Armstrong Creek vs Charlemont

In both, most households own their home and the large majority of homes are detached houses. In Armstrong Creek, most households are couple families. Houses cost more in Armstrong Creek: a median of $664,000, against $596,000 in Charlemont. On these figures, Armstrong Creek tends to suit families with children and couples, while Charlemont suits young adults.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

Armstrong Creek

ahead on 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more schools inside the suburb (5 vs 1)
  • has more childcare (8 vs 2)
  • is already more of a family suburb (72% vs 57%)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

Charlemont

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has cheaper land ($345,000 vs $405,000)
  • has cheaper houses ($596,500 vs $663,750)

Weighs house prices, land prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Too close to call

Nothing among the 3 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

Charlemont

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • has a shorter drive in (71 min vs 76 min)
  • sits closer to the CBD (80.8 km vs 83.8 km)
  • But Armstrong Creek is more walkable (66/100 vs 32/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, rail access, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Armstrong Creek

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (3 vs 0)
  • is more walkable (66/100 vs 32/100)
  • carries lower crime risk (69/100 vs 81/100)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

Charlemont

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (617.6% vs 164.8%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

Armstrong Creek and Charlemont drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
Walkability 66 / 32
Armstrong Creek — Walkability: 66/100 Charlemont — Walkability: 32/100
Safety 31 / 19
Armstrong Creek — Safety: 31/100 Charlemont — Safety: 19/100
Low fire risk 57 / 100
Armstrong Creek — Low fire risk: 57/100 Charlemont — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 13 / 8
Armstrong Creek — Low flood risk: 13/100 Charlemont — Low flood risk: 8/100

Demographics

Armstrong Creek has more residents (11,247 vs 2,612).

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
Population 11,247
+77% vs other
2,612
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +164.8% +617.6%
Median age 30 29
Median household income $114,400/yr
+4% vs other
$109,304/yr
Median weekly rent $420/wk
+1% vs other
$415/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
0-4 11.0% / 10.0%
Armstrong Creek — 0-4: 11.0% Charlemont — 0-4: 10.0%
5-14 14.9% / 9.6%
Armstrong Creek — 5-14: 14.9% Charlemont — 5-14: 9.6%
15-19 4.5% / 3.9%
Armstrong Creek — 15-19: 4.5% Charlemont — 15-19: 3.9%
20-24 7.4% / 12.0%
Armstrong Creek — 20-24: 7.4% Charlemont — 20-24: 12.0%
25-34 24.0% / 29.8%
Armstrong Creek — 25-34: 24.0% Charlemont — 25-34: 29.8%
35-44 17.5% / 14.4%
Armstrong Creek — 35-44: 17.5% Charlemont — 35-44: 14.4%
45-54 8.3% / 6.5%
Armstrong Creek — 45-54: 8.3% Charlemont — 45-54: 6.5%
55-64 5.7% / 6.7%
Armstrong Creek — 55-64: 5.7% Charlemont — 55-64: 6.7%
65-74 4.2% / 3.1%
Armstrong Creek — 65-74: 4.2% Charlemont — 65-74: 3.1%
75-84 1.7% / 2.1%
Armstrong Creek — 75-84: 1.7% Charlemont — 75-84: 2.1%
85+ 0.9% / 1.6%
Armstrong Creek — 85+: 0.9% Charlemont — 85+: 1.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (29.8%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Armstrong Creek 55.8% couple families
Armstrong Creek — Couple Families: 55.8% Armstrong Creek — Lone Person: 18.1% Armstrong Creek — One Parent Families: 16.7% Armstrong Creek — Group Household: 8.0% Armstrong Creek — Other Families: 1.4%
Charlemont 42.6% couple families
Charlemont — Couple Families: 42.6% Charlemont — Lone Person: 29.9% Charlemont — One Parent Families: 14.2% Charlemont — Group Household: 11.0% Charlemont — Other Families: 2.3%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Armstrong Creek 34.9% renting
Armstrong Creek — Owned Outright: 11.1% Armstrong Creek — Mortgage: 54.0% Armstrong Creek — Renting: 34.9%
Charlemont 28.7% renting
Charlemont — Owned Outright: 10.5% Charlemont — Mortgage: 60.8% Charlemont — Renting: 28.7%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
Certificate III & IV 15.4% / 17.1%
Armstrong Creek — Certificate III & IV: 15.4% Charlemont — Certificate III & IV: 17.1%
Bachelor Degree 15.3% / 16.1%
Armstrong Creek — Bachelor Degree: 15.3% Charlemont — Bachelor Degree: 16.1%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 9.7% / 9.7%
Armstrong Creek — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.7% Charlemont — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.7%
Postgraduate Degree 4.4% / 4.2%
Armstrong Creek — Postgraduate Degree: 4.4% Charlemont — Postgraduate Degree: 4.2%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.4% / 2.4%
Armstrong Creek — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.4% Charlemont — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (17.1%).

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
India 3.9% / 5.6%
Armstrong Creek — India: 3.9% Charlemont — India: 5.6%
England 3.1% / 1.5%
Armstrong Creek — England: 3.1% Charlemont — England: 1.5%
Philippines 1.6% / 1.1%
Armstrong Creek — Philippines: 1.6% Charlemont — Philippines: 1.1%
New Zealand 1.3% / 0.9%
Armstrong Creek — New Zealand: 1.3% Charlemont — New Zealand: 0.9%
Nepal 0.3% / 0.7%
Armstrong Creek — Nepal: 0.3% Charlemont — Nepal: 0.7%
South Africa 0.8% / —
Armstrong Creek — South Africa: 0.8% Charlemont — South Africa: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (5.6%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Armstrong Creek 95.1% houses
Armstrong Creek — Houses: 95.1% Armstrong Creek — Townhouses: 5.0% Armstrong Creek — Flats / Apartments: 0.0%
Charlemont 97.8% houses
Charlemont — Houses: 97.8% Charlemont — Townhouses: 1.8% Charlemont — Flats / Apartments: 0.4%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
Median house price $663,750 $596,500
Median unit price $570,000 —
Median land price $405,000 $345,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 30 days
from 308 sales
26 days
from 165 sales

House price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
3 bed $615K / $595K
Armstrong Creek — 3 bed: $615K (178 sales) Charlemont — 3 bed: $595K (149 sales)

178 vs 149 sales

4 bed $685K / $632K
Armstrong Creek — 4 bed: $685K (425 sales) Charlemont — 4 bed: $632K (244 sales)

425 vs 244 sales

5 bed $422K / $423K
Armstrong Creek — 5 bed: $422K (26 sales) Charlemont — 5 bed: $423K (12 sales)

26 vs 12 sales

Zoning mix

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
Residential 56% 61%
Parks and recreation 22%
same for both
Rural and farming 19% 15%
Infrastructure and transport 3% 2%
Zoning sets what may be built, not what is there today. A single address can sit in a different zone to the suburb around it. Zones as at 2026-09.

Development activity

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
New dwellings approved 3,468
across Greater Geelong
same for both
Approvals change year on year +56%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
Houses 4.0%
$560/wk on $720K
4.2%
$550/wk on $684K
Units —
same for both

Ranking within VIC

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
House price Higher than 36% of VIC Higher than 31% of VIC
Income Higher than 86% of VIC Higher than 82% of VIC
Schools Higher than 29% of VIC —
Walkability Higher than 89% of VIC Higher than 83% of VIC
Affordability Higher than 94% of VIC
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 82% of VIC Higher than 81% of VIC
NBN connectivity Higher than 99% of VIC Higher than 98% of VIC
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 71% of VIC Higher than 79% of VIC

Liveability

Armstrong Creek is more walkable (66 vs 32); Charlemont scores higher overall (43 vs 36).

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
Grade C
same for both
Score 36/100 43/100
Socio-economic band advantaged area
decile 8/10
same for both

Risk profile

Armstrong Creek carries more bushfire risk (43 vs 0); Charlemont carries more crime risk (81 vs 69).

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
Bushfire Moderate
43/100
None
0/100
Crime Moderate
69/100
High
81/100
Flood High
87/100
High
92/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 0
within 5 km
4
within 5 km

Schools

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
Inside the suburb 5 1
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 3 0
Rated below peers 1
same for both
Universities within 10 km 2
Deakin University, Geelong Waterfront Campus, 9.4 km
2
Deakin University, Geelong Waterfront Campus, 6.7 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 2.5% 3.5%

Schools in Armstrong Creek

  • Geelong Lutheran College - Armstrong Creek Campus Independent · Combined at peers
  • Oberon High School Government · Secondary at peers
  • St Catherine of Siena Catholic Primary School Catholic · Primary at peers
  • Armstrong Creek School Government · Primary below peers
  • Armstrong Creek School - Specialist P-12 Campus Government · Combined · Special school

Schools in Charlemont

  • Iona College Geelong Catholic · Secondary below peers

Amenities in the suburb

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
Supermarkets 4 0
Cafes & restaurants 4 1
Parks & reserves 4 3
Childcare 8 2
GPs 3 0
Banks & Bank@Post 1 0
Fuel stations 3 1
EV chargers 2 0
Waterways 8 1

Mobility

Armstrong Creek sits further from the CBD (83.8 km vs 80.8 km).

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
Walkability score 66/100 32/100
Distance to Melbourne 83.8 km
+4% vs other
80.8 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 76 min 71 min
Public transport score 76/100 75/100
Peak arrivals per hour 78.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
34.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 1.2%
postcode 3217
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 53
postcode 3217
same for both

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
Car (driver) 72.6% / 74.7%
Armstrong Creek — Car (driver): 72.6% Charlemont — Car (driver): 74.7%
Worked from Home 20.9% / 18.7%
Armstrong Creek — Worked from Home: 20.9% Charlemont — Worked from Home: 18.7%
Car (passenger) 4.1% / 5.1%
Armstrong Creek — Car (passenger): 4.1% Charlemont — Car (passenger): 5.1%
Train 0.9% / 1.0%
Armstrong Creek — Train: 0.9% Charlemont — Train: 1.0%
Bus 0.8% / 0.6%
Armstrong Creek — Bus: 0.8% Charlemont — Bus: 0.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (74.7%).

Setting

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
Elevation 7 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
14 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 7.1 km 6.9 km

NBN connectivity

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
Connectivity score 99/100 98/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 98%
5,202 premises
98%
2,681 premises

Climate

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
Annual rainfall —
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 22.8°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 7.8°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
PM2.5 5.0 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 20.5 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
Average residential rate $1,802/yr
same for both
Council Greater Geelong
same for both

Federal electorate

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
Division Corangamite
same for both
Member Libby Coker
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Armstrong Creek Charlemont
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Armstrong Creek

Charlemont

More comparisons

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Other comparisons with Charlemont

Full data on Armstrong Creek Full data on Charlemont
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Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

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