Forbes
VIC 3764 • Victoria
About Forbes
Forbes is a small rural locality in Mitchell Shire, situated approximately 65 kilometres north of Melbourne's CBD in Victoria's peri-urban fringe. With a population of around 158 residents spread across roughly 34.7 square kilometres, it is a sparsely settled area with a quiet, semi-rural character. The locality experienced notable population growth of around 25 per cent between 2016 and 2021, reflecting a broader trend of people seeking acreage lifestyle properties within commuting distance of Melbourne.
Forbes appeals to those looking for a rural retreat without straying too far from regional services, with the town of Kilmore nearby and the Hume Freeway providing access to Melbourne. The surrounding landscape is typical of the Mitchell Shire — gently undulating farmland and bushland. Residents value the space and quiet that semi-rural localities like Forbes offer, while remaining within reach of schools, shops, and community facilities in nearby towns.
Forbes falls under postcode 3764 and is governed by the Mitchell Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Nicholls, while state elections fall under the Macedon (Northern Victoria) electorate.
Location
Ad
Income
ATO taxable income Postcode 3764
Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3764, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.
Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3764; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.
Transport & Commute
Bus Services
- Limited regional services — Kilmore / Broadford Varies
Commute to Melbourne CBD
🛣️ Hume Freeway provides the main Melbourne connection
A fully car-dependent rural locality with no walkable services or footpaths
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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40 White Street
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Sutherland Street
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35 Lancefield Road
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40 Sutherland Street
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Willowmavin Road
Demographics
Population Growth
Gender Distribution (Census 2021)
Crime Statistics LGA-wide
These are the latest rates for the Mitchell Local Government Area, which contains Forbes. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria
