suburb.guide

VIC · Surf Coast Council

Winchelsea, 3241

Est. population · Jun 2025

2,305

Growth (1 yr)

+2.2%

Growth (5 yr)

+11.1%

Median age

41

Median income

$1,442/wk

Employment rate

56%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$640,000

Languages at home

2.6%non-English

Most common: German, Punjabi, Filipino

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

44.4/100
Average

Top 49% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 93% confidence

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

Suburb profile

Winchelsea is a quieter smaller community in Surf Coast Council, where peace, space and a country-town pace still dominate. Residents are mostly families and working professionals, with a strong presence of young families throughout. Everyday life leans local, with a handful of trusted shops, a familiar main street and neighbours who know your name.

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. A car helps for most daily errands, though buses still link the suburb further afield.

The local market is more attainable than many surrounding suburbs. Construction and infill projects are noticeably reshaping parts of the area.

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

At a glance

Winchelsea snapshot

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

Median house price

$640k

+6.2% change

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

2,305

+2.2% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

8.1%

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

#56

among Country & regional · Emerging

Safety

43rd

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

90th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

4/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

37th

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
44.4/100 — Average
State standing
Top 49% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
3017th in Australia
State rank
617th in VIC
Peer rank
#56 among Country & regional · Emerging suburbs
Cohort rank
#200 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
93%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$640,000
Median price change
+6.2%

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

2,305(June 2025)

+2.2% annual · +11.1% over 5 years · 90th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+2.2%
5-year growth
+11.1%
Change in 1 year
+50
Change in 5 years
+230
Growth rank in VIC
90th 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 (~2,450), extrapolated at +1.4% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
2,456
Median age
41
Median household income / week
$1,442
Dwelling vacancy
8.1%
Unoccupied private dwellings
84 of 1,040
Median monthly mortgage
$1,560
Employment rate
56%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
904 / 43 / 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)
104
Against the person
18
Against property
65
Rate per 1,000 residents
45.1
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 136 residents
State safety percentile
42.8th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-10.3%

Most common offence types

  • A211 Fv Serious Assault8
  • B21 Criminal Damage13
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle8
  • B49 Other Theft16
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order8

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
978
Median ICSEA percentile
37th
School list
  • Winchelsea Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 978 · 37th percentile · LBOTE 1% · 141 students · Top SEA quarter 6%View on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

3 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Winchelsea Railway Station
  • Winchelsea Station
  • Winchelsea Station

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

2 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Unnamed P0151 Private Nature ReserveNature reserve
  • Winchelsea Public ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
179
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

Hospitals & GP clinics in suburb
2
Nearest hospital
Winchelsea Hospital (2.7 km)
Nearest hospital type
Hospital
Nearest hospital emergency
Emergency department
Emergency department in suburb
On site
  • Winchelsea DentalHesse StreetDentist
  • Winchelsea HospitalHospital

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

NDIS participation

NDIS participants (31 March 2026)
73
Participants per 1,000 residents
31.7

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
26° / 12°
Rainfall
128 mm · ~16 rainy days

Autumn (Mar–May)

Usual max / min
21° / 10°
Rainfall
124 mm · ~16 rainy days

Winter (Jun–Aug)

Usual max / min
14° / 6°
Rainfall
149 mm · ~19 rainy days

Spring (Sep–Nov)

Usual max / min
19° / 8°
Rainfall
182 mm · ~23 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).

42 planning-related records

2021· 8 proposals

  • July 2021

  • Use of the land for Accommodation (short term) and Place of Assembly Function Centre)
    765 INGLEBY ROAD WINCHELSEA 3241Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Amendment C138 - Combined Application to Rezone to Industrial 1 and 22 Lot Subdivision
    25 Cressy RoadWithdrawn
  • Five (5) Lot Subdivision and Creation of Easement
    22 HOPKINS STREETPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Use of the land for solid fuel depot (firewood) and industry (storing and splitting of wood)
    40 Inverleigh-Winchelsea RoadWithdrawn

  • April 2021

  • Construct a Dwelling
    3540 PRINCES HIGHWAY WINCHELSEA 3241Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Subdivision of the land into two lots and construction of a dwelling
    37 MAIN STREET WINCHELSEA 3241Withdrawn

  • February 2021

  • Construction of a 9m x 18m shed to be used to store equipment to maintain the property and to also store cars and machinery
    60 Tutegong RoadWithdrawn

  • January 2021

  • Use and development of the land by a Utility Installation (water collection pump and transmission pipe line) and associated works
    866 Barwon Park RoadWithdrawn
2020· 32 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Alterations and Additions to the Existing Community Health Facility and buildings and works
    8 GOSNEY STREET WINCHELSEA 3241Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development Plan PG19/0086
    135 AUSTIN STREET AND 50 WITCOMBE STREET AND PART 235 AUSTIN STREET WINCHELSEA 3241In progress

  • November 2020

  • Development and use of the land for a second dwelling
    45 GLADMAN STREET WINCHELSEA 3241Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Change of Use to Group Accommodation
    24 COOPER STREETNOD issued by a delegate
  • SPEAR - Two Lot Subdivision
    22 BARKLY STREETPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • Multi-Lot Subdivision and Removal of Native Vegetation
    135 AUSTIN STREET WINCHELSEA 3241Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two Lot Subdivision
    21 JACKSON STREETPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a pergola
    1/22 JACKSON STREETPermit issued by the RA
  • Two lot subdivision
    3-5 REYNOLDS STREETNOD issued by a delegate
  • Two lot subdivision
    3-5 REYNOLDS STREETNOD issued by a delegate

  • September 2020

  • Two lot subdivision
    5 BENNETT STREETPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construct a building associated with the existing supermarket (storage)
    29 MAIN STREETPermit issued by the RA
  • Construction of a Replacement Dwelling, Garage and Machinery Shed
    3590 PRINCES HIGHWAYPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2020

  • Construction of Two Dwellings and Two Lot Subdivision
    57 HARDING STREETNOD issued by the Resp. Authority

  • July 2020

  • Two Lot Subdivision
    8 WITCOMBE STREETPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2020

  • Multi lot Subdivision, Removal of Native Vegetation, Alteration of Access to a Road in a Road Zone Category 1, Development of an Outbuilding Ancillary to a Dwelling (Carport), Development of a Crossover in a Heritage Overlay, Partial Demolition of a Fence and Demolition of Outbuildings, in accordance with the plans
    65 MAIN STREET WINCHELSEA 3241NOD issued by a delegate
  • Construct a replacement dwelling and outbuilding
    180 MATHISONS ROADPermit issued by the RA

  • May 2020

  • Use Land for Sale & Consumption of Liquor (Restaurant & Café Licence)
    33 MAIN STREETPermit issued by the RA
  • Use and Development of a Dwelling
    96 MURPHYS RUNPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two Lot Subdivision
    5 BENNETT STREETWithdrawn
  • Two Lot Subdivision and Construction of a Second Dwelling
    22 HOPKINS STREETWithdrawn
  • Construct a building within 20 metres of a road and within 100 metres of a waterway and dwelling not in the same ownership
    5 DICKSONS ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construct a dwelling, use of land as a dwelling and re-subdivision of land Reason for Revision: Amendment to proposed sub division
    45 CRESSY ROAD WINCHELSEA 3241Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Replace an existing shed and construct another shed
    37 AUSTIN STREETPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Development of the Land for a Dwelling
    515 SHELFORD ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2020

  • Variation of a restrictive covenant (amend building and effluent envelopes)
    5 RICHMONDS LANEPermit issued by the RA
  • Construction of a Hay/Machinery Shed
    515 SHELFORD ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Three Lot Subdivision and the Construction of Three Dwellings
    63 MAIN STREETPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of Hay/Machinery Shed
    515 SHELFORD ROADWithdrawn

  • February 2020

  • Construct an Additional Dwelling and Two Lot Subdivision
    9 WORLAND STREETNOD issued by a delegate
  • Construct Two Additional Tunnel Ventilated Broiler Sheds for Existing Broiler Farm
    270 PEELS ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2020

  • Two Lot Subdivision
    97-105 WILLIS STREETPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

Heritage

4 heritage places

  • BARWON PARKNH0365
  • GLOBE THEATRENH2226
  • MEMORIAL GRANDSTAND & GATESNH1525
  • WINCHELSEA BRIDGENH1456

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
Wannon
Member of Parliament
Dan TEHAN (Liberal)
Results from
2025 federal election
Electorate enrolment (2025)
121,788
Turnout (2025)
94.0%
Swing since 2022 (2025)
-2.3 pp toward Coalition

Two-party preferred (2025)

Coalition 60.9%Labor 39.1%

Estimated suburb voting profile

Estimated from 8 nearby ordinary polling places (up to 27.9 km away).

Coalition 55.1%Labor 44.9%

5.9 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +44.9 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • Winchelsea SouthLabor 45.3% · Coalition 54.7% TPP (2025)2.1 km away
  • WinchelseaLabor 43.6% · Coalition 56.4% TPP (2025)2.5 km away
  • InverleighLabor 46.4% · Coalition 53.6% TPP (2025)16.4 km away
  • MoriacLabor 50.3% · Coalition 49.7% TPP (2025)18.2 km away
  • BirregurraLabor 49.4% · Coalition 50.6% TPP (2025)19.7 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)
4/10
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

Compare with

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

More in Surf Coast Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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