Mount Macedon
A population of 1,450 spread across 34 square kilometres, a household income in the 94.3rd percentile nationally, and SEIFA decile 10 on both IRSD and IER tell the core story of Mount Macedon. Median age sits at 48, which is 8 years above the national figure, pointing to an established, settled community rather than a suburb in flux. Vacancy runs at 15.2%, unusually high for a tree-change area, reflecting the proportion of the housing stock held as weekenders or investment properties. University qualifications reach 47.9% of residents, which is 17.8 points above the national rate, and 99.2% of dwellings are separate houses on large parcels.
Population
1,450
Median Age
48.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,647/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
3
House prices peaked at $1,623,500 in 2021 and have since corrected to $865,000 in 2024, a fall of 46.7% from that peak. That correction brings the market closer to its 12-year trajectory: prices climbed from $662,500 in 2013, a 30.6% gain at a 2.2% compound annual rate. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,604, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 22.7%, below the 30% stress threshold, so buyers at the current price point are not overstretched relative to local incomes in the 94.3rd percentile nationally. Stock is almost entirely separate houses at 99.2%, with 46.1% of dwellings having 4 or more bedrooms. That mix favours families and lifestyle buyers looking for space rather than low-maintenance alternatives.
For Buyers
House prices peaked at $1,623,500 in 2021 and have since corrected to $865,000 in 2024, a fall of 46.7% from that peak. That correction brings the market closer to its 12-year trajectory: prices climbed from $662,500 in 2013, a 30.6% gain at a 2.2% compound annual rate. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,604, and the mortgage-to-income ratio sits at 22.7%, below the 30% stress threshold, so buyers at the current price point are not overstretched relative to local incomes in the 94.3rd percentile nationally. Stock is almost entirely separate houses at 99.2%, with 46.1% of dwellings having 4 or more bedrooms. That mix favours families and lifestyle buyers looking for space rather than low-maintenance alternatives.
For Investors
The rental market is thin by design: only 7.3% of dwellings are rented, compared to the national norm closer to 30%, because most housing is owner-occupied or held as holiday properties. Weekly rent is $330, low relative to the $865,000 median price, implying a gross yield under 2%. The 15.2% vacancy rate, among the highest for a regional Victorian suburb, reflects seasonal and discretionary use of the housing stock rather than tenant demand. Net overseas migration adds 14 residents a year while internal migration subtracts 8, giving a thin positive balance. Development activity has been minimal at 3 applications in 12 months, all subdivisions rather than new dwellings, so supply pressure on pricing is low.
Development Activity
Total DAs
3
Last 12 Months
3
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Mount Macedon iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Mount Macedon Primary School
Prep-6 · 131 students
Demographics
At a median age of 48, Mount Macedon is 8 years older than the national median, and the senior share grew 6.7 points over the decade while the working-age share fell 6.0 points, confirming a pronounced aging trajectory. University qualifications at 47.9% run 17.8 points above the national figure, consistent with a professional and managerial workforce: Professionals (237) and Managers (154) account for the two largest occupational groups. Overseas-born residents at 18.8% sit 2.8 points below the national rate. Ancestry is strongly Anglo-Celtic, led by English (614), Irish (265) and Scottish (196). Average household size is 2.6, marginally above the national figure. Volunteering is notably high at 25.6%, reflecting the area's engaged, settled resident base.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
99.2%
Houses
0.8%
Townhouse
N/A
Apartment
Tenure
Mount Macedon's housing stock is almost entirely large separate houses: 99.2% of dwellings are detached, with 46.1% having 4 or more bedrooms and 42.2% with 3 bedrooms, compared to the national mix where apartments and semis take a far larger share. Tenure tilts heavily toward ownership: 45.5% own outright and 47.2% carry a mortgage, while renters are just 7.3%, well below the national average. Prices have had a wide range: the trough was $600,000 in 2014, the peak $1,623,500 in 2021, and the latest reading sits at $865,000 in 2024, down 46.7% from peak. Long-run growth from 2013 has been 30.6% in nominal terms. Mortgage-to-income at 22.7% stays inside the stress threshold, while rent-to-income at 12.5% is low, consistent with the small and discretionary rental market.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,604
Rent / wk
$330
HH Size
2.6
Personal Income / wk
$1,075
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
15.2%
Unoccupied
92
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
12.5%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
22.7%
Community Profile
Ancestry
Household Composition
33.9%
Couples, no children
1,201
Total families
Economy & Employment
The local workforce punches well above typical regional averages. Professional/Tech leads industry employment at 15.4% (82 workers), Healthcare follows at 14.1% (75) and Education at 11.3% (60), together accounting for over 40% of local jobs. Public Administration adds 10.7% and Construction 9.0%. The occupational profile mirrors this: Professionals (237) and Managers (154) are the top two groups. Unemployment sits at 2.8%, low by any national comparison, though participation is 55.8%, reflecting the large number of retirees and part-time workers in an aging population. Real income grew 19.9% over the decade. The SEIFA IEO decile of 9 places the suburb in the top tier for education and occupation nationally, and the IER decile 10 reflects strong economic resources.
Unemployment
1.2%
Labour Force
2,053
Unemployed
25
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
64.9%
Part-time
32.3%
Participation
55.8%
Employed
636
Occupations
Top Industries
University
47.9%
Postgraduate
15.7%
Born Overseas
18.8%
Dwellings
511
Transport to Work
Car dependence is near total at 86.6%, well above national averages, because public transport serves only 1.2% of commuters in this rural-fringe setting. Walking and cycling account for 4.4%. No schools are recorded within the suburb boundary, so families rely on surrounding townships. Safety data shows a crime rate of 22.1 incidents per 1,000 residents, with 32 total incidents in the most recent period; property and deception offences account for 16 of those, above the raw share of persons crimes at 12. The suburb scores decile 10 on both IRSD and IER, placing it in the top tier nationally for low disadvantage and strong economic resources. Rent-to-income at 12.5% and mortgage-to-income at 22.7% both sit comfortably below stress thresholds, reinforcing the low financial pressure on residents.
Drive
86.6%
Public Transport
1.2%
Walk / Cycle
4.4%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.3%/yr
(+11 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation expanded 10.6% over the decade and forecasts a modest 0.3% annual rate, adding roughly 11 residents per year. Medium projections put the suburb at 3,672 by 2031, up from 3,615 today. The migration profile is balanced: net overseas arrivals average 14 a year while internal departures average 8, producing a small positive net. Gentrification scores are low at 39 on the shift measure, classified as early signs, because the suburb is already at established-wealth status rather than undergoing uplift from below. Affordability improved from 43.2% in 2011 to 36.4% in 2021, consistent with income growth outpacing price appreciation. The slow-growth, aging-trajectory signal combination means price-driven upside is moderate compared to higher-turnover corridors.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+14
Net Internal / yr
-8
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
32
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
22.1
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 Macedon compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mount Macedon a good suburb to live in?
Mount Macedon scores decile 10 on IRSD and IER, the top tier nationally for low disadvantage and economic resources, with household income in the 94.3rd percentile. The median age is 48, 8 years above national, indicating a settled, professional community. The main practical constraint is very low public transport at 1.2% of commuters, making a car essential.
What is the median house price in Mount Macedon?
The median house price was $865,000 in 2024, down 46.7% from the 2021 peak of $1,623,500 but up 30.6% from $662,500 in 2013. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,604, and the mortgage-to-income ratio is 22.7%, below the stress threshold.
What schools are in Mount Macedon?
No schools are recorded within the Mount Macedon suburb boundary in this dataset. Families travel to surrounding towns for schooling. Despite this, 47.9% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 17.8 points above the national figure, reflecting the professional and managerial nature of the resident base.
Is Mount Macedon safe?
Mount Macedon recorded 32 total incidents in the most recent period, a rate of 22.1 per 1,000 residents. Property and deception offences were the largest category at 16 incidents, followed by crimes against persons at 12. The suburb scores decile 10 on the IRSD index of relative disadvantage, consistent with a low-risk environment.
Is Mount Macedon good for property investment?
The rental market is narrow: only 7.3% of dwellings are rented, well below the national average, and weekly rent of $330 against an $865,000 median implies a gross yield under 2%. The 15.2% vacancy rate signals significant discretionary use of the housing stock. Long-run capital growth has averaged 2.2% per year over 12 years, modest compared to inner-city markets.
How is Mount Macedon's population changing?
Population grew 10.6% over the decade and is forecast to grow at 0.3% annually, adding about 11 residents per year to a current base of around 3,615. The profile is aging, with the senior share up 6.7 points and the working-age share down 6.0 points over 10 years. Net migration is a slight positive, with 14 overseas arrivals offsetting 8 internal departures annually.
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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