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Cobden

VIC 3266 • Rest of VIC

1,804
Population (2021)
$60,424
Median Household Income
76.94 km²
Area
$220/wk
Median Rent
RuralAffordableFamily-FriendlyHistoric
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About Cobden

Cobden is a small town in south-west Victoria located approximately 200 kilometres from Melbourne in the Corangamite Shire. With a population of around 1,800 residents, it serves as a regional hub for the surrounding agricultural district, named in honour of English statesman Richard Cobden. The town was established in the 1840s and sits at the heart of one of Victoria's most productive dairy farming regions.

The local economy is anchored by dairy farming, with a major Fonterra processing plant operating in the town and providing significant employment. Cobden has a friendly, close-knit community feel with local schools, a supermarket, medical services, and sporting clubs catering to residents. The area is within easy reach of the Twelve Apostles and Great Ocean Road, making it attractive to families and tree-changers seeking an affordable country lifestyle in one of Victoria's scenic coastal hinterlands.

Cobden falls under postcode 3266 and is governed by the Corangamite Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Wannon, while state elections fall under the Polwarth (Western Victoria) electorate.

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📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3266
Urban Area
Corangamite - Golden Plains
LGA / Council
Corangamite
Federal Electorate
Wannon
State Electorate
Polwarth (Western Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.33°, 143.11°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
76.94 km²
Population Density
23 /km²
Elevation
125m

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🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$410K
5 sales · ▲ 12.3% 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.

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3266

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3266, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$40,779
Median 2023–24
$53,142
▲ 30.3% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$63,734

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3266; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

Census personal income 2016 vs 2021

Personal Income 2016
$27,352
Personal Income 2021
$32,812
▲ 20.0% increase

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$32,812 / yr
$631/wk
Household
$60,424 / yr
$1162/wk
Family
$78,884 / yr
$1517/wk
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$220
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,083
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
51 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.7%

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

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • McHarry's Buslines — Warrnambool via Cobden ~30 min to Warrnambool

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
200 km
By Train
~3 hrs via Warrnambool V/Line train (45 min to Warrnambool by bus, then 3 hrs to Melbourne)
By Car (Peak)
2.5–3 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
2.5 hrs

🛣️ Most residents commute locally; Warrnambool is the nearest major city (~45 km)

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre services are walkable; footpaths along main streets; car needed for rural areas

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,839
Census 2021
1,804
▼ 1.9% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
278.8 / 100k
2yr Up 58.8% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
209.1 / 100k
2yr Up 58.8% 10yr Up 30.6%
Non-FV assault
164.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
253.4 / 100k
2yr Up 137.7% 10yr Stable
View all offence subgroups for Corangamite →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,576
Born Overseas 104

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 31
  • 2. New Zealand 27
  • 3. Germany 8
  • 4. Netherlands 8
  • 5. Scotland 6
  • 6. Thailand 4
  • 7. United States 4
  • 8. India 3
  • 9. Nepal 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 855
English 767
Irish 221
Scottish 183
Dutch 46
Australian Aboriginal 37
German 32
Italian 14
New Zealander 14
Greek 10

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace

1,424
Both parents born in Australia
135
Both parents born overseas
110
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
50.1%
No Religion
41.9%
Buddhism
0.2%
Hinduism
0.2%

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📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
64 (3.5%)
5-14 years
217 (12.0%)
15-19 years
99 (5.5%)
20-24 years
78 (4.3%)
25-34 years
176 (9.8%)
35-44 years
142 (7.9%)
45-54 years
235 (13.0%)
55-64 years
270 (15.0%)
65-74 years
240 (13.3%)
75-84 years
196 (10.9%)
85+ years
88 (4.9%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cobden VIC known for? +

Cobden is known for its dairy industry, including a major Fonterra processing plant. The surrounding Corangamite Shire is one of Victoria's most productive dairy farming regions.

How far is Cobden from Melbourne? +

Cobden is approximately 200 km south-west of Melbourne, roughly a 2.5-hour drive via the Princes Highway or Hamilton Highway.

What schools are in Cobden VIC? +

Cobden has Cobden Primary School (government), Cobden Technical School (government secondary), and Hampden Specialist School catering to students with additional needs.

Is Cobden near the Great Ocean Road? +

Yes, Cobden is located about 50 km north of Port Campbell and the Twelve Apostles, making it a convenient base for exploring the Great Ocean Road.

What is the average income in Cobden? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Cobden is about $631 per week (around $32,800 per year). The median household income is $1,162 per week and the median family income is $1,517 per week.

What is the median house price in Cobden? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $410,000, up 12.3% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Cobden? +

The median age in Cobden is 51. The largest age group is 55–64 (270 residents, around 15%). Around 21% of residents are under 20 and about 29% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Cobden a safe area? +

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

Cobden had a population of 1,804 at the 2021 Census, down 1.9% from 1,839 in 2016.

How much is rent in Cobden? +

In Cobden, the median weekly rent is $220, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,083 (2021 Census).