Avenel
VIC 3664 • Rest of VIC
About Avenel
Avenel is a small rural town in north-central Victoria, located approximately 129 km north of Melbourne and 21 km north of Seymour, within the Shire of Strathbogie. At the 2021 census the population was 1,112, reflecting steady growth from 552 in 2001 as the town has attracted tree-changers and commuters priced out of Melbourne's outer suburbs. Avenel sits on the Hume Freeway corridor, one of Australia's most significant transport routes linking Melbourne to Sydney, giving the town excellent freeway access despite its rural character. The town is historically noted as the birthplace of Ned Kelly, born here in 1854.
Avenel offers a quiet country lifestyle with affordable housing and a tight-knit community feel. The town has a primary school, hotel, sporting clubs, and basic local services, with the larger regional centre of Seymour providing supermarkets, secondary schools, and medical facilities a short drive south. The Goulburn Valley Rail Line passes through Avenel with services to Melbourne (V/Line), making rail commuting feasible for those working in the city. The surrounding farmland and proximity to the Strathbogie Ranges makes it popular with those seeking rural acreage, hobby farms, and outdoor recreation including fishing and bushwalking.
Avenel falls under postcode 3664 and is governed by Mitchell Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Euroa (Northern Victoria) electorate.
Location
Housing 2021 Census
Transport & Commute
Nearest Train Stations
Commute to Melbourne CBD
🛣️ Avenel station is served by V/Line regional trains. The Hume Freeway provides fast car access to Melbourne; train is a viable commute option for occasional Melbourne trips.
Small country town where most services require a car. Walkable within the compact town centre; train station is within easy walking distance of the main street.
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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Livingstone Street
Crime Statistics LGA-wide
These are the latest rates for the Mitchell Local Government Area, which contains Avenel. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria
Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census
School Sector Breakdown
Demographics
Population Growth
Gender Distribution (Census 2021)
2021 Census income breakdown
Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.
Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)
Country of Birth 2021 Census
Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)
- 1. England 38
- 2. New Zealand 22
- 3. Scotland 8
- 4. Thailand 8
- 5. Philippines 7
- 6. Cambodia 4
- 7. China 4
- 8. Greece 4
- 9. Vietnam 4
- 10. Canada 3
Ancestry 2021 Census
Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)