What is Harcourt known for?

Harcourt is a charming town in Victoria's Central Goldfields region, situated about 121 kilometres north-west of Melbourne at the junction of the Midland and Calder Highways. Harcourt is renowned across Victoria for its apple and pear orchards, and the local Harcourt Valley Vintners winery adds to the area's appeal.

How far is Harcourt from Melbourne CBD?

Harcourt is approximately 121 kilometres from Melbourne CBD, with a typical drive taking around 145-218 minutes depending on traffic and route taken.

Does Harcourt have public transport?

Harcourt 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 Harcourt?

According to the 2021 Census, Harcourt has a population of approximately 1,038 residents, a modest but established community. The suburb falls within the Mount Alexander (Shire) local government area.

Is Harcourt a good place to live?

Harcourt 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 Harcourt?

The postcode for Harcourt, VIC is 3453. This postcode covers Harcourt and may also serve nearby localities within the same postcode zone.

What is the average income in Harcourt?

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Harcourt is about $751 per week (around $39,100 per year). The median household income is $1,430 per week and the median family income is $1,820 per week.

What is the median house price in Harcourt?

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $500,000, down 23.1% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Harcourt?

The median age in Harcourt is 46. The largest age group is 55–64 (164 residents, around 16%). Around 23% of residents are under 20 and about 23% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Harcourt a safe area?

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Harcourt is part of the Mount Alexander 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 Harcourt?

In Harcourt, the median weekly rent is $305, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,517 (2021 Census).

Harcourt

VIC 3453 • Rest of VIC

1,038

Population (2021)

$74,360

Median Household Income

28.53 km²

Area

$305/wk

Median Rent

RuralHistoricWine & FoodRegional VictoriaAgricultural

About Harcourt

Harcourt is a charming town in Victoria's Central Goldfields region, situated about 121 kilometres north-west of Melbourne at the junction of the Midland and Calder Highways. The town lies within the Mount Alexander Shire and had a population of 1,038 at the 2021 census. Nestled among granite boulders and apple orchards, Harcourt sits at the foothills of Mount Alexander, giving it a distinct character as a rural township with a strong agricultural heritage.

Harcourt is renowned across Victoria for its apple and pear orchards, and the local Harcourt Valley Vintners winery adds to the area's appeal. The town is just 9 kilometres from Castlemaine and 30 kilometres from Bendigo, making it popular with those seeking a rural lifestyle within reach of regional services. Residents enjoy access to local produce, historic gold-rush-era buildings, and the scenic Mount Alexander Regional Park nearby.

Harcourt falls under postcode 3453 and is governed by Mount Alexander Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Bendigo West (Northern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State

Victoria

Postcode

3453

Urban Area

N/A

LGA / Council

Mount Alexander

Federal Electorate

Bendigo

State Electorate

Bendigo West (Northern Victoria)

Type

Rural

Timezone

Melbourne (UTC+10)

Coordinates

-37.00°, 144.26°

Statistical Area

Rest of VIC

Area

28.53 km²

Elevation

348m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House

$500K

5 sales · ▼ 23.1% 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)

$305

Median Mortgage (monthly)

$1,517

Avg Household Size

2.5 people

Median Age

46 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Castlemaine Station

9 km

Bendigo Line (Melbourne–Bendigo)

Bendigo Station

30 km

Bendigo Line

Bus Services

McIvor Highway coaches — Castlemaine / Bendigo 15–35 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance

121 km

By Train

~1h 45min (train from Castlemaine)

By Car (Peak)

~1h 30min

By Car (Off-Peak)

~1h 15min

🛣️ Most residents drive to Castlemaine to catch V/Line trains to Melbourne.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Harcourt is a rural town where a car is essential. Limited footpaths and no local transit make walking impractical for most errands.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏫

Harcourt Valley Primary School

Wilkinson Street

GovernmentPrimaryCoedNon-Denominational

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)

304.2 / 100k

2yr Up 56.5% 10yr Down 14.6%

Motor vehicle theft

118.8 / 100k

2yr Up 22.2% 10yr Stable

Non-FV assault

232.9 / 100k

2yr Up 65.2% 10yr Up 20.2%

Robbery (unarmed)

0 / 100k

2yr — 10yr —

Steal from vehicle

313.7 / 100k

2yr Up 43.4% 10yr Stable

View all offence subgroups for Mount Alexander →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016

943

Census 2021

1,038

▲ 10.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016

$30,264

Personal Income 2021

$39,052

▲ 29.0% 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

$39,052 / yr

$751/wk

Household

$74,360 / yr

$1430/wk

Family

$94,640 / yr

$1820/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 887

Born Overseas 76

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

1. England 28
2. New Zealand 13
3. India 5
4. Ireland 4
5. Japan 4
6. United States 4
7. France 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 447

Australian 445

Irish 160

Scottish 141

German 63

Italian 23

Australian Aboriginal 17

Dutch 10

Greek 10

French 7

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

756

Both parents born in Australia

102

Both parents born overseas

104

One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion

60.9%

Christianity

28.3%

Buddhism

1.2%

Islam

0.3%

Judaism

0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years

39 (3.8%)

5-14 years

144 (13.9%)

15-19 years

52 (5.0%)

20-24 years

45 (4.3%)

25-34 years

96 (9.2%)

35-44 years

123 (11.8%)

45-54 years

140 (13.5%)

55-64 years

164 (15.8%)

65-74 years