Mount Clear
Sitting on the southern edge of Ballarat, Mount Clear pairs an accessible $500,000 median house price with a workforce structure dominated by Healthcare (24.4%) and Education (18.3%), giving it an economy rooted in public-sector stability. The suburb holds SEIFA IRSD decile 4, placing it below the national median on relative disadvantage measures, while household income sits at the 44.9th percentile nationally. At 3,671 residents across 10.15 square kilometres, the density of 362 people per km2 reflects a genuinely low-density setting where 75.2% of dwellings are separate houses. Population grew 17.4% over the decade, faster than many comparable regional suburbs.
Population
3,671
Median Age
37.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,462/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
3
Median House
$500K
Apr-Jun 2024
The median house price reached $500,000 in Apr-Jun 2024, up 74.8% from $286,000 in 2013, a CAGR of 4.1% over 14 years. The peak was $555,000 in Jan-Mar 2024, so the latest figure sits 9.9% below that peak, giving buyers some breathing room compared to the top of the cycle. Separate houses dominate at 75.2% of stock, and 34.6% of dwellings have four or more bedrooms, making this well suited to families. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,498 and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 23.7%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners at 32.0% and mortgage holders at 36.3% together account for the majority of the tenure split, suggesting an established, owner-occupied character rather than a high-turnover rental market.
For Buyers
The median house price reached $500,000 in Apr-Jun 2024, up 74.8% from $286,000 in 2013, a CAGR of 4.1% over 14 years. The peak was $555,000 in Jan-Mar 2024, so the latest figure sits 9.9% below that peak, giving buyers some breathing room compared to the top of the cycle. Separate houses dominate at 75.2% of stock, and 34.6% of dwellings have four or more bedrooms, making this well suited to families. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,498 and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 23.7%, comfortably below the 30% stress threshold. Outright owners at 32.0% and mortgage holders at 36.3% together account for the majority of the tenure split, suggesting an established, owner-occupied character rather than a high-turnover rental market.
For Investors
Renters account for 31.7% of households and weekly rent sits at $310, which against a $500,000 median implies a gross yield around 3.2%. The vacancy rate of 7.7% is elevated, signalling more supply than demand in the rental segment and a risk factor for landlords targeting low-vacancy conditions. Development activity is thin, with only 3 applications in the past 12 months, mostly subdivision work rather than new dwellings, so supply growth is not the driver of vacancies. Net overseas migration averages 113 arrivals per year versus a net internal loss of 66, meaning population growth relies on overseas arrivals rather than interstate movers. Rent grew 34.1% over the decade, outpacing the state average in many comparable markets, which supports the income side of the investment case even if yields remain modest.
Development Activity
Total DAs
7
Last 12 Months
3
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
0.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Mount Clear iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Emmaus Catholic Primary School
Prep-6 · 362 students
Damascus College
7-12 · 1215 students
Mount Clear College
7-12 · 982 students
Mount Clear Primary School
Prep-6 · 221 students
Demographics
The median age of 37 is 3.0 years below the national figure, which is unusual for a suburb on an aging trajectory where the senior share rose 6.0 points over the decade. University qualifications reach 34.0% of residents, 3.9 percentage points above the national figure, consistent with the Healthcare and Education workforce. The overseas-born share is 13.2%, which is 8.4 points below the national average, reflecting a predominantly Australian-born population with English (1,454 residents), Irish (538) and Scottish (487) as the leading ancestries. Average household size of 2.5 matches the national figure. Couples with children (1,237 families) outnumber couples without children (711), pointing to a family-oriented demographic rather than an empty-nester or retiree base.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
75.2%
Houses
13.6%
Townhouse
11.2%
Apartment
Tenure
Price history shows a clear long run from $286,000 in 2013 to $500,000 in Apr-Jun 2024, a 74.8% gain and a 4.1% CAGR over 14 years. The tenure split is balanced: 32.0% own outright, 36.3% carry a mortgage, and 31.7% rent. The stock is detached-house heavy at 75.2%, with semi-detached at 13.6% and apartments at 11.2%, so unit buyers have limited choice. Three-bedroom dwellings are most common at 51.5%, with four-plus bedrooms at 34.6% and two-bedroom stock at just 10.7%. Mortgage-to-income at 23.7% and rent-to-income at 21.2% are both below stress thresholds, meaning housing costs are manageable relative to local incomes compared to most metro markets.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,498
Rent / wk
$310
HH Size
2.5
Personal Income / wk
$728
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.7%
Unoccupied
113
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.2%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
23.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
26.3%
Couples, no children
2,707
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare employs 24.4% of the local workforce (285 workers), the dominant sector, with Education next at 18.3% (213 workers). Professional/Tech (7.6%), Construction (7.2%) and Public Admin (7.0%) round out the top five. By occupation, Professionals (419) lead, followed by Community/Personal Service (245), Clerical/Admin (224), Managers (184) and Sales (174). The unemployment rate of 6.5% is above the national average, while the participation rate of 57.0% is below national norms, partly because 979 residents are not in the labour force. The SEIFA IRSD decile of 4 and IRSAD decile of 4 both sit below the national median, which aligns with the below-median household income at the 44.9th percentile. Real incomes 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
58.5%
Part-time
35.0%
Participation
57.0%
Employed
1,560
Occupations
Top Industries
University
34.0%
Postgraduate
9.4%
Born Overseas
13.2%
Dwellings
1,351
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high: 91.0% of residents drive to work, while only 1.7% use public transport and 2.4% walk or cycle. This reflects the suburb's location on Ballarat's fringe, where public transport links are limited compared to the metropolitan core. The crime rate of 64.3 incidents per 1,000 residents spans 236 total offences, led by property and deception offences (108) and crimes against the person (64). No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary in this dataset, so families rely on surrounding Ballarat institutions. SEIFA IRSAD sits at decile 4, below the national median. Rent-to-income at 21.2% and mortgage-to-income at 23.7% both stay below stress thresholds, keeping housing costs manageable for residents. Volunteering runs at 17.3% and 8.2% of residents need daily assistance.
Drive
91.0%
Public Transport
1.7%
Walk / Cycle
2.4%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.15%/yr
(+144 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 17.4% over the ten years to 2025, adding roughly 144 residents per year at a 1.15% annual rate. Medium forecasts project the broader SA2 reaching approximately 13,566 by 2031, up from 12,518 in 2025. Overseas migration is the primary growth driver at 113 net arrivals annually, offsetting a net internal departure of 66 per year. The shift trajectory is classified as Aging, with the senior share rising 6.0 points over the decade even as the working-age share held flat. Affordability improved from 43.3% in 2011 to 40.2% in 2021, a meaningful trend making the suburb more accessible compared to its own history. Gentrification signals are limited, scoring 6 out of 100, though the 18% population rise since 2011 is a positive demand indicator.
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
236
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
64.3
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 Mount Clear compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mount Clear a good suburb to live in?
Mount Clear suits families and owner-occupiers looking for affordable, detached housing in the Ballarat fringe. The median house price of $500,000 is accessible, mortgage-to-income is 23.7% (below the 30% stress threshold), and 75.2% of dwellings are separate houses. The trade-offs are high car dependence at 91%, limited public transport, and a SEIFA IRSAD decile of 4, below the national median.
What is the median house price in Mount Clear?
The median house price was $500,000 in Apr-Jun 2024, down 9.9% from the peak of $555,000 in Jan-Mar 2024. Over 14 years from 2013, prices grew 74.8% (4.1% CAGR). Weekly rent averages $310 and monthly mortgage repayments run around $1,498.
What schools are in Mount Clear?
No schools are recorded within the Mount Clear suburb boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in the wider Ballarat area. The local population has above-average university qualifications at 34.0%, which is 3.9 percentage points higher than the national figure, reflecting the Education and Healthcare workforce concentration.
Is Mount Clear safe?
Mount Clear recorded 236 total offences in the latest year, giving a crime rate of 64.3 per 1,000 residents. Property and deception offences account for the largest share at 108 incidents, followed by crimes against the person at 64. The suburb sits at SEIFA IRSD decile 4, below the national median on relative disadvantage.
Is Mount Clear good for property investment?
Renters make up 31.7% of households and weekly rent is $310, implying a gross yield around 3.2% against the $500,000 median. The 7.7% vacancy rate is elevated and warrants caution. Rent grew 34.1% over the decade. Development activity is low at 3 applications in 12 months, so supply pressure is minimal, but population growth depends on overseas migration averaging 113 arrivals per year.
How is Mount Clear's population changing?
Population grew 17.4% over ten years to 2025, at an annual rate of 1.15% (about 144 people per year). Overseas migration is the primary driver at 113 net arrivals per year, offsetting a net internal departure of 66. Medium forecasts project the broader SA2 reaching around 13,566 by 2031, up 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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