🔍

Ararat

VIC 3377 • Rest of VIC

8,500
Population (2021)
$35,412
Median Income
161.18 km²
Area
$250/wk
Median Rent
HistoricRegional CentreGold Rush HeritageRuralAffordable

About Ararat

Ararat is a historic regional city in the Central Highlands of Victoria, situated approximately 198 kilometres west of Melbourne on the Western Highway. With a population of around 8,500, it serves as the administrative centre of the Rural City of Ararat. The town was established during the gold rush era of the 1850s and is notable for its position at the junction of Victoria's Western District and the Wimmera region. Ararat sits at an elevation of about 295 metres on the eastern slopes of the Ararat Hills.

Ararat offers a relaxed country lifestyle with access to essential services including a hospital, shopping precinct along Barkly Street, and various sporting facilities. The nearby Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is a major drawcard for outdoor recreation and tourism. The town has a strong agricultural heritage with surrounding pastoral and cropping land, and is increasingly popular with tree-changers seeking affordable housing and a slower pace of life. Local attractions include the Gum San Chinese Heritage Centre and the J Ward museum.

Ararat falls under postcode 3377 and is governed by Ararat Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Ripon (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3377
Urban Area
Moyne - Ararat - Pyrenees
LGA / Council
Ararat
Federal Electorate
Wannon
State Electorate
Ripon (Western Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.27°, 142.98°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
161.18 km²
Elevation
306m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Ararat Railway Station
0.5 km
6 min

Bus Services

  • Town bus service — Local areas 10-20 min
  • V/Line coach — Ballarat / Melbourne 1h / 2.5h

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
198 km
By Train
3h (V/Line coach+train)
By Bus
3h 15min
By Car (Peak)
2h 30min
By Car (Off-Peak)
2h 15min

🛣️ Regional city; most residents work locally or in Ballarat (92km)

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre is walkable with shops and services along Barkly Street, but outer areas require a car.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    3 Ingor Street Ararat 3377 VIC

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$250
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,083
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
45 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.5%

104 state housing + 8 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
8,297
Census 2021
8,500
▲ 2.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$29,172
Income 2021
$35,412
▲ 21.4% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 6,984
Born Overseas 1,033

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 136
  • 2. New Zealand 127
  • 3. India 117
  • 4. Philippines 73
  • 5. Taiwan 46
  • 6. Samoa 38
  • 7. China 37
  • 8. Pakistan 35
  • 9. Vietnam 28
  • 10. Italy 25

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 3,263
English 3,202
Scottish 970
Irish 871
German 465
Italian 159
Australian Aboriginal 116
Indian 114
Dutch 93
Chinese 88

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

5,627
Both parents born in Australia
1,038
Both parents born overseas
571
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
44.0%
Christianity
37.1%
Hinduism
1.0%
Islam
0.9%
Buddhism
0.5%
Sikhism
0.4%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
421 (5.0%)
5-14 years
804 (9.5%)
15-19 years
414 (4.9%)
20-24 years
451 (5.3%)
25-34 years
1,177 (13.8%)
35-44 years
946 (11.1%)
45-54 years
1,052 (12.4%)
55-64 years
1,175 (13.8%)
65-74 years
1,093 (12.9%)
75-84 years
664 (7.8%)
85+ years
303 (3.6%)

Nearby Suburbs