Kinglake Central vs Kinglake West

Kinglake West is the younger of the two, with a median age of 40 against 45 in Kinglake Central. 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 Kinglake Central: a median of $1.06 million, against $860,000 in Kinglake West, though rent is higher in Kinglake West. On these figures, Kinglake West tends to suit families with children and buyers on a tighter budget.

Kinglake West is the larger and more established community, with 1305 residents compared to Kinglake Central's 413, and offers notably higher median household income at $101,400 versus $85,696. Kinglake West also has better walkability (35 versus 1) and sits closer to Melbourne's CBD at 68.4 km rather than 80.4 km. Kinglake Central's median house price is higher at $1,043,500, though weekly rent is slightly lower at $330. Both suburbs face similar bushfire and flood risks; Kinglake West has a marginally younger population and slightly stronger socio-economic standing.

Written by an AI language model from the figures below. Every number in it is checked against those figures before it is published.

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

They split

one each way, out of the 6 things we measure here

  • Kinglake Central has more schools rated above their peers (1 vs 0)
  • Kinglake West carries lower crime risk (19/100 vs 58/100)

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

First-home buyers

Kinglake West

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper houses ($860,000 vs $1,062,000)

Weighs house prices and mortgage stress.

Renters

Kinglake Central

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper rent ($330/wk vs $360/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Kinglake West

ahead on 3 of the 3 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (35/100 vs 0/100)
  • has a shorter drive in (70 min vs 84 min)
  • sits closer to the CBD (68.4 km vs 80.4 km)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Kinglake West

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (35/100 vs 0/100)
  • carries lower crime risk (19/100 vs 58/100)

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

Investors

Kinglake Central

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (19.7% vs 11.9%)

Weighs population growth.

Where they sit

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

Kinglake Central Kinglake West
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.

Kinglake Central Kinglake West
Walkability 0 / 35
Kinglake Central — Walkability: 0/100 Kinglake West — Walkability: 35/100
Safety 42 / 81
Kinglake Central — Safety: 42/100 Kinglake West — Safety: 81/100
Low fire risk 2 / 3
Kinglake Central — Low fire risk: 2/100 Kinglake West — Low fire risk: 3/100
Low flood risk 100 / 100
Kinglake Central — Low flood risk: 100/100 Kinglake West — Low flood risk: 100/100

Demographics

Kinglake West has more residents (1,305 vs 413); Kinglake West has higher household incomes ($101,400 vs $85,696).

Kinglake Central Kinglake West
Population 413 1,305
+216% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +19.7% +11.9%
Median age 45 40
Median household income $85,696/yr $101,400/yr
+18% vs other
Median weekly rent $330/wk $360/wk
+9% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Kinglake Central Kinglake West
0-4 6.3% / 6.1%
Kinglake Central — 0-4: 6.3% Kinglake West — 0-4: 6.1%
5-14 9.2% / 14.7%
Kinglake Central — 5-14: 9.2% Kinglake West — 5-14: 14.7%
15-19 8.2% / 5.5%
Kinglake Central — 15-19: 8.2% Kinglake West — 15-19: 5.5%
20-24 5.6% / 4.3%
Kinglake Central — 20-24: 5.6% Kinglake West — 20-24: 4.3%
25-34 10.2% / 11.8%
Kinglake Central — 25-34: 10.2% Kinglake West — 25-34: 11.8%
35-44 11.1% / 13.3%
Kinglake Central — 35-44: 11.1% Kinglake West — 35-44: 13.3%
45-54 15.5% / 16.2%
Kinglake Central — 45-54: 15.5% Kinglake West — 45-54: 16.2%
55-64 19.6% / 13.1%
Kinglake Central — 55-64: 19.6% Kinglake West — 55-64: 13.1%
65-74 9.7% / 10.1%
Kinglake Central — 65-74: 9.7% Kinglake West — 65-74: 10.1%
75-84 4.6% / 3.8%
Kinglake Central — 75-84: 4.6% Kinglake West — 75-84: 3.8%
85+ — / 0.7%
Kinglake Central — 85+: not among its largest Kinglake West — 85+: 0.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (19.6%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Kinglake Central 58.8% couple families
Kinglake Central — Couple Families: 58.8% Kinglake Central — Lone Person: 21.2% Kinglake Central — One Parent Families: 15.0% Kinglake Central — Group Household: 5.0%
Kinglake West 61.5% couple families
Kinglake West — Couple Families: 61.5% Kinglake West — Lone Person: 21.2% Kinglake West — One Parent Families: 13.2% Kinglake West — Group Household: 4.2%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Kinglake Central 6.2% renting
Kinglake Central — Owned Outright: 43.0% Kinglake Central — Mortgage: 50.8% Kinglake Central — Renting: 6.2%
Kinglake West 4.2% renting
Kinglake West — Owned Outright: 38.9% Kinglake West — Mortgage: 56.8% Kinglake West — Renting: 4.2%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Kinglake Central Kinglake West
Certificate III & IV 17.9% / 19.8%
Kinglake Central — Certificate III & IV: 17.9% Kinglake West — Certificate III & IV: 19.8%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 10.2% / 9.8%
Kinglake Central — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 10.2% Kinglake West — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.8%
Bachelor Degree 6.3% / 7.3%
Kinglake Central — Bachelor Degree: 6.3% Kinglake West — Bachelor Degree: 7.3%
Postgraduate Degree 3.6% / 1.8%
Kinglake Central — Postgraduate Degree: 3.6% Kinglake West — Postgraduate Degree: 1.8%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 3.6% / 1.7%
Kinglake Central — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.6% Kinglake West — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (19.8%).

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.

Kinglake Central Kinglake West
England 1.9% / 2.8%
Kinglake Central — England: 1.9% Kinglake West — England: 2.8%
New Zealand 1.7% / 0.5%
Kinglake Central — New Zealand: 1.7% Kinglake West — New Zealand: 0.5%
India 1.2% / 0.4%
Kinglake Central — India: 1.2% Kinglake West — India: 0.4%
Philippines — / 0.7%
Kinglake Central — Philippines: not among its largest Kinglake West — Philippines: 0.7%
Italy — / 0.6%
Kinglake Central — Italy: not among its largest Kinglake West — Italy: 0.6%
Greece — / 0.6%
Kinglake Central — Greece: not among its largest Kinglake West — Greece: 0.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (2.8%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Kinglake Central 100.0% houses
Kinglake Central — Houses: 100.0% Kinglake Central — Townhouses: 0.0% Kinglake Central — Flats / Apartments: 0.0%
Kinglake West 98.5% houses
Kinglake West — Houses: 98.5% Kinglake West — Townhouses: 1.0% Kinglake West — Flats / Apartments: 0.5%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Kinglake Central Kinglake West
Median house price $1,062,000 $860,000
Median unit price —
same for both
Median land price — $650,000
Typical days to sell (houses) — 62 days
from 4 sales

Zoning mix

Kinglake Central has more rural and farming land (65% vs 39%); Kinglake West has more land zoned for conservation (22% vs 0%).

Kinglake Central Kinglake West
Rural and farming 65% 39%
Parks and recreation 34% 31%
Environmental 0% 22%
Residential 0% 7%
Infrastructure and transport 1%
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

Kinglake Central Kinglake West
New dwellings approved 82
across Murrindindi
same for both
Approvals change year on year +83%
same for both

Ranking within VIC

Kinglake Central Kinglake West
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 55% of VIC —
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 15% of VIC Higher than 84% of VIC
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 70% of VIC
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 73% of VIC Higher than 74% of VIC

Liveability

Kinglake West is more walkable (35 vs 0).

Kinglake Central Kinglake West
Grade — B
Score — 56/100
Socio-economic band mid-range socio-economic
decile 6/10
 advantaged area
decile 7/10

Risk profile

Kinglake Central carries more crime risk (58 vs 19).

Kinglake Central Kinglake West
Bushfire High
98/100
 High
97/100
Crime Moderate
58/100
 Low
19/100
Flood None
0/100
same for both
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

Kinglake Central Kinglake West
Inside the suburb 1
same for both
Rated above peers 1 0
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 0 1

Schools in Kinglake Central

  • Middle Kinglake Primary School Government · Primary above peers

Schools in Kinglake West

  • Kinglake West Primary School Government · Primary below peers

Amenities in the suburb

Kinglake Central Kinglake West
Cafes & restaurants 0 1
Parks & reserves 2 3
Childcare 1
same for both
GPs 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 0 1
Fuel stations 0 1
Waterways 2 25

Mobility

Kinglake Central sits further from the CBD (80.4 km vs 68.4 km).

Kinglake Central Kinglake West
Walkability score 0/100 35/100
Distance to Melbourne 80.4 km
+15% vs other
 68.4 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 84 min 70 min
Public transport score 29/100
Bus
 30/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 4.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 5.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 0.8%
postcode 3757
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 46
postcode 3757
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.

Kinglake Central Kinglake West
Car (driver) 61.0% / 73.9%
Kinglake Central — Car (driver): 61.0% Kinglake West — Car (driver): 73.9%
Worked from Home 29.9% / 18.8%
Kinglake Central — Worked from Home: 29.9% Kinglake West — Worked from Home: 18.8%
Car (passenger) 1.7% / 4.3%
Kinglake Central — Car (passenger): 1.7% Kinglake West — Car (passenger): 4.3%
Walked Only 2.8% / 2.9%
Kinglake Central — Walked Only: 2.8% Kinglake West — Walked Only: 2.9%
Train 4.5% / —
Kinglake Central — Train: 4.5% Kinglake West — Train: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (73.9%).

Setting

Kinglake Central Kinglake West
Elevation 581 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 523 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre

NBN connectivity

Kinglake Central Kinglake West
Connectivity score 50/100 55/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises Fixed wireless
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 31%
186 premises
 31%
524 premises

Climate

Kinglake Central Kinglake West
Annual rainfall 1,215 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 22.9°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 3.8°C
same for both

Council rates

Kinglake Central Kinglake West
Average residential rate $1,973/yr
same for both
Council Murrindindi
same for both

Federal electorate

Kinglake Central Kinglake West
Division Indi
same for both
Member Helen Haines
same for both
Party Independent
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Kinglake Central Kinglake West
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Kinglake Central

Outer

Kinglake West

Outer

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Kinglake Central

Kinglake Central vs Kinglake Kinglake Central vs Flowerdale Kinglake Central vs Glenburn Kinglake Central vs Pheasant Creek

Other comparisons with Kinglake West

Kinglake West vs Kinglake Kinglake West vs Flowerdale Kinglake West vs Arthurs Creek Kinglake West vs Pheasant Creek Kinglake West vs Humevale Kinglake West vs Clonbinane
Full data on Kinglake Central Full data on Kinglake West
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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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