🔍

Cobden

VIC 3266 • Rest of VIC

1,804
Population (2021)
$32,812
Median Income
76.94 km²
Area
$220/wk
Median Rent
RuralAffordableFamily-FriendlyHistoric

About Cobden

Cobden is a small town in south-west Victoria located approximately 200 kilometres from Melbourne in the Corangamite Shire. With a population of around 1,800 residents, it serves as a regional hub for the surrounding agricultural district, named in honour of English statesman Richard Cobden. The town was established in the 1840s and sits at the heart of one of Victoria's most productive dairy farming regions.

The local economy is anchored by dairy farming, with a major Fonterra processing plant operating in the town and providing significant employment. Cobden has a friendly, close-knit community feel with local schools, a supermarket, medical services, and sporting clubs catering to residents. The area is within easy reach of the Twelve Apostles and Great Ocean Road, making it attractive to families and tree-changers seeking an affordable country lifestyle in one of Victoria's scenic coastal hinterlands.

Cobden falls under postcode 3266 and is governed by Corangamite Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Polwarth (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3266
Urban Area
Corangamite - Golden Plains
LGA / Council
Corangamite
Federal Electorate
Wannon
State Electorate
Polwarth (Western Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.33°, 143.11°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
76.94 km²
Elevation
125m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • McHarry's Buslines — Warrnambool via Cobden ~30 min to Warrnambool

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
200 km
By Train
~3 hrs via Warrnambool V/Line train (45 min to Warrnambool by bus, then 3 hrs to Melbourne)
By Car (Peak)
2.5–3 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
2.5 hrs

🛣️ Most residents commute locally; Warrnambool is the nearest major city (~45 km)

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre services are walkable; footpaths along main streets; car needed for rural areas

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$220
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,083
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
51 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.7%

20 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,839
Census 2021
1,804
▼ 1.9% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$27,352
Income 2021
$32,812
▲ 20.0% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,576
Born Overseas 104

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 31
  • 2. New Zealand 27
  • 3. Germany 8
  • 4. Netherlands 8
  • 5. Scotland 6
  • 6. Thailand 4
  • 7. United States 4
  • 8. India 3
  • 9. Nepal 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 855
English 767
Irish 221
Scottish 183
Dutch 46
Australian Aboriginal 37
German 32
Italian 14
New Zealander 14
Greek 10

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,424
Both parents born in Australia
135
Both parents born overseas
110
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
50.1%
No Religion
41.9%
Buddhism
0.2%
Hinduism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
64 (3.5%)
5-14 years
217 (12.0%)
15-19 years
99 (5.5%)
20-24 years
78 (4.3%)
25-34 years
176 (9.8%)
35-44 years
142 (7.9%)
45-54 years
235 (13.0%)
55-64 years
270 (15.0%)
65-74 years
240 (13.3%)
75-84 years
196 (10.9%)
85+ years
88 (4.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cobden VIC known for? +

Cobden is known for its dairy industry, including a major Fonterra processing plant. The surrounding Corangamite Shire is one of Victoria's most productive dairy farming regions.

How far is Cobden from Melbourne? +

Cobden is approximately 200 km south-west of Melbourne, roughly a 2.5-hour drive via the Princes Highway or Hamilton Highway.

What schools are in Cobden VIC? +

Cobden has Cobden Primary School (government), Cobden Technical School (government secondary), and Hampden Specialist School catering to students with additional needs.

Is Cobden near the Great Ocean Road? +

Yes, Cobden is located about 50 km north of Port Campbell and the Twelve Apostles, making it a convenient base for exploring the Great Ocean Road.