🔍

Bridgewater

VIC 3516 • Victoria

133
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
118.20 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralRiversideAgriculturalPeaceful
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About Bridgewater

Bridgewater is a rural locality in the Shire of Loddon, in north-central Victoria, approximately 180 kilometres north-west of Melbourne and 35 kilometres from Bendigo. The locality completely surrounds the historic town of Bridgewater On Loddon and spans a large 118 square kilometres of agricultural land along the Loddon River. With a population of 133, it is a sparsely settled farming community in the heart of Victoria's Mallee and Goldfields country.

The surrounding district is characterised by dryland cropping, sheep grazing, and the meandering course of the Loddon River, which provides habitat for native wildlife and opportunities for fishing and nature walks. The nearby town of Bridgewater On Loddon offers a historic pub, basic services, and a strong community spirit; the larger centre of Inglewood is approximately 7 kilometres away. Bendigo, the region's main commercial hub, is within a 35-kilometre drive and provides full retail, health, and education services.

Bridgewater falls under postcode 3516 and is governed by the Loddon Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Mallee, while state elections fall under the Ripon (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3516
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Loddon
Federal Electorate
Mallee
State Electorate
Ripon (Western Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-36.61°, 144.04°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
118.20 km²
Population Density
1 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3516

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3516 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$55,745
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$66,976

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3516; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Inglewood Station
7 km
Car required

Bus Services

  • V/Line coach — Bendigo Approx. 40 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
180 km
By Train
Inglewood to Melbourne via Bendigo (approx. 2.5–3 hrs with V/Line)
By Car (Peak)
2–2.5 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 50 min

🛣️ Access via Calder Highway. Bendigo is the practical regional hub at 35 km.

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A dispersed rural locality where all services require driving; no footpath or local retail infrastructure.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
133
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
321.7 / 100k
2yr Up 55.8% 10yr Down 28.5%
Motor vehicle theft
244.5 / 100k
2yr Up 57.8% 10yr Up 269.5%
Non-FV assault
308.8 / 100k
2yr Up 117.5% 10yr Up 22.8%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
386 / 100k
2yr Up 99.4% 10yr Up 32.6%
View all offence subgroups for Loddon →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bridgewater known for? +

Bridgewater (VIC) is known for the rural landscape surrounding the historic township of Bridgewater On Loddon, set along the Loddon River in north-central Victoria's Goldfields and Mallee country.

How far is Bridgewater from Melbourne? +

Bridgewater is approximately 180 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, roughly a 2 to 2.5-hour drive via the Calder Highway.

Does Bridgewater have public transport? +

Bridgewater has limited transport options. Inglewood, approximately 7 kilometres away, has a V/Line station with train and coach services to Bendigo and Melbourne. A car is generally required for local travel.

What is the population of Bridgewater? +

According to the 2021 Census, the locality of Bridgewater (VIC) has a population of 133 residents, not including the separately counted town of Bridgewater On Loddon which surrounds it.

Is Bridgewater a good place to live? +

Bridgewater offers a quiet rural lifestyle with access to the Loddon River and productive farmland. It suits those seeking country living, with Bendigo providing shopping, schooling, and health services within a reasonable drive.

What is the postcode for Bridgewater? +

The postcode for Bridgewater, VIC is 3516.

Is Bridgewater a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Bridgewater is part of the Loddon 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.