Canadian
At a median house price of $505,000 with 86.2% of stock as separate houses, Canadian offers one of the more affordable detached-home markets within the Ballarat ring. The population of 4,098 sits at a median age of 37, three years below the national figure, and 34.2% hold university qualifications, which is 4.1 points above national. Household income lands at the 43.6th percentile nationally, placing the suburb in the lower-middle income band. The dominant occupations, Professionals at 447 and Community/Personal workers at 309, reflect the nearby healthcare and education corridors. Rents rose 34.1% over the decade while affordability has gradually improved, a combination that points to modest but durable local demand.
Population
4,098
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,438/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
17
Median House
$505K
Apr-Jun 2024
The median house price of $505,000 as of Apr-Jun 2024 sits well below the broader VIC state median, making Canadian accessible for first-home buyers seeking a separate-house purchase. The price peaked at $597,000 in Oct-Dec 2023, so buyers today are entering at 15.4% below that peak, though long-run growth since 2013 is 56.6% (3.3% CAGR over 14 years). Separate houses make up 86.2% of stock, with three-bedroom homes the most common at 48.2% and four-plus bedroom homes at 30.4%, suiting families. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,387, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.3%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners (28.3%) and mortgage holders (36.4%) together reflect a reasonably stable owner base.
For Buyers
The median house price of $505,000 as of Apr-Jun 2024 sits well below the broader VIC state median, making Canadian accessible for first-home buyers seeking a separate-house purchase. The price peaked at $597,000 in Oct-Dec 2023, so buyers today are entering at 15.4% below that peak, though long-run growth since 2013 is 56.6% (3.3% CAGR over 14 years). Separate houses make up 86.2% of stock, with three-bedroom homes the most common at 48.2% and four-plus bedroom homes at 30.4%, suiting families. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,387, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 22.3%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners (28.3%) and mortgage holders (36.4%) together reflect a reasonably stable owner base.
For Investors
With 35.3% of residents renting and a weekly rent of $300, Canadian has a solid renter pool, though yields must be read against the $505,000 median. Rents climbed 34.1% over the decade, indicating genuine demand growth rather than stagnation. The vacancy rate of 7.0% is elevated compared to a healthy market norm, suggesting some oversupply in the rental segment that could weigh on near-term rent growth. Development activity is low at 16 applications in the past 12 months, limiting new supply competition. Net overseas migration averages 113 people per year while internal migration runs at negative 66, so population growth is real but depends on international arrivals. Annual price growth of 3.3% CAGR since 2013 is steady rather than speculative.
Development Activity
Total DAs
27
Last 12 Months
17
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
The median age of 37 is 3.0 years below the national figure, and the working-age cohort is stable with no shift over the decade, though the senior share rose 6.0 points, signalling a gradual aging trajectory. Overseas-born residents account for 13.7% of the population, which is 7.9 points below the national average, and the community is predominantly Anglo-Celtic in ancestry, led by English (1,653), Irish (619) and Scottish (487). University qualifications reach 34.2%, which is 4.1 points above national, reflecting the professional and healthcare workforce concentration. Average household size is 2.4, marginally below national. The household composition includes 1,184 couples with children and 835 couples without children, with no recorded one-parent families in the dataset.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
86.2%
Houses
12.9%
Townhouse
1.0%
Apartment
Tenure
The price history runs from $297,000 at the 2014 trough to a $597,000 peak in Oct-Dec 2023, then corrected to $505,000 by Apr-Jun 2024, a 15.4% retreat from peak. Over the full 14-year period from 2013, prices rose 56.6%, a 3.3% annual compound rate, which is moderate compared to metro markets. Tenure is balanced: 28.3% own outright, 36.4% carry a mortgage and 35.3% rent. The stock is overwhelmingly detached houses at 86.2%, with semi-detached at 12.9% and apartments at just 1.0%. Three-bedroom homes make up 48.2% of dwellings and four-plus at 30.4%, so the suburb skews toward family-size properties. Rent-to-income at 20.9% is below the 30% stress threshold, meaning current renters are not under financial pressure.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,387
Rent / wk
$300
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$749
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.0%
Unoccupied
119
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
20.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.3%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
28.0%
Couples, no children
2,977
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates local employment at 23.0% of workers (314 people), followed by Education at 15.2% (207) and Construction at 8.2% (112). Public Admin and Professional/Tech each contribute around 7-8%, reflecting Ballarat's government and services base. By occupation, Professionals account for 447 workers and Community/Personal service roles for 309, together making up the majority of the employed workforce. The unemployment rate is 5.8%, above the typical low-unemployment benchmark, and the participation rate of 58.6% is modest, partly because 1,062 residents are not in the labour force. The SEIFA IRSD decile of 4 and IRSAD decile of 4 place Canadian below the national median on relative disadvantage and advantage combined, consistent with the household income sitting at the 43.6th percentile. Real income grew 17.3% over the decade.
Unemployment
4.3%
Labour Force
6,876
Unemployed
293
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
61.6%
Part-time
32.6%
Participation
58.6%
Employed
1,861
Occupations
Top Industries
University
34.2%
Postgraduate
9.4%
Born Overseas
13.7%
Dwellings
1,576
Transport to Work
Car dependency is very high: 89.4% of residents drive to work and only 1.9% use public transport, which reflects the suburban and semi-rural character of the 7.79 km2 area at 525.9 people per km2. The crime rate of 41.0 incidents per 1,000 residents is moderate, with the largest category being property and deception offences (91 incidents) rather than crimes against the person (49 incidents). No schools are recorded within Canadian's boundary in the dataset, so families draw on schools in neighbouring parts of the Ballarat LGA. The IRSAD decile of 4 places the suburb below the national median for socio-economic advantage, and 7.9% of residents (304 people) need daily assistance, a figure to weigh for service planning. The volunteering rate of 15.9% suggests moderate community engagement relative to peers.
Drive
89.4%
Public Transport
1.9%
Walk / Cycle
2.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.15%/yr
(+144 people/yr)
EstablishedAnnual population growth runs at 1.15%, adding around 144 people per year, and the medium forecast projects the broader SA2 population reaching 13,566 by 2031 from 12,518 in 2025. The 10-year population change of 17.4% is well above the national average for established suburbs. Net overseas migration of 113 people per year is the primary driver, partially offset by a net internal outflow of 66 people, suggesting the suburb retains long-term appeal for new arrivals but loses some locals to other regions. The gentrification score of 6 and stage of Not Gentrifying indicates the suburb has not undergone the rapid uplift seen in more transitional markets. Affordability improved from 43.3% of income in 2011 to 40.2% in 2021, a steady trend that supports owner-occupier demand.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+113
Net Internal / yr
-66
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +18% since 2011
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
168
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
41.0
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 Canadian compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Canadian a good suburb to live in?
Canadian suits buyers and families seeking affordable separate-house stock close to Ballarat. The median house price of $505,000 is well below metro medians, mortgage-to-income sits at 22.3% (below the 30% stress threshold), and 34.2% of residents hold university qualifications. The main trade-off is high car dependency, with 89.4% driving to work and only 1.9% using public transport.
What is the median house price in Canadian?
The median house price is $505,000 as of Apr-Jun 2024, down 15.4% from the Oct-Dec 2023 peak of $597,000. Long-run growth since 2013 is 56.6% at a 3.3% CAGR over 14 years. Weekly rent averages $300 and monthly mortgage repayments are approximately $1,387.
What schools are in Canadian?
No schools are recorded within Canadian's boundary in the dataset. Families in the suburb rely on schools in neighbouring Ballarat suburbs. The adult population has a university qualification rate of 34.2%, which is 4.1 points above the national figure, reflecting the nearby higher education and healthcare employment base.
Is Canadian safe?
Canadian recorded 168 crimes in the most recent year, giving a rate of 41.0 incidents per 1,000 residents. The largest category was property and deception offences at 91 incidents, followed by crimes against the person at 49. Drug offences were low at 3. The IRSD decile of 4 places the suburb in the lower-middle band nationally.
Is Canadian good for property investment?
The 35.3% renter share and $300 weekly rent provide a tenant base, and rent grew 34.1% over the decade. However, the vacancy rate of 7.0% is elevated above healthy market norms, which may limit near-term rent increases. Annual capital growth is 3.3% CAGR since 2013, steady rather than speculative. Net overseas migration of 113 people per year supports longer-term demand.
How is Canadian's population changing?
The suburb grows at 1.15% annually, adding around 144 people per year. The 10-year population change is 17.4%, above average for an established suburb. Overseas migration drives growth at 113 net arrivals per year, partially offset by an internal outflow of 66. Medium forecasts project the broader SA2 reaching 13,566 by 2031 from 12,518 in 2025.
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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