Riddells Creek
At 72.6 square kilometres, Riddells Creek spreads across one of the largest suburban footprints in the outer-Melbourne fringe, yet its population of 4,390 produces a density of just 60.5 people per km2, far below the metropolitan average. Household income lands in the 81.9th percentile nationally, and the IRSD decile of 9 confirms very low relative disadvantage. The stock is almost exclusively separate houses at 94.2%, with 52.5% of dwellings having four or more bedrooms and only 11.7% of residents renting. Residents are older than the national median at 42, and the suburb has been aging steadily, with the senior share rising 8 points over the decade.
Population
4,390
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$2,150/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
10
Median House
$795K
Apr-Jun 2024
The median house price of $795,000 in Apr-Jun 2024 is a significant retreat from the $1,116,300 peak in Apr-Jun 2023, a 28.8% correction from the peak. Prices are still 76.7% higher than the $450,000 starting point in 2013, so the long-run trend remains upward. The stock suits families: 52.5% of dwellings have four or more bedrooms and 94.2% are separate houses, higher than most comparable outer-fringe suburbs. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.5% sits well below the 30% stress threshold, providing meaningful affordability headroom compared to inner-city markets.
For Buyers
The median house price of $795,000 in Apr-Jun 2024 is a significant retreat from the $1,116,300 peak in Apr-Jun 2023, a 28.8% correction from the peak. Prices are still 76.7% higher than the $450,000 starting point in 2013, so the long-run trend remains upward. The stock suits families: 52.5% of dwellings have four or more bedrooms and 94.2% are separate houses, higher than most comparable outer-fringe suburbs. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000, and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 21.5% sits well below the 30% stress threshold, providing meaningful affordability headroom compared to inner-city markets.
For Investors
The rental market is thin by national standards: only 11.7% of residents rent, and the vacancy rate of 5.9% sits above the level most investors target. Weekly rent averages $400, implying a gross yield near 2.6% against the $795,000 median house price. Net internal migration averaged minus 26 per year, partially offset by overseas arrivals of 23, leaving a near-neutral migration balance. Development shows 10 applications in the past 12 months, modest for a 72.6 km2 suburb. The 14-year compound annual growth rate of 4.1% underpins the capital-growth case, but current yields and vacancy suggest this market suits long-term equity investors rather than income-focused buyers.
Development Activity
Total DAs
20
Last 12 Months
10
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+233.3%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Riddells Creek iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Riddells Creek Primary School
Prep-6 · 285 students
Demographics
The median age of 42 is 2 years above the national figure, and the trajectory is aging: the senior share rose 8 points while the working-age share fell 3.7 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents are 11.7%, which is 9.9 points below the national average, reflecting an Anglo-leaning ancestry mix led by English (1,930), Irish (610) and Scottish (587). University qualifications reach 29.3%, just 0.8 points below the national figure, a notably high rate for a low-density semi-rural fringe suburb. Average household size is 2.8, which is 0.3 above national, consistent with a family-dominated demographic where couples with children (1,640 families) outnumber couples without children (971).
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
94.2%
Houses
5.3%
Townhouse
0.5%
Apartment
Tenure
The median house price reached $795,000 in Apr-Jun 2024, down from the $1,116,300 peak in Apr-Jun 2023, a 28.8% correction. Since 2013, prices have risen 76.7% from $450,000, producing a CAGR of 4.1% over 14 years. Tenure is overwhelmingly owner-occupied: 38.8% own outright and 49.5% hold a mortgage, with just 11.7% renting, well below national norms. The stock is almost entirely detached houses at 94.2%, and the bedroom split skews large with 52.5% having four or more bedrooms. Mortgage stress is absent at current prices: mortgage-to-income runs at 21.5% and rent-to-income at 18.6%, both comfortable compared to the 30% stress benchmark.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$2,000
Rent / wk
$400
HH Size
2.8
Personal Income / wk
$881
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
5.9%
Unoccupied
94
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.6%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
21.5%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
25.7%
Couples, no children
3,782
Total families
Economy & Employment
Construction leads employment at 15.4% of workers (245), ahead of Healthcare at 14.3% (227) and Education at 12.7% (202), with Public Admin at 10.1% and Professional/Tech at 9.0%. By occupation, Professionals (508) and Managers (311) hold the top two positions, consistent with the SEIFA IEO decile of 7 for education and occupation. Unemployment is low at 3.3% and the full-time employment rate is 63%. The household income percentile of 81.9 nationally confirms solid earning power above average, and volunteering at 19.5% exceeds typical urban rates, reflecting the civic engagement common in lower-density regional communities.
Unemployment
2.1%
Labour Force
2,717
Unemployed
57
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.0%
Part-time
33.7%
Participation
61.9%
Employed
2,121
Occupations
Top Industries
University
29.3%
Postgraduate
6.9%
Born Overseas
11.7%
Dwellings
1,510
Transport to Work
Car dependence is very high: 90.3% of residents drive to work and only 2.9% use public transport, reflecting limited rail and bus connections across the 72.6 km2 area, lower than the national public transport share. The crime rate of 42.8 incidents per 1,000 residents covers 188 total offences, led by justice procedure offences (74) and property offences (49). The IRSAD decile of 8 places Riddells Creek in the top fifth nationally for combined advantage, and only 3.6% of residents (150 people) need daily assistance. Housing stress is low: rent-to-income at 18.6% and mortgage-to-income at 21.5% are both well below the 30% stress threshold.
Drive
90.3%
Public Transport
2.9%
Walk / Cycle
1.6%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+1.07%/yr
(+49 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation growth runs at 1.07% per year, adding roughly 49 residents annually, and the 10-year rise of 18.7% outpaced many comparable peri-urban VIC suburbs. Medium forecasts project the population rising from 4,589 in 2025 to around 4,915 by 2031. Migration is nearly balanced: internal movement averages minus 26 per year while overseas arrivals contribute plus 23. Affordability worsened between 2011 (38.6%) and 2021 (45.4%), a trend common across Melbourne's outer fringe that constrains future demand. The gentrification score of 6 places this in the not-gentrifying category, because at IRSD decile 9 there is limited room for the socioeconomic uplift that drives active gentrification.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Balanced
Net Overseas / yr
+23
Net Internal / yr
-26
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Population +18% since 2011
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
188
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
42.8
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 Riddells Creek compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Riddells Creek a good suburb to live in?
Riddells Creek ranks at IRSAD decile 8 and IRSD decile 9 nationally, placing it in the top fifth for combined advantage. Household income sits at the 81.9th percentile. The main trade-offs are limited public transport (2.9% of residents use it) and a long commute to central Melbourne from a suburb covering 72.6 km2.
What is the median house price in Riddells Creek?
The median house price was $795,000 in Apr-Jun 2024, down 28.8% from the $1,116,300 peak in Apr-Jun 2023. Monthly mortgage repayments average $2,000 and weekly rent averages $400. The 14-year compound annual growth rate is 4.1% from a 2013 base of $450,000.
What schools are in Riddells Creek?
No schools are recorded inside the Riddells Creek boundary in this dataset. Families in the suburb, where 1,640 couples with children live, rely on schools in neighbouring townships. University qualifications among residents reach 29.3%, close to the national figure.
Is Riddells Creek safe?
Total recorded crime was 188 incidents, giving a rate of 42.8 per 1,000 residents. The top category is justice procedure offences (74), followed by property offences (49) and crimes against the person (28). The IRSD decile of 9 places the suburb among the least disadvantaged nationally.
Is Riddells Creek good for property investment?
The rental market is limited: only 11.7% of residents rent and the vacancy rate is 5.9%, above the standard investor target. Gross yield is near 2.6% at the $795,000 median and $400 weekly rent. The 14-year CAGR of 4.1% and the post-peak 28.8% price correction make this better suited to capital-growth investors than yield-focused buyers.
How is Riddells Creek's population changing?
The population grew 18.7% over 10 years and is projected to rise from 4,589 in 2025 to about 4,915 by 2031 at the current 1.07% annual rate. Migration is near-balanced, with internal movement at minus 26 per year and overseas arrivals at plus 23. The suburb is on an aging trajectory, with the senior share up 8 points over the decade.
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.
Explore Riddells Creek on the Map
View parcels, zoning overlays, DA applications, schools and more.
Open Interactive Map