Healesville
Median house prices peaked at $860,000 in mid-2023 then fell 11.0% to $765,000, a correction steeper than most Yarra Ranges suburbs. The median age of 46 is 6 years above national, and the senior share grew by 7.1 percentage points over the decade, the sharpest aging signal in this group. Yet household incomes sit at the 46th percentile, well below what you would expect for an $765,000 median. That mismatch, along with a 27.2% mortgage-to-income ratio approaching stress territory, explains why the market corrected: prices overshot what local incomes can service.
Population
7,589
Median Age
46.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,472/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
5
Median House
$765K
Apr-Jun 2024
The $765,000 median sits 11.0% below the $860,000 peak (Apr-Jun 2023), a decline that has created a wider entry window. Over 14 years from $385,500, the CAGR of 5.0% is solid but not spectacular compared to Melbourne metro averages. Separate houses dominate at 89.6%, with 49.2% being 3-bedroom, the most common configuration. Mortgage repayments of $1,733/month produce a 27.2% mortgage-to-income ratio, higher than the national median. Four schools serve the suburb: St Brigid's (Catholic, ICSEA 1,029, 274 students), Badger Creek Primary (Government, ICSEA 1,006, 233), Healesville Primary (Government, ICSEA 974, 222) and Healesville High School (Government, ICSEA 964, 310).
For Buyers
The $765,000 median sits 11.0% below the $860,000 peak (Apr-Jun 2023), a decline that has created a wider entry window. Over 14 years from $385,500, the CAGR of 5.0% is solid but not spectacular compared to Melbourne metro averages. Separate houses dominate at 89.6%, with 49.2% being 3-bedroom, the most common configuration. Mortgage repayments of $1,733/month produce a 27.2% mortgage-to-income ratio, higher than the national median. Four schools serve the suburb: St Brigid's (Catholic, ICSEA 1,029, 274 students), Badger Creek Primary (Government, ICSEA 1,006, 233), Healesville Primary (Government, ICSEA 974, 222) and Healesville High School (Government, ICSEA 964, 310).
For Investors
Only 17.7% of residents rent, limiting the tenant pool compared to metro suburbs where rental shares typically exceed 30%. Weekly rent of $350 against $765,000 gives a gross yield of 2.4%, below the 3.5% benchmark for regional Victoria. The 8.9% vacancy rate is notably high and signals oversupply risk. Development activity at just 5 DAs in 12 months confirms very low new supply. Population growth at 0.45% per year (64 persons) is slow. Internal migration runs at -86 per year (net outflow), with overseas migration adding only 60, suggesting the suburb is losing more residents domestically than it gains internationally.
Development Activity
Total DAs
18
Last 12 Months
5
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
Schools in Healesville iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Brigid's School
Prep-6 · 274 students
Badger Creek Primary School
Prep-6 · 233 students
Healesville Primary School
Prep-6 · 222 students
Healesville High School
7-12 · 310 students
Demographics
At 46, the median age is 6 years above the national figure. The 7.1-point increase in senior share over the decade is among the steepest aging trajectories in regional Victoria. Overseas-born at 15.9% is 5.7 points below national, and the ancestry profile is heavily Anglo-Celtic: English (3,493), Irish (1,037), Scottish (977). German (28) and Italian (22) are the only notable non-English language groups. University qualifications at 26.6% are 3.5 points below the national average. Couples without children (31.4%) outnumber couples with children (37.9%), and 8.2% need assistance, higher than the national rate.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
89.6%
Houses
10.0%
Townhouse
0.4%
Apartment
Tenure
Outright owners (41.3%) and mortgage holders (41.0%) together account for 82.3% of tenure, higher than the metro average. The stock is 89.6% separate houses with virtually no apartments (0.4%). Three-bedroom homes dominate at 49.2%, with 4+ bedrooms at 29.2%. Prices grew from $385,500 in 2013 to $765,000 (CAGR 5.0%), peaking at $860,000 before the 11.0% correction. The 85.4% residential stability rate (stayed at same address) is high, consistent with an established older community. Mortgage-to-income at 27.2% is above the national median but below the 30% stress threshold. Rent-to-income at 23.8% is comfortable.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,733
Rent / wk
$350
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$707
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
8.9%
Unoccupied
283
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.8%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
31.4%
Couples, no children
5,781
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads at 15.5% (362 workers), followed by Construction at 14.4% (336), Education at 11.5% (267), Manufacturing at 9.4% (220) and Professional/Tech at 6.8% (158). Construction's strong showing at 14.4% is higher than most suburbs and likely reflects the semi-rural building activity across the Yarra Ranges. Professionals (637) and Managers (490) lead occupations, but Labourers (379) rank 5th, above the national norm. Unemployment at 3.8% is low, though the 52.2% participation rate is below average, partly driven by the older demographic. SEIFA places the suburb at IRSAD decile 5, squarely in the middle nationally.
Unemployment
4.3%
Labour Force
7,450
Unemployed
321
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.3%
Part-time
38.9%
Participation
52.2%
Employed
3,183
Occupations
Top Industries
University
26.6%
Postgraduate
5.8%
Born Overseas
15.9%
Dwellings
2,879
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high at 88.7%, with public transport at 0.5% reflecting limited bus services. Walking/cycling at 5.6% is above average for a regional town, consistent with the township form. Four schools cover primary through secondary: St Brigid's (ICSEA 1,029), Badger Creek Primary (1,006), Healesville Primary (974) and Healesville High (964). ICSEA scores range from above to below benchmark, giving families a choice of tiers. The crime rate of 55.5 per 1,000 residents is moderate, with property offences (238) comprising the majority. IRSAD decile 5 places livability squarely at the national midpoint.
Drive
88.7%
Public Transport
0.5%
Walk / Cycle
5.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.45%/yr
(+64 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth at 0.45% per year (64 persons) is well below the Victorian average. The ERP grew from 14,000 in 2024 to 14,116 in 2025, marginal movement. Medium forecasts project 14,722 by 2031. The aging trajectory is the defining shift: the senior share rose 7.1 points while the young share fell 2.7 points over the decade. Real income grew 13.9%, below inflation-adjusted norms for comparable areas. Population change of 9.6% over 10 years is less than half the state average. Internal migration at -86 per year means the suburb is a net exporter of residents domestically, relying on overseas migration (+60) for any net gain.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+60
Net Internal / yr
-86
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
421
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
55.5
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 Healesville compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Healesville a good suburb to live in?
Healesville suits buyers seeking a semi-rural lifestyle with 89.6% detached housing and low density (54 per km2). IRSAD decile 5 is at the national midpoint. The crime rate of 55.5 per 1,000 is moderate. The median age of 46 is 6 years above national, and the 85.4% residential stability rate indicates an established, settled community.
What is the median house price in Healesville?
The median is $765,000 (Apr-Jun 2024), down 11.0% from the $860,000 peak in mid-2023. Over 14 years from $385,500, the CAGR is 5.0%. Monthly mortgage repayments of $1,733 produce a 27.2% mortgage-to-income ratio, approaching but not breaching the 30% stress threshold.
What schools are in Healesville?
Four schools operate in the suburb: St Brigid's (Catholic, ICSEA 1,029, 274 students), Badger Creek Primary (Government, ICSEA 1,006, 233 students), Healesville Primary (Government, ICSEA 974, 222 students) and Healesville High School (Government, ICSEA 964, 310 students).
Is Healesville safe?
The crime rate is 55.5 per 1,000 residents, with 421 total offences. Property and deception offences (238) account for 56.5% of crime, followed by crimes against the person (81) and justice procedures offences (71). This rate is moderate compared to the Victorian median.
Is Healesville good for property investment?
Gross yield is 2.4% ($350/week rent on $765,000 median), below the 3.5% regional benchmark. Only 17.7% rent and vacancy at 8.9% is high. Capital growth CAGR of 5.0% over 14 years is reasonable, but the 11.0% decline from peak suggests the correction may not be finished. Just 5 DAs in 12 months means minimal new supply pressure.
How is Healesville's population changing?
Growth is slow at 0.45% per year (64 persons), with medium forecasts projecting 14,722 by 2031. The senior share rose 7.1 points over the decade while the young share fell 2.7 points. Net internal migration is -86 per year (outflow), partially offset by +60 from overseas. The 10-year population change of 9.6% is below the state average.
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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