Whittlesea is a rural locality in Victoria, in Whittlesea Council.
Shops and everyday services are easier to access than in most comparable places. School access is exceptionally strong, placing it among the highest-ranked rural localities, and open-space access is better than in most comparable places. Green cover is an exceptional strength, and population growth is an exceptional strength. Rents are among the highest in the peer group, with median rents 20% above the peer median.
Overall, the suburb suits people prioritising school access and daily services over lower rents.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.
Strengths and weaknesses
Rural locality · compared with rural localities in Victoria (1828)
Strengths
School access is exceptionally strong
Green cover is a relative strength
Population growth is a relative strength
Shops and everyday services are easier to access than in most comparable places
Open-space access is better than in most comparable places
Weaknesses
Rents are among the highest in the peer group
What stands out
Nothing distinctive beyond the usual profile.
Who it suits
Stars are audience-fit ratings derived from Suburb.Guide data, not demographic counts or user reviews.
Families★★☆☆☆
Professionals★☆☆☆☆
Retirees★★☆☆☆
Students★☆☆☆☆
Budget buyers★★☆☆☆
Housing, growth and risk
How Whittlesea compares
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median house price
$750k
+7.1% change
Median rent
$540/wk
Population (ERP)
9,144
+15% annual growth
Dwelling vacancy
5.9%
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
#80
among Country & regional · Established
Crime rate
41st
percentile in state (higher = more crime)
Pop. growth
100th
percentile in VIC
Rented dwellings
19%
2021 Census tenure
Advantage (IRSAD)
5/10
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
45.0/100 — Average
National rank
3109th in Australia
State rank
749th in VIC
Peer rank
#80 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#373 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
95%
Data sources & freshness
Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Housing
All types (Sep 2025)
$540
Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$750,000
Median price change
+7.1%
Median weekly rent from Victorian government rent reports. Council median fallback may apply where suburb rent is unavailable.
+15.3% annual · +85.2% over 5 years · 100th percentile in VIC
Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+15.3%
5-year growth
+85.2%
Change in 1 year
+1,213
Change in 5 years
+4,206
Growth rank in VIC
100th 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 (~12,500), extrapolated at +6.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.
2021 Census figures
2021 Census
Population
6,117
Median age
41
Median household income / week
$1,628
Dwelling vacancy
5.9%
Unoccupied private dwellings
132 of 2,251
Median monthly mortgage
$1,842
Median weekly rent (2021 Census)
$347
Tenure (owned / mortgaged / rented)
36.1% / 45.2% / 18.7%
Employment rate
56.7%
Travel to work (WFH / public transport / car)
16.1% / 1% / 67%
Walked or cycled to work
1.9%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
1,847 / 243 / 33
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%) · Accessibility (12%) · Future Growth (6%)
Employment, household income and owned-outright tenure (2021 Census) Work-from-home and public-transport commute shares (2021 Census) Five-year population change as a healthy-growth band, not a boom bonus
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
12.7% of adults have a university degree, compared with 29.2% across Victoria. 23.5% have a trade or vocational qualification.
University qualified12.7% · 29.2% VIC
Diploma qualified9.7% · 9.8% VIC
Trade / vocational23.5% · 14.2% VIC
Year 12 or below54.1% · 46.8% VIC
Highest qualification field
Main field of the highest non-school qualification (2021 Census).
Engineering and related technologies19.6%
Management and commerce15.4%
Society and culture13.8%
Architecture and building12.1%
Health11.9%
Education11.2%
How these groups are defined
Measure
Definition
University qualified
Bachelor degree or higher
Diploma qualified
Advanced Diploma / Diploma
Trade / vocational
Certificate III + IV
Year 12
Year 12 as highest attainment
Below Year 12
Year 11 / 10 / 9 or below
People aged 15 years and over, 2021 Census. University, diploma and trade shares match ABS highest educational attainment (HEAP). Year 12 and below Year 12 are combined in the chart because the General Community Profile reports school-only attainment as a residual.
Contributes to desirability score · Community (12%)
University qualifications from the 2021 Census
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.
Tax & income
Median taxable income (2023–24)
$59,180
72nd percentile in VIC · +1% vs Australia
Median salary / wages (2023–24)
$64,222
69th percentile in VIC · -1% vs Australia
Residents with rental investments
12.0%
42nd percentile in VIC · -13% vs Australia
Median super balance (2023–24)
$90,354
65th percentile in VIC · +43% vs Australia
Residents with business income
10.0%
24th percentile in VIC · -4% vs Australia
Australian Taxation Office Taxation Statistics 2023–24, individuals Table 25. Figures describe taxpayers who live in postcode 3757 — not a suburb-level official statistic. Rental investment is the share of local taxpayers reporting rental income or loss, not the share of local properties owned by investors.
Counts, net rent & state comparison
Taxpayers in this postcode
5,572
Taxpayers reporting net rent
679
Median net rent
-$2,029
Taxpayers reporting business income
577
Taxable income vs state median
+11%
Salary / wages vs state median
+10%
Rental investment vs state median
-8%
Super vs state median
+12%
Business income vs state median
-9%
Percentiles rank this postcode among unique postcodes in VIC, so suburbs that share a postcode are not counted twice. Dollar figures are compared with Australia-wide ATO medians from the same release. Median net rent is among taxpayers who reported the rent label and can be negative.
Data sources & freshness
Taxation Statistics 2023–24 — individuals by postcode (Table 25) — Australian Taxation Office · Updated · Annual release; taxpayer residential postcode, not suburb boundary
Community & culture
6.3% speak a language other than English at home; 11.5% born overseas
Language at home
5,450 English only · 366 other
Non-English at home
6.3%
Born overseas
666 (11.5%)
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
85 (1.4%)
Australian citizens
5,575
Languages spoken at home (other than English)
17
Top languages other than English
Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
Italian47 · 33.8%
Macedonian17 · 12.2%
Greek14 · 10.1%
Punjabi9 · 6.5%
Arabic8 · 5.8%
Afrikaans6 · 4.3%
Persian5 · 3.6%
Mandarin4 · 2.9%
Religion
46.3%Most common religion · Christianity
Christianity is the most common response at 46.3%, while 44.9% reported no religion.
Measure
Suburb
State
No religion
44.9%
38.8%
Christianity
46.3%
40.9%
Other / not stated
8.9%
20.3%
Christian denominations
Denomination
Suburb
State
Catholic
24%
20.5%
Anglican
9.2%
6.5%
Uniting Church
3.1%
2.4%
Presbyterian and Reformed
2.6%
1.4%
Christian (not further defined)
2.4%
2.5%
Eastern Orthodox
2%
3.3%
2021 Census — languages spoken at home, birthplace, Indigenous status, and religious affiliation (usual residence). Religion is optional on the Census form.
Data sources & freshness
2021 Census — General Community Profile (including method of travel to work and educational attainment) — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Updated
The 2026 Census was conducted 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)
399
Against the person
81
Against property
151
Rate per 1,000 residents
43.6
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 76 residents
State crime-rate percentile
40.7th (higher = more crime)
Increase (daily rate)
+15.3%
Recorded road crashes (in suburb)
109
Crash rate per 1,000 residents (state rank)
11.92
Most common offence types
B21 Criminal Damage20
B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle29
B49 Other Theft28
E21 Breach Family Violence Order123
Other Crimes Against The Person19
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Crime rate, offences against the person, year-on-year trend and recorded road crash rates
Great for outdoor family life — 13 parks mapped in suburb
Well connected by public transport — 27 public transport stops
Walkability proxy
30/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0
Parks per 1,000 residents
2.13
Sport & outdoors(3)
Disappointment Reference AreaNature reserve
Joey Creek Reference AreaNature reserve
Toorourrong Reservoir ParkNature reserve
Camping & holiday parks(2)
Blairs Hut Picnic AreaCampground
Camp WarringalCampground
Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe). Transport stops are summarised by type rather than listed individually. Campgrounds, beaches, wineries and local trails are included when they sit inside the suburb boundary.
Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (12%)
Food, shopping, recreation and sport per 1,000 residents (OpenStreetMap)
Data sources & freshness
Local amenity insights — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
Named sporting clubs from OpenStreetMap, assigned to this suburb's boundary. Sporting facilities such as ovals, courts and recreation centres are listed under Amenities.
Green cover is the share of this suburb's boundary overlapping OpenStreetMap parks, woodland and forest polygons — not a satellite tree-canopy product. Summer maximum is the WorldClim / Open-Meteo seasonal normal already collected for Weather.
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (12%)
Tree canopy first, then green-cover area and parks per 1,000
Data sources & freshness
OpenStreetMap green cover and tree canopy — OpenStreetMap contributors · current · Updated · Park/woodland polygons intersected with suburb boundaries
Health access
Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
1
Nearest hospital
Hospital (15.8 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
Not in suburb
GP clinics in suburb
0
Aged-care services
3
Residential aged-care places
254
GP clinic counts from OpenStreetMap. Bulk-billing figures only include clinics tagged in OSM (sparse and unofficial — not a Medicare list).
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.
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 (12%)
Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).
37 planning-related records
2021· 2 proposals
February 2021
Construction of a single dwelling within a Significant Landscape Overl Construction of a single dwelling within a Significant Landscape Overlay
21 Lorikeet CrescentPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Variation to a restrictive covenant. Variation to a restrictive covenant.
13 Quail AvenueNo permit required
2020· 35 proposals
December 2020
Subdivision of land
45A Ridge RoadWithdrawn
Use and development of a dwelling and associated outbuilding Use and development of a dwelling
183 Cades RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of an outbuilding Construction of an outbuilding
75 Holts RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Use and development of a dwelling Use and development of a dwelling
117 Cades RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
October 2020
Liquor licence The sale and consumption with liquor associated with an existing food and drink premises
1/56 Church StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
September 2020
Subdivision of land
29 Beech StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of an outbuilding Construction of an outbuilding
7 Kennedia StreetNo permit required
August 2020
Amendment Amendment
36 Lorikeet CrescentPermit issued by the RA
Extension to an existing outbuilding. Extension to an existing outbuilding.
30 Yea RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of an outbuilding Construction of an outbuilding
800 Glenburnie RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of an outbuilding Construction of an outbuilding
485 Wallan RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Development plus change of use Use and development of a dwelling
25 Clarks RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
July 2020
Buildings and works associated with the existing utility installation Buildings and works associated with the existing utility installation
53-87 Cades RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of two dwellings to the rear of the existing dwelling Construction of two dwellings to the rear of the existing dwelling
6 Walnut StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Single dwelling incl. associated works Construction of an outbuilding
30 Parrot DriveNo permit required
Construction of a dwelling in a Bushfire Management Overlay Construction of a dwelling in a Bushfire Management Overlay
105 Ridge RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of four dwellings and alteration of access to a road in a Construction of four dwellings and alteration of access to a road in a Road Zone, Category 1
33 Beech StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Two Lot Subdivision Two Lot Subdivision
305 Yea RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
June 2020
Sale and consumption of liquor, display of business identification sig Sale and consumption of liquor, display of business identification signage, reduction of car parking and bicycle requirements associated with a restaurant
3 Church StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
May 2020
Construction of a dwelling within a SLO Construction of a dwelling within a SLO
36 Lorikeet CrescentPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of an outbuilding Construction of an outbuilding
31 Wills RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
April 2020
Subdivision of land
178 Yea RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
VicSmart Construction of an outbuilidng in a significant landscape overlay
6 Thomson Park DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Multi Unit (5 or more dwellings) Construction of five dwellings
30 Paddock StreetRefusal issued by the Resp. Authority
Single dwelling incl. associated works Use and development of a dwelling in Green Wedge Zone and Significant Landscape Overlay
20 Thomson Park DriveRefusal issued by a delegate
March 2020
Construction of three dwellings Construction of three dwellings
33 James StreetWithdrawn
VicSmart To re-move and re-build an existing carport and part of the existing verandah a small renovation of kitchen and dining area as per attached plans.
145 Holts RoadNo permit required
February 2020
Multi Unit (1 - 4 dwellings) Construction of four dwellings
33 Beech StreetLapsed
Subdivision of land
140 Tambo CircuitPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Multi Unit (1 - 4 dwellings) Construction of three dwellings.
19 James StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of an outbuilding Construction of an outbuilding
10 St Georges RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
January 2020
Single dwelling incl. associated works Use and development of a dwelling and associated outbuilding
163 Cades RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Construction of an outbuilding and earthworks. Construction of an outbuilding and earthwork
80 Goding CourtLapsed
Construction of an outbuilding Construction of an outbuilding
125 Bruces Creek RoadWithdrawn
Single dwelling incl. associated works Use and development of a dwelling and associated earthworks
95 Halls RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
Contributes to desirability score · Environment (12%)
Heritage listings as established streetscape
Data sources & freshness
State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
Bushfire planning zone
Overlay applies
Flood / inundation overlay
No mapped inundation on suburb boundary
Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay mapping. Flood cover uses inundation overlay polygons against the suburb boundary where published.
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Bushfire and flood hazard overlays
Data sources & freshness
Bushfire and flood 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 13.5 km away).
Coalition 47.1%Labor 52.9%
1.9 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate
Estimated swing since 2022: +2.1 pp toward Labor
Nearest polling places
WhittleseaLabor 49.2% · Coalition 50.8% TPP (2025)5.3 km away
Whittlesea CentralLabor 55.4% · Coalition 44.6% TPP (2025)5.3 km away
Yan YeanLabor 51.1% · Coalition 48.9% TPP (2025)10.3 km away
LaurimarLabor 56.3% · Coalition 43.7% TPP (2025)13.2 km away
Laurimar CentralLabor 54.7% · Coalition 45.3% TPP (2025)13.3 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.
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 (12%)