suburb.guide

VIC · Nillumbik Council

Wattle Glen, 3096

Est. population · Jun 2025

1,955

Growth (1 yr)

+0.6%

Growth (5 yr)

+1.9%

Median age

42

Median income

$2,425/wk

Employment rate

65.6%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$1,000,000

Languages at home

5.4%non-English

Most common: Italian, Russian, German

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

47.1/100
Average

Top 43% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 89% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Excellent transport
  • Education hub
  • High desirability
What Wattle Glen is known for: Excellent transport, Education hub, High desirability

Suburb profile

In Nillumbik Council, Wattle Glen is a settled smaller community with a familiar suburban feel and good links to the wider city. Established families and long-term residents give the suburb a settled feel, with plenty of young families in the mix. Dining is thinner on the ground than in busier metro pockets, so many residents head to neighbouring suburbs for a night out.

Green space punches above what many metro suburbs offer, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses and trains still link the suburb further afield. Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers.

Crime reports are up on the previous period. Renewal is happening in measured doses, with new development complementing what is already there.

The overall desirability read is around average, pulled by softer schools and education compared with similar metro suburbs, though community and employment, plus growth momentum remain brighter spots. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Wattle Glen snapshot

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

Median house price

$1M

+26% change

Median rent

$640/wk

Population (ERP)

1,955

+0.6% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

4.1%

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

#23

among Metro Melbourne · Emerging

Safety

35th

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

56th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

9/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

63rd

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
47.1/100 — Average
State standing
Top 43% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
2559th in Australia
State rank
535th in VIC
Peer rank
#23 among Metro Melbourne · Emerging suburbs
Cohort rank
#321 among Metro Melbourne suburbs
Data confidence
89%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

All types (Sep 2025 (council median))
$640
Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$1,000,000
Median price change
+25.7%

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

Population

Estimated resident population

1,955(June 2025)

+0.6% annual · +1.9% over 5 years · 56th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.6%
5-year growth
+1.9%
Change in 1 year
+11
Change in 5 years
+36
Growth rank in VIC
56th 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 (~2,000), extrapolated at +0.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
1,911
Median age
42
Median household income / week
$2,425
Dwelling vacancy
4.1%
Unoccupied private dwellings
26 of 631
Median monthly mortgage
$2,167
Employment rate
65.6%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
604 / 0 / 5

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)
75
Against the person
5
Against property
21
Rate per 1,000 residents
38.4
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 382 residents
State safety percentile
35.2th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+78.6%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage3
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle3
  • B45 Receiving Or Handling Stolen Goods3
  • C32 Drug Possession6
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order36

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
2
Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
1,037.5
Median ICSEA percentile
63th
School list
  • Wattle Glen Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1055 · 70th percentile · LBOTE 3% · 147 students · Top SEA quarter 25% · 0.6 km awayView on My School →
  • Diamond Valley CollegeSecondary · Government · ICSEA 1020 · 56th percentile · LBOTE 6% · 818 students · Top SEA quarter 12% · 1.9 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

8 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Park & Ride 1
  • Service Rd
  • Wattle Glen Rail Replacement Bus Stop
  • Wattle Glen Railway Station
  • Wattle Glen Station

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

42 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

1 cafes · 5 playgrounds · 2 sports centres · 1 swimming pools

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Limited walkable amenities nearby
  • Great for outdoor family life — 5 parks mapped in suburb, 5 playgrounds nearby
  • Reasonable bus and transport access — 8 public transport stops
  • Strong local sport and recreation — 9 sport and outdoor facilities nearby
Walkability proxy
14/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0.52
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0.52
Parks per 1,000 residents
2.62
Food & drink(1)
  • Peppers Paddock General StoreCafe

    13 Kangaroo Ground – Wattle Glen Road

Community(1)
  • Wattle Glen Primary SchoolSchool

    16-24 Reynolds Road

Sport & outdoors(14)
  • Diamond Creek Linear ReservePark
  • Edward Street ReservePark
  • Peppers PaddockPark
  • Wattle Glen War Memorial ParkPark
  • Wilson ReservePark
  • Playground (5)
  • Sports centre
  • Wattle Glen Tennis ClubSports centre
  • Sports field
  • Swimming pool
Transport(4)

2 bus stops · 2 train stations

Other(12)
  • Bench (2)
  • Yarra Valley WaterDrinking water
  • Wattle Glen Fire StationFire station
  • Garden (3)
  • Information
  • Parking (6)
  • Picnic Table
  • Public toilets
  • Shelter (3)
  • Wattle GlenShelter
  • Telephone
  • 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

5 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Diamond Creek Linear ReservePark
  • Edward Street ReservePark
  • Peppers PaddockPark
  • Wattle Glen War Memorial ParkPark
  • Wilson ReservePark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
27
Parks (OSM)
5

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
Hospital (10.5 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)
67
Participants per 1,000 residents
34.3

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
24° / 13°
Rainfall
155 mm · ~19 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
20° / 11°
Rainfall
186 mm · ~23 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
14° / 6°
Rainfall
203 mm · ~25 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
18° / 9°
Rainfall
207 mm · ~26 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).

32 planning-related records

2021· 17 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Buildings and works to construct a garage and carport
    82 SUNNYSIDE CRESCENT WATTLE GLEN 3096Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2021

  • Amendment - Buildings and works to construct additions and alterations to the existing dwelling
    7 CLARKE AVENUE WATTLE GLEN 3096NOD issued by a delegate

  • July 2021

  • Buildings and works to construct a dwelling
    10 MANNISH ROAD WATTLE GLEN 3096NOD issued by a delegate

  • June 2021

  • Buildings and works to construct second dwelling
    21 WARRINGTON CRESCENT WATTLE GLEN 3096Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 2 lot subdivision
    22 SUNNYSIDE CRESCENT WATTLE GLEN 3096Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and works to extend the existing dwelling
    20 WARRINGTON CRESCENT WATTLE GLEN 3096Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and works to construct a dwelling and vegetation removal
    35 MANNISH ROAD WATTLE GLEN 3096Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Creation of an easement (Spear)
    65-135 WILSON ROAD WATTLE GLEN 3096Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Amendment - Buildings and works to construct a dwelling
    29 Lorimer RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • Amendment - Buildings and works to construct a dwelling, associated earthworks and tree removal
    46-56 GORST ROAD WATTLE GLEN 3096Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Buildings and works to alter and extend the existing dwelling
    20 WARRINGTON CRESCENT WATTLE GLEN 3096Lapsed
  • Buildings and works to construct a dwelling and fencing
    6 UPPER ROAD WATTLE GLEN 3096Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and works to construct a fence
    12 MANNISH ROAD WATTLE GLEN 3096Lapsed

  • February 2021

  • Amendment - Use and development of the land for a Dependent Persons Unit (DPU) and buildings and works to alter and extend the existing dwelling and habitable outbuilding
    43 LORIMER ROAD WATTLE GLEN 3096Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to extend the existing dwelling
    22 WARRINGTON CRESCENT WATTLE GLEN 3096Lapsed

  • January 2021

  • Buildings and works to construct a dwelling, retaining wall and associated earthworks
    42 MANNISH ROAD WATTLE GLEN 3096NOD issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and works to construct an outbuilding and associated retaining wall
    12A UPPER ROAD WATTLE GLEN 3096Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 15 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Buildings and works to construct a second dwelling and fencing
    27 SUNNYSIDE CRESCENT WATTLE GLEN 3096NOD issued by a delegate

  • November 2020

  • Buildings and works to alter and extend the existing dwelling
    50 Silvan RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • Buildings and works to construct a dwelling, garage, shed and the removal of native vegetation
    59 REYNOLDS ROAD WATTLE GLEN 3096Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • Buildings and works to construct a pergola, fire pit and removal of 1 tree
    10 Upper RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct alterations and additions to dwelling and new shed
    2 Bateson RoadLapsed

  • July 2020

  • Buildings and works to construct a dwelling
    29 Lorimer RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct a boundary fence
    84 Sunnyside CrescentPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2020

  • Buildings and works to construct a sporting court
    2/16 Valley RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct a fence, and earthworks
    9 Clarke AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2020

  • Buildings and works to construct a carport
    17 Clarke AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct an outbuilding
    230 Watery Gully RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Amendment - Buildings and works to construct an extension to a dwelling
    8 Upper RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2020

  • Buildings and works to construct a shed and vegetation removal
    179 Silvan RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2020

  • Removal of 1 tree
    Scotts Angle RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2020

  • Removal of 1 native tree
    Warrington CrescentPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

5 active roadworks / incidents

  • Council Works activities occurring between 15/06/2026 and 30/10/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM, Weekends 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Note that changed conditions may also be in place during 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Altered speed limit during operation will be Nil and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.HEIDELBERG-KINGLAKE ROAD, LOWER ROAD14 Jun 2026 – 29 Oct 2026
  • LXRP (Level Crossing Removal Project) activities occurring between 06/04/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed both directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.MAIN HURSTBRIDGE ROAD, HEIDELBERG-KINGLAKE ROAD05 Apr 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
  • LXRP (Level Crossing Removal Project) activities occurring between 06/04/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed both directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.HEIDELBERG-KINGLAKE ROAD, MAIN HURSTBRIDGE ROAD05 Apr 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
  • LXRP (Level Crossing Removal Project) activities occurring between 06/04/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed southbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.MAIN HURSTBRIDGE ROAD, HEIDELBERG-KINGLAKE ROAD05 Apr 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
  • LXRP (Level Crossing Removal Project) activities occurring between 06/04/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM, Weekends 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed southbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 6 to 10 min.HEIDELBERG-KINGLAKE ROAD, MAIN HURSTBRIDGE ROAD05 Apr 2026 – 30 Aug 2026

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · 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
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 5.6 km away).

Coalition 37.5%Labor 62.5%

7.7 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +5.5 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • Wattle GlenLabor 63.5% · Coalition 36.5% TPP (2025)0.5 km away
  • Diamond Creek EastLabor 54.7% · Coalition 45.3% TPP (2025)1.9 km away
  • Diamond CreekLabor 59.8% · Coalition 40.2% TPP (2025)2.6 km away
  • Diamond Creek WestLabor 61.4% · Coalition 38.6% TPP (2025)3.2 km away
  • Kangaroo Ground (McEwen)Labor 53.3% · Coalition 46.7% TPP (2025)3.3 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)
9/10
IRSD decile (2021)
9/10

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

Compare with

Similar suburbs to weigh up side by side — scores, safety, schools, and lifestyle.

More in Nillumbik Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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