Wendouree
A crime rate of 180.9 per 1,000 residents, an IRSAD decile 1 rating, and household income at the 12.6 percentile nationally make Wendouree one of Victoria's most disadvantaged suburbs by every standard measure. Yet prices have grown 81.1% since 2013, from $243,000 to $440,000, suggesting that even bottom-decile markets in regional Victoria have been lifted by the post-2020 tree-change wave. The $440,000 median still represents deep value compared to Melbourne, sitting 11.1% below the 2022 peak of $495,000. Rent grew 44.4% over the decade, the fastest rate among comparable Ballarat suburbs, but real income also grew 14.2%, so renters are not being squeezed as hard as the headline rent number implies.
Population
10,376
Median Age
42.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$990/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
16
Median House
$440K
Apr-Jun 2024
The $440,000 median sits 11.1% below the 2022 peak of $495,000, offering post-correction entry into Ballarat's most affordable suburb. Over 14 years, prices have compounded at 4.3% annually from $243,000, a total gain of 81.1%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 64.2%, the highest concentration among comparable Ballarat suburbs, while four-plus bedrooms at just 12.4% means families wanting larger homes must look elsewhere. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.2% is below the 30% stress threshold but tighter than the 25% comfort level, given the 12.6 percentile household income. Detached houses at 79.9% and semi-detached at 15.6% provide a traditional housing fabric, with a small apartment stock at 4.5%.
For Buyers
The $440,000 median sits 11.1% below the 2022 peak of $495,000, offering post-correction entry into Ballarat's most affordable suburb. Over 14 years, prices have compounded at 4.3% annually from $243,000, a total gain of 81.1%. Three-bedroom homes dominate at 64.2%, the highest concentration among comparable Ballarat suburbs, while four-plus bedrooms at just 12.4% means families wanting larger homes must look elsewhere. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.2% is below the 30% stress threshold but tighter than the 25% comfort level, given the 12.6 percentile household income. Detached houses at 79.9% and semi-detached at 15.6% provide a traditional housing fabric, with a small apartment stock at 4.5%.
For Investors
Renters make up 44.4% of households, well above the national average and the highest among Ballarat suburbs, creating a deep tenant pool. Median weekly rent of $250 is among the lowest in regional Victoria, and 44.4% rent growth over the decade indicates sustained demand. The 7.9% vacancy rate is elevated and worth monitoring. Gross yield on the $440,000 median works out to roughly 3.0%, above Melbourne's typical sub-2.5% range. Only 5 DAs were lodged in 12 months, meaning minimal new supply competition. Population growth is modest at 0.63% annually, but the gentrification score of 41 with early signs suggests the suburb's demographics may be shifting.
Development Activity
Total DAs
34
Last 12 Months
16
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+220.0%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Schools in Wendouree iICSEA: school advantage index. 1000 = national avg, higher = more advantaged
Ballarat Grammar
Prep-12 · 1989 students
Our Lady Help of Christians School
Prep-6 · 101 students
Mount Rowan Secondary College
7-12 · 678 students
Forest Street Primary School
Prep-6 · 232 students
Wendouree Primary School
Prep-6 · 116 students
Demographics
English (4,296), Irish (1,240) and Scottish (1,161) ancestries dominate, with just 9.9% born overseas, sitting 11.7 percentage points below the national baseline. Non-English language counts are minimal: Mandarin (17), Hindi (16) and Cantonese (14) represent very small communities. The 18.3% university rate runs 11.8 points below the national average, the lowest among comparable Ballarat suburbs. At a median age of 42, two years above the national figure, the population skews older. The household size of 2.1 is below the national average, and 30.8% of families are couples without children, higher than the 26.0% national benchmark, consistent with an aging, smaller-household profile.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
79.9%
Houses
15.6%
Townhouse
4.5%
Apartment
Tenure
Over 14 years, Wendouree grew from $243,000 (2013 trough) to $440,000, peaking at $495,000 in 2022. The 11.1% peak-to-latest decline signals a correction still in progress. Tenure shows 34.6% outright owners, 21.1% mortgage holders and 44.4% renters. The renter dominance is unusual for a detached-housing suburb and reflects the affordability that draws welfare-dependent and low-income households. Three-bedroom stock at 64.2% far exceeds the national distribution. The 6.7% share of studio/one-bedroom dwellings is above average, likely social housing. Rent-to-income at 25.3% and mortgage-to-income at 27.2% are both elevated relative to the 12.6 percentile household income.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,166
Rent / wk
$250
HH Size
2.1
Personal Income / wk
$571
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
7.9%
Unoccupied
384
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
25.3%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
27.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
30.8%
Couples, no children
6,916
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare dominates at 22.6% (489 workers), the highest single-industry concentration among Ballarat suburbs, reflecting proximity to Ballarat Health Services. Education (10.9%), Construction (10.0%), Manufacturing (9.3%) and Retail (8.7%) follow. Labourers (606) are the largest occupational group, ahead of Community/Personal (588) and Professionals (452), an inverted occupational structure compared to the national pattern. The 7.9% unemployment rate sits well above the national average. SEIFA shows extreme disadvantage: IEO decile 1, IER decile 2, IRSD decile 2, IRSAD decile 1. The participation rate of just 42.5% is the lowest among comparable suburbs, with 3,943 people not in the labour force.
Unemployment
6.6%
Labour Force
7,429
Unemployed
492
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
57.7%
Part-time
34.4%
Participation
42.5%
Employed
3,403
Occupations
Top Industries
University
18.3%
Postgraduate
3.4%
Born Overseas
9.9%
Dwellings
4,472
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 87.1% driving to work, with 1.4% public transport and 4.5% walking or cycling. Crime totalled 1,877 incidents at 180.9 per 1,000, well above the Victorian state median. Property and deception offences dominate at 1,118 (59.6%), with crimes against the person at 316 and justice procedures at 312. Wendouree has 6 schools: Ballarat Grammar (ICSEA 1,120, independent combined, 1,989 students) is the standout, while the remaining 5 range from Our Lady Help of Christians (ICSEA 1,017) down to Yuille Park Community College (ICSEA 840, 209 students), a 280-point ICSEA spread that mirrors the suburb's deep socioeconomic stratification.
Drive
87.1%
Public Transport
1.4%
Walk / Cycle
4.5%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.63%/yr
(+98 people/yr)
EstablishedPopulation grew 7.9% over the past decade, reaching an estimated 15,548 in 2025, with projections of 16,239 by 2031 at 0.63% annually. Net internal migration is negative at 56 outflows per year, partially offset by 91 overseas arrivals. The gentrification score of 41 with early signs seems high for IRSAD decile 1, but rent growth of 44.4% and 14.2% real income growth over the decade suggest bottom-up economic improvement is underway, likely driven by remote workers and tree-changers from Melbourne. The working-age share grew 1.6 points, a positive signal against the broader aging trend. Affordability remained stable, moving from 39.4% in 2011 to 40.5% in 2021.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+91
Net Internal / yr
-56
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
1,877
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
180.9
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 Wendouree compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wendouree a good suburb to live in?
Wendouree offers Ballarat's most affordable housing at $440,000 median, but carries significant trade-offs: IRSAD decile 1 (most disadvantaged), 180.9 per 1,000 crime rate, and 7.9% unemployment. Ballarat Grammar (ICSEA 1,120) is a strong school option. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.2% is manageable but tighter than comfortable at the 12.6 percentile income.
What is the median house price in Wendouree?
The median house price is $440,000 as of April-June 2024, down 11.1% from the 2022 peak of $495,000. Over 14 years prices compounded at 4.3% annually, climbing 81.1% from the $243,000 trough in 2013. Median weekly rent is $250 and monthly mortgage repayments sit at $1,166, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 27.2%.
What schools are in Wendouree?
Wendouree has 6 schools with extreme ICSEA variation. Ballarat Grammar (independent combined, ICSEA 1,120, 1,989 students) is the standout. Our Lady Help of Christians (Catholic primary, ICSEA 1,017, 101 students) also exceeds the benchmark. Mt Rowan Secondary College (ICSEA 938), Forest Street Primary (919), Wendouree Primary (917) and Yuille Park Community College (840) all sit below 1,000.
Is Wendouree safe?
Wendouree recorded 1,877 offences at a rate of 180.9 per 1,000 residents, well above the Victorian state median. Property and deception offences dominate at 1,118 (59.6%), with 316 crimes against the person. The IRSD decile 2 and IRSAD decile 1 readings are consistent with elevated crime. The 7.9% unemployment and 44.4% renter share are risk factors.
Is Wendouree good for property investment?
Wendouree's 44.4% renter share is the highest among Ballarat suburbs, providing a deep tenant pool. The $250 weekly rent on a $440,000 median delivers roughly 3.0% gross yield, above Melbourne levels. Rent grew 44.4% over the decade. Risks include 7.9% vacancy, 180.9 per 1,000 crime rate, and IRSAD decile 1. Only 5 DAs in 12 months limit supply.
How is Wendouree's population changing?
Population grew 7.9% over the past decade to 15,548, projected to reach 16,239 by 2031. Net internal migration is negative at 56 per year, offset by 91 overseas arrivals. The working-age share grew 1.6 points, a positive sign. Rent grew 44.4% and real income grew 14.2%, suggesting tree-change demand is slowly improving the economic base from its IRSAD decile 1 starting point.
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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