🔍

Donald

VIC 3480 • Rest of VIC

1,472
Population (2021)
$31,408
Median Income
312.69 km²
Area
$180/wk
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalAffordableQuiet

About Donald

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.

Donald serves as the key service hub for the surrounding agricultural district, with local facilities including schools, medical services, supermarkets, sporting clubs, and the Richardson River running through town providing a pleasant green corridor. The region is famous for its wheat, barley, and pulse cropping, and the town has a proud heritage as a boomerang-throwing centre — Donald hosted World Boomerang Throwing Championships and commemorates this with local displays. The community spirit is strong, with active sporting clubs, a golf course, and regular community events making Donald a welcoming place for those seeking a quiet country lifestyle in the Wimmera-Mallee region.

Donald falls under postcode 3480 and is governed by Buloke Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Mildura (Northern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3480
Urban Area
Castlemaine - Kerang
LGA / Council
Buloke
Federal Electorate
Mallee
State Electorate
Mildura (Northern Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-36.30°, 143.01°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
312.69 km²
Elevation
116m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • V/Line coach service — Melbourne (Southern Cross Station) Approx. 4 hr 30 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
320 km
By Train
No direct rail; V/Line coach to Ballarat or Bendigo then train to Melbourne (~5 hr total)
By Car (Peak)
3 hr 30 min - 4 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
3 hr 15 min - 3 hr 45 min

🛣️ Car is essential; Sunraysia Highway provides main access; nearest regional centre is Horsham (80km west) or Bendigo (190km south-east)

Walkability Car-Dependent

The town centre is walkable for local errands, but a car is required for travel beyond Donald and for access to larger regional services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$180
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$815
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
52 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
5.6%

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,498
Census 2021
1,472
▼ 1.7% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$25,428
Income 2021
$31,408
▲ 23.5% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,212
Born Overseas 119

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 29
  • 2. Philippines 24
  • 3. New Zealand 16
  • 4. India 8
  • 5. China 7
  • 6. Nepal 6
  • 7. Fiji 5
  • 8. South Africa 5
  • 9. Sri Lanka 5
  • 10. Canada 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 635
Australian 586
Irish 195
Scottish 195
German 53
Italian 36
Australian Aboriginal 23
Filipino 21
Dutch 19
Indian 10

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,091
Both parents born in Australia
153
Both parents born overseas
93
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
49.9%
No Religion
39.6%
Buddhism
1.2%
Hinduism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
75 (5.1%)
5-14 years
155 (10.5%)
15-19 years
64 (4.3%)
20-24 years
60 (4.1%)
25-34 years
130 (8.8%)
35-44 years
124 (8.4%)
45-54 years
175 (11.9%)
55-64 years
221 (15.0%)
65-74 years
218 (14.8%)
75-84 years
158 (10.7%)
85+ years
87 (5.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Donald known for? +

Donald is perhaps best known as Australia's boomerang-throwing capital, having hosted World Boomerang Throwing Championships and celebrating this heritage with local displays. The town is also the administrative centre of the Buloke Shire and a key service hub for the surrounding wheat, barley, and pulse cropping district.

How far is Donald from Melbourne? +

Donald is approximately 320 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, a drive of around 3.5 to 4 hours via the Western Ring Road and Sunraysia Highway.

Does Donald have public transport? +

Donald is served by V/Line coach services connecting to regional centres and ultimately to Melbourne, though services are infrequent. There is no direct train station in Donald; a car is essential for most residents and the most practical way to travel in the region.

What is the population of Donald? +

According to the 2021 Census, Donald has a population of 1,472 residents. The community has an older age profile with a median age of 52, and a notable proportion of older retirees, consistent with many rural Victorian service towns.

Is Donald a good place to live? +

Donald offers an affordable, peaceful lifestyle in a tight-knit rural community with a strong agricultural identity. It suits those looking for low housing costs, a slower pace of life, and a genuine country town atmosphere. Access to specialist services and major retail requires travel to Horsham, Bendigo, or Melbourne.

What is the postcode for Donald? +

The postcode for Donald, VIC is 3480.