Castlemaine

VIC 3450 • Rest of VIC

7,506
Population (2021)
$34,736
Median Income
19.81 km²
Area
298m
Elevation
HistoricArts & CultureTree-ChangeHeritage ArchitectureGoldfields

About Castlemaine

Castlemaine is a historic goldfields town located 120 kilometres northwest of Melbourne in the Mount Alexander Shire. With a population of around 7,500 and a median age of 52, it has evolved from a gold rush boomtown that once rivalled Melbourne into a thriving cultural hub. The town sits at 298 metres elevation on Dja Dja Wurrung country, retaining magnificent Victorian-era streetscapes and architecture.

Life in Castlemaine blends heritage charm with contemporary arts culture. The town boasts an eclectic arts scene, the historic Castlemaine Art Museum, award-winning cafes, and regular markets. Residents include tree-changers, artists, and retirees attracted by its affordability compared to Melbourne, sense of community, and easy train access to the city. The nearby Maldon and surrounding goldfields offer weekend exploration.

Castlemaine falls under postcode 3450 and is governed by Mount Alexander Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Bendigo West (Northern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Postcode
3450
Urban Area
Castlemaine - Kerang
Federal Electorate
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.06°, 144.22°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
19.81 km²
Elevation
298m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Castlemaine Station
0.5 km
6 min

Bus Services

  • Castlemaine Bus Lines — Local town services Various
  • Coach — Maldon & surrounding towns 15-30 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
120 km
By Train
1.5 hours (V/Line)
By Car (Peak)
1.5-2 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
1.25 hours

🛣️ Regular V/Line services to Southern Cross; several trains daily

Walkability Very Walkable

Compact historic town centre with shops, cafes, and services within walking distance

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing Costs 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$300
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,362
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
52 years

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
6,757
Census 2021
7,506
11.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$28,860
Income 2021
$34,736
20.4% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 5,882
Born Overseas 1,081

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 296
  • 2. New Zealand 117
  • 3. Vietnam 52
  • 4. United States 46
  • 5. Germany 42
  • 6. India 37
  • 7. Scotland 37
  • 8. Netherlands 29
  • 9. Malaysia 24
  • 10. Canada 22
  • 11. China 18
  • 12. South Africa 17
  • 13. Italy 16
  • 14. Wales 16
  • 15. Ireland 14

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 3,093
Australian 2,458
Irish 1,277
Scottish 1,078
German 374
Italian 214
Dutch 103
Welsh 76
Australian Aboriginal 70
Polish 56

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

4,433
Both parents born in Australia
1,047
Both parents born overseas
860
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
57.4%
Christianity
23.8%
Buddhism
1.3%
Hinduism
0.3%
Judaism
0.2%
Islam
0.1%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
277 (3.7%)
5-14 years
672 (9.0%)
15-19 years
314 (4.2%)
20-24 years
197 (2.6%)
25-34 years
691 (9.2%)
35-44 years
924 (12.3%)
45-54 years
958 (12.8%)
55-64 years
1,060 (14.1%)
65-74 years
1,206 (16.1%)
75-84 years
800 (10.7%)
85+ years
411 (5.5%)

Nearby Suburbs