VIC 3451 Census 2021 + Live DA Data

Campbells Creek

Scoring decile 10 on three of four SEIFA indexes, Campbells Creek sits among the most advantaged communities in Victoria despite a population of just 2,071. The median house price of $640,500 sits well below Melbourne's inner-ring benchmarks, yet the suburb ranks in the top advantage tier nationally for education, economic resources and disadvantage. Population has grown 42.7% over the decade, well above state and national norms, driven by net internal migration of 136 residents per year. At 24.81 km2 with only 83.5 persons per km2, this is a spacious regional community around Castlemaine where 97.7% of dwellings are separate houses.

Campbells Creek urban fabric map

Population

2,071

Median Age

44.0

Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)

$1,399/wk

DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year

6

Median House

$640K

Apr-Jun 2024

24.81 km²· 83.5 people/km²· Family income $1,697/wk

The median house price of $640,500 as of Apr-Jun 2024 reflects a 14.0% correction from the Oct-Dec 2023 peak of $745,000, giving buyers a more accessible entry point than the frenzied 2023 high. Over 14 years, prices rose 67.7% from $382,000, a compound annual growth rate of 3.8%. Separate houses dominate at 97.7% of dwellings, with 3-bedroom homes the most common at 46.7% and 4-plus bedroom homes accounting for 35.0%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,408, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.2%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, which is lower than many comparable regional VIC towns. Outright owners at 39.8% outnumber mortgage holders at 45.6%, reflecting an established, equity-rich ownership base.

For Buyers

The median house price of $640,500 as of Apr-Jun 2024 reflects a 14.0% correction from the Oct-Dec 2023 peak of $745,000, giving buyers a more accessible entry point than the frenzied 2023 high. Over 14 years, prices rose 67.7% from $382,000, a compound annual growth rate of 3.8%. Separate houses dominate at 97.7% of dwellings, with 3-bedroom homes the most common at 46.7% and 4-plus bedroom homes accounting for 35.0%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,408, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 23.2%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold, which is lower than many comparable regional VIC towns. Outright owners at 39.8% outnumber mortgage holders at 45.6%, reflecting an established, equity-rich ownership base.

For Investors

With only 14.6% of residents renting, Campbells Creek is primarily an owner-occupier suburb, meaning the rental pool is limited compared to state averages. Weekly rent of $320 against a $640,500 median implies a gross yield near 2.6%, modest but typical for low-density regional Victoria. The vacancy rate at 7.4% runs above the 3% equilibrium benchmark, signalling softer rental demand currently. However, net internal migration of 136 people per year provides a steady demand pipeline, and 6 development applications in the past 12 months indicates a slow but active planning environment. Rent grew 49.1% over the shift period, outpacing income growth of 22.0%, tightening affordability for tenants despite low absolute rents.

Development Activity

Total DAs

29

Last 12 Months

6

YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements

-25.0%

Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year

N/A

Monthly DA Lodgements

DA Categories

Subdivision
7
Other
7

Schools in Campbells Creek iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged

Campbells Creek Primary School

ICSEA 1011 Primary Government

Prep-6 · 174 students

Demographics

The median age of 44 is 4.0 years above the national figure, positioning Campbells Creek as a notably older community than the national average. Overseas-born residents account for just 12.0%, which is 9.6 percentage points below the national figure, reflecting a predominantly locally-born population. Ancestry is Anglo-Celtic: English (980), Irish (285) and Scottish (279) top the list. University qualifications reach 32.7% of residents, 2.6 percentage points above the national rate. Average household size of 2.5 matches the national figure. Couples with children make up 682 families, while 481 households are couples without children, suggesting a mixed family-lifecycle profile. The volunteering rate of 23.7% is high, consistent with the strong community engagement typical of established regional towns.

Age Distribution

0-14
19.7%
15-24
10.2%
25-44
20.6%
45-64
28.7%
65+
20.5%

Bedrooms

Studio/1br
3.1%
2 bed
15.2%
3 bed
46.7%
4+ bed
35.0%

Dwelling Structure

97.7%

Houses

2.3%

Townhouse

N/A

Apartment

Tenure

Own 39.8% Mortgage 45.6% Rent 14.6%

Campbells Creek is an almost exclusively detached-house market: 97.7% separate houses and 2.3% semi-detached, with no apartment presence in the data. The bedroom profile favours larger homes, with 3-bedroom at 46.7% and 4-plus at 35.0%, and just 15.2% in the 2-bedroom category. Tenure is stable: 39.8% own outright and 45.6% hold a mortgage, while renters at 14.6% are notably below the state average. The price summary shows a CAGR of 3.8% over 14 years, from $382,000 in 2013 to $640,500 in mid-2024. The current price is 14.0% below the Oct-Dec 2023 peak of $745,000, which may represent a normalisation from pandemic-era demand rather than structural weakness. Housing stress indicators are modest, with mortgage-to-income at 23.2% and rent-to-income at 22.9%.

Median House Price Trend

Source: State Valuer-General

Mortgage / mo

$1,408

Rent / wk

$320

HH Size

2.5

Personal Income / wk

$709

Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)

7.4%

Unoccupied

65

Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

22.9%

Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress

23.2%

Community Profile

Ancestry

English
980
Irish
285
Scottish
279
German
133
Ancestry NS
126
Other
112

Household Composition

29.1%

Couples, no children

1,652

Total families

Economy & Employment

Healthcare is the dominant industry at 22.1% of the workforce (149 workers), reflecting proximity to Castlemaine Health and the broader Mount Alexander health network. Education follows at 13.6% (92 workers), then Manufacturing at 9.6%, Public Administration at 9.3% and Construction at 8.3%. By occupation, Professionals lead at 219, followed by Community and Personal service workers at 138 and Managers at 117. The unemployment rate of 4.6% is moderate, and the full-time employment rate of 50.6% sits alongside a near-equal part-time rate of 433 workers, suggesting flexible working patterns common in regional healthcare and education sectors. The suburb scores decile 10 on IEO (education and occupation advantage), above most regional VIC benchmarks, while IRSD and IRSAD also reach decile 10, confirming low disadvantage across multiple dimensions.

Unemployment

1.7%

Labour Force

3,413

Unemployed

58

Quarterly Trend

Mar-24 Dec-25

Source: SALM Dec-25

Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)

Overall advantage
10
Disadvantage
10
Economic resources
8
Education & occupation
10

Full-time

50.6%

Part-time

44.8%

Participation

55.2%

Employed

877

Occupations

Professionals 219
Community/Personal 138
Managers 117
Labourers 99
Clerical/Admin 90
Sales 70
Machinery/Drivers 49

Top Industries

Healthcare 22.1%
Education 13.6%
Manufacturing 9.6%
Public Admin 9.3%
Construction 8.3%

University

32.7%

Postgraduate

10.0%

Born Overseas

12.0%

Dwellings

809

Transport to Work

Car dependence is high at 86.3% of commuters driving, with only 1.2% using public transport, which is below the state average and typical of regional Victoria without rail access. Walking and cycling account for 5.8%, reflecting the lower-density street environment. The suburb ranks at decile 10 on IRSAD, the top national advantage tier, with IRSD also at decile 10, indicating minimal disadvantage. The crime rate of 41.5 incidents per 1,000 residents encompasses 86 total offences, with property and deception offences the largest category at 41 incidents. A need-for-assistance rate of 5.3% (105 residents) is modest for a suburb with a median age of 44 years, above the national average for this age profile. No schools are recorded within the Campbells Creek boundary in this dataset, so families access education in nearby Castlemaine, approximately 4 km away.

Drive

86.3%

Public Transport

1.2%

Walk / Cycle

5.8%

Work from Home

N/A

Population Forecast

+2.57%/yr

(+138 people/yr)

Established

Population grew 42.7% over the decade, well above the national average for established suburbs, reaching approximately 5,365 in 2025. The primary driver is internal migration, with a net 136 residents arriving annually from other parts of Australia, complemented by 58 overseas migrants per year. Medium forecasts project growth to 6,009 by 2031 from the current 5,365, an annual pace of around 2.57%. The gentrification score of 32 signals early signs stage: migration is accelerating and rent grew 49.1% over the measurement period. The 10-year population change of 42.7% is classified as high-growth, which is unusual for a low-density regional suburb and reflects broader sea-change and tree-change trends around the Castlemaine area. Affordability remained stable at 34.5% in 2021 compared to 34.8% in 2011.

Historical + Forecast

Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025

Age Cohort Forecast

Primary Driver

Internal Migration

Net Overseas / yr

+58

Net Internal / yr

+136

32

Gentrification Signal

Early signs

Net internal migration +136/yr, Accelerating: -0% → 62%

Safety & Crime

Total Offences

86

Year ending June 2024

Rate per 1,000 People

41.5

Offence Categories

Property and deception offences
41
Crimes against the person
25
Justice procedures offences
16
Drug offences
2

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police

National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs

How Campbells Creek compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs

Population
Top 21%
Household Income
Bottom 40%
Rent Level
Top 34%
Renters
Bottom 32%
Uni Educated
Top 29%
Public Transport
Bottom 20%
Born Overseas
Bottom 40%
Density
Top 27%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Campbells Creek a good suburb to live in?

Campbells Creek ranks at decile 10 on three SEIFA indexes (IRSD, IRSAD and IEO), the top national advantage tier. The median age of 44 is 4.0 years above national and the volunteering rate is 23.7%, reflecting community stability. The main trade-off is car dependence at 86.3% and limited public transport at 1.2%.

What is the median house price in Campbells Creek?

The median house price is $640,500 as of Apr-Jun 2024, down 14.0% from the Oct-Dec 2023 peak of $745,000. Over 14 years the price has grown 67.7% from $382,000, a CAGR of 3.8%. Weekly rent averages $320 and monthly mortgage repayments are approximately $1,408.

What schools are in Campbells Creek?

No schools are recorded within the Campbells Creek boundary in this dataset. Families access schooling in nearby Castlemaine, around 4 km away. Locally, 32.7% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 2.6 percentage points above the national figure, reflecting a well-educated community.

Is Campbells Creek safe?

The crime rate is 41.5 incidents per 1,000 residents, based on 86 total offences recorded. The largest category is property and deception offences at 41 incidents, followed by crimes against the person at 25. The suburb scores decile 10 on IRSD, the top national advantage tier, consistent with low socioeconomic disadvantage.

Is Campbells Creek good for property investment?

Weekly rent of $320 against a $640,500 median implies a gross yield near 2.6%, moderate for regional VIC. The vacancy rate of 7.4% is elevated above the 3% equilibrium, but net internal migration of 136 per year supports long-term demand. Rent grew 49.1% over the measurement period, above income growth of 22.0%.

How is Campbells Creek's population changing?

Population grew 42.7% over the decade, reaching around 5,365 in 2025, well above national norms for established suburbs. Annual growth is 2.57%, adding approximately 138 persons per year. Internal migration is the primary driver at a net 136 per year, consistent with tree-change movement into the Castlemaine region.

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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