Charlton
VIC 3525 • Rest of VIC
About Charlton
Charlton is a small rural town in the Buloke Shire of north-western Victoria, situated approximately 260 kilometres north-west of Melbourne on the Calder Highway. With a population of around 1,095 and a median age of 56, it serves as a service centre for the surrounding wheat and sheep farming district. The town sits on the banks of the Avoca River, which occasionally floods through the main street during wet years.
Charlton offers a quintessential country town lifestyle with a strong community spirit, local sporting clubs, and annual events including the Charlton Golden Grains Festival. The town has a small commercial strip with a supermarket, bakery, pubs, and essential services. It appeals to retirees and farming families who value the affordable cost of living, with median mortgages around 58 per month — a fraction of capital city prices.
Charlton falls under postcode 3525 and is governed by Buloke Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Mildura (Northern Victoria) electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Nearest Train Stations
Bus Services
- Charlton–Bendigo coach — Bendigo via St Arnaud ~2 hours
Commute to Melbourne CBD
🛣️ Most residents work locally or in nearby regional centres like Bendigo or Swan Hill. Daily commuting to Melbourne is not practical.
Compact town centre is walkable for essentials, but a car is necessary for anything beyond the main street.
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
-
Davies Street
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St Arnaud Road (Cnr Donald St)
-
Watson Street
Housing 2021 Census
Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census
School Sector Breakdown
Demographics
Population Growth
Gender Distribution (Census 2021)
Income Comparison
Country of Birth 2021 Census
Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)
- 1. England 24
- 2. India 9
- 3. Germany 7
- 4. Taiwan 3
Ancestry 2021 Census
Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)