Robinvale
Agriculture drives 36.4% of local employment in Robinvale, making it one of the most farming-dependent towns in Victoria, and that single fact explains many of the numbers that follow. Household income sits at the 32.7th percentile nationally, SEIFA IRSD decile 1 marks it among the most disadvantaged areas in Australia, and 44.7% of residents were born overseas, which is 23.1 points above the national figure. Against that economic profile, the median house price is $385,000 and the rent-to-income ratio is just 16.7%, both well below typical VIC benchmarks. Population of 3,497 has grown 7.8% over the past decade, driven by overseas migration averaging 83 arrivals a year.
Population
3,497
Median Age
36.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,317/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
6
Median House
$385K
Apr-Jun 2024
At $385,000 median, Robinvale sits far below the VIC state median, making entry costs low for first buyers. Prices rose from $152,500 in 2013 to a peak of $402,500 in mid-2023 before retreating 4.3%, a 6.8% CAGR over 14 years. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,012, and at 17.7% of income, mortgage stress is low compared to the national average. Separate houses dominate at 88.9% of dwellings and 47% have 3 bedrooms, with 34.7% at 4 or more. With 45.1% of residents renting, owner-occupier stock is less competed for than the headline population suggests.
For Buyers
At $385,000 median, Robinvale sits far below the VIC state median, making entry costs low for first buyers. Prices rose from $152,500 in 2013 to a peak of $402,500 in mid-2023 before retreating 4.3%, a 6.8% CAGR over 14 years. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,012, and at 17.7% of income, mortgage stress is low compared to the national average. Separate houses dominate at 88.9% of dwellings and 47% have 3 bedrooms, with 34.7% at 4 or more. With 45.1% of residents renting, owner-occupier stock is less competed for than the headline population suggests.
For Investors
A 45.1% renter share gives landlords a large tenant pool, above the VIC state average for regional towns. Weekly rent of $220 is low compared to metropolitan benchmarks but suits the local agricultural income base. The vacancy rate of 9.5% is elevated and signals oversupply risk. Net internal outflow of 113 persons per year means the rental base depends on overseas arrivals of 83 per year to stay stable. Only 6 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, so new supply is not a near-term threat. Rent growth of 46.7% over the measured period is the key investment positive, though the high vacancy rate suggests further gains may be limited.
Development Activity
Total DAs
13
Last 12 Months
6
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+500.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Robinvale iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
St Mary's School
Prep-8 · 290 students
Robinvale College
Prep-12 · 257 students
Demographics
The median age of 36 is 4 years below the national average, partly driven by migrant agricultural workers. Overseas-born residents at 44.7% are 23.1 percentage points above national, the defining demographic feature. Ancestry includes Italian (453), Chinese (273) and English (535). Buddhism (458 adherents) is the second largest religion after Christianity (1,625), well above typical rural VIC proportions. Mandarin is the most common non-English language with 106 speakers, followed by Italian (52) and Khmer (27). University qualifications at 16.2% are 13.9 points below the national figure, consistent with a labourer-heavy workforce.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
88.9%
Houses
2.7%
Townhouse
4.6%
Apartment
Tenure
Separate houses account for 88.9% of dwellings and 32.8% are owned outright, while 22% carry a mortgage and 45.1% rent, above typical regional VIC levels because of the agricultural workforce. The price record runs from $152,500 in 2013 to a 2023 peak of $402,500, settling at $385,000 by Apr-Jun 2024, 152.5% above the trough. At 9.5% vacancy, the rental market is loose. Bedrooms skew large, with 34.7% of homes at 4 or more, suited to large and multigenerational households. Mortgage stress at 17.7% of income sits below the 30% national stress threshold.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,012
Rent / wk
$220
HH Size
2.9
Personal Income / wk
$615
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
9.5%
Unoccupied
104
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
16.7%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
17.7%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
27.6%
Couples, no children
2,154
Total families
Economy & Employment
Agriculture accounts for 36.4% of jobs (195 workers), far higher than the VIC state average, making the local economy sensitive to seasonal conditions and commodity prices. Healthcare (9.9%) and Education (9.1%) provide a more stable base. Labourers (493) outnumber Managers (268) by a wide margin, consistent with the farming context. The unemployment rate of 7.5% is above national norms and participation at 48.2% is low because 909 residents are not in the labour force. All four SEIFA scores sit at decile 1, the lowest nationally, confirming broad-based disadvantage across income, education and economic resources.
Unemployment
1.1%
Labour Force
1,963
Unemployed
22
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
67.7%
Part-time
24.8%
Participation
48.2%
Employed
1,277
Occupations
Top Industries
University
16.2%
Postgraduate
2.1%
Born Overseas
44.7%
Dwellings
981
Transport to Work
Car dependency is high at 64.3% driving to work, while only 4.3% use public transport, reflecting the limited transit options in a remote regional town. Walking and cycling at 7.5% is above average for rural VIC. The crime rate of 118.1 per 1,000 residents is elevated compared to VIC state benchmarks, led by property offences (200 incidents) and crimes against the person (115). IRSAD decile 1 places Robinvale among the least advantaged nationally. Rent-to-income at 16.7% stays below the 30% stress threshold, partly offsetting the low income base. The need-for-assistance rate of 5.8% (172 persons) is moderate.
Drive
64.3%
Public Transport
4.3%
Walk / Cycle
7.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.21%/yr
(+8 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation is 3,497 with a 10-year gain of 7.8%, below the national average for established suburbs. The annual trend adds 8 persons per year (0.21%), and medium forecasts project the population at 3,752 by 2031. Overseas migration of 83 arrivals per year is the primary driver because internal outflow runs at minus 113 per year. The young share declined 3.7 points and the senior share rose 2.5 points over the decade, pointing to gradual workforce shrinkage. Real income growth of 13.7% and rent growth of 46.7% are positives, but the gentrification score of 15 confirms this remains a lower-decile agricultural community without the structural investment pressures seen in gentrifying suburbs.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+83
Net Internal / yr
-113
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Net internal outflow -113/yr, Accelerating: -6% → 11%
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
413
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
118.1
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 Robinvale compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Robinvale a good suburb to live in?
Robinvale offers genuinely affordable housing at a $385,000 median and a rent-to-income ratio of 16.7%, both well below typical VIC levels. The trade-offs are a SEIFA IRSD decile 1 disadvantage ranking (the lowest tier nationally), a crime rate of 118.1 per 1,000 residents, and an unemployment rate of 7.5%. It suits buyers who value affordability and a rural lifestyle over proximity to services.
What is the median house price in Robinvale?
The median house price is $385,000 as of Apr-Jun 2024. Prices peaked at $402,500 in mid-2023 and have since eased 4.3%. Over the longer term, the median has risen 152.5% from $152,500 in 2013, a 6.8% compound annual growth rate. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,012.
What schools are in Robinvale?
No schools are recorded inside the Robinvale suburb boundary in this dataset. University qualifications among residents sit at 16.2%, which is 13.9 percentage points below the national average, consistent with a workforce concentrated in agriculture and labouring occupations rather than professional or knowledge roles.
Is Robinvale safe?
The recorded crime rate is 118.1 incidents per 1,000 residents, above most comparable VIC regional towns. Property and deception offences account for 200 of 413 total incidents and crimes against the person account for another 115. The SEIFA IRSD decile 1 rating indicates high relative disadvantage, which correlates with elevated crime rates nationally.
Is Robinvale good for property investment?
The 45.1% renter share provides a large tenant pool, and $220 weekly rent is affordable for the local income base. The 9.5% vacancy rate is high and warrants caution, as it suggests current rental supply exceeds demand. Net internal migration of minus 113 per year means population growth depends on overseas arrivals of 83 per year. Rent has grown 46.7% over the measured period, but the loose vacancy signals that growth may slow.
How is Robinvale's population changing?
Population is 3,497 with 7.8% growth over 10 years. The annual trend adds approximately 8 persons per year (0.21%), and medium forecasts project around 3,752 by 2031. Internal outflow of minus 113 per year is partially offset by overseas arrivals of 83 per year. The young adult share is declining (down 3.7 points over the decade) while the senior share is rising (up 2.5 points).
What languages are spoken in Robinvale?
With 44.7% of residents born overseas, 23.1 percentage points above the national average, Robinvale has a highly multicultural population. Mandarin is the most common non-English language with 106 speakers, followed by Italian (52), Khmer (27) and Cantonese (23). Italian ancestry (453 residents) and Chinese ancestry (273) are the two largest non-Anglo heritage groups.
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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