🔍

Buninyong

VIC 3357 • Rest of VIC

3,797
Population (2021)
$90,740
Median Household Income
25.44 km²
Area
$305/wk
Median Rent
HistoricVillageFamily-FriendlyRegionalGold Rush Heritage

About Buninyong

Buninyong is a historic township located 11 kilometres south of Ballarat in regional Victoria, with a population of approximately 3,800. Proclaimed as a town in 1851, it holds an important place in Australian history as one of the earliest inland settlements in pre-gold rush Victoria, and was the site of one of the first official gold discoveries in the state. The town sits on the Midland Highway and is characterised by wide streets — originally planned in anticipation of further growth during the gold rush era. Today, Buninyong retains a strong village atmosphere with a predominantly Australian-born population and a higher-than-average median income.

Buninyong offers a quintessential small-town lifestyle with a charming main street featuring cafes, a general store, and historic buildings. The town is home to a golf course, bowling club, and the local Australian Rules football team competing in the Central Highlands Football League. Mount Buninyong provides bushwalking opportunities and panoramic views, while the Federation University campus at nearby Mount Helen adds an educational dimension to the area. The township appeals to families and professionals seeking a quieter lifestyle within easy commuting distance of Ballarat, combining heritage charm with access to modern services.

Buninyong falls under postcode 3357 and is governed by Ballarat Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Eureka (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3357
Urban Area
Ballarat
LGA / Council
Ballarat
Federal Electorate
Ballarat
State Electorate
Eureka (Western Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.65°, 143.90°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
25.44 km²
Elevation
512m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$730K
12 sales · ▼ 1.4% 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)
$305
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,733
Avg Household Size
2.6 people
Median Age
45 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.4%

5 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Ballarat Station
11 km
N/A (bus connection)

Bus Services

  • 21 — Ballarat Station via Federation University 25-30 min
  • 22 — Ballarat Station via Sebastopol (nearby) 20-25 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
97 km
By Train
~1 hr 50 min (bus 21 to Ballarat Station + V/Line to Southern Cross)
By Bus
No direct service to Melbourne
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 10 min

🛣️ Most residents commute to Ballarat (11 km, ~15 min drive). V/Line connects Ballarat to Melbourne for longer commutes.

Walkability Car-Dependent

The town centre is walkable with shops and services along the main street, but a car is needed for most trips to Ballarat and beyond.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
467.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 46.3%
Motor vehicle theft
449.8 / 100k
2yr Up 23.3% 10yr Up 11.4%
Non-FV assault
395.7 / 100k
2yr Up 38.7% 10yr Up 20.1%
Robbery (unarmed)
1.6 / 100k
2yr Down 52.3% 10yr Up 67.2%
Steal from vehicle
1,167 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 27.0%
View all offence subgroups for Ballarat →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,714
Census 2021
3,797
▲ 2.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$36,816
Personal Income 2021
$42,536
▲ 15.5% 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
$42,536 / yr
$818/wk
Household
$90,740 / yr
$1745/wk
Family
$115,232 / yr
$2216/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,279
Born Overseas 366

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 171
  • 2. New Zealand 31
  • 3. Scotland 18
  • 4. Germany 17
  • 5. Netherlands 12
  • 6. India 8
  • 7. Ireland 8
  • 8. Japan 8
  • 9. United States 6
  • 10. Malaysia 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,659
Australian 1,601
Irish 662
Scottish 609
German 155
Dutch 98
Italian 89
Australian Aboriginal 38
Polish 35
Chinese 22

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,772
Both parents born in Australia
474
Both parents born overseas
392
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
49.5%
Christianity
44.5%
Buddhism
0.4%
Islam
0.2%
Hinduism
0.2%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
170 (4.5%)
5-14 years
647 (17.0%)
15-19 years
235 (6.2%)
20-24 years
123 (3.2%)
25-34 years
228 (6.0%)
35-44 years
461 (12.1%)
45-54 years
581 (15.3%)
55-64 years
532 (14.0%)
65-74 years
536 (14.1%)
75-84 years
209 (5.5%)
85+ years
58 (1.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Buninyong known for? +

Buninyong is a historic township located 11 kilometres south of Ballarat in regional Victoria, with a population of approximately 3,800. Buninyong offers a quintessential small-town lifestyle with a charming main street featuring cafes, a general store, and historic buildings.

How far is Buninyong from Melbourne CBD? +

Buninyong is approximately 11 kilometres from Melbourne CBD, with a typical drive taking around 13-20 minutes depending on traffic and route taken.

Does Buninyong have public transport? +

Buninyong 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 Buninyong? +

According to the 2021 Census, Buninyong has a population of approximately 3,797 residents, a modest but established community. The suburb falls within the Ballarat (City) local government area.

Is Buninyong a good place to live? +

Buninyong 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 Buninyong? +

The postcode for Buninyong, VIC is 3357. This postcode covers Buninyong and may also serve nearby localities within the same postcode zone.

What is the average income in Buninyong? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Buninyong is about $818 per week (around $42,500 per year). The median household income is $1,745 per week and the median family income is $2,216 per week.

What is the median house price in Buninyong? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $730,000, down 1.4% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Buninyong? +

The median age in Buninyong is 45. The largest age group is 5–14 (647 residents, around 17%). Around 28% of residents are under 20 and about 21% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Buninyong a safe area? +

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

In Buninyong, the median weekly rent is $305, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,733 (2021 Census).