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Durham Lead

VIC 3352 • Victoria

408
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
32.60 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralHeritageSemi-RuralAffordable
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About Durham Lead

Durham Lead is a small rural locality in central Victoria, situated approximately 20 kilometres west of Ballarat within the greater Ballarat region. Covering around 32.6 square kilometres of open farmland, the locality's name derives from the goldfields era — a "lead" referring to an ancient alluvial creek bed mined for gold deposits during the 19th-century rushes that shaped the broader region. With a 2021 Census population of 408 residents and a median household income of approximately $48,000, Durham Lead is a quiet semi-rural community on the fringe of one of Victoria's great regional cities.

The area has evolved from its goldfields origins into a peaceful rural community, with residents making use of Ballarat's extensive services including schools, hospitals, theatres, galleries, Sovereign Hill, and major retail, all accessible within 20–30 minutes by car. The surrounding landscape features the open pastures and scattered eucalypts typical of the Victorian Midlands. Durham Lead appeals to families and rural lifestyle seekers who value space and affordability while remaining within comfortable reach of Ballarat's employment, education, and cultural life.

Durham Lead falls under postcode 3352 and is governed by the Ballarat Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Wannon, while state elections fall under the Wendouree (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3352
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Ballarat
Federal Electorate
Wannon
State Electorate
Wendouree (Western Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.48°, 143.66°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
32.60 km²
Population Density
13 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3352

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3352, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$48,120
Median 2023–24
$57,054
▲ 18.6% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$72,245

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3352; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Ballarat Station
20 km
N/A (car required)

Bus Services

  • Ballarat Bus (CDC Victoria) — Ballarat CBD Approx. 25–35 min (limited rural service coverage)

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
115 km
By Train
Drive to Ballarat (~20km) then V/Line to Melbourne Southern Cross approx. 1 hr 15 min
By Car (Peak)
1.5–2 hrs via Western Freeway (M8)
By Car (Off-Peak)
1.25–1.5 hrs

🛣️ Western Freeway (M8) provides direct access to Melbourne; Ballarat is the major service hub

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

No local shops or services; all daily errands require driving to Ballarat or nearby towns

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
408
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Ballarat Local Government Area, which contains Durham Lead. 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

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Durham Lead known for? +

Durham Lead takes its name from the Victorian goldfields era, when a "lead" described an ancient alluvial channel mined for gold. The locality is part of the broader Ballarat goldfields region, one of the most historically significant gold-producing areas in Australia during the 1850s and beyond.

How far is Durham Lead from Melbourne? +

Durham Lead is approximately 115 kilometres west of Melbourne CBD, typically a 1.25 to 2-hour drive via the Western Freeway (M8).

Does Durham Lead have public transport? +

Durham Lead has very limited public transport. The nearest V/Line rail service is at Ballarat Station, approximately 20 kilometres east. Residents typically drive to Ballarat to access train services to Melbourne, as local bus coverage in the rural fringe is limited.

What is the population of Durham Lead? +

According to the 2021 Census, Durham Lead has a population of approximately 408 residents across its 32.6 square kilometre rural area, with a slight male majority typical of agricultural communities.

Is Durham Lead a good place to live? +

Durham Lead suits those who want affordable, spacious rural living within practical reach of Ballarat's extensive services, schools, and employment. It offers a quiet lifestyle with open countryside, while remaining well-connected to Melbourne via the Western Freeway.

What is the postcode for Durham Lead? +

The postcode for Durham Lead is 3352, which is broadly shared with the Ballarat region in central Victoria.

Is Durham Lead a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Durham Lead 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.