suburb.guide

VIC · Macedon Ranges Council

Woodend, 3442

Est. population · Jun 2025

6,829

Growth (1 yr)

+1.0%

Growth (5 yr)

+4.8%

Median age

45

Median income

$2,104/wk

Employment rate

58.4%

Median house price · 4th Quarter 2025

$1,085,000

Languages at home

5.1%non-English

Most common: German, French, Spanish

2021 Census · usual residence

Desirability score

60.6/100
Good

Top 23% of Victoria's suburbs

Verified 89% confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Green suburb
  • National parks
  • High desirability
  • Education hub
  • Heritage area
What Woodend is known for: Green suburb, National parks, High desirability, Education hub, Heritage area

Suburb profile

Woodend is a hillside mid-sized suburb in Macedon Ranges Council, with elevated streets and a greener, quieter pace. A strong local centre anchors daily routines, while the surrounding region adds variety for weekends away. Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with family life visible on every street.

The town centre holds its own, with enough local flavour to make staying close to home appealing. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls. Buses and trains serve the suburb.

Property sits in a premium price band and is harder to enter for many buyers. A busy pipeline of new development is gradually changing the look and feel of the streets.

Growth momentum, plus community and employment push the suburb to a good desirability read, even as local dining and lifestyle amenities, plus safety look more ordinary among similar regional towns.

At a glance

Woodend snapshot

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

Median house price

$1.08M

+41% change

Median rent

—

No data available

Population (ERP)

6,829

+1.0% annual growth

Dwelling vacancy

8.6%

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

#10

among Country & regional · Mature

Safety

41st

percentile in state (higher = safer)

Pop. growth

67th

percentile in VIC

Advantage (IRSAD)

9/10

national SEIFA decile

School ICSEA

85th

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
60.6/100 — Good
State standing
Top 23% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
967th in Australia
State rank
282nd in VIC
Peer rank
#10 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#42 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
89%

Data sources & freshness

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

Housing

Median house price (4th Quarter 2025)
$1,085,000
Median price change
+40.9%

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

6,829(June 2025)

+1.0% annual · +4.8% over 5 years · 67th percentile in VIC

Growth figures & methodology
Annual growth
+1.0%
5-year growth
+4.8%
Change in 1 year
+65
Change in 5 years
+315
Growth rank in VIC
67th 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 (~7,350), extrapolated at +1.5% average annual growth since 2011. It is illustrative only — not an official ABS forecast.

2021 Census figures

2021 Census

Population
6,732
Median age
45
Median household income / week
$2,104
Dwelling vacancy
8.6%
Unoccupied private dwellings
231 of 2,681
Median monthly mortgage
$2,000
Employment rate
58.4%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
2,222 / 219 / 6

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)
294
Against the person
29
Against property
184
Rate per 1,000 residents
43.1
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 232 residents
State safety percentile
40.5th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-4.5%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage15
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle33
  • B43 Steal From A Retail Store43
  • B49 Other Theft35
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order33

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Family & Lifestyle

Schools & preschools

Schools within 2 km
2
Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
1,100
Median ICSEA percentile
85th
School list
  • St Ambrose's SchoolPrimary · Catholic · ICSEA 1109 · 87th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 225 students · Top SEA quarter 42% · 0.6 km awayView on My School →
  • Woodend Primary SchoolPrimary · Government · ICSEA 1091 · 82th percentile · LBOTE 8% · 378 students · Top SEA quarter 38% · 1.2 km awayView on My School →

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

4 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Anslow St/High St
  • Woodend Railway Station
  • Woodend Station
  • Woodend Station/Station St

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Amenities

48 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

1 cafes · 2 pubs · 2 supermarkets · 1 bakeries · 1 places of worship · 2 playgrounds · 1 swimming pools · 1 ev charging

Local character & venue list

Local character

  • A car helps for daily errands
  • Decent local green space — 4 parks in suburb, 2 playgrounds nearby
Walkability proxy
39/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0.15
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0.59
Parks per 1,000 residents
0.59
Food & drink(4)
  • Bourkies BakehouseBakery

    Unit 1-3 115 High Street

  • Andrews CafeCafe

    77 High Street

  • Holgate BrewhousePub

    79 High Street

  • Victoria HotelPub
Shopping(3)
  • BP ShopConvenience store
  • ColesSupermarket

    61 High Street

  • RitchiesSupermarket

    128 High Street

Community(4)
  • Community centre

    Unit 1 29 Forest Street

  • Woodend Buffalo Sports StadiumCommunity centre

    Unit 1 29 Forest Street

  • St Ambrose Parish Primary SchoolSchool

    16-18 Templeton Street

  • Woodend Primary SchoolSchool

    146 High Street

Sport & outdoors(6)
  • Park (2)
  • Playground (2)
  • Sports field
  • Swimming pool
Transport(4)

1 bus stops · 3 train stations

Other(19)
  • LiquorlandAlcohol
  • Woodend CyclesBicycle
  • ParkiteerBicycle Parking
  • Woodend Town ParkCamp Site
  • K HubDepartment Store
  • Drinking water
  • Charging the RegionsEV charging
  • Woodend CFAFire station
  • Keatings HotelHotel
  • Parking (8)
  • Woodend Station ParkingParking
  • BPPetrol station
  • Place of worship
  • WoodendPolice
  • Woodend LPOPost office

    Unit 20 130 High Street

  • Public toilets
  • Woodend InformationPublic toilets
  • Shelter (2)
  • mykiVending machine

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

  • Hanging Rock ReservePark
  • Quahlee ReservePark
  • Woodend I13 Bushland ReserveNature reserve

Data sources & freshness

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
22
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

Places of worship

1 places of worship within ~1.5 km

  • Place of worship

From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Nearest hospital
Kyneton District Health Service (13.0 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)
233
Participants per 1,000 residents
34.1

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
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).

116 planning-related records

2021· 40 proposals

  • August 2021

  • Three (3) Lot Subdivision
    15 NOONAN GROVE WOODEND 3442Refusal issued by a delegate
  • Construction of outbuilding associated with an existing dwelling (greater than 100sqm in size)
    40 PLANTS LANE WOODEND 3442Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of Vegetation (three (3) native trees)
    1 DAVY STREET WOODEND 3442Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of two (2) double storey dwellings
    16 COLLIER STREET WOODEND 3442NOD issued by a delegate
  • 2 Lot Subdivision and Use and Development of a Dwelling and Outbuilding (shed)
    211 BOUNDARY ROAD WOODEND 3442Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Removal of one (1) tree
    3 RODNEY DRIVE WOODEND 3442Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • St Ambrose Parish Primary School - Alterations and additions to the existing Primary School Administration and Learning Building.
    14-18 TEMPLETON STREET WOODEND 3442Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of one (1) tree
    39 WASHINGTON LANE WOODEND 3442Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of an Outbuilding (Artist Studio) and External Alterations to an Existing Dwelling
    32 JASON DRIVE WOODEND 3442Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Six (6) lot subdivision in four (4) stages and removal of vegetation
    34 CORINELLA ROAD WOODEND 3442NOD issued by a delegate
  • Thirteen (13) Lot Staged Subdivision in five (5) stages in accordance with the already approved development permit
    27 CORINELLA ROAD WOODEND 3442Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Development of Land for a Dwelling
    5 CLOVER TREE CIRCUIT WOODEND 3442Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a Footbridge over Five Mile Creek & consequential Removal of hazardous Trees on Wood Street Road Reserve
    WOOD STREET WOODEND 3442In progress
  • Development of an Extension to Existing Dwelling (sunroom)
    5 DICKENS STREET WOODEND 3442Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Development of an extension to the existing dwelling and existing outbuilding (barn), development of an outbuilding (workshop), Installation of seven 15,000L water tanks) and removal of vegetation.
    93 COLWELLS ROAD WOODEND 3442Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of an outbuilding (verandah)
    9 GLENNS COURT WOODEND 3442Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Development of the Land for a Dwelling, 20,000 Litres Water Tank and Removal of Four (4) Non-Native Trees
    103 BOUNDARY ROAD WOODEND 3442Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Re-subdivision of Two (2) Lots into Two (2) Lots and Removal of Non-Native Vegetation
    18 JEFFREYS STREET WOODEND 3442Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of an Extension to Existing Dwelling (verandah & pergola)
    64 TWEDDLE LANE WOODEND 3442Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of an extension to the existing dwelling (carport and decking area)
    14 LAVENDER FARM ROAD WOODEND 3442Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Subdivision of the Land into (2) Two Lots
    76 EAST STREET WOODEND 3442In progress
  • Removal of Native Vegetation (2 Trees)
    554 ROMSEY ROAD WOODEND 3442Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • Development of an extension to existing dwelling.
    45 Lowry DriveWithdrawn
  • Development of an extension to the existing dwelling (pergola and deck)
    8 Tributary WayNo permit required
  • Development of an outbuilding (shed) outside the building envelope.
    11 Clover Tree CircuitWithdrawn
  • Subdivision of the Land into Two (2) Lots
    13 Noonan GrovePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of an outbuilding (shed).
    168 SLATEY CREEK ROAD WOODEND 3442Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Varying a Restrictive Covenant
    16 Edna Walling BoulevardWithdrawn
  • Construction of a warehouse
    3-5 LIGAR STREET WOODEND 3442Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a Single Dwelling and Outbuilding (Section 72 Amendment sought for changes to the dwelling design, increase in building footprint, external window changes, addition of alfresco and patio, and outbuilding location change).
    562 ROMSEY ROAD WOODEND 3442Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a replacement awning.
    96A High StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Lopping of one (1) tree (non-native)
    21 SULLIVANS ROAD WOODEND 3442Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two (2) lot subdivision
    61 BOWYERS ROAD WOODEND 3442Withdrawn

  • March 2021

  • Development of a dam (retrospective).
    100 ROMSEY ROAD WOODEND 3442Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Braemar College - Development of a Multi Purpose Hall
    241 ROMSEY ROADPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a dwelling and garage.
    6 Dianella CourtNo permit required
  • Use and Development of dwelling and removal of native vegetation
    GARNER QUADRANT WOODEND 3442Withdrawn
  • Removal of two trees in Road Reserve
    Wood StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Development of an extension to existing dwelling and associated vegetation (exotic) removal and earthworks.
    113 Lavender Farm RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of an outbuilding
    37 Robert RoadPermit 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

  • AVENUE OF HONOUR WOODENDNH2066
  • FORMER WILLS HOUSENH1221
  • HANGING ROCKNH2339
  • WOODEND COURT HOUSENH1489

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
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 14.4 km away).

Coalition 32.2%Labor 67.8%

13.1 percentage points more Labor-leaning than the electorate

Estimated swing since 2022: +4.0 pp toward Labor

Nearest polling places

  • Woodend EastLabor 73.1% · Coalition 26.9% TPP (2025)1.8 km away
  • WoodendLabor 64.4% · Coalition 35.6% TPP (2025)1.9 km away
  • MacedonLabor 65.6% · Coalition 34.4% TPP (2025)6.2 km away
  • Mount MacedonLabor 61.3% · Coalition 38.7% TPP (2025)6.2 km away
  • NewhamLabor 53.1% · Coalition 46.9% TPP (2025)8.5 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

Socio-economic

IRSAD decile (2021)
9/10
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 Macedon Ranges Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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