Median house price
$550k
+17% change
VIC · Greater Bendigo Council
Sailors Gully, 3556
Est. population · Jun 2025
751
Growth (1 yr)
+0.5%
Growth (5 yr)
+5.6%
Median age
45
Median income
$1,319/wk
Employment rate
55.2%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$550,000
Languages at home
5.2%non-English
Most common: Italian, Sinhalese
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Education hub
- Heritage area
- High desirability
Suburb profile
Set among the hills of Greater Bendigo Council, Sailors Gully is a smaller community with bushland views and a cooler, leafier feel. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with family life visible on every street. The pace is unhurried, with local businesses and community spots doing the heavy lifting.
Open space is thinner than in many regional towns, so residents often travel a little further for a longer park day. Day-to-day life is more car-oriented here than in denser, more walkable pockets. Purchase and rent costs sit on the more affordable side of the local range.
Reported crime has been falling recently. Light infill development is updating a few streets while the wider area stays largely unchanged.
Against similar regional towns, the suburb sits below average overall, mainly because local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus community and employment lag behind, despite relative strength in growth momentum. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Sailors Gully snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$475/wk
Population (ERP)
751
+0.5% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
7.1%
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
#163
among Country & regional · Mature
Safety
51st
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
54th
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
2/10
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
- 37.3/100 — Below average
- National rank
- 4247th in Australia
- State rank
- 834th in VIC
- Peer rank
- #163 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #365 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 81%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (Sep 2025 (council median))
- $475
- Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
- $550,000
- Median price change
- +17%
Median weekly rent from Victorian government rent reports. Council median fallback may apply where suburb rent is unavailable.
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; Sep 2025 (council median) · Updated · Quarterly releases; council median rent fallback where suburb rent unavailable
Population
Estimated resident population
751(June 2025)
+0.5% annual · +5.6% over 5 years · 54th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.5%
- 5-year growth
- +5.6%
- Change in 1 year
- +4
- Change in 5 years
- +40
- Growth rank in VIC
- 54th 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 (~850), extrapolated at +2.0% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 743
- Median age
- 45
- Median household income / week
- $1,319
- Dwelling vacancy
- 7.1%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 23 of 322
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,192
- Employment rate
- 55.2%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 293 / 0 / 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)
- 41
- Against the person
- 7
- Against property
- 6
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 54.6
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 106 residents
- State safety percentile
- 51th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -25.5%
Most common offence types
- A231 Fv Common Assault2
- A81 Dangerous Driving2
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle2
- C32 Drug Possession2
- E21 Breach Family Violence Order23
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
- 958
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 28th
School list
- Eaglehawk North Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 958 · 28th percentile · LBOTE 3% · 269 students · Top SEA quarter 5% · 0.4 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
7 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Limited walkable amenities nearby
- Walkability proxy
- 0/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 0
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 0
Community(1)
- Eaglehawk North Primary SchoolSchool
1-9 Bendigo-Pyramid Road
Sport & outdoors(1)
- Sports field
Other(3)
- Myers Flat Rest AreaCamp Site
- Parking (2)
- Shelter (2)
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
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 3
- 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
- OpenStreetMap green cover — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Emergency Department (6.4 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)
- 49
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 65.2
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
- 27° / 12°
- Rainfall
- 115 mm · ~14 rainy days
Autumn (Mar–May)
- Usual max / min
- 21° / 8°
- Rainfall
- 133 mm · ~17 rainy days
Winter (Jun–Aug)
- Usual max / min
- 13° / 4°
- Rainfall
- 180 mm · ~22 rainy days
Spring (Sep–Nov)
- Usual max / min
- 19° / 7°
- Rainfall
- 172 mm · ~22 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).
21 planning-related records
2021· 8 proposals
July 2021
- Construct a dwelling32 FRANKLIN STREET SAILORS GULLY 3556Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a carport31A LETHEBYS ROAD SAILORS GULLY 3556Lapsed
- 5 Lot Subdivision and Removal of Native Vegetation3-9 COAKES STREET SAILORS GULLY 3556Lapsed
- Subdivide land into 2 lots and construction of 2 outbuildings255 SAILORS GULLY ROAD SAILORS GULLY 3556Withdrawn
May 2021
- Construction of a dwelling and outbuilding (Amendment to plans)29C Lethebys RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2021
- Buildings and works for the construction of a new dwelling (amend conditions)2 Murchison StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
February 2021
- Placement of a shipping container to be used as a store (theatre props)212 Sailors Gully RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
January 2021
- Construction of a dwelling and outbuilding (Amended plans for design changes & addition of outbuilding, amended address)29C Lethebys RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 13 proposals
November 2020
- Construction of a new dwelling, pool area and outbuilding (Amended plans for minor floor level changes, decrease in floor area to living, dining, bath, entry and alfresco and minor wall cladding changes)7 Mouat StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use and development of the land for a dwelling and an outbuilding and the creation of access to a road in a Road Zone, Category 133 Bendigo-Pyramid RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
October 2020
- 2 lot subdivision and construction of dwelling39-43 LETHEBYS ROAD SAILORS GULLY 3556In progress
- Buildings and works for the construction of a new dwelling2 Murchison StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
September 2020
- Construction of a shed (amended plans to allow for design change)16 Brewery RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
August 2020
- Construction of a dwelling49 Franklin StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of an outbuilding63 Lethebys RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2020
- Construction of a new dwelling, pool area and outbuilding7 Mouat StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works for the construction of an outbuilding25 Bendigo-Pyramid RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2020
- Construction of a dwelling33 Moon StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
April 2020
- Construction of a shed16 Brewery RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2020
- Construction of a dwelling16 Brewery RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
January 2020
- Construction of a dependent persons unit. (Amended plans - siting)1 Conder StreetPermit 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
Roadworks & transport
1 active roadworks / incidents
- Council Works activities occurring between 12/06/2026 and 29/01/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.LODDON VALLEY HIGHWAY, HOPKINS AVENUE11 Jun 2026 – 28 Jan 2027
Data sources & freshness
- Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Heritage
2 heritage places
- NEW MOON QUARTZ GOLD MINE SITESNH1366
- NEW MOON QUARTZ GOLD MINE SITESNH1366
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
- 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 4.8 km away).
Coalition 48.1%Labor 51.9%
0.5 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +51.9 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Sailors GullyLabor 51.9% · Coalition 48.1% TPP (2025)0.3 km away
- EaglehawkLabor 49.0% · Coalition 51.0% TPP (2025)2.4 km away
- WoodvaleLabor 48.7% · Coalition 51.3% TPP (2025)2.5 km away
- Eaglehawk EastLabor 55.6% · Coalition 44.4% TPP (2025)2.7 km away
- California GullyLabor 56.5% · Coalition 43.5% TPP (2025)3.4 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)
- 2/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 3/10
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
Compare with
Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
More in Greater Bendigo Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.