🔍

California Gully

VIC 3556 • Rest of VIC

4,476
Population (2021)
$54,808
Median Household Income
3.71 km²
Area
$251/wk
Median Rent
HistoricAffordableFamily-FriendlyYoung Families

About California Gully

California Gully is a historic suburb located 5 kilometres north-west of Bendigo's city centre in the City of Greater Bendigo, Victoria. Named after the Californian gold miners who flocked to the area following gold discoveries in 1852, the suburb carries a rich mining heritage that shaped much of the Bendigo region. With a population of approximately 4,476 residents at the 2021 Census, it is a well-established working-class community. The suburb sits within the broader Eaglehawk urban area and retains several heritage-listed buildings from its colonial past.

California Gully offers an affordable lifestyle within easy reach of Bendigo's amenities, shopping, and employment hubs. The suburb is home to California Gully Primary School, which occupies a heritage-listed site, as well as the historic Uniting Church. Housing is predominantly older detached homes, and median rents sit well below the national average, making it popular with families and first-home buyers. The community has a multicultural character thanks to its diverse history, and residents enjoy good access to parks and local services.

California Gully falls under postcode 3556 and is governed by Greater Bendigo Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Bendigo West (Northern Victoria) electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Victoria Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3556
Urban Area
Eaglehawk
LGA / Council
Greater Bendigo
Federal Electorate
Bendigo
State Electorate
Bendigo West (Northern Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-36.73°, 144.26°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
3.71 km²
Elevation
245m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$515K
24 sales · ▲ 11.7% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$350K
7 sales · ▲ 14% 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)
$251
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,200
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
39 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
10.7%

151 state housing + 38 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Eaglehawk Station
1.5 km
18 min

Bus Services

  • 75, 76 — Bendigo CBD 15 min

Commute to Bendigo CBD

Distance
5 km
By Train
Eaglehawk Station to Bendigo Station ~5 min, then Melbourne ~2 hr
By Car (Peak)
10-15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
8 min

🛣️ V/Line Bendigo Line runs from nearby Eaglehawk Station to Southern Cross Station

Walkability Car-Dependent

Most errands require a car; local shops accessible on foot near Eaglehawk Road

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
329.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 33.1%
Motor vehicle theft
258.8 / 100k
2yr Up 62.3% 10yr Up 25.3%
Non-FV assault
400.8 / 100k
2yr Up 21.7% 10yr Up 66.0%
Robbery (unarmed)
4.7 / 100k
2yr Up 192.2% 10yr Up 32.1%
Steal from vehicle
636.9 / 100k
2yr Down 15.4% 10yr Stable
View all offence subgroups for Greater Bendigo →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
4,363
Census 2021
4,476
▲ 2.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$25,792
Personal Income 2021
$30,576
▲ 18.5% 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
$30,576 / yr
$588/wk
Household
$54,808 / yr
$1054/wk
Family
$71,032 / yr
$1366/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,694
Born Overseas 407

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Thailand 88
  • 2. Myanmar 86
  • 3. England 50
  • 4. New Zealand 36
  • 5. Philippines 22
  • 6. India 10
  • 7. Ireland 8
  • 8. Nepal 8
  • 9. Vietnam 8
  • 10. China 7

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,817
Australian 1,811
Irish 526
Scottish 458
German 210
Australian Aboriginal 176
Italian 81
Dutch 60
Chinese 44
Filipino 33

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

3,200
Both parents born in Australia
537
Both parents born overseas
347
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
48.1%
Christianity
39.3%
Buddhism
1.7%
Islam
0.4%
Hinduism
0.4%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
233 (5.2%)
5-14 years
603 (13.5%)
15-19 years
298 (6.7%)
20-24 years
294 (6.6%)
25-34 years
581 (13.0%)
35-44 years
512 (11.4%)
45-54 years
509 (11.4%)
55-64 years
563 (12.6%)
65-74 years
487 (10.9%)
75-84 years
270 (6.0%)
85+ years
131 (2.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is California Gully located? +

California Gully is located 5 kilometres north-west of Bendigo's city centre along Eaglehawk Road, within the City of Greater Bendigo, Victoria.

Why is it called California Gully? +

The suburb is named after Californian gold miners who rushed to the area when gold was discovered in 1852, reflecting Bendigo's gold rush heritage.

What is the median rent in California Gully? +

According to the 2021 Census, the median weekly rent in California Gully is approximately $251, well below the national median.

What school is in California Gully? +

California Gully Primary School serves the suburb and is located on a Victorian Heritage Register-listed site dating back to the 1880s.

Is California Gully affordable? +

Yes, California Gully is one of Bendigo's more affordable suburbs, with median weekly household incomes and rents below city averages, making it popular with families and first-home buyers.

What is the average income in California Gully? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in California Gully is about $588 per week (around $30,600 per year). The median household income is $1,054 per week and the median family income is $1,366 per week.

What is the median house price in California Gully? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $515,000, up 11.7% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $350,000, up 14% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of California Gully? +

The median age in California Gully is 39. The largest age group is 5–14 (603 residents, around 13%). Around 25% of residents are under 20 and about 20% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is California Gully a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. California Gully is part of the Greater Bendigo 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.

What is the population of California Gully? +

California Gully had a population of 4,476 at the 2021 Census, up 2.6% from 4,363 in 2016.

How much is rent in California Gully? +

In California Gully, the median weekly rent is $251, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,200 (2021 Census).