:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Greater than 10 min.TWO BRIDGES ROAD, COLAC-BALLARAT ROAD24 Feb 2026 – 29 Aug 2026
  • Building / 3rd Party Works activities occurring between 25/02/2026 and 30/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 4:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Weekends 4:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Greater than 10 min.UNNAMED, COLAC-BALLARAT ROAD24 Feb 2026 – 29 Aug 2026
  • Building / 3rd Party Works activities occurring between 25/02/2026 and 30/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 4:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Weekends 4:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Greater than 10 min.MILL ROAD, ROKEWOOD-SKIPTON ROAD24 Feb 2026 – 29 Aug 2026
  • Building / 3rd Party Works activities occurring between 25/02/2026 and 30/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 4:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Weekends 4:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Greater than 10 min.COLAC-BALLARAT ROAD, DALYS ROAD24 Feb 2026 – 29 Aug 2026
  • Building / 3rd Party Works activities occurring between 25/02/2026 and 30/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 4:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Weekends 4:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Greater than 10 min.ROKEWOOD-SKIPTON ROAD, MILL ROAD24 Feb 2026 – 29 Aug 2026
  • Building / 3rd Party Works activities occurring between 25/02/2026 and 30/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 4:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Weekends 4:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Greater than 10 min.JACKAS ROAD, UNNAMED24 Feb 2026 – 29 Aug 2026
  • Building / 3rd Party Works activities occurring between 25/02/2026 and 30/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 4:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Weekends 4:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Greater than 10 min.KENNERSLEYS ROAD, TWO BRIDGES ROAD24 Feb 2026 – 29 Aug 2026
  • Building / 3rd Party Works activities occurring between 25/02/2026 and 30/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 4:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Weekends 4:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Greater than 10 min.ROKEWOOD-SKIPTON ROAD, CAPE CLEAR-ROKEWOOD ROAD24 Feb 2026 – 29 Aug 2026
  • Building / 3rd Party Works activities occurring between 25/02/2026 and 30/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 4:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Weekends 4:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Greater than 10 min.GILLETTS ROAD, COLAC-BALLARAT ROAD24 Feb 2026 – 29 Aug 2026

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · 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
Ballarat
Member of Parliament
Catherine KING (Australian Labor Party)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
116,238
Turnout (2025)
93.3%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
-2.3 pp toward Coalition

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 39.3%Labor 60.7%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 31.3 km away).

Coalition 63.7%Labor 36.3%

24.4 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: -2.1 pp toward Coalition

Nearest polling places

  • RokewoodLabor 33.3% · Coalition 66.7% TPP (2025)3.1 km away
  • DereelLabor 58.2% · Coalition 41.8% TPP (2025)11.9 km away
  • Cape ClearLabor 52.4% · Coalition 47.6% TPP (2025)18.9 km away
  • NapoleonsLabor 60.1% · Coalition 39.9% TPP (2025)28.5 km away
  • TeesdaleLabor 54.6% · Coalition 45.4% TPP (2025)29.0 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)
3/10
IRSD decile (2021)
5/10

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 Golden Plains Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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