suburb.guide

VIC · Baw Baw Council

Willow Grove, 3825

Est. population · Jun 2025

666

Growth (1 yr)

+0.5%

Growth (5 yr)

+4.9%

Median age

42

Median income

$1,801/wk

Employment rate

59.5%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$600,000

Languages at home

3.3%non-English

Most common: Mandarin

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

50.7/100
Average

Top 36% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 88% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • National parks
  • Education hub
  • High desirability
What Willow Grove is known for: Green suburb, National parks, Education hub, High desirability

Suburb profile

In Baw Baw Council, Willow Grove keeps a rural calm, a smaller community with room to breathe and a strong local rhythm. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with family life visible on every street. Life here is grounded in local routine rather than big-city choice.

Parks and open space are a real strength relative to many regional towns, easy for walks, sport and weekend downtime. A car helps for most daily errands, with fewer amenities clustered within an easy walk. Buyers typically pay more than the metro middle for a home here.

Crime trends have improved of late compared with the previous period. Light infill development is updating a few streets while the wider area stays largely unchanged.

Against similar regional towns, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because schools and education lag behind, despite relative strength in housing affordability. Limited access to some essential local services also trimmed the result.

At a glance

Willow Grove snapshot

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

Median house price

$600k

+30% change

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

666

+0.5% 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

#28

among Country & regional · Emerging

Safety

23rd

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

52nd

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

7/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

47th

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
50.7/100 — Average
State standing
Top 36% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
2074th in Australia
State rank
449th in VIC
Peer rank
#28 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
Cohort rank
#110 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
88%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$600,000
Median price change
+30.4%

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

666(June 2025)

+0.5% annual · +4.9% over 5 years · 52th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+0.5%
5-year growth
+4.9%
Change in 1 year
+3
Change in 5 years
+31
Growth rank in VIC
52th 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 (~700), extrapolated at +0.8% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
654
Median age
42
Median household income / week
$1,801
Dwelling vacancy
6.2%
Unoccupied private dwellings
15 of 243
Median monthly mortgage
$1,600
Employment rate
59.5%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
226 / 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 decreased compared with the previous period.

Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
19
Against the person
5
Against property
10
Rate per 1,000 residents
28.5
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 131 residents
State safety percentile
23.2th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-50%

Most common offence types

  • A231 Fv Common Assault2
  • A232 Non-Fv Common Assault1
  • B21 Criminal Damage3
  • B49 Other Theft4
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order4

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
1
Median school ICSEA
1,002
Median ICSEA percentile
47th
School list
  • Willow Grove Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1002 · 47th percentile · LBOTE 3% · 66 students · Top SEA quarter 3% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap

  • Willow Grove Kindergartenkindergarten

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · current · Updated

Amenities

11 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

1 restaurants · 1 playgrounds

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • Limited walkable amenities nearby
  • Decent local green space — 1 parks in suburb, 1 playgrounds nearby
Walkability proxy
2/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
1.53
Parks per 1,000 residents
1.53
Food & drink(1)
  • Willow Grove Duck InnRestaurant

    14 Moe Willow Grove Road

Community(3)
  • Willow Grove KindergartenKindergarten
  • Willow Grove Primary SchoolSchool

    69-45 Moe-Willow Grove Road

  • Willow Grove Community CentreTownhall
Sport & outdoors(2)
  • Playground
  • Sports field
Other(5)
  • Willow Grove CFAFire station
  • Parking
  • Willow Grove Duck InnParking
  • Willow Grove Public ToiletsPublic toilets
  • Willow Grove General StoreYes

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

3 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Blue Rock Lake West picnic areaPark
  • Neerim East G79 Bushland ReserveNature reserve
  • Willow Grove Bushland ReserveNature reserve

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
18
Parks (OSM)
1

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
Neerim District Soldiers Memorial Hospital (19.3 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)
16
Participants per 1,000 residents
24.0

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
25° / 12°
Rainfall
197 mm · ~25 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
20° / 9°
Rainfall
228 mm · ~28 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
13° / 5°
Rainfall
261 mm · ~33 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
18° / 7°
Rainfall
304 mm · ~38 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).

17 planning-related records

2021· 6 proposals

  • June 2021

  • Use and Development of the land for three dwellings
    1889 WILLOW GROVE ROAD WILLOW GROVE 3825Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Buildings and works to construct an agricultural building
    786 ARALUEN ROAD WILLOW GROVE 3825Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Buildings and works to construct an outbuilding
    1275 WILLOW GROVE ROAD WILLOW GROVE 3825Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and works to construct an agricultural building
    2795 Old Sale RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and and works to construct an agricultural building
    786 Araluen RoadWithdrawn

  • February 2021

  • Buildings and works to extend a dwelling
    1740 Willow Grove RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 11 proposals

  • October 2020

  • Subdivide land into 30 lots and associated works, remove native vegetation, create, remove and vary easements and create access to a road in a Road Zone, Category 1.
    WILLOW GROVE ROAD WILLOW GROVE 3825NOD issued by a delegate

  • September 2020

  • Buildings and works to construct an agricultural building
    Moe-Willow Grove RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Buildings and works to construct an outbuilding associated with an existing dwelling
    1072 Moe-Willow Grove RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2020

  • Buildings and works to construct a single dwelling
    10 Glenbrook PlacePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2020

  • Buildings and works to construct a dwelling and alter access to a road in Road Zone, Category 1.
    102 Daveys RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2020

  • Use and development of a poultry farm (free range egg production) associated with primary produce sales, construct and display business identification signs and alter access to a road in a Road Zone, Category 1
    1106 MOE-WILLOW GROVE ROAD WILLOW GROVE 3825NOD issued by a delegate
  • Amending what the permit allows by replacing the word "Tavern" with the word "Hotel" and add the words "use of the land for the sale and consumption of liquor" Amending condition 21 by replacing the words "All weather sealed surface" with "gravel" Amending the endorsed plans by way of 2 additional signs.
    14 Moe-Willow Grove RoadNOD issued by a delegate
  • Construction of a Shed
    1612 Willow Grove RoadWithdrawn

  • March 2020

  • Amendment to approved garage location
    17 Glenbrook PlacePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct an extension to an existing dwelling
    190 Hunts RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct a dwelling and associated outbuilding
    Daveys RoadPermit 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
Monash
Member of Parliament
Mary ALDRED (Liberal)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
116,463
Turnout (2025)
93.5%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
-1.2 pp toward Coalition

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 54.1%Labor 45.9%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 17.3 km away).

Coalition 68.5%Labor 31.5%

14.4 percentage points more Coalition-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: -7.2 pp toward Coalition

Nearest polling places

  • WillowgroveLabor 30.1% · Coalition 69.9% TPP (2025)1.4 km away
  • Moe WestLabor 52.9% · Coalition 47.1% TPP (2025)13.8 km away
  • MoeLabor 56.7% · Coalition 43.3% TPP (2025)13.9 km away
  • Moe CentralLabor 61.7% · Coalition 38.3% TPP (2025)15.1 km away
  • TrafalgarLabor 49.5% · Coalition 50.5% TPP (2025)15.3 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)
7/10
IRSD decile (2021)
8/10

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 Baw Baw Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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