Kangaroo Ground vs Hurstbridge

Hurstbridge is the younger of the two, with a median age of 41 against 44 in Kangaroo Ground. In both, the large majority of households own their home, the large majority of homes are detached houses, and most households are couple families. Houses cost more in Kangaroo Ground: a median of $1.97 million, against $1.01 million in Hurstbridge, though rent is higher in Hurstbridge. On these figures, Hurstbridge tends to suit buyers on a tighter budget.

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

Hurstbridge

ahead on 2 of the 6 things we measure here

  • carries lower crime risk (22/100 vs 56/100)
  • has more parks and reserves (13 vs 6)

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

First-home buyers

Hurstbridge

ahead on 2 of the 2 things we measure here

  • has cheaper houses ($1,012,000 vs $1,970,000)
  • leaves households under less mortgage stress (21% vs 26%)

Weighs house prices and mortgage stress.

Renters

Kangaroo Ground

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • leaves renters under less rental stress (13% vs 19%)
  • has cheaper rent ($383/wk vs $420/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Hurstbridge

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (63/100 vs 21/100)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Hurstbridge

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (63/100 vs 21/100)
  • carries lower crime risk (22/100 vs 56/100)

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

Investors

Kangaroo Ground

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (10.3% vs 3.0%)

Weighs population growth.

Where they sit

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

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
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.

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
Walkability 21 / 63
Kangaroo Ground — Walkability: 21/100 Hurstbridge — Walkability: 63/100
Safety 44 / 78
Kangaroo Ground — Safety: 44/100 Hurstbridge — Safety: 78/100
Low fire risk 14 / 55
Kangaroo Ground — Low fire risk: 14/100 Hurstbridge — Low fire risk: 55/100
Low flood risk 68 / 53
Kangaroo Ground — Low flood risk: 68/100 Hurstbridge — Low flood risk: 53/100

Demographics

Hurstbridge has more residents (3,554 vs 1,208); Kangaroo Ground has higher household incomes ($151,268 vs $112,736).

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
Population 1,208 3,554
+194% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +10.3% +3.0%
Median age 44 41
Median household income $151,268/yr
+25% vs other
 $112,736/yr
Median weekly rent $383/wk $420/wk
+10% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
0-4 3.5% / 5.9%
Kangaroo Ground — 0-4: 3.5% Hurstbridge — 0-4: 5.9%
5-14 13.4% / 14.0%
Kangaroo Ground — 5-14: 13.4% Hurstbridge — 5-14: 14.0%
15-19 10.2% / 6.4%
Kangaroo Ground — 15-19: 10.2% Hurstbridge — 15-19: 6.4%
20-24 6.5% / 6.0%
Kangaroo Ground — 20-24: 6.5% Hurstbridge — 20-24: 6.0%
25-34 7.0% / 9.9%
Kangaroo Ground — 25-34: 7.0% Hurstbridge — 25-34: 9.9%
35-44 10.2% / 12.7%
Kangaroo Ground — 35-44: 10.2% Hurstbridge — 35-44: 12.7%
45-54 16.3% / 15.0%
Kangaroo Ground — 45-54: 16.3% Hurstbridge — 45-54: 15.0%
55-64 15.9% / 14.8%
Kangaroo Ground — 55-64: 15.9% Hurstbridge — 55-64: 14.8%
65-74 10.5% / 10.5%
Kangaroo Ground — 65-74: 10.5% Hurstbridge — 65-74: 10.5%
75-84 5.5% / 4.4%
Kangaroo Ground — 75-84: 5.5% Hurstbridge — 75-84: 4.4%
85+ 0.9% / 0.7%
Kangaroo Ground — 85+: 0.9% Hurstbridge — 85+: 0.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.3%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Kangaroo Ground 67.7% couple families
Kangaroo Ground — Couple Families: 67.7% Kangaroo Ground — Lone Person: 18.8% Kangaroo Ground — One Parent Families: 10.9% Kangaroo Ground — Group Household: 2.6% Kangaroo Ground — Other Families: 0.0%
Hurstbridge 58.4% couple families
Hurstbridge — Couple Families: 58.4% Hurstbridge — Lone Person: 23.3% Hurstbridge — One Parent Families: 16.1% Hurstbridge — Group Household: 1.7% Hurstbridge — Other Families: 0.6%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Kangaroo Ground 7.0% renting
Kangaroo Ground — Owned Outright: 46.3% Kangaroo Ground — Mortgage: 46.6% Kangaroo Ground — Renting: 7.0%
Hurstbridge 10.6% renting
Hurstbridge — Owned Outright: 36.2% Hurstbridge — Mortgage: 53.2% Hurstbridge — Renting: 10.6%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
Bachelor Degree 19.5% / 15.8%
Kangaroo Ground — Bachelor Degree: 19.5% Hurstbridge — Bachelor Degree: 15.8%
Certificate III & IV 10.8% / 17.8%
Kangaroo Ground — Certificate III & IV: 10.8% Hurstbridge — Certificate III & IV: 17.8%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.8% / 9.0%
Kangaroo Ground — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.8% Hurstbridge — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.0%
Postgraduate Degree 8.2% / 5.0%
Kangaroo Ground — Postgraduate Degree: 8.2% Hurstbridge — Postgraduate Degree: 5.0%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.7% / 3.5%
Kangaroo Ground — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.7% Hurstbridge — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (19.5%).

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.

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
England 4.1% / 4.9%
Kangaroo Ground — England: 4.1% Hurstbridge — England: 4.9%
New Zealand 0.7% / 1.0%
Kangaroo Ground — New Zealand: 0.7% Hurstbridge — New Zealand: 1.0%
Italy 0.7% / 0.3%
Kangaroo Ground — Italy: 0.7% Hurstbridge — Italy: 0.3%
Germany 0.5% / 0.5%
Kangaroo Ground — Germany: 0.5% Hurstbridge — Germany: 0.5%
China 0.7% / —
Kangaroo Ground — China: 0.7% Hurstbridge — China: not among its largest
South Africa 0.7% / —
Kangaroo Ground — South Africa: 0.7% Hurstbridge — South Africa: not among its largest
Netherlands — / 0.3%
Kangaroo Ground — Netherlands: not among its largest Hurstbridge — Netherlands: 0.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (4.9%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Kangaroo Ground 100.0% houses
Kangaroo Ground — Houses: 100.0% Kangaroo Ground — Townhouses: 0.0% Kangaroo Ground — Flats / Apartments: 0.0%
Hurstbridge 96.9% houses
Hurstbridge — Houses: 96.9% Hurstbridge — Townhouses: 2.5% Hurstbridge — Flats / Apartments: 0.7%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
Median house price $1,970,000 $1,012,000
Median unit price — $697,000
Median land price — $457,500
Typical days to sell (houses) — 22 days
from 14 sales

Zoning mix

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
Environmental 92% 83%
Residential 0% 9%
Infrastructure and transport 4%
same for both
Parks and recreation 4%
same for both
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

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
New dwellings approved 98
across Nillumbik
same for both
Approvals change year on year +8%
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.

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
Houses — 2.9%
$650/wk on $1.15M
Units —
same for both

Ranking within VIC

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
House price — Higher than 68% of VIC
Income Higher than 98% of VIC Higher than 86% of VIC
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 80% of VIC Higher than 88% of VIC
Affordability — Higher than 58% of VIC
EV adoption Higher than 89% of VIC Higher than 83% of VIC
NBN connectivity Higher than 72% of VIC Higher than 75% of VIC
Rental yield (houses) — Higher than 10% of VIC

Liveability

Hurstbridge is more walkable (63 vs 21); Hurstbridge scores higher overall (66 vs 55).

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
Grade B
same for both
Score 55/100 66/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
 very advantaged area
decile 9/10

Risk profile

Kangaroo Ground carries more crime risk (56 vs 22); Kangaroo Ground carries more bushfire risk (86 vs 45).

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
Bushfire High
86/100
 Moderate
45/100
Crime Moderate
56/100
 Low
22/100
Flood Low
32/100
 Moderate
47/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 0
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
Inside the suburb 1 2
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 1
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both

Schools in Kangaroo Ground

  • Kangaroo Ground Primary School Government · Primary at peers

Schools in Hurstbridge

  • Hurstbridge Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • Launch Campus Independent · Combined

Amenities in the suburb

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
Cafes & restaurants 4 12
Parks & reserves 6 13
Childcare 2 3
GPs 0 1
Pharmacies 0 1
Police stations 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 1 2
Waterways 4 17

Mobility

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
Walkability score 21/100 63/100
Distance to Melbourne 34 km 34.8 km
+2% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 46 min 48 min
Public transport score 62/100
Bus
 66/100
Rail · Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 20.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 17.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
 3 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 1.6%
postcode 3097
 1.2%
postcode 3099
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 56
postcode 3097
 41
postcode 3099

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.

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
Car (driver) 47.9% / 61.7%
Kangaroo Ground — Car (driver): 47.9% Hurstbridge — Car (driver): 61.7%
Worked from Home 42.3% / 32.0%
Kangaroo Ground — Worked from Home: 42.3% Hurstbridge — Worked from Home: 32.0%
Walked Only 4.5% / 1.0%
Kangaroo Ground — Walked Only: 4.5% Hurstbridge — Walked Only: 1.0%
Car (passenger) 3.2% / 2.1%
Kangaroo Ground — Car (passenger): 3.2% Hurstbridge — Car (passenger): 2.1%
Train 1.5% / 2.7%
Kangaroo Ground — Train: 1.5% Hurstbridge — Train: 2.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (61.7%).

Setting

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
Elevation 197 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 76 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 29.9 km 31.6 km

NBN connectivity

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
Connectivity score 32/100 62/100
Most common technology Fixed wireless Fibre to the node
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 2%
381 premises
 34%
1,425 premises

Climate

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
Annual rainfall 777 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 26.9°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 6.3°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
PM2.5 — 3.9 µg/m³
PM10 15.5 µg/m³ —
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
Average residential rate $2,696/yr
same for both
Council Nillumbik
same for both

Federal electorate

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
Division Jagajaga Mcewen
Member Kate Thwaites Rob Mitchell
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Kangaroo Ground Hurstbridge
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Kangaroo Ground

Acreage Outer Premium Quiet

Hurstbridge

Acreage Outer Parks River Trains Village Feel

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Kangaroo Ground

Kangaroo Ground vs Wonga Park Kangaroo Ground vs North Warrandyte Kangaroo Ground vs Research Kangaroo Ground vs Wattle Glen Kangaroo Ground vs Panton Hill Kangaroo Ground vs Christmas Hills

Other comparisons with Hurstbridge

Hurstbridge vs Doreen Hurstbridge vs Diamond Creek Hurstbridge vs Wattle Glen Hurstbridge vs Yarrambat Hurstbridge vs Panton Hill Hurstbridge vs Cottles Bridge
Full data on Kangaroo Ground Full data on Hurstbridge
Unlock full address-level data — $29/month

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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