Median house price
$598k
+3.0% change
VIC · Greater Bendigo Council
White Hills, 3550
Est. population · Jun 2025
4,160
Growth (1 yr)
+2.7%
Growth (5 yr)
+13.4%
Median age
37
Median income
$1,395/wk
Employment rate
58.4%
Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025
$597,500
Languages at home
9.3%non-English
Most common: Malayalam, Mandarin, Arabic
2021 Census · usual residence
Desirability score
- Green suburb
- National parks
- Excellent transport
- High desirability
- Education hub
Suburb profile
Set among the hills of Greater Bendigo Council, White Hills is a mid-sized suburb with bushland views and a cooler, leafier feel. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with plenty of young families in the mix. Local shops, markets and community spots keep everyday life grounded in the town itself.
There is enough green space nearby for walks, picnics and after-school play. Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus, with buses linking the suburb to surrounding areas. Homes are relatively cheap compared with the wider market, which keeps entry costs lower.
Reported crime has been falling recently. A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.
The desirability picture is good, powered mainly by growth momentum, plus community and employment relative to similar regional towns.
At a glance
White Hills snapshot
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median rent
$475/wk
Population (ERP)
4,160
+2.7% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
6.5%
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
#12
among Country & regional · Growth area
Safety
57th
percentile in state (higher = safer)
Pop. growth
93rd
percentile in VIC
Advantage (IRSAD)
3/10
national SEIFA decile
School ICSEA
36th
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
- 56.4/100 — Good
- State standing
- Top 28% of Victoria's suburbs
- National rank
- 1399th in Australia
- State rank
- 344th in VIC
- Peer rank
- #12 among Country & regional · Growth area suburbs
- Cohort rank
- #58 among Country & regional suburbs
- Data confidence
- 100%
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)
- $597,500
- Median price change
- +3%
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
4,160(June 2025)
+2.7% annual · +13.4% over 5 years · 93th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
- Annual growth
- +2.7%
- 5-year growth
- +13.4%
- Change in 1 year
- +110
- Change in 5 years
- +491
- Growth rank in VIC
- 93th 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 (~5,050), extrapolated at +3.9% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
- Population
- 3,620
- Median age
- 37
- Median household income / week
- $1,395
- Dwelling vacancy
- 6.5%
- Unoccupied private dwellings
- 102 of 1,567
- Median monthly mortgage
- $1,300
- Employment rate
- 58.4%
- Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
- 1,322 / 127 / 0 (+ 7 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 decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
- Total offences (2026)
- 253
- Against the person
- 65
- Against property
- 121
- Rate per 1,000 residents
- 60.8
- Person-crime prevalence
- About 1 in 56 residents
- State safety percentile
- 56.5th (lower crime is better)
- Decrease (daily rate)
- -25.4%
Most common offence types
- B21 Criminal Damage24
- B41 Motor Vehicle Theft14
- B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle27
- B49 Other Theft19
- E21 Breach Family Violence Order39
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
- 3
- Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
- 977
- Median ICSEA percentile
- 36th
School list
- White Hills Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 977 · 36th percentile · LBOTE 13% · 586 students · Top SEA quarter 6% · 0.4 km awayView on My School →
- Holy Rosary SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1052 · 69th percentile · LBOTE 12% · 295 students · Top SEA quarter 18% · 0.8 km awayView on My School →
- Weeroona College BendigoSecondary · Government · ICSEA 940 · 21th percentile · LBOTE 10% · 812 students · Top SEA quarter 5% · 1.6 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
Childcare
1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap
- White Hills KindergartenRaglan Streetkindergarten
Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)
Childcare centre count
Data sources & freshness
- Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated
Public transport
31 public transport stops in this suburb
- Cambridge Cres/Napier St
- Marroo St/Finn St
- Rheola St/Napier St
- Sandhurst Centre/Finn St
- Weeroona College Bendigo/Napier St
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
70 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km
1 cafes · 1 pubs · 1 pharmacies · 2 fast food · 2 playgrounds · 1 sports centres · 1 swimming pools · 2 petrol stations
Local character & venue list
Local character
- Reasonably walkable — many errands reachable on foot or by bus
- Decent local green space — 4 parks in suburb, 2 playgrounds nearby
- Well connected by public transport — 31 public transport stops
- Walkability proxy
- 53/100
- Cafés per 1,000 residents
- 0.28
- Food & drink per 1,000 residents
- 1.1
- Parks per 1,000 residents
- 1.1
Food & drink(4)
- Get Naked Espresso BarCafe
501A Napier Street, White Hills
- McDonald'sFast food
- White Hills TakeawayFast food
- The Botanical HotelPub
Shopping(1)
No named venues listed.
Community(4)
- White Hills KindergartenKindergarten
62 Raglan Street
- Holy Rosary Primary SchoolSchool
556 Napier Street
- Weeroona College BendigoSchool
383-407 Napier Street
- White Hills Primary SchoolSchool
16-28 Plumridge Street
Health & services(2)
- Whitehills DentalDentist
47 Napier Street, White Hills
- White Hills PharmacyPharmacy
Sport & outdoors(11)
- Park (4)
- Playground (2)
- Sports centre
- Sports field
- White Hills Bowls ClubSports field
- White Hills OvalSports field
- White Hills PoolSwimming pool
Transport(25)
25 bus stops
Other(15)
- Premix KingAlcohol
6 Plumridge Street, White Hills
- Big 4 Bendigo Ascot Holiday ParkCaravan Site
- Bendigo Botanic GardensGarden
- Garden for the FutureGarden
- Allara Motor LodgeMotel
- White Hills H91 Bushland ReserveNature Reserve
- Parking (8)
- BPPetrol station
- MobilPetrol station
- Post Box
- White Hills LPOPost office
- Public toilets
- Shelter (3)
- Sandhurst CentreSocial Facility
32-38 Finn Street
- TelstraTelephone
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
- Wanyarra DumNature reserve
- White Hills H91 Bushland ReserveNature reserve
Data sources & freshness
- Parks & reserves — State government + ABS LGA boundaries · current · Updated
Green cover
- Parks & woodland (OSM)
- 8
- Parks (OSM)
- 4
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
- Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
- 3
- Nearest hospital
- Bendigo Health (3.3 km)
- Nearest hospital type
- Hospital
- Nearest hospital emergency
- Emergency department
- Emergency department in suburb
- Not in suburb
- Bendigo Osteopathic ClinicNapier StreetAlternative
- White Hills PharmacyPharmacy
- Whitehills DentalNapier StreetDentist
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)
- 220
- Participants per 1,000 residents
- 52.9
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).
55 planning-related records
2021· 23 proposals
August 2021
- Three lot subdivision, demolition of dwelling, and construction of three dwellings (Amended plans for design changes)57 RAGLAN STREET WHITE HILLS 3550Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2021
- 4 lot subdivision of land136-142 ST KILLIAN STREET WHITE HILLS 3550NOD issued by a delegate
June 2021
- Removal of a Native Tree29 Waratah StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a dwelling15 Priest StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- 2 Lot subdivision and construction of a dwelling, and a variation to a covenant to allow for a separate second dwelling on a lot and the use of alternative materials2 LOUEY DRIVE WHITE HILLS 3550Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of the land for a dwelling77 Kennewell StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- 2 Lot subdivision; construction of a second dwelling and associated garage on a lot; construction of a carport associated with an existing dwelling; demolition of outbuildings; replacement of fence (Amended plans for design changes)12A Cambridge CrescentPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2021
- Extension to existing Osteopathic clinic (additional consulting rooms), reduction in car parking requirements and alteration of access to a Road Zone Category 1361 NAPIER STREET WHITE HILLS 3550Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Use and development of land for a service station, display of signage and alteration of access to a road zone category 1588 Napier StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Alter access to a road in a Road Zone, Category 1 and display a direction sign505 NAPIER STREET WHITE HILLS 3550Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Replacement of tiled roof with Colorbond469 Napier StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of an outbuilding (To increase the size of outbuilding)302 Holdsworth RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
April 2021
- Demolition of outbuilding and construction of an outbuilding (Amended plans for design changes)52 Raglan StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a verandah to existing classrooms546 Napier StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of two dwellings43 WEEROONA AVENUE WHITE HILLS 3550Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
March 2021
- Three lot subdivision, demolition of dwelling, and construction of three dwellings57 Raglan StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Demolition of outbuilding and construction of an outbuilding52 Raglan StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
February 2021
- Creation of access to a road in a Transport 2 Zone80 ANDREW STREET WHITE HILLS 3550Refusal issued by a delegate
- Development of land for a dependent persons unit109-111 Plumridge StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a patio9 Diamond AvenueNo permit required
- Buildings and works for the construction of a dwelling and alteration of access to a RDZ1460 Napier StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a double storey dwelling105-107 Plumridge StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
January 2021
- Construction of verandah to existing building384-386 Napier StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 17 proposals
December 2020
- Construction of a dwelling18-22 John StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of a dwelling7 Priest StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- 2 lot subdivision96 Andrew StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of dwelling and fence7 Captain CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Building and works associated with the construction of an outbuilding (garage)32 Raglan StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Development of the land for a dwelling126 St Killian StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- 2 Lot subdivision; construction of a second dwelling and associated garage on a lot; construction of a carport associated with an existing dwelling; demolition of outbuildings; replacement of fence (Amended plans for design changes)12A Cambridge CrescentWithdrawn
November 2020
- 2 lot subdivision362 Napier StreetWithdrawn
- Construction of a dwelling under the Bushfire Management Overlay; and Variation to restrictive covenant AE196171S clause 3(c) to vary the building materials (as specified on the endorsed plans under the permit), and clause 3(e) to permit the use of bricks by brick manufacturers other than Bendigo Brick Pty Ltd.20 Waterview DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
October 2020
- Construction of a dwelling and fences14 Captain CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Three lot subdivision of land, construction of two dwellings, creation of an easement and the alteration of access to a road in a Road Zone Category 1447 Napier StreetNOD issued by a delegate
- Amendment of Permit to an 11 lot subdivision of land in 2 stages and removal of easements. (Amendment to permit and plans)588 NAPIER STREET WHITE HILLS 3550Withdrawn
- Construction of a dwelling and fencing5 Captain CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Construction of dwelling and fencing8 Captain CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
- Display of signage589-595 Napier StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
September 2020
- 2 lot subdivision of land and construction of a dwelling (Amended plans to allow for design changes; removal of the construction of a second dwelling)6 Hedley CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
August 2020
- Construction of an outbuilding302 Holdsworth RoadPermit 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
Heritage
3 heritage places
- DAWSON CACTUS GARDENSNH1406
- WHITE HILLS BOTANIC GARDENSNH1915
- WHITE HILLS CEMETERYNH2136
Data sources & freshness
- State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
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
- 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 47.7%Labor 52.3%
0.9 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +52.3 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
- White HillsLabor 50.9% · Coalition 49.1% TPP (2025)0.7 km away
- White Hills SouthLabor 61.4% · Coalition 38.6% TPP (2025)1.8 km away
- EpsomLabor 54.0% · Coalition 46.0% TPP (2025)2.1 km away
- Bendigo EastLabor 48.2% · Coalition 51.8% TPP (2025)3.2 km away
- Bendigo NorthLabor 56.3% · Coalition 43.7% TPP (2025)3.5 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)
- 3/10
- 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.