suburb.guide

VIC · Wangaratta Council

Waldara, 3678

Est. population · Jun 2025

739

Growth (1 yr)

+0.1%

Growth (5 yr)

+1.5%

Median age

47

Median income

$2,456/wk

Employment rate

66.8%

Languages at home

4.3%non-English

Most common: Italian

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

48.4/100
Average

Top 40% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 52% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • High desirability
What Waldara is known for: High desirability

Suburb profile

Waldara offers a slower smaller community life in Wangaratta Council, with open surrounds and a close-knit community feel. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with a strong presence of young families throughout. 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. 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.

Housing is expensive relative to much of the state. Steady development is bringing new homes and gradual renewal to parts of the suburb.

Desirability lands around average here: softer local dining and lifestyle amenities weighing on the result versus similar regional towns, even with community and employment, plus safety holding up better. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Waldara snapshot

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

Median house price

—

No data available

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

739

+0.1% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

6.2%

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

#43

among Country & regional · Mature

Safety

3rd

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

45th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

10/10

national SEIFA decile

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
48.4/100 — Average
State standing
Top 40% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
2383rd in Australia
State rank
504th in VIC
Peer rank
#43 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#136 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
52%

Data sources & freshness

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

Population

Estimated resident population

739(June 2025)

+0.1% annual · +1.5% over 5 years · 45th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.1%
5-year growth
+1.5%
Change in 1 year
+1
Change in 5 years
+11
Growth rank in VIC
45th 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 (~750), extrapolated at +0.8% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
677
Median age
47
Median household income / week
$2,456
Dwelling vacancy
6.2%
Unoccupied private dwellings
15 of 242
Median monthly mortgage
$2,167
Employment rate
66.8%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
227 / 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 are unchanged compared with the previous period.

Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
6
Against the person
0
Against property
6
Rate per 1,000 residents
8.1
State safety percentile
3.2th (lower crime is better)
No change (daily rate)
0%

Most common offence types

  • B321 Residential Non-Aggravated Burglary2
  • B41 Motor Vehicle Theft1
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle1
  • B49 Other Theft2

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Amenities

1 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
Other(1)
  • Parking

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

Health access

Nearest hospital
Wangaratta Private Hospital (4.1 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)
34
Participants per 1,000 residents
46.0

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
31° / 15°
Rainfall
115 mm · ~14 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
23° / 9°
Rainfall
129 mm · ~16 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
14° / 4°
Rainfall
167 mm · ~21 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
21° / 8°
Rainfall
144 mm · ~18 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).

29 planning-related records

2021· 17 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Development of Five Dwellings and Five Lot Subdivision
    8 FAIRWAY DRIVE WALDARA 3678Permit issued by the RA
  • Development of a Domestic Outbuilding
    86 WANGANDARY ROAD WALDARA 3678Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of an Outbuilding
    OLD SCHOOL ROAD WALDARA 3678Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2021

  • Development of an Outbuilding (Domestic Shed)
    485 WANGARATTA-YARRAWONGA ROAD WALDARA 3678Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Residential Subdivision and Removal of an Easement
    85 OLD SCHOOL ROAD WALDARA 3678NOD issued by the Resp. Authority
  • Development of an Outbuilding (Domestic Shed) (35 Wonga Park Drive)
    WANGARATTA-YARRAWONGA ROAD WALDARA 3678Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Extension of Outbuilding greater than 80sqm in area
    63 OLD SCHOOL ROAD WALDARA 3678Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Development of an Outbuilding
    71 Usshers DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Lot B Old School Road Waldara - Amendment to Agreement
    OLD SCHOOL ROAD WALDARA 3678Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Development of an Outbuilding (Domestic Shed) greater than 80sqm
    74 Firbank DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of an Outbuilding (Domestic Shed)
    23D OLD SCHOOL ROAD WALDARA 3678Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of an Outbuilding (Domestic Shed)
    83 Firbank DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • Removal of Native Vegetation
    Road ReservePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Development of an Outbuilding (Domestic Shed)
    485 Wangaratta-Yarrawonga RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a Shed
    92 Wangandary RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of an Outbuilding (Domestic Shed) Associated with a Dwelling
    3 Kookaburra CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Development of a Shed
    40 Usshers DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 12 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Development of an Outbuilding (Domestic Shed) Associated with a Dwelling
    Old School RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • November 2020

  • Development of an Outbuilding (Domestic Shed)
    5 Kookaburra CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of an Outbuilding (Domestic Shed) associated with a Dwelling
    573 Wangaratta-Yarrawonga RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • Construction of a Shed
    84 Firbank DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Forty Two Lot Subdivision and Removal of Native Vegetation
    566 Wangaratta-Yarrawonga RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2020

  • Development of Shed Greater than 80 Square Metres
    61 Firbank DriveLapsed
  • Three (3) Lot Subdivision (re-subdivision) and Partial Removal of an Easement (Drainage Easement E-2 PS344273T)
    768 Reith RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2020

  • Development of an Outbuilding (Domestic Shed) associated with a Dwelling
    80 Firbank DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of an Outbuilding (Domestic Shed) Associated with a Dwelling
    61 Old School RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2020

  • Two Lot Subdivision and Removal of Native Vegetation
    774 Reith RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2020

  • Use and Development of Land for a Second Dwelling
    17 MEGAN COURT WALDARA 3678Permit issued by the RA

  • February 2020

  • Two Lot Subdivision
    84 Talgai DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

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
Indi
Member of Parliament
Helen HAINES (Independent)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
120,774
Turnout (2025)
92.8%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
-1.4 pp toward Coalition

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 56.7%Labor 43.3%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 22.3 km away).

Coalition 53.5%Labor 46.5%

3.2 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: -0.8 pp toward Coalition

Nearest polling places

  • West EndLabor 47.5% · Coalition 52.5% TPP (2025)3.5 km away
  • WangarattaLabor 45.4% · Coalition 54.6% TPP (2025)5.2 km away
  • YarrungaLabor 49.3% · Coalition 50.7% TPP (2025)6.7 km away
  • TarrawingeeLabor 39.6% · Coalition 60.4% TPP (2025)16.5 km away
  • GlenrowanLabor 39.2% · Coalition 60.8% TPP (2025)16.6 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.

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic

IRSAD decile (2021)
10/10
IRSD decile (2021)
10/10

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 Wangaratta Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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