🔍

Ballan

VIC 3342 • Rest of VIC

3,392
Population (2021)
$38,116
Median Income
147.39 km²
Area
$330/wk
Median Rent
HistoricGrowth SuburbRuralFamily-FriendlyAffordable

About Ballan

Ballan is a historic country town in the Moorabool Shire, located approximately 80 kilometres north-west of Melbourne along the Western Freeway. With a growing population of around 3,400, it sits at an elevation of 508 metres in the foothills between Melbourne and Ballarat. The town has experienced strong population growth as a commuter option for those priced out of closer suburbs. Predominantly Australian-born families make up the demographic, with owner-occupancy at around 83%.

Ballan offers a quintessential country town lifestyle with a historic main street, heritage buildings, and a strong community spirit. The town features local shops, cafes, a supermarket, the Ballan Mechanics Institute, and the popular Ballan Autumn Festival. Surrounding farmland and the nearby Lerderderg State Park provide excellent bushwalking and outdoor recreation. Families are drawn to the affordable housing, local primary school, and the slower pace of life while still being within commuting distance of both Melbourne and Ballarat.

Ballan falls under postcode 3342 and is governed by Moorabool Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Eureka (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3342
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Moorabool
Federal Electorate
Hawke
State Electorate
Eureka (Western Victoria)
Type
Rural
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.60°, 144.22°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
147.39 km²
Elevation
508m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Ballan
0.5 km
7 mins

Bus Services

  • Local school bus — Bacchus Marsh / Ballarat 30-40 mins

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
80 km
By Train
65-75 mins (V/Line to Southern Cross)
By Car (Peak)
75-100 mins
By Car (Off-Peak)
55-70 mins

🛣️ V/Line train service runs regularly; also accessible to Ballarat (30 mins by car)

Walkability Car-Dependent

Town centre walkable with shops, cafes and station nearby; outer areas require a car

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$330
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,625
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
43 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.3%

26 state housing + 4 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,985
Census 2021
3,392
▲ 13.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$30,316
Income 2021
$38,116
▲ 25.7% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,791
Born Overseas 444

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 152
  • 2. New Zealand 43
  • 3. Scotland 29
  • 4. Germany 18
  • 5. Italy 17
  • 6. Netherlands 14
  • 7. Malta 13
  • 8. Ireland 11
  • 9. Japan 11
  • 10. Sri Lanka 11

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,432
Australian 1,419
Irish 472
Scottish 418
German 160
Maltese 127
Italian 105
Dutch 58
Australian Aboriginal 46
Polish 31

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,179
Both parents born in Australia
629
Both parents born overseas
428
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
47.6%
Christianity
45.8%
Hinduism
0.5%
Buddhism
0.4%
Islam
0.1%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
195 (5.7%)
5-14 years
433 (12.8%)
15-19 years
167 (4.9%)
20-24 years
140 (4.1%)
25-34 years
390 (11.5%)
35-44 years
446 (13.1%)
45-54 years
424 (12.5%)
55-64 years
499 (14.7%)
65-74 years
379 (11.2%)
75-84 years
221 (6.5%)
85+ years
88 (2.6%)

Nearby Suburbs