Kyneton
Rents grew 59.5% over the decade, the steepest rental growth in this batch, yet house prices at $847,000 sit 5.6% below the 2022 peak of $897,500. This divergence, strong rental demand but softening purchase prices, points to a tree-change suburb where lifestyle-driven renters are willing to pay more while buyers face mortgage rate headwinds. The median age of 47 is 7 years above national, and the senior share grew 5.4 points. University qualifications at 35.1% are 5 points above national, higher than the income percentile (53rd) would predict, suggesting professionals who accepted lower incomes for regional lifestyle.
Population
7,513
Median Age
47.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,620/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
10
Median House
$847K
Apr-Jun 2024
The $847,000 median (Apr-Jun 2024) grew from $369,000 in 2013, a CAGR of 6.1% over 14 years. The 5.6% decline from the $897,500 peak (2022) signals a post-pandemic correction after the tree-change boom. Mortgage repayments of $1,798/month produce a 25.6% mortgage-to-income ratio, below the stress line. Houses at 88.6% dominate with 46.6% being 3-bedroom and 33.7% at 4+ bedrooms. Four schools serve the suburb: Our Lady of the Rosary (Catholic, ICSEA 1,081, 286), Sacred Heart College (Catholic, ICSEA 1,070, 888), Kyneton Primary (Government, ICSEA 1,048, 307) and Kyneton High (Government, ICSEA 1,008, 627). All score above benchmark.
For Buyers
The $847,000 median (Apr-Jun 2024) grew from $369,000 in 2013, a CAGR of 6.1% over 14 years. The 5.6% decline from the $897,500 peak (2022) signals a post-pandemic correction after the tree-change boom. Mortgage repayments of $1,798/month produce a 25.6% mortgage-to-income ratio, below the stress line. Houses at 88.6% dominate with 46.6% being 3-bedroom and 33.7% at 4+ bedrooms. Four schools serve the suburb: Our Lady of the Rosary (Catholic, ICSEA 1,081, 286), Sacred Heart College (Catholic, ICSEA 1,070, 888), Kyneton Primary (Government, ICSEA 1,048, 307) and Kyneton High (Government, ICSEA 1,008, 627). All score above benchmark.
For Investors
Only 21.5% of residents rent, limiting the tenant pool. Weekly rent of $360 against $847,000 gives a gross yield of 2.2%, compressed by the decade's 59.5% rent growth pushing prices. Vacancy at 10.0% is the highest in this batch, a significant concern. Development activity at 8 DAs in 12 months is low, mostly subdivisions. Net internal migration runs at +8/year (near zero) with overseas at +50/year, well below the state average migrant intake, meaning growth is minimal. The gentrification score of 59 (active) in the historical data shows strong income upgrading, but the current gentrification score of 7 (not gentrifying) suggests that phase has plateaued.
Development Activity
Total DAs
35
Last 12 Months
10
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+11.1%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Kyneton iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Our Lady of the Rosary
Prep-6 · 286 students
Sacred Heart College
7-12 · 888 students
Kyneton Primary School
Prep-6 · 307 students
Kyneton High School
7-12 · 627 students
Demographics
The median age of 47 is 7 years above national. The senior share grew 5.4 points while the working share declined 2.0 points over the decade. Overseas-born at 15.4% is 6.2 points below national: English (3,249), Irish (1,263) and Scottish (1,068) form a strongly Anglo-Celtic profile. Mandarin (59) and Italian (15) are the only notable non-English languages. University qualifications at 35.1% are 5 points above national, an unusually high rate for a regional town. Couples without children (32.2%) outnumber couples with children (39.7%), reflecting the older demographic. The 20.8% volunteering rate is well above average.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
88.6%
Houses
9.0%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Outright owners at 41.6% lead tenure, the highest in this batch, consistent with the older, established population. Mortgage holders at 36.9% and renters at 21.5% follow. Houses at 88.6% dominate with no appreciable apartment stock. Prices grew from $369,000 to $847,000 (CAGR 6.1%) over 14 years, peaking at $897,500 in 2022. The 5.6% correction from peak reflects the post-pandemic normalisation. Mortgage stress at 25.6% and rent stress at 22.2% are both comfortable. The 82.3% residential stability is above the national average. The 59.5% rent growth over the decade outpaced price growth, compressing yield but indicating strong rental demand.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,798
Rent / wk
$360
HH Size
2.4
Personal Income / wk
$749
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
10.0%
Unoccupied
317
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.6%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
32.2%
Couples, no children
5,723
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare leads at 14.8% (345 workers), Education at 12.6% (294), Public Admin at 10.6% (248), Professional/Tech at 9.9% (232) and Manufacturing at 9.0% (211). This is one of the more balanced sector mixes in this batch, with no single industry exceeding 15%. Professionals (788) and Managers (583) lead occupations, but Labourers (403) rank 3rd, reflecting the semi-rural economy. Unemployment at 3.6% is low. Participation at 53.0% is below average, driven by the older demographic. SEIFA places the suburb at IRSAD decile 6 and IER decile 8, an unusual combination where economic resources exceed socioeconomic advantage.
Unemployment
2.0%
Labour Force
5,402
Unemployed
110
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
59.6%
Part-time
36.8%
Participation
53.0%
Employed
3,191
Occupations
Top Industries
University
35.1%
Postgraduate
8.6%
Born Overseas
15.4%
Dwellings
2,861
Transport to Work
Public transport at 1.8% is low, but V/Line train access to Melbourne provides a commuting option not captured in the daily data. Car driving at 83.5% dominates. Walking/cycling at 7.1% is above average for a regional town. Four schools all score above the 1,000 ICSEA benchmark: Our Lady of the Rosary (1,081, 286), Sacred Heart College (1,070, 888), Kyneton Primary (1,048, 307) and Kyneton High (1,008, 627). The crime rate of 68.9 per 1,000 is elevated, with property offences (280) comprising the majority. IRSAD decile 6 places the suburb in the upper-middle tier.
Drive
83.5%
Public Transport
1.8%
Walk / Cycle
7.1%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.12%/yr
(+119 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth at 1.12% per year (119 persons) is moderate for regional Victoria. The ERP reached 10,665 in 2025, with medium forecasts projecting 11,517 by 2031. Migration is balanced: internal at +8/year and overseas at +50/year, meaning growth comes from natural increase and small net inflows rather than one dominant source. The 19.6% 10-year population change is above the regional average. The gentrification score of 59 (active) in the shift data signals significant past upgrading (real income grew 23.9%), but the current gentrification stage (not gentrifying, score 7) suggests the transformation wave has largely passed.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+50
Net Internal / yr
+8
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +20% since 2011
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
518
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
68.9
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 Kyneton compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kyneton a good suburb to live in?
Kyneton suits tree-changers seeking regional lifestyle with metro access via V/Line. Four schools all score above the 1,000 ICSEA benchmark. IRSAD decile 6 is upper-middle nationally. University qualifications at 35.1% are 5 points above national average. The crime rate of 68.9 per 1,000 is elevated, and vacancy at 10.0% is the highest in this batch.
What is the median house price in Kyneton?
The median is $847,000 (Apr-Jun 2024), down 5.6% from the $897,500 peak in 2022. Over 14 years from $369,000, the CAGR is 6.1%. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,798 and weekly rent is $360. Rents grew 59.5% over the decade, the steepest rental growth in this batch.
What schools are in Kyneton?
Four schools serve the suburb: Our Lady of the Rosary (Catholic, ICSEA 1,081, 286 students), Sacred Heart College (Catholic Secondary, ICSEA 1,070, 888), Kyneton Primary School (Government, ICSEA 1,048, 307) and Kyneton High School (Government, ICSEA 1,008, 627). All score above the national 1,000 ICSEA benchmark.
Is Kyneton safe?
The crime rate is 68.9 per 1,000 residents, with 518 total offences. Property and deception offences (280) account for 54.1%, justice procedures (114) at 22.0% and crimes against the person (90) at 17.4%. The rate is above the Victorian regional median. IRSAD decile 6 suggests the crime is not solely deprivation-driven.
Is Kyneton good for property investment?
Gross yield is 2.2% ($360/week on $847,000), low despite 59.5% rent growth over the decade. Only 21.5% rent and vacancy at 10.0% is the highest in this batch. The 6.1% CAGR over 14 years is solid, but the 5.6% decline from peak indicates softening. Just 8 DAs in 12 months mean minimal new supply. Net migration is near zero.
How is Kyneton's population changing?
Growth at 1.12% per year (119 persons) is moderate, with medium projections of 11,517 by 2031. The 10-year change of 19.6% is above the regional average. The senior share grew 5.4 points over the decade. Migration is balanced at +8 internal and +50 overseas per year. The median age of 47 is 7 years above national.
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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