Huntly
With a median age of 32, Huntly sits 8 years below the national average, giving it one of the youngest resident bases in regional Victoria. The suburb combines high household income at the 70th percentile nationally with a $577,500 median house price that remains far more accessible than Melbourne metro. SEIFA scores tell a two-part story: IRSD and IRSAD both rank decile 9, placing Huntly among the least disadvantaged 10% of Australian suburbs, while the IER score sits at decile 5, reflecting modest housing wealth rather than deprivation. All 100% of dwellings are detached houses across a 43.78 km2 area, and 59.4% have 4 or more bedrooms, pointing to a family-oriented, owner-occupier suburb with space to grow.
Population
3,585
Median Age
32.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,882/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
52
Median House
$578K
Apr-Jun 2024
The $577,500 median house price as of April-June 2024 represents a 71.1% rise from $337,500 in 2013, a 3.9% compound annual growth rate over 14 years. The market peaked at $586,500 in April-June 2023 and is now 1.5% below that peak, suggesting near-peak entry rather than a bubble correction. Every dwelling in the suburb is a separate house, and 59.4% have 4 or more bedrooms, with only 0.5% at one bedroom or smaller. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,517 against a household income at the 70th percentile nationally, placing the mortgage-to-income ratio at 18.6%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Affordability improved from 48.3% in 2011 to 38.6% in 2021, meaning buyers capture better value today than a decade ago compared to the state average.
For Buyers
The $577,500 median house price as of April-June 2024 represents a 71.1% rise from $337,500 in 2013, a 3.9% compound annual growth rate over 14 years. The market peaked at $586,500 in April-June 2023 and is now 1.5% below that peak, suggesting near-peak entry rather than a bubble correction. Every dwelling in the suburb is a separate house, and 59.4% have 4 or more bedrooms, with only 0.5% at one bedroom or smaller. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,517 against a household income at the 70th percentile nationally, placing the mortgage-to-income ratio at 18.6%, well below the 30% stress threshold. Affordability improved from 48.3% in 2011 to 38.6% in 2021, meaning buyers capture better value today than a decade ago compared to the state average.
For Investors
Huntly's rental market is compact but stable: 21.4% of residents rent at a median of $360 per week, producing a gross yield near 3.2% against the $577,500 median. The vacancy rate of 4.8% is elevated compared to the national norm, suggesting modest supply pressure, so investors should confirm demand before committing. Development activity is brisk, with 50 applications lodged in the past 12 months including several subdivision permits creating new lots, which will add supply over time. Population growth is running at 0.87% per year, adding roughly 132 residents annually, and overseas migration drives net inflows of 620 per year to the broader area. Rent grew 22.2% over the period, faster than wages, which supports the investment case for yield improvement even if capital growth tracks the 3.9% CAGR seen historically.
Development Activity
Total DAs
69
Last 12 Months
52
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+1200.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Huntly iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Huntly Primary School
Prep-6 · 324 students
Demographics
Huntly's median age of 32 is 8 years below the national median of 40, making it considerably younger than most Victorian suburbs. The overseas-born share is just 7.4%, which is 14.2 percentage points below the national average, reflecting a predominantly Australian-born community. Ancestry is overwhelmingly Anglo-Celtic: English (1,386 residents), Irish (388) and Scottish (376) account for the three largest groups. University qualifications reach 21.2% of the population, which is 8.9 percentage points below the national figure, consistent with the suburb's construction and healthcare workforce base. Average household size is 2.9, which is 0.4 above the national average, and couples with children make up the dominant family type at 1,477 households compared to 683 couples without children.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
100.0%
Houses
N/A
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
All dwellings in Huntly are detached houses, an unusually uniform stock profile that reflects the suburb's greenfield and semi-rural character across 43.78 km2. The largest cohort, 59.4%, has 4 or more bedrooms, and 37.1% have 3 bedrooms, so the typical dwelling is a large family home rather than a starter unit. Tenure splits into 54.3% mortgaged, 24.3% owned outright, and 21.4% renting, which is a mortgage-heavy profile compared to the national outright-owner rate. The median house price rose from $337,500 in 2013 to $577,500 in April-June 2024, a 71.1% gain over 14 years. At a rent-to-income ratio of 19.1%, renters are not under stress, and mortgage holders at 18.6% are also below the 30% stress threshold, which is better affordability than most comparable Victorian regional suburbs.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,517
Rent / wk
$360
HH Size
2.9
Personal Income / wk
$880
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.8%
Unoccupied
59
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
19.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.6%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
22.7%
Couples, no children
3,015
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant employer at 22.6% of workers (264 residents), followed by Construction at 13.5% (158) and Education at 9.9% (116), a labour profile typical of a suburb serving the wider Bendigo catchment. Retail adds 8.2% and Manufacturing 7.7%. By occupation, Professionals lead at 290, Clerical and Admin at 235, and Community and Personal services at 210, with Managers and Labourers tied at 180 each. The unemployment rate is 3.5%, below the national average, and the full-time employment rate is strong at 65.9%. Household income sits at the 70th percentile nationally, meaning Huntly earns more than 70% of Australian suburbs despite its regional setting. The SEIFA IEO score is decile 9, confirming above-average education and occupational advantage that punches well above the IER decile 5 housing-wealth score.
Unemployment
4.1%
Labour Force
9,578
Unemployed
395
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
65.9%
Part-time
30.6%
Participation
62.0%
Employed
1,584
Occupations
Top Industries
University
21.2%
Postgraduate
2.9%
Born Overseas
7.4%
Dwellings
1,174
Transport to Work
Transport in Huntly is almost entirely car-dependent: 93.8% of residents drive to work, and only 1.2% use public transport, lower than most VIC suburbs. The suburb scores decile 9 on IRSAD, placing it among the least disadvantaged nationally, and the safety data shows 250 total recorded offences, a crime rate of 69.7 per 1,000 residents. Property and deception offences account for the majority at 142, while crimes against the person total 54. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on nearby Bendigo institutions. Housing stress is absent: rent-to-income sits at 19.1% and mortgage-to-income at 18.6%, both well below the 30% stress threshold. The volunteering rate of 12% and a 5.7% personal assistance need rate are broadly in line with the national average, reflecting a stable, settled community.
Drive
93.8%
Public Transport
1.2%
Walk / Cycle
1.1%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.87%/yr
(+132 people/yr)
EstablishedHuntly's population grew 6.1% over the decade, adding roughly 132 residents a year at a 0.87% annual rate. The suburb sits within a broader catchment that absorbed a COVID population dip of 6.9% and then recovered fully, rising 10.5% above the COVID low by 2025. Overseas migration is the primary driver, contributing net inflows of 620 per year to the area while net internal migration shows an outflow of 238 per year, a pattern common to regional centres attracting international residents while losing some locals to capital cities. Gentrification signals are at an early stage with a score of 26, supported by a 17% population rise since 2011 and improving affordability. Medium forecasts project the wider population reaching 15,480 by 2031, compared to 15,157 in 2025, a modest but steady trajectory.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+620
Net Internal / yr
-238
Gentrification Signal
Early signs
Population +17% since 2011, Net internal outflow -238/yr, Strong overseas inflow +620/yr, COVID recovered (-7% dip → full recovery)
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
250
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
69.7
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 Huntly compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Huntly a good suburb to live in?
Huntly ranks in SEIFA decile 9 on both IRSD and IRSAD, placing it among the least disadvantaged 10% of Australian suburbs. Household income sits at the 70th percentile nationally. The mortgage-to-income ratio is 18.6% and rent-to-income is 19.1%, both well below the 30% stress threshold, making it one of the more financially comfortable regional suburbs in VIC.
What is the median house price in Huntly?
The median house price is $577,500 as of April-June 2024, which is 1.5% below the peak of $586,500 recorded in April-June 2023. Prices have risen 71.1% from $337,500 in 2013, a 3.9% compound annual growth rate. Weekly rent averages $360 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,517.
What schools are in Huntly?
No schools are recorded within the Huntly suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in the nearby Bendigo area, which is the regional centre serving the postcode 3551 catchment. The local university qualification rate is 21.2%, which is 8.9 points below the national figure.
Is Huntly safe?
Huntly recorded 250 offences in the most recent period, giving a crime rate of 69.7 per 1,000 residents. The largest category is property and deception offences at 142, followed by crimes against the person at 54. The suburb's IRSD decile 9 score indicates very low socioeconomic disadvantage, which generally correlates with lower crime risk.
Is Huntly good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $360 against a $577,500 median implies a gross yield near 3.2%, modest but higher than Melbourne inner suburbs. Rent grew 22.2% over the measured period, outpacing wage growth. The vacancy rate is 4.8%, above the typical investor comfort zone, and 50 development applications in the past 12 months including subdivision permits indicate ongoing supply additions.
How is Huntly's population changing?
Population is growing at 0.87% per year, adding approximately 132 residents annually. The 10-year change is 6.1% from 2011. Overseas migration drives net inflows of 620 per year to the area, while net internal migration shows an outflow of 238 per year. Medium forecasts project the broader catchment reaching 15,480 by 2031, compared to 15,157 in 2025.
How much development is happening in Huntly?
There were 50 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, including multiple subdivision permits creating new lots of 7 and 16 allotments. This active subdivision activity reflects Huntly's ongoing greenfield growth within its large 43.78 km2 area, consistent with the 0.87% annual population growth rate.
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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