Woodend is a major regional centre in Victoria, in Macedon Ranges Council, with mainly mixed commercial and residential development. It is set against the Macedon Ranges. Notable landmarks include Woodend Court House.
Local school ICSEA scores are among the highest in the peer group, placing it among the highest-ranked major regional centres. Socio-economic advantage is among the highest in the peer group, and university qualifications are among the highest in the peer group. Space is a strength, but car dependence is high. The main trade-offs are higher housing costs and thinner park access, with median house prices 82% above the peer median.
Overall, the suburb suits people prioritising school quality and socio-economic advantage over lower housing costs.
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
Major regional centre · compared with major regional centres in Victoria (187)
Strengths
Local school ICSEA scores are among the highest in the peer group
Socio-economic advantage is among the highest in the peer group
University qualifications are among the highest in the peer group
Weaknesses
Housing is among the most expensive in its peer group
Park access is thinner than in comparable places
What stands out
Macedon Ranges
Woodend Court House
Space is a strength, but car dependence is high
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 Woodend compares
A quick read of housing, growth, livability, and risk
Median house price
$1.08M
+41% change
Median rent (Census)
$400/wk
2021 Census median weekly rent
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
#15
among Country & regional · Mature
Crime rate
36th
percentile in state (higher = more crime)
Pop. growth
67th
percentile in VIC
Rented dwellings
16%
2021 Census tenure
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
59.2/100 — Good
State standing
Top 12% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
592nd in Australia
State rank
149th in VIC
Peer rank
#15 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#23 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
95%
Data sources & freshness
Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived) · current · Updated
+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
Median weekly rent (2021 Census)
$400
Tenure (owned / mortgaged / rented)
41.9% / 42.1% / 15.9%
Employment rate
58.4%
Travel to work (WFH / public transport / car)
35% / 1.8% / 46.7%
Walked or cycled to work
2.5%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
2,222 / 219 / 6
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.
35.5% of adults have a university degree, compared with 29.2% across Victoria. 13.7% have a trade or vocational qualification.
University qualified35.5% · 29.2% VIC
Diploma qualified10.2% · 9.8% VIC
Trade / vocational13.7% · 14.2% VIC
Year 12 or below40.6% · 46.8% VIC
Highest qualification field
Main field of the highest non-school qualification (2021 Census).
Society and culture16.9%
Management and commerce16.6%
Engineering and related technologies13.6%
Health13.3%
Education12.1%
Creative arts7.3%
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)
$62,634
83rd percentile in VIC · +7% vs Australia
Median salary / wages (2023–24)
$70,111
88th percentile in VIC · +8% vs Australia
Residents with rental investments
16.0%
79th percentile in VIC · +16% vs Australia
Median super balance (2023–24)
$146,629
96th percentile in VIC · +132% vs Australia
Residents with business income
13.0%
72nd percentile in VIC · +25% vs Australia
Australian Taxation Office Taxation Statistics 2023–24, individuals Table 25. Figures describe taxpayers who live in postcode 3442 — 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
5,263
Taxpayers reporting net rent
850
Median net rent
-$1,125
Taxpayers reporting business income
674
Taxable income vs state median
+17%
Salary / wages vs state median
+20%
Rental investment vs state median
+23%
Super vs state median
+82%
Business income vs state median
+18%
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
5.1% speak a language other than English at home; 16.8% born overseas
Language at home
6,128 English only · 326 other
Non-English at home
5.1%
Born overseas
1,081 (16.8%)
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
43 (0.6%)
Australian citizens
6,137
Languages spoken at home (other than English)
13
Top languages other than English
Share of residents who speak a language other than English at home (2021 Census).
German21 · 21%
French11 · 11%
Spanish11 · 11%
Italian8 · 8%
Afrikaans7 · 7%
Filipino7 · 7%
Macedonian7 · 7%
Nepali7 · 7%
Religion
53.3%No religion
No religion is the most common response at 53.3%, while Christianity accounts for 37.7%.
Measure
Suburb
State
No religion
53.3%
38.8%
Christianity
37.7%
40.9%
Other / not stated
9%
20.3%
Christian denominations
Denomination
Suburb
State
Catholic
19.8%
20.5%
Anglican
9.6%
6.5%
Uniting Church
2.8%
2.4%
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 decreased compared with the previous period.
Offence counts & rates
Total offences (2026)
270
Against the person
33
Against property
171
Rate per 1,000 residents
39.5
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 204 residents
State crime-rate percentile
36.4th (higher = more crime)
Decrease (daily rate)
-18.7%
Recorded road crashes (in suburb)
117
Crash rate per 1,000 residents (state rank)
17.13
Most common offence types
B21 Criminal Damage22
B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle21
B43 Steal From A Retail Store29
B49 Other Theft38
E21 Breach Family Violence Order24
Contributes to desirability score · Safety (22%)
Crime rate, offences against the person, year-on-year trend and recorded road crash rates
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 →
School catchments
Gisborne Secondary CollegeGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundarysecondary_catchment
Hesket Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Kyneton Secondary CollegeGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundarysecondary_catchment
Macedon Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Mount Macedon Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Newham Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Tylden Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Woodend Primary SchoolGovernment school catchment overlapping this suburb boundaryprimary_catchment
Government school intake zones that overlap this suburb boundary. Living in a catchment does not guarantee enrolment; check the education authority.
Contributes to desirability score · Education (14%)
Median school ICSEA first, then school and catchment counts
Data sources & freshness
Victorian designated neighbourhood zones — Victorian Department of Education · current · Updated · Open catchment polygons where published
Decent local green space — 4 parks in suburb, 2 playgrounds nearby
Walkability proxy
37/100
Cafés per 1,000 residents
0.15
Food & drink per 1,000 residents
0.45
Parks per 1,000 residents
0.59
Food & drink(3)
Bourkies BakehouseBakery
Unit 1-3 115 High Street
Andrews CafeCafe
77 High Street
Victoria HotelPub
Shopping(5)
LiquorlandBottle shop
BP ShopConvenience store
K HubDepartment store
ColesSupermarket
61 High Street
RitchiesSupermarket
128 High Street
Everyday services(3)
Charging the RegionsEV charging
BPPetrol station
Woodend LPOPost office
Unit 20 130 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(12)
Drinking water
Woodend Court House Historic ReserveNature reserve
Woodend I13 Bushland ReserveNature reserve
Park (2)
Playground (2)
Public toilets
Woodend InformationPublic toilets
Sports field
Swimming pool
Macedon Ranges Walking TrailWalking trail
Wineries & breweries(1)
Holgate BrewhouseBrewery
79 High Street
Camping & holiday parks(1)
Woodend Town ParkCampground
Places to stay(1)
Keatings HotelHotel
Transport(4)
1 bus stops · 3 train stations
Other(9)
Woodend CyclesBicycle
ParkiteerBicycle Parking
Woodend CFAFire station
Parking (8)
Woodend Station ParkingParking
Place of worship
WoodendPolice
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. 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
Places of worship
1 places of worship within ~1.5 km
Place of worship
From OpenStreetMap within ~1.5 km of the suburb centre.
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
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 (12%)
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 · Environment (12%)
Heritage listings as established streetscape
Data sources & freshness
State heritage register — State heritage authority · current · Updated
Hazards
Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid
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 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.
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%)