Romsey is a major regional centre in Victoria, in Macedon Ranges Council. It is set against the Macedon Ranges.
Recorded road crashes are a relative strength, with recorded road crashes 58% below the peer median, and reported crime is lower than in most comparable places. Reported offences have risen 37% year on year, and household incomes sit well above the peer median, with household incomes 56% above the peer median. The main trade-offs are more mapped flood cover, limited amenity for the price and limited school access, with school access 50% below the peer median.
Overall, the suburb suits people prioritising lower crime over amenity for the price.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.
Strengths and weaknesses
Major regional centre · compared with major regional centres in Victoria (187)
Strengths
Recorded road crashes are a relative strength
Reported crime is lower than in most comparable places
Household incomes sit well above the peer median
Weaknesses
Mapped flood cover is a relative weakness
Buyers pay a premium despite relatively limited amenity access
School access is relatively limited
What stands out
Macedon Ranges
Who it suits
Stars are audience-fit ratings derived from Suburb.Guide data, not demographic counts or user reviews.
Families★★☆☆☆
Professionals★☆☆☆☆
Retirees★★☆☆☆
Students★☆☆☆☆
Budget buyers★★☆☆☆
Housing, growth and risk
How Romsey compares
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median house price
$810k
+1.3% change
Median rent (Census)
$380/wk
2021 Census median weekly rent
Population (ERP)
6,198
+0.9% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.4%
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
#44
among Country & regional · Emerging
Crime rate
33rd
percentile in state (higher = more crime)
Pop. growth
66th
percentile in VIC
Rented dwellings
11%
2021 Census tenure
Advantage (IRSAD)
7/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
40th
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
49.0/100 — Average
State standing
Top 44% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
2201st in Australia
State rank
548th in VIC
Peer rank
#44 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
Cohort rank
#234 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
95%
Data sources & freshness
Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
+0.9% annual · +9.0% over 5 years · 66th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.9%
5-year growth
+9.0%
Change in 1 year
+56
Change in 5 years
+512
Growth rank in VIC
66th 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 (~6,850), extrapolated at +1.9% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
Population
5,797
Median age
38
Median household income / week
$2,068
Dwelling vacancy
5.4%
Unoccupied private dwellings
115 of 2,128
Median monthly mortgage
$1,928
Median weekly rent (2021 Census)
$380
Tenure (owned / mortgaged / rented)
32.6% / 56.5% / 10.9%
Employment rate
63.6%
Travel to work (WFH / public transport / car)
20.3% / 0.4% / 62.7%
Walked or cycled to work
1.5%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
1,951 / 43 / 15
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%) · Accessibility (12%) · Future Growth (6%)
Employment, household income and owned-outright tenure (2021 Census) Work-from-home and public-transport commute shares (2021 Census) Five-year population change as a healthy-growth band, not a boom bonus
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
17.7% of adults have a university degree, compared with 29.2% across Victoria. 24.9% have a trade or vocational qualification.
University qualified17.7% · 29.2% VIC
Diploma qualified10.4% · 9.8% VIC
Trade / vocational24.9% · 14.2% VIC
Year 12 or below47.1% · 46.8% VIC
Highest qualification field
Main field of the highest non-school qualification (2021 Census).
Engineering and related technologies21.1%
Management and commerce17%
Society and culture12.9%
Education12.5%
Health10.4%
Architecture and building9%
How these groups are defined
Measure
Definition
University qualified
Bachelor degree or higher
Diploma qualified
Advanced Diploma / Diploma
Trade / vocational
Certificate III + IV
Year 12
Year 12 as highest attainment
Below Year 12
Year 11 / 10 / 9 or below
People aged 15 years and over, 2021 Census. University, diploma and trade shares match ABS highest educational attainment (HEAP). Year 12 and below Year 12 are combined in the chart because the General Community Profile reports school-only attainment as a residual.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%)
University qualifications from the 2021 Census
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Tax & income
Median taxable income (2023–24)
$63,132
83rd percentile in VIC · +8% vs Australia
Median salary / wages (2023–24)
$69,769
87th percentile in VIC · +7% vs Australia
Residents with rental investments
10.0%
26th percentile in VIC · -27% vs Australia
Median super balance (2023–24)
$101,744
79th percentile in VIC · +61% vs Australia
Residents with business income
12.0%
60th percentile in VIC · +15% vs Australia
Australian Taxation Office Taxation Statistics 2023–24, individuals Table 25. Figures describe taxpayers who live in postcode 3434 — not a suburb-level official statistic. Rental investment is the share of local taxpayers reporting rental income or loss, not the share of local properties owned by investors.
Counts, net rent & state comparison
Taxpayers in this postcode
3,773
Taxpayers reporting net rent
378
Median net rent
-$2,041
Taxpayers reporting business income
458
Taxable income vs state median
+18%
Salary / wages vs state median
+19%
Rental investment vs state median
-23%
Super vs state median
+26%
Business income vs state median
+9%
Percentiles rank this postcode among unique postcodes in VIC, so suburbs that share a postcode are not counted twice. Dollar figures are compared with Australia-wide ATO medians from the same release. Median net rent is among taxpayers who reported the rent label and can be negative.
Data sources & freshness
Taxation Statistics 2023–24 — individuals by postcode (Table 25) — Australian Taxation Office · Updated · Annual release; taxpayer residential postcode, not suburb boundary
Community & culture
3.9% speak a language other than English at home; 10.5% born overseas
Language at home
5,342 English only · 217 other
Non-English at home
3.9%
Born overseas
583 (10.5%)
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
84 (1.4%)
Australian citizens
5,368
Languages spoken at home (other than English)
11
Top languages other than English
Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
Arabic12 · 15.2%
Italian11 · 13.9%
German10 · 12.7%
Spanish10 · 12.7%
Turkish7 · 8.9%
Greek6 · 7.6%
Mandarin6 · 7.6%
Thai6 · 7.6%
Religion
48.8%No religion
No religion is the most common response at 48.8%, while Christianity accounts for 43.6%.
Measure
Suburb
State
No religion
48.8%
38.8%
Christianity
43.6%
40.9%
Other / not stated
7.6%
20.3%
Christian denominations
Denomination
Suburb
State
Catholic
22.4%
20.5%
Anglican
10.9%
6.5%
Uniting Church
3.4%
2.4%
2021 Census — languages spoken at home, birthplace, Indigenous status, and religious affiliation (usual residence). Religion is optional on the Census form.
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted 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)
228
Against the person
42
Against property
111
Rate per 1,000 residents
36.8
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 138 residents
State crime-rate percentile
33.3th (higher = more crime)
Increase (daily rate)
+103.6%
Recorded road crashes (in suburb)
59
Crash rate per 1,000 residents (state rank)
9.52
Most common offence types
B21 Criminal Damage16
B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle14
B49 Other Theft27
E21 Breach Family Violence Order20
C32 Drug Possession15
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Crime rate, offences against the person, year-on-year trend and recorded road crash rates
Romsey Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 986 · 40th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 323 students · Top SEA quarter 5% · 1.5 km awayView on My School →
School catchments
Bolinda Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Gisborne Secondary CollegeGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundarysecondary_catchment
Hesket Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Kyneton Secondary CollegeGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundarysecondary_catchment
Lancefield Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Romsey Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Wallan Secondary CollegeGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundarysecondary_catchment
Government school intake zones that overlap this suburb boundary. Living in a catchment does not guarantee enrolment; check the education authority.
Contributes to desirability score · Education (14%)
Median school ICSEA first, then school and catchment counts
Data sources & freshness
Victorian designated neighbourhood zones — Victorian Department of Education · current · Updated · Open catchment polygons where published
2 supermarkets · 1 libraries · 1 places of worship · 1 playgrounds · 1 swimming pools · 1 petrol stations · 1 post offices
Local character & venue list
Local character
A car helps for daily needs
Decent local green space — 7 parks in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
Reasonable bus and transport access — 8 public transport stops
Walkability proxy
37/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
1.21
Shopping(3)
LiqourlandBottle shop
ColesSupermarket
IGASupermarket
Everyday services(4)
Bendigo BankBank
Laundry
Ampol FoodaryPetrol station
31B Main Street
Romsey LPOPost office
Unit 1 33 Main Street, Romsey
Community(1)
Romsey LibraryLibrary
98 Main Street, Romsey
Health & services(1)
Clinic
28 White Avenue
Sport & outdoors(11)
The Federation TrailCycling route
Bolinda Creek Streamside ReserveNature reserve
Deep Creek K16 Streamside ReserveNature reserve
Deep Creek K17 Streamside ReserveNature reserve
Lions ParkPark
Park (2)
Playground
Public toilets
Romsey Skate ParkSports field
Swimming pool
Other(3)
Parking (8)
Romsey Uniting ChurchPlace of worship
Shelter
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually. Campgrounds, beaches, wineries and local trails are included when they sit inside the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport per 1,000 residents (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Green cover is the share of this suburb's boundary overlapping OpenStreetMap parks, woodland and forest polygons — not a satellite tree-canopy product. Summer maximum is the WorldClim / Open-Meteo seasonal normal already collected for Weather.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (12%)
Tree canopy first, then green-cover area and parks per 1,000
Data sources & freshness
OpenStreetMap green cover and tree canopy — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated · Park/woodland polygons intersected with suburb boundaries
Places of worship
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
Romsey Uniting Church
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
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.
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
27° / 13°
Rainfall
126 mm · ~16 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
Usual max / min
21° / 9°
Rainfall
148 mm · ~18 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Usual max / min
13° / 4°
Rainfall
218 mm · ~27 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Usual max / min
19° / 8°
Rainfall
188 mm · ~24 rainy days
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)
Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).
99 planning-related records
2021· 40 proposals
August 2021
Removal of one (1) native tree
MELBOURNE LANCEFIELD ROAD ROMSEY 3434Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Installation of eighteen (18) solar panels on the roof of an existing dwelling covered by Heritage Overlay
136-138 MAIN STREET ROMSEY 3434Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of an Outbuilding (Shed)
11 WHELANS PLACE ROMSEY 3434Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development of the Land for a replacement Dwelling and an Outhouse (ancillary dwelling)
184 KNOX ROAD ROMSEY 3434Withdrawn
Development of the land for three (3) additional dwellings to rear of existing dwelling
26 METCALFE DRIVE ROMSEY 3434Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
Development of 2 Additional Single Storey Dwellings and 3 Lot Subdivision (Amendment sought for new dwelling design for Lot 3)
11 REDWOOD COURT ROMSEY 3434Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
In accordance with the endorsed plans: A two lot subdivision on land affected by the General Residential Zone Schedule 1 and the Design and Development Overlay Schedule 18
55 METCALFE DRIVE ROMSEY 3434Refusal issued by the Resp. Authority
Development of an Outbuilding
9 DIANELLA WAY ROMSEY 3434Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Resubdivision of the land into Three (3) lots, removal of Easement (Powersupply), use of the proposed Lot 3 for rural industry (manufacture of sparkling wine and ancillary table wine) and development of an associated warehouse building and associated building containing a wine store, tank room and bottling line (Amendment sought to alter the approved warehouse building)
160 GLENFERN ROAD ROMSEY 3434NOD issued by a delegate
Development of an Outbuilding (shed)
98 TARRAWARRA LANE ROMSEY 3434Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of Veranda and Deck
12 MAPLE DRIVE ROMSEY 3434Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development of the Land for a Dwelling
17 POPLAR DRIVE ROMSEY 3434Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Subdivision of the Land into Two (2) Lots
5 OLD FARM WAY ROMSEY 3434Refusal issued by a delegate
June 2021
Development of an Outbuilding (shed)
4 BENJAMIN PLACE ROMSEY 3434Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development of an Extension to Existing Medical Centre
99 MAIN STREET ROMSEY 3434Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Subdivision of two existing lots into eleven (11) lots. (Amendment sought for alterations to Conditions (5 & 11) and Removal of Two (2) Trees.
142 Barry StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2021
Two (2) Lot Subdivision.
42 METCALFE DRIVE ROMSEY 3434Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development of an Outbuilding (shed).
21 Casuarina DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development of an outbuilding (shed).
34 Casuarina DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Use and Development of Place of Assembly (Wellness Centre) and associated accommodation (bed and breakfast)
99 CROOKED ROAD ROMSEY 3434NOD issued by a delegate
April 2021
Construction of four additional dwellings (to rear of existing dwelling) (Amendment sought to construct a veranda on Lot 5).
UNIT 1/17 REGAN DRIVE ROMSEY 3434Withdrawn
Subdivision of the Land into (2) Two Lots
23 WRIXON STREET ROMSEY 3434Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development of an outbuilding (shed).
35 Embley CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Subdivision of two existing lots into eleven (11) lots. (Amendment sought for alterations to conditions and removal of two (2) trees and alter condition 5 and 10).
142 Barry StreetLapsed
March 2021
Development of an outbuilding (shed) with attached enclosed verandah.
11 Melaleuca BoulevardPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development of four outbuildings and habitable outbuilding (Stables, garage, and two sheds) in accordance with the endorsed plans.
3046 MELBOURNE LANCEFIELD ROAD ROMSEY 3434Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development of a dwelling and garage.
8 Conner CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development of an outbuilding
99 TARRAWARRA LANE ROMSEY 3434Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development of an outbuilding (shed).
68 Metcalfe DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development of the Land for a Dwelling
3 CONNER COURT ROMSEY 3434Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development of an outbuilding (shed)
9A Susanne CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development of an outbuilding (garage)
7 Dianella WayNo permit required
February 2021
Development of an Extension Associated with Existing Industry (Wine Production) and Associated Works
144 GLENFERN ROAD ROMSEY 3434Withdrawn
Restaurant/Cafe liquor licence, Reduction of car parking requirements (16 Car Parking Spaces) and Alteration to Access from a Road Zone Category 1
Unit 4/115 Main StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Use and Development of the Land for Domestic Animal Husbandry (5 Dogs)
9 NEWNHAM DRIVE ROMSEY 3434Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
January 2021
Use and Development of the land for a dwelling (Amendment sought to alter location of dwelling, driveway, and watertank, and to add shed)
2268 ROMSEY ROAD ROMSEY 3434Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development of a dam
3046 Melbourne Lancefield RoadLapsed
Display of Business Identification Sign
47 Barry StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development of an Outbuilding
3 Dianella WayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Shopfront Signage
126 Main StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (12%)
Heritage listings as established streetscape
Data sources & freshness
State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid
Flood / inundation overlay
7.9% of suburb boundary
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay mapping. Flood cover uses inundation overlay polygons against the suburb boundary where published.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Bushfire and flood hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
Bushfire and flood planning overlays — State government hazard layers · current · Updated
Politics & representation
Federal electorate
McEwen
Member of Parliament
Rob MITCHELL (Australian Labor Party)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
117,921
Turnout (2025)
93.5%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
+0.9 pp toward Labor
Two-party preferred (2025)
Coalition 45.2%Labor 54.8%
Estimated suburb voting profile
Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 16.0 km away).
Coalition 46.1%Labor 53.9%
0.9 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +1.7 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
RomseyLabor 54.0% · Coalition 46.0% TPP (2025)1.7 km away
LancefieldLabor 50.8% · Coalition 49.2% TPP (2025)8.9 km away
BolindaLabor 47.3% · Coalition 52.7% TPP (2025)9.0 km away
RiddellLabor 59.0% · Coalition 41.0% TPP (2025)12.5 km away
NewhamLabor 53.1% · Coalition 46.9% TPP (2025)12.6 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.
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 (12%)