🏘️ Victoria Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission
Social housing in Victoria encompasses dwellings managed by the state housing authority and registered community housing providers, offering affordable rental accommodation to low-income households, people experiencing disadvantage, and those with specialist needs. The 2021 Census recorded significant concentrations of social housing in specific suburbs — particularly those developed as public housing estates during the post-war decades.
The distribution of social housing across Victoria reflects decades of government housing policy. Some suburbs were purpose-built as welfare housing estates and continue to have very high concentrations of government-managed dwellings, while others have seen gradual transfers to community housing providers as part of housing reform programs.
This ranking is based on ABS 2021 Census Table G37 — Tenure Type and Landlord Type by Dwelling Structure — counting dwellings rented from state housing authorities and community housing providers as a percentage of all occupied private dwellings. Only suburbs with at least 100 dwellings are included.
Heidelberg West VIC 3081
Heidelberg West is an inner-northern Melbourne suburb located within the City of Banyule, approximately 10 kilometres north-east of the Melbourne CBD. With a population of 5,252 and a median age of 35, the suburb is one of Melbourne's more affordable options in the middle-ring corridor, with a median household income of around $1,257 per week and median weekly rent of $306 — well below the metropolitan average. The suburb offers a mix of older housing stock, units, and newer medium-density development across its 3.2 square kilometre area.
Flemington VIC 3031
Flemington is a diverse inner suburb of Melbourne, located just 4 kilometres northwest of the CBD within the City of Melbourne. With around 7,000 residents and a median income of approximately $60,000, it's famous worldwide as home to Flemington Racecourse and the Melbourne Cup. The suburb presents a fascinating mix of heritage homes, modern apartments, and significant public housing estates.
Norlane VIC 3214
Norlane is a residential suburb in the City of Greater Geelong, located approximately 6 kilometres north of Geelong's city centre and around 70 kilometres south-west of Melbourne. With a population of 8,682 and a median age of 37, it has a diverse and established community shaped by decades of migration, particularly from Croatia, North Macedonia, Serbia, and more recently India and the Philippines. Household incomes are well below the state average, with a median weekly household income of $909, and the suburb offers some of Geelong's most affordable rental housing at around $250 per week.
Thomson (Greater Geelong - Vic.) VIC 3219
Thomson is a small residential locality in the Greater Geelong urban area, situated approximately 4 kilometres north of the Geelong CBD in Victoria. With a population of 1,606 according to the 2021 Census and an area of under one square kilometre, Thomson is a compact suburb with a notably high proportion of social housing — nearly 20% of dwellings are state or community-managed. The area has a working-class character with lower-to-moderate incomes typical of Geelong's northern suburbs.
Whittington VIC 3219
Whittington is a suburb of Geelong in the City of Greater Geelong, Victoria, located approximately 65 kilometres south-west of Melbourne. With a population of around 3,879, it is a modest residential suburb where the predominant age group is 20-29 years. Households are primarily childless couples, and the suburb has a higher proportion of rental accommodation at around 34%. Whittington has traditionally been one of Geelong's more affordable suburbs, attracting first-home buyers and investors.
Braybrook VIC 3019
Braybrook is an inner-western suburb of Melbourne, located just 9 kilometres from the CBD within the City of Maribyrnong. With a population of 9,682 at the 2021 census, it is a culturally diverse suburb bounded by the Maribyrnong River to the north and Ballarat Road to the south. Historically a working-class area, Braybrook has undergone significant gentrification in recent years.
Toorloo Arm VIC 3909
A suburb in VIC with a significant social housing presence.
Bellfield (Banyule - Vic.) VIC 3081
Bellfield is a small inner-northern Melbourne suburb in Banyule, about 9 km from the CBD, with a 2021 Census population of 1,996. It has a compact footprint and predominantly residential land use, alongside community and recreational facilities. Positioned near Heidelberg and Ivanhoe corridors, it has transitioned through renewal from earlier public-housing and low-rise stock. The suburb's character is modest, community-focused and increasingly urbanised.
East Bairnsdale VIC 3875
East Bairnsdale is an urban locality on the eastern edge of Bairnsdale, the largest town in the East Gippsland Shire of Victoria, approximately 280 kilometres east of Melbourne CBD. With a population of 1,352, it forms part of the broader Bairnsdale urban area, which serves as the major regional centre for East Gippsland and the gateway to the Mitchell River Delta and the Gippsland Lakes. The area has a relatively modest median household income of around $50,000 annually and a slightly higher proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents than the state average, reflecting East Gippsland's diverse community character.
Ashwood VIC 3147
Ashwood is an established south-eastern Melbourne suburb in the City of Monash, around 14 km from the CBD. The 2021 Census population is 7,154, with a strong family profile and a mix of post-war homes and modern infill. Positioned between Ashburton, Burwood and Mount Waverley corridors, it has a mature suburban form and established community infrastructure. The suburb's character is residential, stable and family-oriented.
North Melbourne VIC 3051
North Melbourne is one of Melbourne's most dynamic inner suburbs, a diverse community of nearly 15,000 residents less than 2 kilometres from the CBD. The suburb blends heritage terraces with public housing towers and increasing apartment development. Tram and train services provide exceptional public transport.
Robinvale VIC 3549
Robinvale is a Murray River town situated approximately 360 kilometres north-west of Melbourne in the Swan Hill Rural City council area. With a population of 3,497 spread across 75 square kilometres, the town serves as a commercial hub for the surrounding irrigated agricultural district. The community is notably multicultural — reflecting decades of seasonal and permanent migration driven by the horticultural industry — with significant Vietnamese, Italian, and Australian Aboriginal communities present.
Hmas Cerberus VIC 3920
HMAS Cerberus is the Royal Australian Navy's primary training establishment, classified as a Major Urban locality on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria's Mornington Peninsula Shire, approximately 60 kilometres south-east of Melbourne CBD within Greater Melbourne's statistical area. The base covers over 1,500 hectares on the western shore of Western Port Bay near Crib Point, and has served as a naval training facility since it was commissioned as HMAS Cerberus in 1921. With a 2021 Census population of 1,124 — predominantly naval trainees, service personnel, and support staff — the suburb has a distinctive demographic profile with a median age of just 21 and a male-to-female ratio of approximately 2.5:1.
Long Gully VIC 3550
Long Gully is an established urban suburb situated approximately 2 kilometres north of Bendigo's city centre, within the City of Greater Bendigo in regional Victoria. With a population of around 3,420 and a median age of 38, the suburb has a long-standing working-class character shaped by the region's goldfields heritage. Median household incomes sit below state averages, reflecting the area's affordable, unpretentious nature and its blend of long-term residents and younger families.
Williamstown North VIC 3016
Williamstown North is a residential suburb in Melbourne's inner west, situated within the City of Hobsons Bay approximately 12 kilometres south-west of the Melbourne CBD. With a population of 1,622 and a median age of 42, the suburb has a settled, established feel attracting a mix of long-term residents and families drawn by its proximity to the Williamstown foreshore precinct. Median household income of around $2,166 per week is broadly in line with metropolitan Melbourne averages, reflecting its working and middle-class residential character.
Hampton East VIC 3188
Hampton East is a compact inner-suburban locality in Melbourne's Bayside area, situated approximately 16 kilometres south-east of the CBD. With a population of around 5,069 residents spread across just 1.4 square kilometres, it is one of the denser neighbourhoods in the Bayside City Council area. Bordered by the Nepean Highway to the east and the leafy suburb of Hampton to the west, the area benefits from excellent road and public transport connections. Its proximity to Brighton, Sandringham, and Highett gives residents access to some of Melbourne's most sought-after lifestyle precincts.
South Melbourne VIC 3205
South Melbourne is a prestigious inner suburb just 2 kilometres south of the CBD, blending heritage architecture with contemporary development in Port Phillip. Trams provide excellent connectivity along Clarendon Street, while the South Melbourne Market anchors the community. Victorian terraces sit alongside modern apartments.
California Gully VIC 3556
California Gully is a historic suburb located 5 kilometres north-west of Bendigo's city centre in the City of Greater Bendigo, Victoria. Named after the Californian gold miners who flocked to the area following gold discoveries in 1852, the suburb carries a rich mining heritage that shaped much of the Bendigo region. With a population of approximately 4,476 residents at the 2021 Census, it is a well-established working-class community. The suburb sits within the broader Eaglehawk urban area and retains several heritage-listed buildings from its colonial past.
Wurruk VIC 3850
Wurruk is a quiet residential suburb on the western fringe of Sale in the Wellington Shire of East Gippsland, Victoria, approximately 215 kilometres east of Melbourne CBD. With a population of 1,177 and a median age of 41, Wurruk is a predominantly family and working-age community with a settled, established character. The suburb sits at a low elevation near the Gippsland Lakes system, and its housing stock is a mix of suburban homes and rural-residential properties on the edge of Sale's urban area.
Ascot Vale VIC 3032
Ascot Vale is a historic inner suburb of 15,200 in Moonee Valley, located 6 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD. Multiple tram routes and the Craigieburn line serve the area, while the suburb surrounds the famous Flemington Racecourse and features significant heritage housing stock. Union Road and Mount Alexander Road provide shopping.
Corio VIC 3214
Corio is a working-class suburb of 15,500 in Greater Geelong, located 59 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD on Geelong's northern fringe. The suburb developed around the Shell refinery and Ford factory, though deindustrialisation has challenged the community. V/Line serves nearby stations, while the area offers Geelong's most affordable housing.
Heidelberg Heights VIC 3081
Heidelberg Heights is a residential suburb in Melbourne’s north-eastern corridor, located approximately 12 kilometres from the CBD within the City of Banyule. Home to around 6,758 residents with a median age of 35, the suburb attracts young professionals and families drawn by its relative affordability and convenient location. The median household income of $1,817 per week and average household size of 2.3 reflect a mix of singles, couples, and small families occupying a range of post-war houses and newer medium-density dwellings.
Wendouree VIC 3355
Wendouree is a major residential suburb of Ballarat, 3 kilometres northwest of the CBD. Lake Wendouree—the city's iconic recreational lake—borders the suburb, providing one of regional Victoria's finest outdoor amenities. V/Line services connect to Melbourne for commuters.
Puckapunyal VIC 3662
Puckapunyal is a military locality in Victoria's Mitchell Shire, situated approximately 100 kilometres north of Melbourne near the town of Seymour. Home to the Puckapunyal Military Area (PMA), one of Australia's largest Army training establishments, the suburb's population of 1,108 is almost entirely made up of Australian Army personnel and their families. The median age of just 24 and the high proportion of males (692 out of 1,108) reflect the base's young, active military workforce, and the above-average median household income of $2,510 per week reflects ADF salary structures.
Redan VIC 3350
Redan is an inner suburb of Ballarat, Victoria, located just 3 kilometres south of Ballarat Central. With a population of around 3,000, it is a compact residential area covering 2.2 square kilometres at an elevation of 426 metres. The suburb has a median age of 39 and a predominantly Australian-born population, with English, Australian, and Irish ancestry most commonly reported. It offers affordable housing relative to Melbourne, with a median mortgage of $1,300 per month.
Frankston North VIC 3200
Frankston North, locally known as "The Pines", is a compact suburb of 5,700 residents located 38 kilometres southeast of Melbourne CBD in the City of Frankston. Originally a government pine plantation, the area was transformed into a Housing Commission estate in the 1950s-70s, with streets named after pine species like Monterey, Radiata, and Corsican. The suburb has undergone significant revitalisation in recent decades, shedding its former reputation as community pride initiatives, park upgrades, and increasing homeownership have transformed the neighbourhood.
Fitzroy North VIC 3068
Fitzroy North is one of Melbourne's most desirable inner suburbs, an affluent community of 12,800 residents 4 kilometres north of the CBD. The suburb features heritage homes, Edinburgh Gardens, and excellent tram connectivity. Queens Parade offers quality dining and shopping.
Moe VIC 3825
Moe is a town in the Latrobe Valley in the Gippsland region of Victoria, located approximately 130 kilometres east of Melbourne. With a population of around 9,375 (2021 census), it serves as a key service centre for the surrounding Baw Baw Shire. The town has a working-class character with 61% owner-occupied homes, and residents predominantly work in trades occupations. Its name derives from a Kurnai Indigenous word meaning "swamp".
Eumemmerring VIC 3177
Eumemmerring is a compact urban suburb in Melbourne's south-eastern corridor, located approximately 32 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD within the City of Casey local government area. The suburb covers just 1.1 square kilometres with a 2021 Census population of 2,285, giving it a high residential density of around 2,080 people per square kilometre. With a median household income of $1,217 per week and a median age of 35, Eumemmerring reflects the young, working-class character typical of the rapidly growing Casey corridor.
Maidstone VIC 3012
Maidstone is an inner-western suburb of Melbourne, located approximately 9 kilometres from the CBD within the City of Maribyrnong. With a population of 9,389 spread across 3.16 square kilometres, it is a compact and densely settled urban locality at a low elevation of 39 metres. The suburb's median household income sits around $99,600 per year, and a significant 8.2 per cent of dwellings are social housing, reflecting a community that spans a broad range of socioeconomic backgrounds.
Princes Hill VIC 3054
Princes Hill is a compact, leafy inner-Melbourne suburb located approximately 4 kilometres north of Melbourne CBD, within the City of Yarra. Covering just 0.43 square kilometres, it is one of Melbourne's smallest suburbs, bounded by Carlton North, Fitzroy North, and the expansive Royal Park. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 2,005, with a median age of 39 and median household income of $2,218 per week — well above the national average — reflecting the suburb's appeal to established professionals and longstanding residents.
Meadow Heights VIC 3048
Meadow Heights is a diverse suburb of nearly 15,000 residents in Melbourne's northern corridor, 18 kilometres from the CBD in the City of Hume. The suburb developed from the 1980s and offers affordable family housing. The South Morang line provides rail access at nearby stations.
Doveton VIC 3177
Doveton is a residential suburb in Melbourne's south-eastern corridor, located approximately 30 kilometres from the CBD within the City of Casey local government area. With a population of around 9,600, it sits at an elevation of 38 metres in the Hallam–Berwick–Pearcedale urban area. The suburb was developed largely in the 1950s and 1960s as part of Melbourne's post-war housing expansion, and has a diverse and multicultural community today.
Chadstone VIC 3148
Chadstone is a well-known suburban locality in Melbourne's south-east, situated approximately 14 kilometres from the CBD within the City of Monash local government area. At an elevation of 81 metres in the Oakleigh urban area, the suburb has a population of around 9,500 and is characterised by a mix of residential housing and significant commercial development. Chadstone is internationally recognised as the home of Chadstone Shopping Centre, Australia's largest shopping centre and a major retail and entertainment destination.
Coolaroo VIC 3048
Coolaroo is a suburban locality in Melbourne's north, approximately 18 kilometres from the CBD within the City of Hume. With a population of 3,193, it is one of Melbourne's most culturally diverse communities, with residents from Iraqi, Turkish, Lebanese, Nepalese, and Pakistani backgrounds making up a significant portion of the population — nearly half the suburb was born overseas. Median household income sits at around $1,025 per week, making Coolaroo one of the more affordable localities in the northern metropolitan area.
Footscray VIC 3011
Footscray is Melbourne's most dynamic inner-western suburb, a multicultural community of 17,100 in Maribyrnong, just 6 kilometres from the CBD. Multiple train lines and bus routes create exceptional connectivity, while the suburb has become the focus of intense gentrification alongside its Vietnamese heartland. The transformation is visible but the character remains.
Yarram VIC 3971
Yarram is a rural service town and the largest urban centre in South Gippsland's Wellington Shire, situated approximately 215 kilometres east of Melbourne in Victoria's Gippsland region. The suburb covers an unusually large area of over 110 square kilometres, encompassing the town itself and surrounding farmland. With a population of 2,136 and a median age of 53, Yarram has an older demographic profile typical of many regional agricultural towns, attracting retirees and long-established farming families alongside a modest working-age population.
St Helena VIC 3088
St Helena is a quiet residential suburb in Melbourne's north-eastern suburbs, situated within the City of Banyule approximately 18 kilometres from the CBD. With a population of around 2,890, it is a well-established area characterised by leafy streets and generous block sizes. The suburb has a median age of 46 and strong household incomes, reflecting its appeal to established families and professionals. St Helena sits on elevated ground near the Plenty River corridor, offering a peaceful suburban setting.
Breakwater VIC 3219
Breakwater is a residential and industrial suburb of Geelong in Victoria, located on the southern bank of the Barwon River within the City of Greater Geelong. With a population of 1,060 at the 2021 census and a median age of 40, it covers 3.1 square kilometres at 15 metres elevation. Established in 1837, the suburb has a working-class heritage and is undergoing gradual renewal, benefiting from its proximity to Geelong's CBD and the expanding South Geelong precinct.
Ashburton VIC 3147
Ashburton is an established inner-eastern Melbourne suburb located 12 kilometres southeast of the CBD within the prestigious City of Boroondara. Home to 7,952 residents, this well-connected community is served by two railway stations (Ashburton and Alamein) on the Alamein line, providing excellent access to the city. The suburb is notably affluent and family-oriented, with residents enjoying the longest lifespan of any Victorian suburb according to 2021 data, reflecting the high quality of life and excellent amenities available.
Port Melbourne VIC 3207
Port Melbourne is Melbourne's most exclusive inner-city address, an affluent waterfront suburb of 17,600 just 4 kilometres from the CBD. The light rail connects to the city centre, while the beach and waterfront create premium residential opportunities. Once a working-class port area, gentrification has transformed it into one of Melbourne's most desirable locations.
West Wodonga VIC 3690
West Wodonga is a growing suburb of nearly 15,000 residents in regional Victoria's twin-city of Wodonga, on the Murray River border with NSW. The suburb has developed westward with family housing serving the regional centre. The Hume Freeway connects to Melbourne and Sydney.
Wonthaggi VIC 3995
Wonthaggi is a regional town on Victoria's Bass Coast, located approximately 130 kilometres south-east of Melbourne near the edge of the South Gippsland coastline. With a population of around 5,200, it serves as the main service centre for the Bass Coast Shire, providing healthcare, retail, and education facilities to surrounding communities. The town has strong historical roots as a former State Coal Mine, which operated from 1909 to 1968 and shaped much of Wonthaggi's early character and layout.
Bairnsdale VIC 3875
Bairnsdale is the principal town of East Gippsland, located approximately 280 kilometres east of Melbourne on the banks of the Mitchell River. With a population of around 7,500, it serves as the commercial and administrative hub for the surrounding rural region. The town has a predominantly Australian-born population with a mix of families, retirees, and workers drawn to the area's affordable living and natural beauty.
Bandiana VIC 3691
Bandiana is a locality in the City of Wodonga in north-east Victoria, situated near the Murray River on the Victorian side of the Albury–Wodonga twin cities region. The area has been home to a major Australian Army logistics and maintenance base since 1942, which remains the defining feature of the locality today. With a 2021 census population of 855 and a median income reflecting stable defence-sector employment, Bandiana is closely integrated with the broader Wodonga urban area.
Colac VIC 3250
Colac is a regional service centre in south-west Victoria, situated approximately 150 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD within the Colac-Otway Shire. With a population of around 9,243 and a median age of 44, the town has a strong Australian-born, Anglo-Celtic community and a notably affordable cost of living, with median rents of just 60 per week — well below metropolitan averages. The town covers roughly 37.6 square kilometres and sits at 115 metres elevation, serving as the main commercial and administrative hub for the surrounding agricultural region.
North Geelong VIC 3215
North Geelong is an established suburb in the northern part of Geelong, located approximately 75 kilometres south-west of Melbourne CBD within the City of Greater Geelong. The suburb covers 4.9 square kilometres and had a population of 3,225 at the 2021 Census, with a median age of 40 and a median household income of around $77,000 per year. North Geelong has a diverse demographic with a notably high proportion of elderly residents and multicultural communities including Croatian, Italian, and Indian populations, reflecting its history as a working-class industrial suburb that attracted successive waves of migrant settlement.
Echuca VIC 3564
Echuca is Victoria's paddle-steamer capital, a historic port town of over 15,000 residents where the Campaspe meets the Murray River. Located 200 kilometres north of Melbourne, it preserves remarkable riverboat heritage while serving as a regional centre. The Port of Echuca is a major tourist attraction celebrating river trade history.
Mooroopna VIC 3629
Mooroopna is a regional town in northern Victoria, located within the Greater Shepparton local government area, approximately 4 km west of Shepparton and 181 km north of Melbourne. With a population of around 8,000 residents, the town sits at the confluence of the Goulburn and Broken Rivers. It has a culturally diverse community with a significant Aboriginal population and growing multicultural presence.
Shepparton VIC 3630
Shepparton is the agricultural capital of northern Victoria, a thriving regional city of 32,000 located 164 kilometres north of Melbourne in the Goulburn Valley. The city serves as headquarters for SPC and major agricultural enterprises, surrounded by orchards, dairy farms, and vineyards. The diverse population includes significant Italian, Indian, and Iraqi communities who've contributed to agriculture and food processing over generations.
West Bendigo VIC 3550
A suburb in VIC with a significant social housing presence.
Wodonga VIC 3690
Wodonga is a thriving border city of 20,300 on the Murray River, 252 kilometres northeast of Melbourne, twinned with Albury across the NSW border. Together they form a regional centre of over 90,000, offering city-grade amenities with country lifestyle. V/Line and NSW TrainLink provide rail connections, while the Hume Highway provides road access.
Newborough VIC 3825
Newborough is a town in the Latrobe Valley region of Victoria, situated about 137 kilometres east of Melbourne and immediately adjacent to Moe, sharing a border along Narracan Creek. With a population of approximately 6,886 at the 2021 census, it was largely developed by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria in the 1950s to house workers at the nearby Yallourn coal mining and power generation operations. The suburb consists of three distinct areas — Old Newborough, East Newborough and North Newborough — each with a slightly different character and era of development. Today, Newborough has a higher-than-average proportion of retirees reflecting its origins as a planned workers' settlement.
Dandenong VIC 3175
Dandenong is Melbourne's multicultural crossroads, a diverse regional centre of 30,000 in Greater Dandenong, 29 kilometres southeast of the CBD. Dandenong station serves as a major interchange on the metropolitan network, while the suburb functions as the administrative and commercial hub for one of Australia's most culturally diverse municipalities. The Afghan, Indian, and Sri Lankan communities have transformed the suburb's character.
Delacombe VIC 3356
Delacombe is a growing residential suburb on the south-western fringe of Ballarat, approximately 110 kilometres west of Melbourne in Victoria's Central Highlands. With a population of around 5,400 residents, this family-oriented community has experienced significant development in recent years with new housing estates attracting first home buyers and young families. The suburb sits at an elevation of 424 metres and features a mix of established homes and modern developments within the City of Ballarat.
Morwell VIC 3840
Morwell is the industrial heart of Victoria's Latrobe Valley, a city of 14,400 residents built on power generation and brown coal mining 150 kilometres east of Melbourne. The transition away from coal has created both challenges and opportunities. The Princes Freeway and V/Line provide Melbourne access.
Lakes Entrance VIC 3909
Lakes Entrance is a coastal town on Victoria's East Gippsland coast, situated approximately 320 kilometres east of Melbourne within the East Gippsland Shire. With a population of around 5,145 and a median age of 55, the town has a notably older demographic, attracting retirees drawn to its relaxed waterway setting. The area spans nearly 30 square kilometres along the shores of the Gippsland Lakes — one of Victoria's largest and most significant natural water systems.
Dallas VIC 3047
Dallas is a working-class suburb in Melbourne's northern corridor, located approximately 18 kilometres north of the Melbourne CBD within the City of Hume. With a population of 6,762 and a young median age of 32, the suburb is one of Melbourne's most culturally diverse communities — the majority of residents were born overseas, primarily from Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, and Pakistan. The median household income of around $1,088 per week sits below the metropolitan average, reflecting the suburb's affordable, working-class character.
Swan Hill VIC 3585
Swan Hill is a major regional city on the Murray River, 340 kilometres northwest of Melbourne. With around 11,000 residents, it serves as the commercial hub for a vast agricultural region spanning the Victoria-NSW border. The Pioneer Settlement tourist attraction celebrates the region's river heritage.
Westmeadows VIC 3049
Westmeadows is an established suburban locality in Melbourne's northern corridor, situated within the City of Hume approximately 18 kilometres north of the CBD. With a population of 6,502 and a median age of 39, the suburb has a mature, working-class character with deep multicultural roots — Italian, Greek, Maltese, and Lebanese communities have long been part of the local fabric, reflecting decades of post-war migration. The suburb is set at around 95 metres elevation and covers just over 5 square kilometres of predominantly detached residential housing.
Cobram VIC 3644
Cobram is a regional town situated on the Murray River in northern Victoria, approximately 250 kilometres north of Melbourne within the Shire of Moira. Sitting opposite the New South Wales town of Barooga, Cobram serves as a local service centre for the surrounding agricultural district, with its 6,148 residents spread across a large 81 square kilometre area. The suburb has a median age of 48 and relatively modest household incomes, reflecting its rural character and strong appeal to retirees and farming families.
Orbost VIC 3888
Orbost is a rural town in the Shire of East Gippsland, Victoria, situated 375 kilometres east of Melbourne where the Princes Highway crosses the Snowy River. With a population of around 2,264, the town serves as a service centre for the surrounding farming and forestry communities. The median age of 53 reflects a mature demographic, and incomes sit below metropolitan averages with a median personal weekly income of $489.
Donald VIC 3480
Donald is a small country town and the administrative centre of the Buloke Shire in north-western Victoria, situated approximately 320 kilometres north-west of Melbourne along the Sunraysia Highway. With a population of 1,472 and a median age of 52, the community is predominantly older, reflecting the demographic trends common to many rural Victorian towns. Housing is highly affordable, with median rents of just $180 per week and median household incomes of $1,044 per week, making Donald one of the more accessible towns in the region.
Mildura VIC 3500
Mildura is Victoria's desert oasis, a thriving regional city of 34,500 on the Murray River, some 471 kilometres northwest of Melbourne near the NSW and SA borders. The city serves as the heart of the Sunraysia region, a major irrigation district producing citrus, grapes, almonds, and vegetables. The Murray River defines the city's identity, providing recreation, irrigation, and stunning sunsets over red gum forests.
Ballarat East VIC 3350
Ballarat East is a historic suburb of Ballarat in regional Victoria, located approximately 3 kilometres east of the city centre and 110 kilometres west of Melbourne. With a population of 5,937 at the 2021 census, it is the oldest urban area in Ballarat. The suburb was the site of many goldmines during the 1850s gold rush and the famous Eureka Rebellion. It features a diverse community with a mix of heritage homes, workers cottages, and newer developments.
Dandenong North VIC 3175
Dandenong North is a diverse working suburb of 22,500 in Greater Dandenong, located 27 kilometres southeast of Melbourne's CBD. Buses connect to nearby Dandenong station, while the suburb offers affordable housing in the multicultural southeast. The community reflects Greater Dandenong's diversity, with significant Afghan, Vietnamese, and Indian populations.
Warrnambool VIC 3280
Warrnambool is Victoria's largest coastal city outside Greater Melbourne, a charming regional centre of 31,300 on the Southern Ocean, 226 kilometres southwest of the capital. The city sits at the western end of the Great Ocean Road, famous for whale watching, stunning coastline, and heritage architecture. Deakin University and South West TAFE make it an education hub, while the hospital serves the broader western region.
Watsonia VIC 3087
Watsonia is a suburb of Melbourne located 16 kilometres north-east of the CBD within the City of Banyule. With a population of around 5,350, it is a well-established residential area that has been growing since its founding in 1924. The suburb offers a mix of post-war homes, newer developments, and unit complexes, attracting a diverse community of families, professionals, and long-term residents.
East Bendigo VIC 3550
East Bendigo is a residential suburb on the eastern fringe of Bendigo, one of regional Victoria's largest cities, located approximately 150 kilometres north-west of Melbourne. With a population of around 2,250, it offers a quiet suburban setting with easy access to Bendigo's city centre. The suburb has an older demographic with a high proportion of single-person households and a strong owner-occupier rate of 63%.
Nyah West VIC 3595
Nyah West is a small rural town in the Rural City of Swan Hill, Victoria, situated approximately 371 kilometres north-west of Melbourne and 27 kilometres north-west of Swan Hill. The town lies near the Murray River, which forms the border with New South Wales, in the flat irrigated horticultural country of Victoria's Mallee region. With a population of 673 according to the 2021 Census and around 240 dwellings, Nyah West is a compact agricultural community primarily serving the surrounding farming district.
Benalla VIC 3672
Benalla is a regional city 200 kilometres northeast of Melbourne on the Hume Highway, positioned at the gateway to the High Country. With around 10,000 residents, it serves as a commercial and cultural hub for surrounding rural areas. V/Line services connect to Melbourne, making occasional commuting possible.
Clarinda VIC 3169
Clarinda is a residential suburb in Melbourne's south-eastern corridor, located within the City of Kingston approximately 20 kilometres from the CBD. Home to 7,441 residents with a median age of 45, it is one of Melbourne's most culturally diverse communities, with Greek, Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese heritage all well represented. Median household income of around $1,589 per week reflects a solid working and middle-class neighbourhood, with a mix of established homes and units across its modest 3.5 square kilometres.
Eaglehawk VIC 3556
Eaglehawk is a residential suburb located approximately 5 kilometres north-west of the Bendigo CBD, within the Greater Bendigo (City) council area. Home to 5,538 residents across 14.6 square kilometres, it is an established community with a median age of 43, reflecting its settled, long-standing character. Household incomes sit around the regional average at a median of $1,140 per week, and housing options span affordable detached homes on generous blocks typical of regional Victoria.
North Bendigo VIC 3550
North Bendigo is a suburban neighbourhood located 2.4 kilometres north of Bendigo's city centre in regional Victoria. With a population of approximately 4,277 residents and covering 4.2 square kilometres, this established suburb forms part of the City of Greater Bendigo. The area has a rich gold rush history, with a section formerly known as "Emu Point" that was home to a large Chinese mining community who built the historic Bendigo Joss House around 1865.
Blackburn South VIC 3130
Blackburn South is a residential suburb 17 kilometres east of Melbourne's CBD in Whitehorse, positioned between Blackburn and Mount Waverley. The suburb lacks direct rail access but is well-served by buses to nearby stations. Established homes on generous blocks with mature gardens characterise the streetscape.
Moorabbin VIC 3189
Moorabbin is an established suburban locality in Melbourne's south-east, approximately 14 kilometres from the CBD within the City of Kingston. With a population of 6,287 and a median age of 39, the suburb attracts a broad mix of families and professionals, with a median household income of around $2,031 per week — above the Melbourne average. The area spans 4.6 square kilometres of predominantly residential land, featuring a mix of post-war homes and newer medium-density developments.
Ballarat North VIC 3350
Ballarat North is a well-established suburb located 3 kilometres north of the Ballarat city centre in regional Victoria. With a population of 4,041 at the 2021 census and a median age of 43, it has a mature, settled community with strong Anglo-Australian roots. The suburb sits within the City of Ballarat and features a mix of period homes, post-war housing and newer infill developments. Originally shaped by the gold rush era, Ballarat North retains a historic character with tree-lined streets and heritage architecture.
Horsham VIC 3400
Horsham is the agricultural capital of Victoria's Wimmera region, a substantial city of over 15,000 residents 300 kilometres northwest of Melbourne. The city serves as the commercial and administrative hub for a vast grain-growing region. The Wimmera River and nearby Grampians National Park provide natural beauty.
Jacana VIC 3047
Jacana is a residential suburb in Melbourne's north-western fringe, located approximately 16 kilometres from the CBD within the City of Hume. With a population of 2,187 and covering just 1.1 square kilometres, it is a compact and established community. The median age of 35 and median household income of around $72,000 per year reflect a working-to-middle-class suburb popular with young families and long-term residents.
Noble Park North VIC 3174
Noble Park North is a culturally diverse suburb located approximately 30 kilometres south-east of Melbourne's CBD, within the City of Greater Dandenong. With a population of around 7,436 residents spread across 3.75 square kilometres, it forms the northern portion of the broader Noble Park area. The suburb is characterised by established residential streets, a strong multicultural identity, and a median age of 40. Its diverse community traces roots across Asia, Southern and Eastern Europe, and the Indian subcontinent, making it one of Melbourne's most cosmopolitan outer-suburban neighbourhoods.
Flora Hill VIC 3550
Flora Hill is a residential suburb of Bendigo, Victoria, located approximately 3 kilometres south-east of Bendigo's central business district within the City of Greater Bendigo local government area. With a population of 3,989 and a median age of just 32, the suburb has a notably youthful character, shaped significantly by the presence of the La Trobe University Bendigo Campus and Bendigo South East College. Sitting at an elevation of 264 metres and covering around 2.9 square kilometres, Flora Hill offers a mix of established housing, student accommodation, and quiet suburban streets.
Golden Square VIC 3555
Golden Square is a historic residential suburb located 4 kilometres southwest of Bendigo's CBD in regional Victoria. With a population of over 9,000 residents, this established community sits on elevated terrain with sweeping views over the greater Bendigo region. The suburb combines heritage character with modern conveniences, featuring a mix of period homes and contemporary developments across its tree-lined streets.
Castlemaine VIC 3450
Castlemaine is a historic goldfields town located 120 kilometres northwest of Melbourne in the Mount Alexander Shire. With a population of around 7,500 and a median age of 52, it has evolved from a gold rush boomtown that once rivalled Melbourne into a thriving cultural hub. The town sits at 298 metres elevation on Dja Dja Wurrung country, retaining magnificent Victorian-era streetscapes and architecture.
Delahey VIC 3037
Delahey is a compact residential suburb 20 kilometres northwest of Melbourne's CBD in the City of Brimbank. With just over 8,000 residents across 3.5 square kilometres, it offers a quiet suburban feel while maintaining good connections to the broader western region. The suburb was developed in the late 1980s on former farmland and has a notably diverse community, with significant Vietnamese, Maltese, and Chinese populations.
Birchip VIC 3483
Birchip is a small agricultural town in the Mallee region of north-western Victoria, located on the Sunraysia Highway approximately 312 kilometres north-west of Melbourne within the Shire of Buloke. With a 2021 Census population of 694, the town covers a large area of 114 square kilometres and serves as a local service hub for the surrounding farming communities. The landscape is characterised by flat, open wheat and grain-growing country typical of the Victorian Mallee, with a warm, semi-arid climate.
Grovedale VIC 3216
Grovedale is an established suburb of nearly 15,000 residents on Geelong's southern edge, 7 kilometres from the city centre. The suburb has matured from growth area to settled community, with Waurn Ponds shopping centre nearby. The Ring Road provides good connectivity across Geelong.
Noble Park VIC 3174
Noble Park is one of Melbourne's most genuinely diverse suburbs, a multicultural community of 32,000 in Greater Dandenong, 25 kilometres southeast of the CBD. The Pakenham and Cranbourne lines provide city access via Noble Park station, while recent streetscape upgrades have improved the Douglas Street shopping precinct. The suburb's elevation rises towards the Dandenong Ranges, offering views from higher streets.
Quambatook VIC 3540
Quambatook is a small agricultural town in the Shire of Gannawarra in north-west Victoria, located approximately 302 kilometres north-west of Melbourne on the banks of the Avoca River. With a population of around 230, it is a tight-knit rural community that developed following the resumption of large pastoral holdings for closer agricultural settlement in the 1870s. The town has a long history as one of Victoria's important wheat and sheep producing areas, with farming still central to local life.
St Albans Park VIC 3219
St Albans Park is an established residential suburb on the eastern fringe of Geelong, within the City of Greater Geelong local government area. With a population of approximately 4,942 and a median age of 46, the suburb has a mature, settled character with a predominantly Anglo-Australian community of English, Irish, and Scottish heritage. Median household income of around $1,317 per week reflects a working and middle-class demographic typical of outer Geelong suburbs, with affordable housing keeping mortgage and rent costs well below metropolitan levels.
Strathdale VIC 3550
Strathdale is a residential suburb in the eastern part of Bendigo, within the City of Greater Bendigo council area in central Victoria, approximately 150 kilometres north of Melbourne. With a population of 5,756 and a median age of 46, the suburb is home predominantly to established families and older residents who favour the quieter outer reaches of the Bendigo urban area. The suburb covers around 3.5 square kilometres at an elevation of 246 metres, featuring typical Australian suburban housing at accessible price points.
Halls Gap VIC 3381
A suburb in VIC with a significant social housing presence.
Rutherglen VIC 3685
Rutherglen is a historic wine-country town in north-eastern Victoria, situated approximately 276 kilometres north-east of Melbourne and 45 kilometres west of Wodonga, within the Shire of Indigo. The town lies near the Murray River, which forms the border with New South Wales, and covers a large statistical area of around 124 square kilometres. With a population of 2,579 and a median age of 48, Rutherglen appeals strongly to retirees, established residents, and those seeking a relaxed rural lifestyle; the median household income of $1,306 per week is broadly in line with regional Victorian norms.
Sale VIC 3850
Sale is the commercial centre of Gippsland's Wellington Shire, a prosperous regional city of 14,300 residents 210 kilometres east of Melbourne. The city serves the offshore oil and gas industry and surrounding dairy farming region. Lake Guthridge and the port precinct add natural character.
Stawell VIC 3380
Stawell is a regional town and urban locality in western Victoria, serving as the administrative centre of the Northern Grampians Shire, approximately 235 kilometres north-west of Melbourne. Covering a generous 93 square kilometres, the town has a population of 6,220 and a median age of 47, reflecting a mature demographic typical of regional Victoria. Median household income of $1,127 per week is comparable to the state's regional average, and housing is notably affordable, with median monthly mortgage repayments of just $973.
Bendigo VIC 3550
Bendigo is a major regional city in north-central Victoria, located approximately 150 kilometres north-west of Melbourne. With a population of over 100,000 in the greater urban area, it is the fourth-largest inland city in Australia and Victoria's fourth-most populous city. Founded during the 1850s gold rush, the city is known for its grand Victorian-era architecture and rich heritage. The traditional owners of the area are the Dja Dja Wurrung (Djaara) people.
Clifton Hill VIC 3068
Clifton Hill is a prestigious inner-city suburb located just 4 kilometres northeast of Melbourne's CBD within the City of Yarra. Home to approximately 6,600 residents, this tightly-knit community occupies just 1.57 square kilometres of charming Victorian and Edwardian streetscapes. Once described as the "Toorak of Collingwood" in the 1880s, the suburb has undergone significant gentrification and is now one of Melbourne's most sought-after addresses, consistently ranked among the city's most liveable suburbs.
Daylesford VIC 3460
Daylesford is a charming spa country town in Victoria's Central Highlands, situated approximately 115 kilometres north-west of Melbourne CBD within the Hepburn Shire. With a population of 2,781 at the 2021 Census, the town has an older demographic profile — the median age is 55 — and a notably high proportion of single-person households, reflecting its appeal to tree-changers, retirees, and lifestyle seekers. Housing ranges from historic Victorian cottages to contemporary retreats, with median household incomes below the national average, typical of regional lifestyle communities.
Shepparton North VIC 3631
Shepparton North is a rural locality on the northern outskirts of Shepparton, within the City of Greater Shepparton, approximately 180 kilometres north of Melbourne in Victoria's Goulburn Valley. Home to 2,048 residents, the area is notably young — with a median age of just 31 and the highest average household size (3.5 persons) of this cohort — reflecting a large family-oriented population. The suburb is one of regional Victoria's most culturally diverse communities, with 40 per cent of residents born overseas, a significant Indian-born community (238 residents), and substantial representations of Sikh, Muslim, and other faiths.
South Yarra VIC 3141
South Yarra is Melbourne's glamour suburb, an upscale enclave of 25,000 where Chapel Street meets leafy residential streets, just 4 kilometres from the CBD. South Yarra station on the Frankston and Sandringham lines provides excellent connectivity, while the Prahran and South Yarra trams serve the precinct. The Royal Botanic Gardens and Fawkner Park provide significant green space.
St Arnaud VIC 3478
St Arnaud is a country town in the Northern Grampians Shire in Victoria's Wimmera region, located 244 kilometres north-west of Melbourne and approximately 108 kilometres from Horsham. The town covers a large area of nearly 69 square kilometres at an elevation of around 241 metres. With a population of 2,318 at the 2021 census and a median age of 52, St Arnaud has a noticeably older demographic, reflecting broader trends of ageing in small regional Victorian communities. Named after French Crimean War marshal Jacques Leroy de Saint Arnaud, the town was established in the mid-1850s as a gold mining settlement.
📊 Methodology
Rankings are based on the proportion of dwellings classified as social housing (state housing authority + community housing provider) in the ABS Census 2021, Table G37 — Tenure Type by Dwelling Structure. Only suburbs in VIC with at least 100 occupied private dwellings were included to ensure statistical reliability.