Black Hill
At 2,124 residents packed into just 1.76 square kilometres, Black Hill sits immediately east of Ballarat's centre with a density of 1,209 people per km2. The median house price of $600,000 is well below the national average for metropolitan areas, yet the suburb grew 111.6% in price since 2013, a compound annual rate of 5.5% over 14 years. University qualifications reach 37.5% of residents, which is 7.4 percentage points above the national figure, pointing to a professionally oriented base that earns above its postcode's reputation. Housing costs stay manageable: mortgage repayments absorb 21.9% of income and rent takes 19.7%, both below the 30% stress threshold.
Population
2,124
Median Age
40.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,471/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
3
Median House
$600K
Apr-Jun 2024
The $600,000 median house price in April-June 2024 sits below the peak of $670,000 recorded in April-June 2023, a 10.4% pullback that gives buyers some relief compared to those who purchased at the top. Separate houses dominate at 84.2% of dwellings, with semi-detached homes filling most of the remaining 15.8%, so the stock is overwhelmingly traditional detached. Three-bedroom homes are the modal type at 51.7%, while 4-plus bedroom properties account for 22.3%, offering good family options. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,393, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.9%, meaningfully lower than the 30% stress threshold. Prices have roughly doubled since 2013 from $283,500, making the long-run appreciation case clear even if the recent peak-to-current dip of 10.4% calls for patience.
For Buyers
The $600,000 median house price in April-June 2024 sits below the peak of $670,000 recorded in April-June 2023, a 10.4% pullback that gives buyers some relief compared to those who purchased at the top. Separate houses dominate at 84.2% of dwellings, with semi-detached homes filling most of the remaining 15.8%, so the stock is overwhelmingly traditional detached. Three-bedroom homes are the modal type at 51.7%, while 4-plus bedroom properties account for 22.3%, offering good family options. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,393, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.9%, meaningfully lower than the 30% stress threshold. Prices have roughly doubled since 2013 from $283,500, making the long-run appreciation case clear even if the recent peak-to-current dip of 10.4% calls for patience.
For Investors
Renters make up 35.8% of the population, giving landlords a steady tenant pool in a suburb where the weekly rent of $290 reflects the Ballarat regional market rather than metro pricing. Against the $600,000 median, that implies a gross yield around 2.5%, modest but higher than most capital-city equivalents. The vacancy rate of 7.4% is elevated and warrants attention because it suggests current supply slightly outpaces demand. Development activity is low, with only 3 applications lodged in the past 12 months, all subdivision or heritage permits, so no large new supply wave is coming to compress rents. Price growth since 2013 at a 5.5% compound annual rate over 14 years is the stronger investment argument compared to yield alone.
Development Activity
Total DAs
5
Last 12 Months
3
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+200.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 40 matches the national figure exactly, giving Black Hill a broadly balanced age profile. University qualifications at 37.5% run 7.4 percentage points above the national average, which explains the concentration of Professionals (287 workers) and Managers (118) in the local workforce. Overseas-born residents make up 13.5%, which is 8.1 percentage points below the national rate, reflecting the suburb's Anglo-Celtic character: English ancestry leads at 951 residents, followed by Irish (386) and Scottish (268). Average household size of 2.2 is 0.3 below the national figure, consistent with the couples-without-children pattern at 29.6% of families. The volunteering rate of 15.9% points to a civically engaged population.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
84.2%
Houses
15.8%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Black Hill's tenure split reveals a community evenly spread across ownership stages: 33.2% own outright, 31.1% carry a mortgage and 35.8% rent. That the renter share is the largest single group is unusual for a suburb with an 84.2% detached house rate, suggesting some investor-held stock. Prices climbed from a trough of $283,500 in 2013 to a peak of $670,000 in April-June 2023 before retreating 10.4% to $600,000. The 14-year compound annual growth rate of 5.5% outperforms most savings benchmarks. Bedroom composition shows 3-bedroom homes dominant at 51.7%, with 4-plus at 22.3% and 2-bedroom at 20.8%. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.9% and rent-to-income ratio of 19.7% both sit comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, unlike many larger city suburbs.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,393
Rent / wk
$290
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$805
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.4%
Unoccupied
69
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.9%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
29.6%
Couples, no children
1,457
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employment sector at 22.2% (164 workers), followed by Education at 18.2% (134), a pairing typical of regional cities built around a university and public hospital catchment. Professional and Technical services account for 9.5% (70 workers) and Public Administration for 8.9% (66), giving the local economy a strong public-sector foundation. By occupation, Professionals lead at 287 workers, ahead of Clerical and Administrative staff (143) and Community and Personal Service workers (123). Unemployment stands at 4.6% and the full-time employment rate is 60.3%, with 377 part-time workers suggesting many residents balance part-time arrangements alongside study or caregiving. The household income percentile of 45.5 nationally reflects mid-range earnings consistent with regional healthcare and education wages.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
60.3%
Part-time
35.1%
Participation
56.6%
Employed
950
Occupations
Top Industries
University
37.5%
Postgraduate
11.2%
Born Overseas
13.5%
Dwellings
863
Transport to Work
The transport profile is car-dependent: 88.0% commute as drivers, compared to just 1.8% using public transport. Walking and cycling account for 4.6%, which is notable for a suburb of this density at 1,209 residents per km2. No schools are recorded within the Black Hill boundary, so families rely on nearby Ballarat institutions. The crime rate stands at 49.0 incidents per 1,000 residents, with 104 total offences, of which 62 are property and deception offences. Housing affordability is a genuine livability strength: the mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.9% and rent-to-income of 19.7% are both well below the national stress threshold. The volunteering rate of 15.9% and the 78.2% share of residents who stayed in the suburb over the reference year signal a stable, rooted community.
Drive
88.0%
Public Transport
1.8%
Walk / Cycle
4.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
104
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
49.0
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 Black Hill compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Black Hill a good suburb to live in?
Black Hill suits professionals and families who want affordable Ballarat living close to the city centre. Housing costs are contained, with mortgage repayments at 21.9% of income and rent at 19.7%, both well below the 30% stress threshold. University qualifications reach 37.5% of residents, 7.4 points above national, and the volunteering rate of 15.9% reflects a stable community. The main limitation is car dependency, with 88.0% of residents commuting by car.
What is the median house price in Black Hill?
The median house price is $600,000 as at April-June 2024, down 10.4% from the peak of $670,000 in April-June 2023. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,393 and weekly rent is $290. Prices have grown 111.6% since 2013, from a trough of $283,500, at a compound annual rate of 5.5% over 14 years.
What schools are in Black Hill?
No schools are recorded within the Black Hill boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in adjacent Ballarat suburbs. Despite this, the suburb has a highly educated population, with 37.5% holding university qualifications, which is 7.4 percentage points above the national figure, suggesting strong school networks in the broader area.
Is Black Hill safe?
Black Hill recorded 104 offences in the most recent year, giving a crime rate of 49.0 per 1,000 residents. Property and deception offences account for 62 of those incidents, which is the most common category. Crimes against the person numbered 17. The housing stress indicators are low, with mortgage costs at 21.9% and rent at 19.7% of income, both factors associated with more stable communities.
Is Black Hill good for property investment?
The 35.8% renter share gives landlords a broad tenant pool, and weekly rent of $290 implies a gross yield around 2.5% against the $600,000 median. Prices grew at a 5.5% compound annual rate over 14 years, doubling since 2013. The 7.4% vacancy rate is elevated and worth monitoring. Only 3 development applications were lodged in 12 months, limiting new supply risk.
How is Black Hill's population changing?
Black Hill has a population of 2,124 residents across 1.76 square kilometres, giving a density of 1,209 people per km2. The resident stability rate is 78.2%, meaning most people stay year to year. Average household size is 2.2, slightly below the national figure of 2.5, consistent with an aging base where couples without children make up 29.6% of families.
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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