suburb.guide

VIC · Whittlesea Council

Whittlesea, 3757

Est. population · Jun 2025

9,144

Growth (1 yr)

+15.3%

Growth (5 yr)

+85.2%

Median age

41

Median income

$1,628/wk

Employment rate

56.7%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$750,000

Languages at home

6.3%non-English

Most common: Italian, Macedonian, Greek

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

48.9/100
Average

Top 39% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 93% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • National parks
  • Excellent transport
  • Education hub
  • Heritage area
What Whittlesea is known for: Green suburb, National parks, Excellent transport, Education hub, Heritage area

Suburb profile

Whittlesea is a hillside mid-sized suburb in Whittlesea Council, with elevated streets and a greener, quieter pace. Families and commuters make up much of the community, with family life visible on every street. Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice.

Everyday basics may be close by, but bigger shopping and services typically require a trip to a nearby centre. Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many regional towns, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. Strong connections via buses keep the wider area accessible.

Property prices run toward the upper end of the local market. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.

The desirability picture is around average, weighed down by softer growth momentum relative to similar regional towns. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Whittlesea snapshot

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

#34

among Country & regional · Established

Safety

33rd

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

100th

percentile in VIC

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
48.9/100 — Average
State standing
Top 39% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
2314th in Australia
State rank
491st in VIC
Peer rank
#34 among Country & regional · Established suburbs
Cohort rank
#126 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
93%

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.

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

9,144(June 2025)

+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
Employment rate
56.7%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
1,847 / 243 / 33

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)
335
Against the person
75
Against property
162
Rate per 1,000 residents
36.6
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 82 residents
State safety percentile
33.1th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-5.1%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage18
  • B41 Motor Vehicle Theft26
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle32
  • B49 Other Theft24
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order53

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
3
Median school ICSEA (3 schools)
977
Median ICSEA percentile
36th
School list
  • St Mary's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1032 · 61th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 262 students · Top SEA quarter 12%View on My School →
  • Whittlesea Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 977 · 36th percentile · LBOTE 4% · 395 students · Top SEA quarter 6%View on My School →
  • Whittlesea Secondary CollegeSecondary · Government · ICSEA 967 · 32th percentile · LBOTE 6% · 723 students · Top SEA quarter 3%View on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

27 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Fir St/Church St
  • Fir St/Church St
  • Millennium Park Dr/Plenty Rd
  • Nene Ct/Oakbank Bvd
  • Whittlesea Showgrounds/Yea Rd

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.

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

6 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Church Street ParkPark
  • Disappointment Reference AreaNature reserve
  • Joey Creek Reference AreaNature reserve
  • Railway ReservePark
  • Whittlesea ShowgroundsPark
  • Willow ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
17
Parks (OSM)
13

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

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
  • AmcalPharmacy

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
281
Participants per 1,000 residents
30.7

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

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).

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 · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

1 heritage place

  • WHITTLESEA PRIMARY SCHOOLNH1717

Data sources & freshness

  • State heritage register — State heritage authority · 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 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.

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic

IRSAD decile (2021)
5/10
IRSD decile (2021)
5/10

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

This suburb ranks highly for

More in Whittlesea Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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