🔍

Bairnsdale

VIC 3875 • Rest of VIC

7,905
Population (2021)
$57,252
Median Household Income
63.50 km²
Area
$270/wk
Median Rent
Regional CentreAffordableRiversideFamily-FriendlyRetirement

About Bairnsdale

Bairnsdale is the principal town of East Gippsland, located approximately 280 kilometres east of Melbourne on the banks of the Mitchell River. With a population of around 7,500, it serves as the commercial and administrative hub for the surrounding rural region. The town has a predominantly Australian-born population with a mix of families, retirees, and workers drawn to the area's affordable living and natural beauty.

Bairnsdale offers a full range of regional services including shopping centres, medical facilities, schools, and sporting clubs. The town is a gateway to the Gippsland Lakes, one of Australia's largest inland waterway systems, and the surrounding countryside offers fishing, bushwalking, and scenic drives. It attracts a mix of long-term residents who enjoy the relaxed country lifestyle and retirees seeking an affordable, community-oriented place to live.

Bairnsdale falls under postcode 3875 and is governed by East Gippsland Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Victoria Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3875
Urban Area
Bairnsdale
LGA / Council
East Gippsland
Federal Electorate
Gippsland
State Electorate
Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.85°, 147.58°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
63.50 km²
Elevation
19m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

Median sale prices in Bairnsdale for the June quarter 2025. Median sale prices published by the Valuer-General Victoria.

🏡House
$430K
59 sales · ▼ 6.5% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$215K
8 sales · ▼ 36.8% YoY

Source: Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report. Medians are for the latest quarter; the change shown is the official 12-month movement. Suburbs with very few sales in a quarter can be volatile.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$270
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,192
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
44 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
6.6%

154 state housing + 63 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Bairnsdale Station
0.5 km
6 min

Bus Services

  • Bairnsdale Town Bus — Local loop via shopping centres 15–25 min
  • V/Line Coach — Lakes Entrance, Orbost, Cann River 30 min – 3 hr

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
280 km
By Train
3 hr 40 min (V/Line)
By Car (Peak)
3 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
3 hr 10 min

🛣️ V/Line Bairnsdale line runs 3–4 services daily to Southern Cross

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre amenities are accessible on foot but outer areas require a car

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Main Street Bairnsdale 3875 VIC
  • Woolworths
    146 Nicholson Street Bairnsdale 3875 VIC

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the East Gippsland Local Government Area, which contains Bairnsdale. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
295.4 / 100k
2yr Up 17.1% 10yr Down 31.6%
Motor vehicle theft
146.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 147.7%
Non-FV assault
462.2 / 100k
2yr Up 10.3% 10yr Up 26.2%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr Down 100.0% 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
379.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 37.0%
View all offence subgroups for East Gippsland →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
7,580
Census 2021
7,905
▲ 4.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$28,340
Personal Income 2021
$32,968
▲ 16.3% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$32,968 / yr
$634/wk
Household
$57,252 / yr
$1101/wk
Family
$74,308 / yr
$1429/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 6,349
Born Overseas 927

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 203
  • 2. Philippines 94
  • 3. New Zealand 61
  • 4. India 54
  • 5. Vietnam 43
  • 6. Thailand 38
  • 7. Malaysia 37
  • 8. Netherlands 33
  • 9. Italy 31
  • 10. Germany 27

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 3,214
Australian 3,176
Scottish 809
Irish 762
Australian Aboriginal 449
German 318
Italian 298
Dutch 156
Filipino 118
Chinese 90

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

5,381
Both parents born in Australia
1,169
Both parents born overseas
699
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
47.4%
Christianity
40.2%
Buddhism
1.0%
Islam
0.6%
Hinduism
0.6%
Sikhism
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
447 (5.7%)
5-14 years
894 (11.3%)
15-19 years
396 (5.0%)
20-24 years
439 (5.6%)
25-34 years
1,002 (12.7%)
35-44 years
817 (10.3%)
45-54 years
872 (11.0%)
55-64 years
1,021 (12.9%)
65-74 years
978 (12.4%)
75-84 years
727 (9.2%)
85+ years
318 (4.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bairnsdale known for? +

Bairnsdale is the principal town of East Gippsland, located approximately 280 kilometres east of Melbourne on the banks of the Mitchell River. Bairnsdale offers a full range of regional services including shopping centres, medical facilities, schools, and sporting clubs.

How far is Bairnsdale from Melbourne CBD? +

Bairnsdale is approximately 280 kilometres from Melbourne CBD, with a typical drive taking around 336-504 minutes depending on traffic and route taken.

Does Bairnsdale have public transport? +

Bairnsdale has limited public transport options. V/Line coach services connect some regional towns, but a car is the most practical way to get around in this area.

What is the population of Bairnsdale? +

According to the 2021 Census, Bairnsdale has a population of approximately 7,905 residents, reflecting a well-established community. The suburb falls within the East Gippsland (Shire) local government area.

Is Bairnsdale a good place to live? +

Bairnsdale is a well-regarded family-friendly suburb with parks, schools, and a welcoming community atmosphere. Its residential character and local amenities make it a popular choice for families settling in the area.

What is the postcode for Bairnsdale? +

The postcode for Bairnsdale, VIC is 3875. This postcode covers Bairnsdale and may also serve nearby localities within the same postcode zone.

What is the average income in Bairnsdale? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Bairnsdale is about $634 per week (around $33,000 per year). The median household income is $1,101 per week and the median family income is $1,429 per week.

What is the median house price in Bairnsdale? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $430,000, down 6.5% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $215,000, down 36.8% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Bairnsdale? +

The median age in Bairnsdale is 44. The largest age group is 55–64 (1,021 residents, around 13%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 26% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Bairnsdale a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Bairnsdale is part of the East Gippsland LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Bairnsdale? +

In Bairnsdale, the median weekly rent is $270, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,192 (2021 Census).