Median house price
$618k
+2.9% change
VIC · Ballarat Council
Soldiers Hill, 3350
Est. population · Jun 2025
2,673
Growth (1 yr)
+0.6%
Growth (5 yr)
+3.4%
Median age
40
Median income
$1,461/wk
Employment rate
61.4%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$617,500
Languages at home
7%non-English
Most common: Mandarin, Italian, French
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Education hub
- Excellent transport
- Café precinct
- Green suburb
- National parks
Suburb profile
Soldiers Hill is a regional mid-sized suburb in Ballarat Council, oriented around local life rather than the metro orbit of Melbourne. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with plenty of young families in the mix. Local schools rate highly against similar suburbs.
Local eateries and coffee spots give the area a friendly, everyday social rhythm. Buses and trains are solid enough for daily errands and regular trips further afield. Housing sits above the suburban middle: not the top of the market, but clearly pricier than average.
Local crime has been trending higher of late. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.
Against similar regional towns, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because parks and green space lag behind, despite relative strength in community and employment. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.
At a glance
Soldiers Hill snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$430/wk
Population (ERP)
2,673
+0.6% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
10.5%
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
#33
among Country & regional · Established
Safety
90th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
55th
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
7/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
72nd
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
- 49.8/100 — Average
- State standing
- Top 37% of Victoria's suburbs
- National rank
- 2196th in Australia
- State rank
- 471st in VIC
- Peer rank
- #33 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #121 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 89%
Data sources & freshness
- Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
- All types (Sep 2025 (council median))
- $430
- Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
- $617,500
- Median price change
- +2.9%
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
2,673(June 2025)
+0.6% annual · +3.4% over 5 years · 55th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +0.6%
- 5-year growth
- +3.4%
- Change in 1 year
- +15
- Change in 5 years
- +88
- Growth rank in VIC
- 55th 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 (~2,800), extrapolated at +0.8% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 2,813
- Median age
- 40
- Median household income / week
- $1,461
- Dwelling vacancy
- 10.5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 146 of 1,390
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,509
- Employment rate
- 61.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,046 / 121 / 68 (+ 3 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)
- 509
- Against the person
- 59
- Against property
- 314
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 190.4
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 48 residents
- State safety percentile
- 90th (lower crime is better)
- Increase (daily rate)
- +47.1%
Most common offence types
- B21 Criminal Damage47
- B41 Motor Vehicle Theft58
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle138
- B49 Other Theft23
- E21 Breach Family Violence Order85
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
- 8
- Median school ICSEA (8 schools)
- 1,060.5
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 72th
School list
- Macarthur Street Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 951 · 25th percentile · LBOTE 11% · 83 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 0.2 km awayView on My School →
- St Columba's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1090 · 81th percentile · LBOTE 1% · 334 students · Top SEA quarter 36% · 0.4 km awayView on My School →
- Black Hill Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1042 · 65th percentile · LBOTE 6% · 397 students · Top SEA quarter 23% · 1.0 km awayView on My School →
- Ballarat North Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1002 · 48th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 330 students · Top SEA quarter 12% · 1.1 km awayView on My School →
- Ballarat Primary School (Dana Street)Primary · Government · ICSEA 1069 · 75th percentile · LBOTE 15% · 227 students · Top SEA quarter 33% · 1.7 km awayView on My School →
- Pleasant Street Primary School (Ballarat)Primary · Government · ICSEA 1095 · 83th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 350 students · Top SEA quarter 39% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
- St Alipius' Parish SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1052 · 69th percentile · LBOTE 11% · 248 students · Top SEA quarter 19% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →
- St Patrick's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1096 · 83th percentile · LBOTE 14% · 249 students · Top SEA quarter 35% · 1.9 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
Public transport
13 public transport stops in this suburb
- Ballarat Railway Station
- Ballarat Station
- Chisolm St/Lydiard St N
- MacArthur St/Lydiard St N
- St Columba's PS/Lydiard St N
Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)
Public transport stop coverage
Data sources & freshness
- GTFS public transport stops — State transport authority open-data feeds · current · Updated
Amenities
77 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 restaurants · 3 cafes · 3 pubs · 1 fast food · 9 places of worship · 2 playgrounds · 1 petrol stations · 1 post offices
Local character & venue list
Local character
- A car helps for daily errands
- Decent local green space — 3 parks in suburb, 2 playgrounds nearby
- Reasonable bus and transport access — 13 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 36/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 1.07
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 2.84
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.07
Food & drink(8)
- Lydiard General CafeCafe
313 Lydiard Street North, Soldiers Hill
- Naomi & iCafe
- Tin Roof CafeCafe
302 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill
- El JannahFast food
620 Creswick Road, Soldiers Hill
- Millers Arms HotelPub
411 Howard Street
- North Britain HotelPub
416 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill
- North Star HotelPub
302 Lydiard Street North, Soldiers Hill
- Soldiers Woodfired PizzeriaRestaurant
451 Doveton Street North, Soldiers Hill
Shopping(2)
- John Harbour Quality ButcherButcher
615 Lydiard Street North, Soldiers Hill
- Easy JoyConvenience store
Community(2)
- Macarthur Street Primary SchoolSchool
401 Macarthur Street
- St Columba's SchoolSchool
306 Howard Street
Sport & outdoors(7)
- Sweaty AFGym
- Gregory Street ReservePark
- Macarthur Street ReservePark
- Park
- Playground (2)
- Sports field
Transport(13)
11 bus stops · 2 train stations
Other(29)
- Quest Ballarat StationApartment
- Bench
- Bicycle Parking (2)
- That Little BookshopBooks
819 Doveton Street North, Soldiers Hill
- Ballarat StationBus Station
- Drinking water (2)
- Creative Dried FlowersFlorist
310 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill
- Garden (2)
- Boutique Hair ParlourHairdresser
628 Doveton Street North
- Massage
- Eyre HouseNursing Home
810 Ligar Street
- Ballarat Station Car ParkParking
- Parking (14)
- Quest Ballarat Car ParkParking
- SinopecPetrol station
620-620A Creswick Road
- Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's WitnessesPlace of worship
607 Howitt Street, Soldiers Hill
- Neill Street Uniting ChurchPlace of worship
204 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill
- Place of worship
- Scots Presbyterian ChurchPlace of worship
415 Lydiard Street North, Soldiers Hill
- St Columba'sPlace of worship
801 Lydiard Street North, Soldiers Hill
- St John's Anglican ChurchPlace of worship
606 Armstrong Street North, Soldiers Hill
- St John's HallPlace of worship
607 Lydiard Street North, Soldiers Hill
- Uniting ChurchPlace of worship
501 c Neill Street, Soldiers Hill
- Uniting ChurchPlace of worship
510 d Neill Street, Soldiers Hill
- Post Box
- Ballarat North Post OfficePost office
805 Doveton Street North, Soldiers Hill
- Public toilets
- Recycling
- 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
2 parks and public open space in this suburb
- Gregory Street ReservePark
- Macarthur Street ReservePark
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 3
- Parks (OSM)
- 3
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
Places of worship
9 places of worship within ~1.5 km
- Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses
607 Howitt Street, Soldiers Hill
- Neill Street Uniting Church
204 Macarthur Street, Soldiers Hill
- Place of worship
- Scots Presbyterian Church
415 Lydiard Street North, Soldiers Hill
- St Columba's
801 Lydiard Street North, Soldiers Hill
- St John's Anglican Church
606 Armstrong Street North, Soldiers Hill
- St John's Hall
607 Lydiard Street North, Soldiers Hill
- Uniting Church
501 c Neill Street, Soldiers Hill
- Uniting Church
510 d Neill Street, Soldiers Hill
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
Data sources & freshness
- OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated
Health access
- Nearest hospital
- Nazareth House Aged Care (1.3 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)
- 106
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 39.7
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
- 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
- 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).
83 planning-related records
2021· 23 proposals
August 2021
- Demolition and development of front fence405 NEILL STREET SOLDIERS HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition, alterations and additions to a dwelling405 NEILL STREET SOLDIERS HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of an outbuilding217 LYDIARD STREET NORTH SOLDIERS HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition, alterations and additions to a garage402 LYDIARD STREET NORTH SOLDIERS HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition of dwelling and demolition of outbuilding317 LIGAR STREET SOLDIERS HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition, alterations and additions to a dwelling305 SEYMOUR STREET SOLDIERS HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
- Demolition of garage and fence and development of habitable outbuilding and fence434 LIGAR STREET SOLDIERS HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition, alterations and additions to a dwelling, demolition and development of fencing and associated works308A LYDIARD STREET NORTH SOLDIERS HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a verandah3/204 CHISHOLM STREET SOLDIERS HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2021
- Installation of Solar Panels405 HAVELOCK STREET SOLDIERS HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a habitable outbuilding508 GREGORY STREET SOLDIERS HILL 3350Withdrawn
- Partial demolition alterations and additions to an existing dwelling312 MACARTHUR STREET SOLDIERS HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of a pergola116 BROUGHAM STREET SOLDIERS HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2021
- We need to restore the old corner shop verandah which is apart of our family home. It is terribly weather beaten and could fall apart soon. She's a beautiful, large verandah that extends from Chisholm Street around to Neill Street that is in desperate need of attention to bring her back to life.12 CHISHOLM STREET SOLDIERS HILL 3350Withdrawn
- Partial demolition, alterations and additions to a dwelling including demolition of outbuildings and fencing221 CLYDE STREET SOLDIERS HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
April 2021
- Alterations and additions to dwelling including partial demolition503 Doveton Street NorthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use of the land for a medical centre (allied health practitioners) and a reduction in car parking requirements524 Doveton Street NorthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition to front fence to include vehicle access gates and construction of external staircase106 Gregory StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2021
- Partial demolition, alterations and additions to a dwelling and development of an outbuilding and carport207 CHISHOLM STREET SOLDIERS HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Alterations to dwelling, including partial demolition402 Ligar StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
February 2021
- Partial demolition and alterations to a dwelling (replacement of roof)813 Ligar StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Alterations and additions to dwelling605 Doveton Street NorthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use land to sell and consume liquor in association with an existing cafe451 Doveton Street NorthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 17 proposals
December 2020
- Partial demolition of a dwelling, demolition of an outbuilding, alterations and additions to dwelling, addition to a carport and associated works10 Macarthur StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Partial demolition, alterations and additions to a dwelling606 Ligar StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Demolition of an outbuilding and partial demolition of dwelling, alterations and additions to a dwelling421 LYDIARD STREET NORTH SOLDIERS HILL 3350In progress
- Removal of Carriageway Easement created by Instrument of Transfer No.1121791 in favour of lots 1 and 2 on TP242950202 Howard StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Extension of trading hours, increase in number of patrons and increase in area that liquor is allowed to be sold and consumed and display of business identification signs524 DOVETON STREET NORTH SOLDIERS HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
November 2020
- Partial demolition, alterations and additions to a dwelling and development of an outbuilding437 Doveton Street NorthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of retaining wall704A Neill StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Two lot subdivision425 Doveton Street NorthWithdrawn
- Demolish and erect a front fence225 Lydiard Street NorthLapsed
- Partial demolition, additions and alterations to existing dwelling, development of an outbuilding, fencing and associated works511 Doveton Street NorthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
October 2020
- Demolition (restrospective) of front fence including trellis, development of an outbuilding and fencing605 Havelock StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Demolish a shed and construct a verandah201 Havelock StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Buildings and works for additions to the existing dwelling101 Gregory StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Demolition to rear of dwelling and extension and alterations to dwelling618 Armstrong Street NorthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use land to sell and consume liquor in association with an existing cafe451 Doveton Street NorthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Demolition of an outbuilding316 Lydiard Street NorthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Installation of solar panels516 Ligar 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
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 3.0 km away).
Coalition 30.4%Labor 69.6%
8.9 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +0.2 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- Black HillLabor 72.1% · Coalition 27.9% TPP (2025)0.9 km away
- Ballarat NorthLabor 67.0% · Coalition 33.0% TPP (2025)1.3 km away
- BallaratLabor 71.8% · Coalition 28.2% TPP (2025)1.5 km away
- Ballarat EastLabor 72.9% · Coalition 27.1% TPP (2025)1.8 km away
- Lake WendoureeLabor 65.1% · Coalition 34.9% TPP (2025)1.9 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)
- 7/10
- IRSD decile (2021)
- 6/10
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 Ballarat Council
Other suburbs in the same local government area.
Comparable suburbs
Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.