Kennington
A $590,000 median house price sitting 8.2% below the suburb's 2023 peak of $643,000 tells the central story of this Bendigo neighbourhood: affordability that has actually improved while the broader market cooled. Detached houses make up 77.7% of dwellings and apartments just 0.8%, so this is firmly a house market rather than a unit one. Household income lands in the 35.5th percentile nationally, below the midpoint, yet the median age of 42 runs 2.0 years above the national figure, and university qualifications reach 36.5%, which is 6.4 points higher than national. Population growth is slow at 0.17% a year, and the resident base of 5,880 leans Anglo, with only 12.9% born overseas.
Population
5,880
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,371/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
22
Median House
$590K
Apr-Jun 2024
Buyers face a $590,000 median that has fallen 8.2% from the 2023 peak of $643,000, so entry costs are softer now than two years ago even though prices are still up 67.9% from $351,500 in 2013. Affordability is genuinely accessible because monthly mortgage repayments average about $1,400 against a household income in the 35.5th percentile, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of just 23.6%, well below the 30% stress threshold. The stock suits families: 77.7% are separate houses, three-bedroom homes dominate at 48.2% and four-plus-bedroom homes add 24.8%, while apartments are almost absent at 0.8%. With 36.3% of residents owning outright, more than the 24.8% on a mortgage, much of the housing is held by settled, debt-free owners rather than recent buyers.
For Buyers
Buyers face a $590,000 median that has fallen 8.2% from the 2023 peak of $643,000, so entry costs are softer now than two years ago even though prices are still up 67.9% from $351,500 in 2013. Affordability is genuinely accessible because monthly mortgage repayments average about $1,400 against a household income in the 35.5th percentile, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of just 23.6%, well below the 30% stress threshold. The stock suits families: 77.7% are separate houses, three-bedroom homes dominate at 48.2% and four-plus-bedroom homes add 24.8%, while apartments are almost absent at 0.8%. With 36.3% of residents owning outright, more than the 24.8% on a mortgage, much of the housing is held by settled, debt-free owners rather than recent buyers.
For Investors
Renters make up 38.9% of households, a larger share than the 24.8% carrying a mortgage, which gives landlords a deep tenant pool. Weekly rent of $290 against the $590,000 median implies a gross yield near 2.6%, modest but stronger than premium metro suburbs. The 9.1% vacancy rate is elevated and signals softer rental demand, a caution for investors. Rent has grown 34.1% over the period, faster than capital values, which fell 8.2% from peak, so recent returns have leaned on income rather than price. Development is light at 22 applications in 12 months, mostly tree removal permits rather than new dwellings, and overseas migration adds 77 residents a year against a net internal outflow of 36, leaving thin demand growth of 0.17% annually.
Development Activity
Total DAs
31
Last 12 Months
22
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+2100.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Kennington iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Therese's School
Prep-6 · 460 students
Kennington Primary School
Prep-6 · 581 students
Demographics
The median age of 42 is 2.0 years above national, and the trajectory is aging: the senior share rose 4.9 points over the decade while the young-resident share fell 1.4 points. This is an Anglo-leaning population, with only 12.9% born overseas, which is 8.7 points below the national figure. Ancestry is led by English (2,557), Irish (901) and Scottish (760), and the largest non-English languages are Mandarin (46 speakers) and Punjabi (19), a small international footprint. University qualifications reach 36.5%, running 6.4 points above national despite household income in the 35.5th percentile, a gap that reflects a workforce concentrated in healthcare and education rather than high-paying finance. Average household size is 2.2, which is 0.3 below national, consistent with the older profile where 32.4% of families are couples without children.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
77.7%
Houses
21.3%
Townhouse
0.8%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure tilts toward settled owners: 36.3% own outright, more than the 24.8% carrying a mortgage, while 38.9% rent. Outright owners outnumbering mortgage holders points to long-held, debt-free homes rather than churn. The stock is overwhelmingly detached at 77.7% separate houses, with 21.3% semi-detached and just 0.8% apartments, so buyers seeking a unit have almost no choice. Three-bedroom dwellings lead at 48.2% and four-plus-bedroom homes add 24.8%, a family-sized profile. The median house price of $590,000 is down 8.2% from the 2023 peak of $643,000 but up 67.9% from $351,500 in 2013, a 3.8% compound annual rate over 14 years. Mortgage-to-income at 23.6% and rent-to-income at 21.2% both sit well below the 30% stress line, so housing costs are comfortable relative to local incomes.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General (Apr-Jun 2024)
Mortgage / mo
$1,400
Rent / wkiABS Census 2021 median across all dwelling types. Current market rents are typically higher.
$290
Census 2021
HH Size
2.2
Personal Income / wk
$744
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.1%
Unoccupied
242
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.6%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
32.4%
Couples, no children
3,878
Total families
Economy & Employment
The workforce is concentrated in service sectors anchored by Bendigo's hospitals and schools: Healthcare leads at 27.3% (510 workers) and Education follows at 13.9% (259), with Construction at 8.0%, Public Admin at 7.0% and Professional/Tech at 6.0%. By occupation, Professionals (747) and Community/Personal workers (383) dominate, which explains why university qualifications run 6.4 points above national even though household income sits in the 35.5th percentile, because health and education pay less than finance. Unemployment is low at 4.7% and the full-time rate is 59.8%, though participation reads just 52.5% because the aging profile leaves 1,900 residents out of the labour force. On SEIFA the suburb scores decile 6 for education (IEO) but only decile 3 for economic resources (IER), a gap driven by the modest incomes and the 38.9% renter base.
Unemployment
3.3%
Labour Force
6,856
Unemployed
228
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.8%
Part-time
35.5%
Participation
52.5%
Employed
2,507
Occupations
Top Industries
University
36.5%
Postgraduate
9.4%
Born Overseas
12.9%
Dwellings
2,392
Transport to Work
This is a car-dependent suburb: 85.5% of residents drive to work and only 1.4% use public transport, well below the levels seen in metro areas, with 6.0% walking or cycling. Crime runs at 76.0 offences per 1,000 residents from 447 incidents, dominated by property and deception offences at 265, while crimes against the person are lower at 80. On SEIFA the suburb sits at decile 5 for relative disadvantage (IRSD), a midpoint result that signals a mixed rather than disadvantaged community. Volunteering is solid at 18.4% and 10.0% of residents (560 people) need daily assistance, higher than younger suburbs because of the median age of 42. No schools are recorded inside the 4.02 km2 boundary in this dataset, so families rely on the wider Bendigo school network nearby.
Drive
85.5%
Public Transport
1.4%
Walk / Cycle
6.0%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.17%/yr
(+24 people/yr)
EstablishedGrowth is slow and steady rather than booming: the population rose just 2.2% over the past decade and is forecast to grow only 0.17% a year, adding roughly 24 residents annually. Overseas migration is the primary driver at 77 net arrivals a year, offsetting a net internal outflow of 36, so natural expansion is thin. The suburb scores 15 on gentrification and is classified as not gentrifying, fitting an established, aging market where the senior share rose 4.9 points over the decade. Affordability has stayed stable, easing slightly from 40.2% in 2011 to 38.9% in 2021, while real incomes grew 12.8% over the same period. With house prices down 8.2% from their 2023 peak, the outlook is for gradual, demand-led growth rather than rapid appreciation.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+77
Net Internal / yr
-36
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
447
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
76.0
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 Kennington compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kennington a good suburb to live in?
Kennington suits families seeking affordable detached housing, with a $590,000 median that is down 8.2% from its 2023 peak and a mortgage-to-income ratio of just 23.6%, well below the 30% stress line. University qualifications reach 36.5%, which is 6.4 points above national, though household income sits in the 35.5th percentile.
What is the median house price in Kennington?
The median house price is $590,000 as of the Apr-Jun 2024 quarter, down 8.2% from the 2023 peak of $643,000 but up 67.9% from $351,500 in 2013, a 3.8% compound annual rate. Weekly rent averages $290 and monthly mortgage repayments run about $1,400.
What schools are in Kennington?
No schools are recorded inside the 4.02 km2 Kennington boundary in this dataset, so families rely on the wider Bendigo school network nearby. The local population is well educated, with university qualifications at 36.5%, which is 6.4 points above the national figure.
Is Kennington safe?
Crime runs at 76.0 offences per 1,000 residents, from 447 incidents a year. The most common are property and deception offences at 265, while crimes against the person are lower at 80. The suburb scores decile 5 on the IRSD disadvantage index, a midpoint result rather than a high-risk one.
Is Kennington good for property investment?
Weekly rent of $290 against the $590,000 median gives a gross yield near 2.6%, stronger than premium metro suburbs. Renters make up 38.9% of households, but the 9.1% vacancy rate is elevated and signals softer demand. Rent grew 34.1% over the period while prices fell 8.2% from peak.
How is Kennington's population changing?
Population growth is slow at 0.17% a year, about 24 residents, with a 2.2% rise over the past decade. Overseas migration of 77 a year is the main driver, offset by a net internal outflow of 36. The profile is aging, with the senior share up 4.9 points over the decade.
How much development is happening in Kennington?
There were 22 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, light for a 4.02 km2 suburb. Recent samples are mostly tree removal planning permits rather than new dwellings, consistent with an established, slow-growth area expanding at just 0.17% a year.
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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