🔍

Charlton

VIC 3525 • Rest of VIC

1,095
Population (2021)
$49,816
Median Household Income
244.59 km²
Area
$200/wk
Median Rent
RuralAffordableHistoricFarming CommunityRetirement

About Charlton

Charlton is a small rural town in the Buloke Shire of north-western Victoria, situated approximately 260 kilometres north-west of Melbourne on the Calder Highway. With a population of around 1,095 and a median age of 56, it serves as a service centre for the surrounding wheat and sheep farming district. The town sits on the banks of the Avoca River, which occasionally floods through the main street during wet years.

Charlton offers a quintessential country town lifestyle with a strong community spirit, local sporting clubs, and annual events including the Charlton Golden Grains Festival. The town has a small commercial strip with a supermarket, bakery, pubs, and essential services. It appeals to retirees and farming families who value the affordable cost of living, with median mortgages around 58 per month — a fraction of capital city prices.

Charlton falls under postcode 3525 and is governed by Buloke Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Mildura (Northern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3525
Urban Area
Castlemaine - Kerang
LGA / Council
Buloke
Federal Electorate
Mallee
State Electorate
Mildura (Northern Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-36.28°, 143.33°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
244.59 km²
Elevation
138m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$250K
4 sales · ▼ 50.5% 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)
$200
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$758
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
56 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Bendigo
95 km
N/A — drive required

Bus Services

  • Charlton–Bendigo coach — Bendigo via St Arnaud ~2 hours

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
260 km
By Train
Drive to Bendigo (~1.5 hr) then V/Line train (~2 hr) — ~3.5 hr total
By Bus
Coach to Bendigo then V/Line — ~4 hr total
By Car (Peak)
3.5-4 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
3-3.5 hours

🛣️ Most residents work locally or in nearby regional centres like Bendigo or Swan Hill. Daily commuting to Melbourne is not practical.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Compact town centre is walkable for essentials, but a car is necessary for anything beyond the main street.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
152.9 / 100k
2yr Up 15.5% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
152.9 / 100k
2yr Up 823.6% 10yr Up 861.1%
Non-FV assault
152.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 220.4%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
543.8 / 100k
2yr Up 556.8% 10yr Up 127.8%
View all offence subgroups for Buloke →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,050
Census 2021
1,095
▲ 4.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$23,608
Personal Income 2021
$28,340
▲ 20.0% 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
$28,340 / yr
$545/wk
Household
$49,816 / yr
$958/wk
Family
$67,080 / yr
$1290/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 893
Born Overseas 72

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 24
  • 2. India 9
  • 3. Germany 7
  • 4. Taiwan 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 471
English 380
Irish 175
Scottish 107
German 22
Italian 19
Dutch 15
Indian 8
Australian Aboriginal 6
Maltese 6

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

788
Both parents born in Australia
95
Both parents born overseas
70
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
52.6%
No Religion
33.1%
Buddhism
0.9%
Hinduism
0.5%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
37 (3.4%)
5-14 years
100 (9.1%)
15-19 years
45 (4.1%)
20-24 years
40 (3.7%)
25-34 years
86 (7.9%)
35-44 years
69 (6.3%)
45-54 years
141 (12.9%)
55-64 years
184 (16.8%)
65-74 years
209 (19.1%)
75-84 years
114 (10.4%)
85+ years
62 (5.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Charlton known for? +

Charlton is a small rural town in the Buloke Shire of north-western Victoria, situated approximately 260 kilometres north-west of Melbourne on the Calder Highway. Charlton offers a quintessential country town lifestyle with a strong community spirit, local sporting clubs, and annual events including the Charlton Golden Grains Festival.

How far is Charlton from Melbourne CBD? +

Charlton is approximately 260 kilometres from Melbourne CBD, with a typical drive taking around 312-468 minutes depending on traffic and route taken.

Does Charlton have public transport? +

Charlton 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 Charlton? +

According to the 2021 Census, Charlton has a population of approximately 1,095 residents, a modest but established community. The suburb falls within the Buloke (Shire) local government area.

Is Charlton a good place to live? +

Charlton offers a comfortable suburban lifestyle with access to local parks, shops, and community services. It suits a broad range of residents including families, professionals, and retirees looking for a connected and well-serviced neighbourhood.

What is the postcode for Charlton? +

The postcode for Charlton, VIC is 3525. This postcode covers Charlton and may also serve nearby localities within the same postcode zone.

What is the average income in Charlton? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Charlton is about $545 per week (around $28,300 per year). The median household income is $958 per week and the median family income is $1,290 per week.

What is the median house price in Charlton? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $250,000, down 50.5% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Charlton? +

The median age in Charlton is 56. The largest age group is 65–74 (209 residents, around 19%). Around 17% of residents are under 20 and about 35% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Charlton a safe area? +

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

In Charlton, the median weekly rent is $200, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $758 (2021 Census).