Ascot
At a median age of 35, Ascot (3551) residents skew 5 years younger than the national figure, yet the suburb carries a SEIFA disadvantage rating of decile 2 on both IRSD and IRSAD, placing it in the bottom 20% nationally for socioeconomic advantage. Household incomes sit at the 71.4th percentile, a middle-income profile that explains why mortgage-to-income and rent-to-income both land at 18.3%, well below stress levels. The overwhelming character here is detached housing: 98.9% of dwellings are separate houses, and nearly 60% have 4 or more bedrooms, reflecting large family households averaging 2.8 persons. These two facts together point to a family-oriented suburb with affordable land but service and employment limitations compared to higher-ranked areas.
Population
2,571
Median Age
35.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,913/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
3
No median sale price is recorded for Ascot 3551, but affordability signals are clear. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,517, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 18.3%, well below the 30% stress threshold and lower than most suburban Melbourne benchmarks. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 98.9%, with 59.8% of dwellings having 4 or more bedrooms and 37.6% having 3, so buyers here are choosing from a large-format, family-scale inventory. Outright owners make up 35.3% and mortgage holders 48.1%, indicating most current residents have active debt rather than inherited free-and-clear stock. The low renter share of 16.6% suggests limited investor activity and predominantly owner-occupier demand, which can mean less speculative price pressure than higher-yield suburbs.
For Buyers
No median sale price is recorded for Ascot 3551, but affordability signals are clear. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,517, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 18.3%, well below the 30% stress threshold and lower than most suburban Melbourne benchmarks. The stock is almost entirely separate houses at 98.9%, with 59.8% of dwellings having 4 or more bedrooms and 37.6% having 3, so buyers here are choosing from a large-format, family-scale inventory. Outright owners make up 35.3% and mortgage holders 48.1%, indicating most current residents have active debt rather than inherited free-and-clear stock. The low renter share of 16.6% suggests limited investor activity and predominantly owner-occupier demand, which can mean less speculative price pressure than higher-yield suburbs.
For Investors
With a renter share of 16.6% and weekly rent of $350, Ascot has a thin rental market relative to comparable suburban areas. The vacancy rate of 3.7% is elevated, meaning landlords face above-average periods between tenants. On the demand side, net overseas migration averages 94 residents a year and net internal migration adds 34, together driving annual population growth of 1.19%, which is steady. The gentrification score of 22 with a stage of early signs indicates emerging but unconfirmed upward momentum, supported by rent growth of 14.7% over the measured period. Development activity is low at 3 applications in 12 months, all residential, which limits new supply. The combination of low rent yield and above-average vacancy makes Ascot more suitable for long-term capital growth strategies than immediate yield-focused investment.
Development Activity
Total DAs
3
Last 12 Months
3
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
Ascot's median age of 35 is 5 years below the national figure, placing it among younger-skewing suburbs. The overseas-born population at 9.4% runs 12.2 percentage points below the national average, and ancestry is heavily Anglo-Celtic: English (1,118), Irish (339), and Scottish (256) are the top three groups. University qualifications reach 26.4%, which is 3.7 points below national, consistent with a trades and services workforce. Average household size is 2.8, which is 0.3 above national, and 47.6% of families are couples with children, the dominant household type. The turnover rate of 18.8% indicates roughly 1 in 5 residents moved in the past 5 years, while 81.2% stayed put, reflecting a fairly settled community.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
98.9%
Houses
1.1%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
The housing stock in Ascot is almost entirely detached houses at 98.9%, with 1.1% semi-detached and negligible apartments, a composition far above state averages. By bedroom count, 59.8% of dwellings have 4 or more bedrooms and 37.6% have 3, showing a consistent preference for large family homes. Tenure splits into 35.3% owning outright, 48.1% with a mortgage, and just 16.6% renting, a lower renter share than the state average. Mortgage-to-income sits at 18.3% and rent-to-income at 18.3%, both comfortably below stress levels, suggesting housing costs are proportionate to the 71.4th percentile income profile. No median price is available for this period, but the affordability trend improved from 37.3% in 2011 to 33.1% in 2021, indicating housing costs grew more slowly than incomes over the decade.
Mortgage / mo
$1,517
Rent / wk
$350
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$839
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
3.7%
Unoccupied
34
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
26.0%
Couples, no children
2,211
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates Ascot's employment base at 23.8% of local workers (196 people), nearly double the second-largest sector, Education at 13.2% (109 workers). Construction follows at 9.6%, Public Administration at 8.3%, and Manufacturing at 7.4%. By occupation, Professionals lead with 247 workers but Community and Personal service workers are close behind at 183, reflecting the healthcare and education concentration. Unemployment is 3.7% and full-time employment runs at 63.1%. The SEIFA IER decile of 1 places Ascot in the bottom 10% nationally for economic resources, a notably low rating compared to the 71.4th percentile household income, likely reflecting lower asset wealth and limited superannuation balances rather than low wages.
Unemployment
7.1%
Labour Force
7,152
Unemployed
507
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.1%
Part-time
33.2%
Participation
60.1%
Employed
1,128
Occupations
Top Industries
University
26.4%
Postgraduate
4.3%
Born Overseas
9.4%
Dwellings
878
Transport to Work
Transport in Ascot is almost entirely car-dependent: 92.8% of workers drive and only 0.4% use public transport, well below state averages. This reflects limited bus or rail access, making vehicle ownership a practical necessity. No schools are recorded inside the suburb boundary, so families rely on institutions in nearby Bendigo suburbs. The crime rate of 892.5 incidents per 1,000 residents is elevated, with property and deception offences accounting for 50 of 83 total incidents, higher than typical suburban rates. The IRSAD decile of 2 places Ascot in the bottom 20% nationally for relative advantage, though housing stress is low at 18.3% mortgage-to-income. Volunteering runs at 14.2% and 4.9% of residents need daily assistance.
Drive
92.8%
Public Transport
0.4%
Walk / Cycle
1.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.19%/yr
(+77 people/yr)
EstablishedAscot is growing at 1.19% annually, adding approximately 77 people per year. Over the past decade population rose 11.6%, and the medium forecast projects the broader area reaching around 6,745 residents by 2031. Overseas migration is the primary driver, contributing a net 94 arrivals per year, while internal migration adds 34. The gentrification score of 22 with a stage of early signs reflects accelerating residential permits compared to 2011, with population up roughly 20% since then. Rent has grown 14.7% over the tracked period and real incomes increased 5.0%. The aging trajectory signal shows the senior share rising 3.3 percentage points while young adults declined 0.5 points, consistent with families settling long-term rather than cycling through.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+94
Net Internal / yr
+34
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +20% since 2011, Accelerating: 0% → 19%
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
83
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
892.5
Offence Categories
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Ascot compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ascot a good suburb to live in?
Ascot suits families seeking large detached housing with manageable costs. Mortgage-to-income sits at 18.3%, well below stress levels, and 98.9% of dwellings are separate houses with 59.8% having 4 or more bedrooms. The main trade-offs are the IRSAD decile 2 disadvantage rating, placing it in the bottom 20% nationally, and an elevated crime rate of 892.5 incidents per 1,000 residents.
What is the median house price in Ascot?
A median house price is not recorded for Ascot 3551 in the current dataset. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,517, giving a mortgage-to-income ratio of 18.3%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Weekly rent is $350, and 98.9% of dwellings are detached houses with 59.8% having 4 or more bedrooms.
What schools are in Ascot?
No schools are recorded inside the Ascot 3551 suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring Bendigo suburbs. Locally, 26.4% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 3.7 percentage points below the national figure, consistent with a trades and healthcare workforce.
Is Ascot safe?
The crime rate is 892.5 incidents per 1,000 residents, elevated compared to suburban norms. Of 83 total incidents, 50 are property and deception offences and 11 are crimes against the person. The IRSAD decile of 2 places Ascot in the bottom 20% nationally for socioeconomic advantage, which correlates with higher crime risk compared to more advantaged suburbs.
Is Ascot good for property investment?
Ascot has a thin rental market: only 16.6% of residents rent, weekly rent is $350 and the vacancy rate of 3.7% is above typical levels. Population is growing at 1.19% annually, driven by net overseas migration of 94 per year, and rent has grown 14.7% over the tracked period. Low development activity of 3 applications in 12 months limits new supply pressure, which supports longer-term capital growth.
How is Ascot's population changing?
Population is growing at 1.19% annually, adding around 77 people per year, with a 10-year rise of 11.6%. Overseas migration is the primary driver at a net 94 arrivals per year, supplemented by 34 internal migrants annually. Medium forecasts project the broader area reaching approximately 6,745 residents by 2031, with the suburb showing early signs of gentrification.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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