🔍

Ballan

VIC 3342 • Rest of VIC

3,392
Population (2021)
$81,120
Median Household Income
147.39 km²
Area
$330/wk
Median Rent
HistoricGrowth SuburbRuralFamily-FriendlyAffordable

About Ballan

Ballan is a historic country town in the Moorabool Shire, located approximately 80 kilometres north-west of Melbourne along the Western Freeway. With a growing population of around 3,400, it sits at an elevation of 508 metres in the foothills between Melbourne and Ballarat. The town has experienced strong population growth as a commuter option for those priced out of closer suburbs. Predominantly Australian-born families make up the demographic, with owner-occupancy at around 83%.

Ballan offers a quintessential country town lifestyle with a historic main street, heritage buildings, and a strong community spirit. The town features local shops, cafes, a supermarket, the Ballan Mechanics Institute, and the popular Ballan Autumn Festival. Surrounding farmland and the nearby Lerderderg State Park provide excellent bushwalking and outdoor recreation. Families are drawn to the affordable housing, local primary school, and the slower pace of life while still being within commuting distance of both Melbourne and Ballarat.

Ballan falls under postcode 3342 and is governed by Moorabool Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Eureka (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3342
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Moorabool
Federal Electorate
Hawke
State Electorate
Eureka (Western Victoria)
Type
Rural
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.60°, 144.22°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
147.39 km²
Elevation
508m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$569K
16 sales · ▼ 12.5% 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)
$330
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,625
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
43 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.3%

26 state housing + 4 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Ballan
0.5 km
7 mins

Bus Services

  • Local school bus — Bacchus Marsh / Ballarat 30-40 mins

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
80 km
By Train
65-75 mins (V/Line to Southern Cross)
By Car (Peak)
75-100 mins
By Car (Off-Peak)
55-70 mins

🛣️ V/Line train service runs regularly; also accessible to Ballarat (30 mins by car)

Walkability Car-Dependent

Town centre walkable with shops, cafes and station nearby; outer areas require a car

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
319.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 23.2%
Motor vehicle theft
273 / 100k
2yr Up 22.6% 10yr Up 29.3%
Non-FV assault
201.7 / 100k
2yr Up 21.3% 10yr Up 31.8%
Robbery (unarmed)
2.5 / 100k
2yr — 10yr Down 19.6%
Steal from vehicle
617.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 17.3%
View all offence subgroups for Moorabool →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,985
Census 2021
3,392
▲ 13.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$30,316
Personal Income 2021
$38,116
▲ 25.7% 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
$38,116 / yr
$733/wk
Household
$81,120 / yr
$1560/wk
Family
$102,076 / yr
$1963/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,791
Born Overseas 444

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 152
  • 2. New Zealand 43
  • 3. Scotland 29
  • 4. Germany 18
  • 5. Italy 17
  • 6. Netherlands 14
  • 7. Malta 13
  • 8. Ireland 11
  • 9. Japan 11
  • 10. Sri Lanka 11

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,432
Australian 1,419
Irish 472
Scottish 418
German 160
Maltese 127
Italian 105
Dutch 58
Australian Aboriginal 46
Polish 31

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,179
Both parents born in Australia
629
Both parents born overseas
428
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
47.6%
Christianity
45.8%
Hinduism
0.5%
Buddhism
0.4%
Islam
0.1%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
195 (5.7%)
5-14 years
433 (12.8%)
15-19 years
167 (4.9%)
20-24 years
140 (4.1%)
25-34 years
390 (11.5%)
35-44 years
446 (13.1%)
45-54 years
424 (12.5%)
55-64 years
499 (14.7%)
65-74 years
379 (11.2%)
75-84 years
221 (6.5%)
85+ years
88 (2.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ballan known for? +

Ballan is a historic country town in the Moorabool Shire, located approximately 80 kilometres north-west of Melbourne along the Western Freeway. Ballan offers a quintessential country town lifestyle with a historic main street, heritage buildings, and a strong community spirit.

How far is Ballan from Melbourne CBD? +

Ballan is approximately 80 kilometres from Melbourne CBD, with a typical drive taking around 96-144 minutes depending on traffic and route taken.

Does Ballan have public transport? +

Ballan 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 Ballan? +

According to the 2021 Census, Ballan has a population of approximately 3,392 residents, a modest but established community. The suburb falls within the Moorabool (Shire) local government area.

Is Ballan a good place to live? +

Ballan 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 Ballan? +

The postcode for Ballan, VIC is 3342. This postcode covers Ballan and may also serve nearby localities within the same postcode zone.

What is the average income in Ballan? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Ballan is about $733 per week (around $38,100 per year). The median household income is $1,560 per week and the median family income is $1,963 per week.

What is the median house price in Ballan? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $568,500, down 12.5% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Ballan? +

The median age in Ballan is 43. The largest age group is 55–64 (499 residents, around 15%). Around 23% of residents are under 20 and about 20% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Ballan a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Ballan is part of the Moorabool 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 Ballan? +

In Ballan, the median weekly rent is $330, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,625 (2021 Census).