Smythes Creek VIC 3351
Smythes Creek is a town in Victoria, 126 km from Melbourne CBD, around 1 hour 40 minutes by car. Population is 1,762; the median age is 38 and the median household income is $110,864 per year. By household income, education, and employment patterns, it ranks in the top 40% nationally. At the 2021 Census, households here paid a median rent of $395 per week and a median monthly mortgage of $1,647. Smythes Creek is characterised by high crime risk. Walkability is low.
Is Smythes Creek a good town?
Smythes Creek scores a C (34/100) on SuburbScan's Liveability grade — strong on prices and community, weaker on transit and safety.
Car-dependent
Walkability 6/100 · 125.7 km · 99 min drive to Melbourne
More affordable than most
Median $600K · More affordable than 97% of VIC
High crime risk
Fire 54/100 · Crime 93/100 · Flood 24/100
Advantaged
SEIFA decile 7/10 · median age 38 · 1,762 residents
Liveability Rating
34 / 100 · Ranked #663 in VICEach bar is Smythes Creek's rank among VIC suburbs, from 0 to 100 (higher is better). Scored on 4 of 5 factors: no school data, so the other factors carry its weight.
How do you rate the liveability in Smythes Creek?
Local knowledge beats any dataset. Rate it and see what other residents think.
Our score
34 / 100
From schools, safety and socio-economic data — not opinion.
Residents say
…
Median House Price
Public listings dataSmythes Creek's house market is moving higher: the median sale price reached $600,000, about 10% above where it sat a year earlier.
Houses
$600,000
3% above its 6 neighbours (median $580,728)
Based on 144 recorded sales in the last 24 months.
Typically sold in 36 days — median across 64 sales that recorded a listing period
By bedrooms
- 3 bed 33 sales $560K
- 4 bed 94 sales $610K
- 5 bed 8 sales $748K
Land
$290,000
Based on 34 recorded sales in the last 24 months.
Typically sold in 166 days — median across 6 sales that recorded a listing period
Currently for Sale
Last 6 monthsHouses in Smythes Creek are currently listed at around $859,000 on average. Based on 35 houses listed in the past six months.
$859K
35 houses listed in the last 6 months.
35 of the suburb's 559 dwellings (6.3%) were listed for sale in the last 6 months.
Rental Market
Advertised rents · last 6 monthsHouses in Smythes Creek rent for around $518 a week on average, based on 18 houses listed for rent in the past six months.
$518/wk
6% above its 3 neighbours (median $490/wk)
18 houses advertised for rent in the last 6 months.
18 rentals advertised against an estimated 54 rented homes (33.3%) in the last 6 months.
Rental affordability
June quarter 2025110 Moderately unaffordable · the average rental household in this region would pay about 27% of its income on the median rent in postcode 3351.
SGS Rental Affordability Index: a score of 100 means rent takes 30% of income, the usual housing-stress line; lower scores are less affordable. "Region" is the capital city or the rest of the state.
Gross rental yield
Indicative$518/week ($27,000 a year) on a $859,000 median
Gross yield — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. Calculated from median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.
Is Smythes Creek safe? Crime statistics
2026Crime in Smythes Creek sits in the high band, with 303 incidents recorded in 2026 — up roughly 11% on the prior year.
303 offences
10.6% since 2025Crime Trend
Serious Road Crashes
2021–20258 crashes
where someone was killed or admitted to hospital
Where they happened
Crashes are counted where they happened, so a main road through the town carries people passing through; this is not a measure of risk to residents. Roads are listed with 3 or more serious crashes.
Schools
Universities nearby
1.7% of residents here are full-time university students aged 15–24.
Distance is measured to the town centre. A campus nearby does not by itself mean a student rental market — most suburbs within a few kilometres of one have a student share close to the national norm, and the figure above is what tells them apart.
Walkability
Smythes Creek is very car-dependent on foot — at 6/100, nearly all errands require a car.
Public transport
Weekday and weekend service frequency across every stop inside Smythes Creek.
- Peak (7-9am + 5-7pm)
- 3.8 arrivals/hr
- Off-peak weekday
- 4.0 arrivals/hr
- Saturday
- 2.2 arrivals/hr
- Median peak wait
- 18 min
- Span of service
- 15.9 hours
Scheduled service only, based on the 21 October 2026 timetable. Reliability (delays, cancellations) not measured.
NBN connectivity
The internet access technology available across NBN premises in Smythes Creek.
- Full-fibre (FTTP) share
- 54%
- Premises covered
- 1,067
NBN Co fixed-line and fixed-wireless premises, as at 30 December 2025. Higher-quality technologies (full fibre) score above copper, wireless, and satellite. Actual speeds depend on your plan.
Amenities
Golden Plains: council population
The three add up to the change above. These are council-wide figures from the ABS, not figures for this town alone — this town's own population is in the census section above.
Socio-economic profile
The ABS scores 5 small areas inside this town and averages them into the single decile above. They fall into 2 different deciles — a narrow range, so the average describes the town closely.
Smythes Creek is home to about 1,800 residents, with a median age of 38, broadly in line with the national figure. Median household income runs at $111,000 a year, with unemployment at 3.7%.
2021 Census · change since 2016
Population
1,762
Median Age
38
Median Household Income
$110,864/yr
Census Median Rent
$395/wk
Census Median Mortgage
$1,647/mo
Avg Household Size
3.1
Median Personal Income
$42,484/yr
Unemployment Rate
3.7%
Unoccupied Dwellings
3.8%
Total Dwellings
559
Owner-Occupier Rate
90.4%
Houses
99.1%
Rental Stress
18.5%
Mortgage Stress
17.8%
Work From Home
15.8%
Dwelling Types
Property Ownership
Demographics
- Born in Australia
- 89.5%
- English Spoken at Home
- 93.6%
- Employment Rate
- 65.6%
- Completed Year 12
- 37.9%
Occupations
Religion
Country of Birth (overseas)
Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents.
When They Arrived
Share of all residents by the year they arrived in Australia. Periods cover different numbers of years, so compare the shape rather than the bar widths.
17 residents (1.0%) arrived since 2016. Australia’s borders were closed to most arrivals from March 2020, so the last two years of that period are much smaller than the ones before them — nationally 260,799 people arrived in 2019 against 28,521 in 2021.
Where New Residents Came From
Where residents aged five and over lived five years before the 2021 Census, for those who lived somewhere else.
7.2% of residents (119) lived in a capital city five years earlier, most of them in Melbourne (107).
Top places newcomers came from, as a share of the 1,652 residents aged five and over. Areas are ABS statistical regions. Small counts are approximate: the ABS adjusts every figure slightly to protect privacy.
Languages Spoken at Home
Top languages other than English, as a share of all residents.
Age Distribution
Family & Household Composition
Commute to Work
2% of employed residents work in a capital's city centre (19 of 927).
City centre: the ABS area around each capital's CBD, such as Sydney Inner City or Perth City (which takes in Subiaco and Leederville). 2021 Census place of work.
Education
Cars per Dwelling
Council Rates
Households face an average residential rates bill of $2,052 a year through Golden Plains based on 2024 figures.
How this land is zoned
- Rural and farming 91%
- Residential 8%
- Infrastructure and transport 2%
Zoning sets what may be built, not what is there today. A single address can sit in a different zone to the town around it — the property page shows the zone for one address.
Building Approvals: Golden Plains
In the year to August 2026, 186 new dwellings were approved across Golden Plains. Almost all of the pipeline is detached houses. Approvals are up 10.0% on the same period a year earlier.
New Homes Planned
New homes planned in this town: 16,541 homes
- Lots in approved subdivisions, not yet titled 286 homes
- Land zoned for housing, not yet subdivided 1,205 homes
- Land set aside, awaiting a precinct structure plan 15,050 homes
From the Victorian Government's Urban Development Program: growth-area land and approved lots (metropolitan 2025, regional June 2024) and projects of 10 or more homes in Melbourne (2025), by stage. Lots and homes are counted as published; a lot usually becomes one home.
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
The Registered Aboriginal Party for this area is Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (appointed 2009).
Registered Aboriginal Parties are appointed by the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 as the primary guardians, keepers and knowledge holders of Aboriginal cultural heritage for their area. They are the body to contact about cultural heritage here.
Climate & Setting
from Ballarat Aerodrome, 10.4 kmModerate rainfall — warm summers, cold winters with occasional frost.
- Elevation
- 408 m
- above sea level, at the town centre
- Annual rainfall
- 605 mm
- 97 rainy days
- Summer max (Jan)
- 25.7°C
- 6 days ≥ 35°C
- Winter min (Jul)
- 3.5°C
- 17 frost days ≤ 0°C
Elevation is the ground at the town centre, from Geoscience Australia's National Digital Elevation Model. Approximate — it reads high in dense built-up areas. It is a measure of height above sea level and not an indicator of flood risk, which depends on height above nearby waterways.
EV adoption
In postcode 3351, 41 of 9,674 registered light vehicles are battery-electric on 31 January 2025. A further 1.2% (113 vehicles) are hybrid or plug-in hybrid, taking the non-petrol, non-diesel share to 1.6%.
Rooftop solar
In postcode 3351, 1,849 rooftop-solar systems totalling 11.9 MW have been installed since 2001, against 3,535 dwellings recorded in the 2021 Census. 97 went up in the last year.
Counts every system certified since 2001, so a roof re-fitted with a newer system is counted twice, and small commercial systems are included alongside houses — useful for comparing postcodes, not an estimate of how many homes have working panels today.
2026 covers part of the year only, to 2026-07.
First Home Owner Grant
FY2026-27$10,000 for new homes priced up to $750,000.
The separate First Home Buyer Duty Reduction (stamp-duty concession) runs alongside this grant.
10 first-home grants were paid in postcode 3351 in 2025-26, rank 91 of 298 Victorian postcodes. The most was 70, in 2021-22.
Grants on new and established homes; established homes stopped qualifying in mid-2013.
Mortgage repayments
2 mortgage brokers are registered in postcode 3351.
Land transfer duty at the owner-occupier rate, and it excludes first home buyer concessions — those can cut it substantially or remove it entirely. Excludes legal, inspection and lender fees. Check with State Revenue Office Victoria
The First Home Owner Grant applies to newly built homes only, so it isn't available on an established purchase. A first home buyer building or buying new under $750,000 may qualify for $10,000 — see what qualifies with State Revenue Office Victoria.
At $600,000 this is under the $750,000 First Home Owner Grant cap. A first home buyer may qualify for $10,000 on a newly built home — check eligibility with State Revenue Office Victoria.
A deposit under 20% usually attracts Lenders Mortgage Insurance, which this doesn't include.
Principal and interest over 30 years, fixed rate. Excludes fees, offset, redraw and LMI. Default rate is the median comparison rate across 1788 advertised products as at 2026-10-27 — indicative only, and not an offer. Your rate depends on the lender, your deposit and your circumstances. Not financial advice.
Federal Electorate
Currently held by Catherine King Australian Labor Party
| Year | Winner | 2PP ALP | 2PP LNP | Swing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Catherine King | 60.7% | 39.3% | -2.3 |
| 2022 | Catherine King | 63.0% | 37.0% | -2.7 |
| 2019 | Catherine King | 61.0% | 39.0% | -3.6 |
Results are per division — federal electoral boundaries are redrawn periodically, so the history reflects this division's past, not necessarily the exact town's voters across time.
State Electorate
Currently held by Martha Haylett Australian Labor Party - Victorian Branch
Next state election: 28 November 2026.
| Year | Winner | Won with | 2PP ALP | 2PP LNP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Martha Haylett ALP | 53.0% | 53.0% | 47.0% |
| 2018 | Louise Staley LP | 50.0% | 50.0% | 50.0% |
| 2014 | Louise Staley LP | 50.8% | 49.2% | 50.8% |
Results are per district. Districts were last redrawn in 2021, so results from before then describe the district of that name, not necessarily this town's voters. Results: Victorian Electoral Commission, CC BY 4.0.
Looking at a specific address in Smythes Creek?
Every figure above is a town average, and an average smooths over the difference between a street of family homes and a block of flats. Look up one address and you get the census for the few hundred people around it, its own nearest schools and stops, and what the state has mapped for that block.
- The census for a few hundred neighbours, not all 1,762 residents
- Nearest and zoned schools, with the walk from that door
- Flood, bushfire and noise mapping, where the state publishes it
Free to look up. Subscribers see every section in full — $29/month.
Nearby suburbs
Delacombe VIC 3356
Winter Valley VIC 3358
Haddon VIC 3351
Ross Creek VIC 3351
Smythesdale VIC 3351
Bonshaw VIC 3352
Compare Smythes Creek to another suburb
Side-by-side stats for any other VIC suburb — type a name and pick one.
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Common questions about Smythes Creek
Is Smythes Creek a safe place to live?
Recorded crime in Smythes Creek is high (93/100, ranked against other VIC suburbs on offences per resident). Offences against shops, venues and visitors are divided by the people who live here, so suburbs with large daytime or visitor populations rank higher than living there may feel.
What natural hazards affect Smythes Creek?
Smythes Creek has a moderate recorded bushfire history (54/100, ranked against every Australian suburb with any fire history). Flood overlays cover a low share of it (24/100). These are town-wide figures; check the address, as flood and bushfire exposure change street by street.
Is Smythes Creek a good place to live?
Smythes Creek has a SuburbScan Liveability grade of C (34/100), ranked against other VIC suburbs on school quality (25%), safety (25%), SEIFA socio-economic advantage (25%), walkability (15%) and CBD access (10%). Whether it suits you depends on what you weigh — each of those is on this page.
What is the population of Smythes Creek?
Smythes Creek, VIC had a population of 1,762 at the 2021 Australian Bureau of Statistics census.
What is the postcode for Smythes Creek, VIC?
The postcode for Smythes Creek, VIC is 3351.
How far is Smythes Creek from Melbourne?
Smythes Creek is 126 km from Melbourne CBD by road, about 99 minutes by car in normal traffic. Distance is the most-direct driving route, not straight-line.
What is the median household income in Smythes Creek?
At the 2021 ABS Census, median household income in Smythes Creek was $110,864 a year. It is the most recent suburb-level income figure until 2026 Census results are released in 2027.
What is the median weekly rent in Smythes Creek?
The median advertised rent in Smythes Creek is $518 a week for houses (18 listings), from rental listings over the last six months.
What is the median age in Smythes Creek?
The median age of residents in Smythes Creek was 38 at the 2021 ABS Census.
Is Smythes Creek at risk of bushfire?
Smythes Creek has a moderate recorded bushfire history (54/100). The score comes from Geoscience Australia's historical bushfire boundaries, with planned burns excluded: the area of recorded fires touching the town relative to its size, ranked against every Australian suburb with any fire history. It records where fire has burned, not a bushfire-prone land designation, which your council's planning scheme sets.
Is Smythes Creek walkable?
Smythes Creek scores 6/100 on the SuburbScan Walkability Score, making it very car-dependent. The score is a weighted average of public transport, schools, parks, supermarkets, GPs, pharmacies, childcare, and hospitals within walking distance.
What is the weather like in Smythes Creek?
At the nearest Bureau of Meteorology station to Smythes Creek, Ballarat Aerodrome (10.4 km away), summer days average 25.7°C, winter nights 3.5°C, 605 mm of rain a year over 97 rainy days, and 6 days a year above 35°C over 2006-2026.
Is the First Home Owner Grant available in Smythes Creek?
First-home buyers in VIC may be eligible for $10,000 towards new homes with a purchase price up to $750,000. The grant is administered by State Revenue Office Victoria; confirm current eligibility before signing a contract — state rules and amounts can change.
What council does Smythes Creek belong to?
Smythes Creek sits within the Golden Plains local government area. Council rates, planning approvals, and waste collection fall under this LGA.
How much are council rates in Smythes Creek?
The average residential rates bill through Golden Plains is $2,052 a year (2024). Every suburb in this LGA shares the same schedule — individual bills vary with land value.
How much is being built near Smythes Creek?
Across Golden Plains, 186 new residential dwellings were approved in the year to August 2026 (source: ABS Building Approvals). That's up 10.0% on the same period a year earlier. These are LGA-level totals — every suburb in the council shares the same figure.
Which federal electorate is Smythes Creek in?
Smythes Creek sits within the federal Division of Ballarat, currently held by Catherine King (Australian Labor Party).
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Data freshness
- Census · 2021
- Median sale prices · Oct 2026
- For-sale & rental market · Oct 2026
- Council rates · FY 2024–25
- Building approvals · Aug 2026
- Schools · 2025
- Public transport · Oct 2026
- NBN connectivity · Dec 2025
- Crime · 2026
- Road crashes · 2021–2025
- Climate · 2006–2026
- Socio-economic (SEIFA) · 2021
- EV adoption · Jan 2025
- First Home Owner Grant · Sep 2026
- Federal electorate · 2025
- State electorate · 2022
- Amenities · Sep 2026
- Health & emergency facilities · Sep 2026
- Industrial emissions (NPI) · 2024/2025
- Coastal erosion · 1988–2025
- Aircraft noise · 2024
Vintages show when each source's data is from. See all data sources.
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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.