Bacchus Marsh
A crime rate of 117 per 1,000 residents, roughly 3x the Victorian average, sits uncomfortably alongside a 44% population surge over the past decade. Bacchus Marsh has grown at 2.3% annually, adding 626 people per year through internal migration (+244/yr), yet household incomes remain in the 47th percentile nationally. The housing stock is 84.5% detached, median price $633,200, and the gentrification score has reached 58, meaning the suburb is actively transitioning rather than simply expanding.
Population
7,808
Median Age
39.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,508/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
9
Median House
$633K
Apr-Jun 2024
At $633,200, the median house price is 4.8% below the 2022 peak of $665,000, which may signal a buying window before the next growth cycle. The suburb is heavily detached (84.5% separate houses) with 47.3% being 3-bedroom homes, and mortgage stress sits at 26.0% of income, well below the 30% threshold. Bacchus Marsh Grammar (ICSEA 1115, 3,826 enrolled) provides private education at a level comparable to inner-suburban schools, which is unusual for a peri-urban market. The trade-off: only 2.7% of commuters use public transport, so car dependency is effectively non-negotiable.
For Buyers
At $633,200, the median house price is 4.8% below the 2022 peak of $665,000, which may signal a buying window before the next growth cycle. The suburb is heavily detached (84.5% separate houses) with 47.3% being 3-bedroom homes, and mortgage stress sits at 26.0% of income, well below the 30% threshold. Bacchus Marsh Grammar (ICSEA 1115, 3,826 enrolled) provides private education at a level comparable to inner-suburban schools, which is unusual for a peri-urban market. The trade-off: only 2.7% of commuters use public transport, so car dependency is effectively non-negotiable.
For Investors
Vacancy at 8.7% is problematic, sitting above the 3% healthy benchmark, and rental yield is moderate at $330/week against a $633,200 median. However, the 2.3% annual population growth rate creates a structural demand tailwind that most established suburbs lack. Only 9 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, suggesting supply constraints that should eventually absorb the vacancy overhang. The gentrification score of 58 (Active stage) means the demographic composition is shifting toward higher incomes, which historically supports rent growth.
Development Activity
Total DAs
27
Last 12 Months
9
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+50.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Bacchus Marsh iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Bacchus Marsh Grammar
Prep-12 · 3826 students
St Bernard's School
Prep-6 · 328 students
Pentland Primary School
Prep-6 · 556 students
Bacchus Marsh Primary School
Prep-6 · 776 students
Bacchus Marsh College
7-12 · 987 students
Demographics
The median age of 39 sits 1 year below the national median, and the population is predominantly Anglo-heritage (English 3,064, Irish 1,093, Scottish 952). University attainment at 27.0% is 3.1 percentage points below the national average, reflecting the suburb's blue-collar and trade-oriented workforce. Punjabi (99 speakers) is the most common non-English language, though only 16.6% of residents were born overseas, well below the national 21.6%. Household size averages 2.3 people, smaller than the national 2.5, partly because 30% of families are couples without children.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
84.5%
Houses
12.5%
Townhouse
2.0%
Apartment
Tenure
Prices have compounded at 4.6% annually over 14 years, rising from $335,500 in 2013 to $633,200. The ownership structure leans toward mortgaged (39.2%) and outright owners (33.8%), with renters at 27.0%. Three-bedroom stock dominates at 47.3%, while 4+ bedroom homes make up 33.8%, reflecting the family-oriented housing built during the growth phase. Mortgage repayments of $1,700/month consume 26.0% of household income, which is lower than the national stress threshold. The 88.7% total price growth since 2013 outpaces CPI but trails Melbourne's inner ring.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,700
Rent / wk
$330
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$771
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.7%
Unoccupied
300
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
26.0%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
30.0%
Couples, no children
6,042
Total families
Economy & Employment
Construction (14.3%), healthcare (13.9%), and education (13.6%) dominate local employment, a mix typical of growing outer suburbs where residential building activity directly feeds local jobs. Professionals are the largest occupation group (636), but clerical/admin (498) and community/personal services (424) are close behind, indicating a service-economy base rather than a knowledge-economy one. Unemployment at 4.8% is near the state average. The SEIFA advantage/disadvantage score sits at decile 5, placing Bacchus Marsh precisely at the national midpoint, neither advantaged nor disadvantaged.
Unemployment
2.0%
Labour Force
3,721
Unemployed
74
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
66.5%
Part-time
28.7%
Participation
53.3%
Employed
3,225
Occupations
Top Industries
University
27.0%
Postgraduate
6.3%
Born Overseas
16.6%
Dwellings
3,146
Transport to Work
Five schools serve the suburb, topped by Bacchus Marsh Grammar (ICSEA 1115, Combined, Independent) enrolling 3,826 students. Government options include Bacchus Marsh Primary (ICSEA 1008, 776 enrolled) and Bacchus Marsh College (ICSEA 966, 987 enrolled). Public transport usage at 2.7% is minimal, with 87.4% driving to work. The crime rate of 117.1 per 1,000 is elevated, with property and deception offences accounting for 404 of 914 total incidents. SEIFA decile 5 means the socio-economic profile is average nationally, though the IER (economic resources) decile of 7 suggests moderate material comfort.
Drive
87.4%
Public Transport
2.7%
Walk / Cycle
4.1%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+2.3%/yr
(+626 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation is projected to reach 30,897 by 2031, up from 27,182 in 2025, driven by internal migration averaging +244 people annually. The suburb is on an aging trajectory with the senior share rising 3.8 percentage points over the decade, but continued inflows of younger families partially offset this. Affordability has held stable with mortgage-to-income ratios barely moving from 40.5% to 41.3% over 10 years, unusual for a suburb with this level of price growth. Real income grew 19.5% over the decade, faster than the national average, suggesting the demographic shift is pulling incomes upward.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Internal Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+102
Net Internal / yr
+244
Gentrification Signal
Active
Population +55% since 2011, Net internal migration +244/yr, Accelerating: 20% → 30%
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
914
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
117.1
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 Bacchus Marsh compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bacchus Marsh a good suburb to live in?
For families seeking detached housing under $650,000 within commuting distance of Melbourne, it delivers strong value. The 5 local schools, $633,200 median price, and 84.5% house stock make it family-friendly. The trade-off is car dependency (87.4% drive) and an above-average crime rate of 117 per 1,000 residents.
What is the median house price in Bacchus Marsh?
The median house price is $633,200 as of mid-2024, down 4.8% from the 2022 peak of $665,000. Over 14 years, prices have grown at a 4.6% compound annual rate from $335,500 in 2013, representing 88.7% total growth.
What schools are in Bacchus Marsh?
Bacchus Marsh Grammar (Independent, Combined, ICSEA 1115, 3,826 students) is the standout. Government options include Pentland Primary (ICSEA 1009, 556 enrolled), Bacchus Marsh Primary (ICSEA 1008, 776 enrolled), and Bacchus Marsh College secondary (ICSEA 966, 987 enrolled). St Bernard's (Catholic, ICSEA 1035) is also available.
Is Bacchus Marsh safe?
The crime rate of 117.1 per 1,000 residents is higher than the Victorian state average. Property and deception offences account for 44% of all incidents (404 of 914 total). Crimes against the person numbered 151, roughly 19 per 1,000 residents.
Is Bacchus Marsh good for property investment?
Population growth of 2.3% annually and a gentrification score of 58 (Active) are positive signals, but the 8.7% vacancy rate is a concern. Weekly rent of $330 against a $633,200 median gives a gross yield around 2.7%, below the 3%+ threshold many investors target. The supply-constrained pipeline (9 DAs in 12 months) may tighten vacancies over time.
How is Bacchus Marsh's population changing?
Population grew 44.1% over the past decade and is forecast to reach 30,897 by 2031 (from 27,182 in 2025). Internal migration adds 244 people annually, with overseas arrivals contributing another 102. The suburb is aging, with the senior share up 3.8 percentage points, but continued family inflows keep the median age at 39.
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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