Hamlyn Heights vs Herne Hill

In both, most households own their home and most homes are detached houses. In Herne Hill, about half of households are people living alone. On these figures, Herne Hill tends to suit people living alone.

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

Hamlyn Heights

ahead on 2 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more schools inside the suburb (5 vs 3)
  • has more separate houses rather than flats (84% vs 71%)

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

First-home buyers

Herne Hill

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper units ($380,000 vs $525,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, land prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Herne Hill

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper rent ($270/wk vs $345/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Hamlyn Heights

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • sits closer to the CBD (74.3 km vs 76.4 km)

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

Downsizers and retirees

They split

one each way, out of the 5 things we measure here

  • Hamlyn Heights has more GPs (3 vs 0)
  • Herne Hill has more units and townhouses to downsize into (29% vs 16%)

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

Investors

Herne Hill

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • returns a higher gross yield on units (5.8% vs 5.1%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (4.2% vs 3.7%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

Hamlyn Heights and Herne Hill drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
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.

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
Walkability 71 / 68
Hamlyn Heights — Walkability: 71/100 Herne Hill — Walkability: 68/100
Safety 59 / 59
Hamlyn Heights — Safety: 59/100 Herne Hill — Safety: 59/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Hamlyn Heights — Low fire risk: 100/100 Herne Hill — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 55 / 73
Hamlyn Heights — Low flood risk: 55/100 Herne Hill — Low flood risk: 73/100

Demographics

Hamlyn Heights has more residents (6,518 vs 3,507); Hamlyn Heights rents higher ($345/wk vs $270/wk).

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
Population 6,518
+46% vs other
 3,507
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +3.6% +2.8%
Median age 38 36
Median household income $85,436/yr
+14% vs other
 $73,840/yr
Median weekly rent $345/wk
+22% vs other
 $270/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
0-4 5.8% / 6.6%
Hamlyn Heights — 0-4: 5.8% Herne Hill — 0-4: 6.6%
5-14 11.3% / 10.5%
Hamlyn Heights — 5-14: 11.3% Herne Hill — 5-14: 10.5%
15-19 5.4% / 3.8%
Hamlyn Heights — 15-19: 5.4% Herne Hill — 15-19: 3.8%
20-24 6.3% / 6.9%
Hamlyn Heights — 20-24: 6.3% Herne Hill — 20-24: 6.9%
25-34 16.3% / 18.6%
Hamlyn Heights — 25-34: 16.3% Herne Hill — 25-34: 18.6%
35-44 12.9% / 14.4%
Hamlyn Heights — 35-44: 12.9% Herne Hill — 35-44: 14.4%
45-54 12.0% / 11.8%
Hamlyn Heights — 45-54: 12.0% Herne Hill — 45-54: 11.8%
55-64 11.9% / 11.1%
Hamlyn Heights — 55-64: 11.9% Herne Hill — 55-64: 11.1%
65-74 9.0% / 8.1%
Hamlyn Heights — 65-74: 9.0% Herne Hill — 65-74: 8.1%
75-84 5.5% / 5.3%
Hamlyn Heights — 75-84: 5.5% Herne Hill — 75-84: 5.3%
85+ 3.7% / 2.6%
Hamlyn Heights — 85+: 3.7% Herne Hill — 85+: 2.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (18.6%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Hamlyn Heights 42.9% lone person
Hamlyn Heights — Lone Person: 42.9% Hamlyn Heights — Couple Families: 35.7% Hamlyn Heights — One Parent Families: 14.3% Hamlyn Heights — Group Household: 5.6% Hamlyn Heights — Other Families: 1.5%
Herne Hill 52.1% lone person
Herne Hill — Lone Person: 52.1% Herne Hill — Couple Families: 29.4% Herne Hill — One Parent Families: 13.2% Herne Hill — Group Household: 4.6% Herne Hill — Other Families: 0.7%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Hamlyn Heights 30.1% renting
Hamlyn Heights — Owned Outright: 35.4% Hamlyn Heights — Mortgage: 34.5% Hamlyn Heights — Renting: 30.1%
Herne Hill 38.9% renting
Herne Hill — Owned Outright: 27.5% Herne Hill — Mortgage: 33.6% Herne Hill — Renting: 38.9%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
Certificate III & IV 16.2% / 17.0%
Hamlyn Heights — Certificate III & IV: 16.2% Herne Hill — Certificate III & IV: 17.0%
Bachelor Degree 14.2% / 15.2%
Hamlyn Heights — Bachelor Degree: 14.2% Herne Hill — Bachelor Degree: 15.2%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.8% / 8.5%
Hamlyn Heights — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.8% Herne Hill — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.5%
Postgraduate Degree 4.0% / 4.5%
Hamlyn Heights — Postgraduate Degree: 4.0% Herne Hill — Postgraduate Degree: 4.5%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.6% / 2.5%
Hamlyn Heights — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.6% Herne Hill — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (17.0%).

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.

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
England 1.8% / 2.1%
Hamlyn Heights — England: 1.8% Herne Hill — England: 2.1%
India 1.6% / 1.4%
Hamlyn Heights — India: 1.6% Herne Hill — India: 1.4%
New Zealand 0.8% / 1.3%
Hamlyn Heights — New Zealand: 0.8% Herne Hill — New Zealand: 1.3%
Germany 0.8% / 0.4%
Hamlyn Heights — Germany: 0.8% Herne Hill — Germany: 0.4%
Netherlands 0.6% / 0.5%
Hamlyn Heights — Netherlands: 0.6% Herne Hill — Netherlands: 0.5%
Italy 1.0% / —
Hamlyn Heights — Italy: 1.0% Herne Hill — Italy: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (2.1%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Hamlyn Heights 83.9% houses
Hamlyn Heights — Houses: 83.9% Hamlyn Heights — Townhouses: 15.5% Hamlyn Heights — Flats / Apartments: 0.6%
Herne Hill 71.3% houses
Herne Hill — Houses: 71.3% Herne Hill — Townhouses: 9.9% Herne Hill — Flats / Apartments: 18.9%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
Median house price $750,000 $755,000
Median unit price $525,000 $380,000
Median land price $645,000
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 20 days
from 55 sales
 24 days
from 24 sales

Unit price by bedroom count

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

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
1 bed $305K / $330K
Hamlyn Heights — 1 bed: $305K (9 sales) Herne Hill — 1 bed: $330K (25 sales)

9 vs 25 sales

2 bed $548K / $415K
Hamlyn Heights — 2 bed: $548K (16 sales) Herne Hill — 2 bed: $415K (23 sales)

16 vs 23 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.

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
2 bed $655K / $647K
Hamlyn Heights — 2 bed: $655K (19 sales) Herne Hill — 2 bed: $647K (7 sales)

19 vs 7 sales

3 bed $750K / $745K
Hamlyn Heights — 3 bed: $750K (78 sales) Herne Hill — 3 bed: $745K (77 sales)

78 vs 77 sales

4 bed $850K / $862K
Hamlyn Heights — 4 bed: $850K (31 sales) Herne Hill — 4 bed: $862K (22 sales)

31 vs 22 sales

Zoning mix

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
Residential 87% 81%
Infrastructure and transport 6% 10%
Parks and recreation 7% 9%
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

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
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.

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
Houses 3.7%
$550/wk on $765K
 4.2%
$590/wk on $735K
Units 5.1%
$515/wk on $530K
 5.8%
$390/wk on $350K

Ranking within VIC

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
House price Higher than 46% of VIC Higher than 54% of VIC
Income Higher than 55% of VIC Higher than 39% of VIC
Schools Higher than 15% of VIC Higher than 8% of VIC
Walkability Higher than 90% of VIC Higher than 89% of VIC
Affordability Higher than 59% of VIC Higher than 32% of VIC
EV adoption Higher than 85% of VIC Higher than 84% of VIC
NBN connectivity Higher than 93% of VIC Higher than 86% of VIC
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 50% of VIC Higher than 78% of VIC
Rental yield (units) Higher than 64% of VIC Higher than 88% of VIC

Liveability

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
Grade B
same for both
Score 52/100
same for both
Socio-economic band mid-range socio-economic
decile 6/10
 mid-range socio-economic
decile 5/10

Risk profile

Hamlyn Heights carries more flood risk (45 vs 27).

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime Moderate
41/100
same for both
Flood Moderate
45/100
 Low
27/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 7
within 5 km
 9
within 5 km

Schools

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
Inside the suburb 5 3
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 2
same for both
Rated below peers 1 0
Universities within 10 km 2
Deakin University, Geelong Waterfront Campus, 4.6 km
 2
Deakin University, Geelong Waterfront Campus, 3.7 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 2.2% 2.0%

Schools in Hamlyn Heights

  • Hamlyn Banks Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • Herne Hill Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • Western Heights Secondary College Government · Secondary below peers
  • Western Heights Secondary College-Quamby Campus Government · Secondary
  • Hamlyn Views School Government · Combined · Special school

Schools in Herne Hill

  • Clonard College Catholic · Secondary at peers
  • Holy Spirit Parish School Catholic · Primary at peers
  • St Joseph's College Geelong - Westcourt Campus Catholic · Secondary

Amenities in the suburb

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
Cafes & restaurants 3 4
Parks & reserves 8 6
Childcare 2 3
GPs 3 0
Pharmacies 1
same for both
Banks & Bank@Post 1
same for both

Mobility

Herne Hill sits further from the CBD (76.4 km vs 74.3 km).

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
Walkability score 71/100 68/100
Distance to Melbourne 74.3 km 76.4 km
+3% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 61 min 65 min
Public transport score 76/100 75/100
Peak arrivals per hour 76.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 40.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 1.3%
postcode 3215
 1.3%
postcode 3218
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 26
postcode 3215
 24
postcode 3218

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.

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
Car (driver) 68.5% / 68.7%
Hamlyn Heights — Car (driver): 68.5% Herne Hill — Car (driver): 68.7%
Worked from Home 22.0% / 21.9%
Hamlyn Heights — Worked from Home: 22.0% Herne Hill — Worked from Home: 21.9%
Car (passenger) 4.7% / 4.1%
Hamlyn Heights — Car (passenger): 4.7% Herne Hill — Car (passenger): 4.1%
Walked Only 1.6% / 1.1%
Hamlyn Heights — Walked Only: 1.6% Herne Hill — Walked Only: 1.1%
Bus 1.1% / 1.6%
Hamlyn Heights — Bus: 1.1% Herne Hill — Bus: 1.6%
Train 1.1% / 1.4%
Hamlyn Heights — Train: 1.1% Herne Hill — Train: 1.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (68.7%).

Setting

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
Elevation 64 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 54 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 3.0 km
4.9 km to a named beach
 2.8 km
4.2 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
Connectivity score 84/100 77/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 65%
3,213 premises
 54%
1,920 premises

Climate

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
Annual rainfall 454 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 26.1°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 5.5°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
PM2.5 5.0 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 20.5 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
Average residential rate $1,802/yr
same for both
Council Greater Geelong
same for both

Federal electorate

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
Division Corio
same for both
Member Richard Marles
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Hamlyn Heights Herne Hill
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Hamlyn Heights

Parks

Herne Hill

Coastal Gentrifying Parks

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Hamlyn Heights

Hamlyn Heights vs Geelong West Hamlyn Heights vs Bell Park Hamlyn Heights vs Bell Post Hill Hamlyn Heights vs North Geelong Hamlyn Heights vs Manifold Heights Hamlyn Heights vs Fyansford

Other comparisons with Herne Hill

Herne Hill vs Newtown Herne Hill vs Manifold Heights Herne Hill vs Fyansford
Full data on Hamlyn Heights Full data on Herne Hill
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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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