🔍

Heywood

VIC 3304 • Rest of VIC

1,815
Population (2021)
$56,004
Median Household Income
252.99 km²
Area
$180/wk
Median Rent
RuralHistoricAffordableIndigenous HeritageAgricultural
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About Heywood

Heywood is a small town on the Fitzroy River in western Victoria, situated within the Glenelg Shire at an elevation of 27 metres amidst rolling green hills. With a population of approximately 1,815, it serves as a service centre for the surrounding agricultural, pastoral, and timber-cutting district. The town is located about 25 kilometres north of Portland and roughly 370 kilometres west of Melbourne.

Heywood offers a relaxed country lifestyle with a strong sense of community and rich Indigenous cultural heritage, including the significant Lake Condah Aboriginal aquaculture site and the Winda Mara Cultural Centre. The area is a gateway to the Cobboboonee State Forest and is home to Australia's largest rose farm. The town suits those who enjoy rural living, outdoor recreation, and affordable property in a scenic pastoral setting.

Heywood falls under postcode 3304 and is governed by the Glenelg Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Wannon, while state elections fall under the South-West Coast (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3304
Urban Area
Glenelg North - Heywood
LGA / Council
Glenelg
Federal Electorate
Wannon
State Electorate
South-West Coast (Western Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.13°, 141.64°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
252.99 km²
Population Density
7 /km²
Elevation
26m

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🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$353K
12 sales · ▲ 3.8% 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 3304

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3304, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$42,617
Median 2023–24
$46,717
▲ 9.6% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$53,752

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3304; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

Census personal income 2016 vs 2021

Personal Income 2016
$27,872
Personal Income 2021
$32,344
▲ 16.0% 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
$32,344 / yr
$622/wk
Household
$56,004 / yr
$1077/wk
Family
$80,756 / yr
$1553/wk
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$180
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,025
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
48 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
4.1%

17 state housing + 13 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • V/Line Coach — Portland to Hamilton / Warrnambool 30 min to Portland

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
370 km
By Train
N/A (no rail service)
By Bus
5-6 hr (V/Line coach via Warrnambool or Hamilton)
By Car (Peak)
4 hr 15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
4 hr

🛣️ Nearest regional centre is Portland (25 km, 20 min drive). No train station; V/Line coach provides limited services. Most travel is by car.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small town centre is walkable for basic errands, but a car is needed for most services and employment

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,726
Census 2021
1,815
▲ 5.2% growth

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 Glenelg Local Government Area, which contains Heywood. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
499.5 / 100k
2yr Up 170.3% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
294.7 / 100k
2yr Up 195.0% 10yr Up 123.9%
Non-FV assault
334.6 / 100k
2yr Up 28.8% 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr Down 100.0% 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
679.3 / 100k
2yr Up 338.7% 10yr Stable
View all offence subgroups for Glenelg →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,465
Born Overseas 131

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 43
  • 2. New Zealand 29
  • 3. Netherlands 17
  • 4. Philippines 10
  • 5. Malta 3
  • 6. Scotland 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 732
English 728
Scottish 174
Irish 165
Australian Aboriginal 122
German 71
Dutch 41
Maltese 31
Italian 16
New Zealander 16

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace

1,273
Both parents born in Australia
185
Both parents born overseas
130
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
45.8%
Christianity
39.1%

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📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
101 (5.6%)
5-14 years
222 (12.2%)
15-19 years
82 (4.5%)
20-24 years
72 (4.0%)
25-34 years
180 (9.9%)
35-44 years
191 (10.5%)
45-54 years
198 (10.9%)
55-64 years
290 (16.0%)
65-74 years
278 (15.3%)
75-84 years
124 (6.8%)
85+ years
69 (3.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Heywood known for? +

Heywood is a small town on the Fitzroy River in western Victoria, situated within the Glenelg Shire at an elevation of 27 metres amidst rolling green hills. Heywood offers a relaxed country lifestyle with a strong sense of community and rich Indigenous cultural heritage, including the significant Lake Condah Aboriginal aquaculture site and the Winda Mara Cultural Centre.

How far is Heywood from Melbourne CBD? +

Heywood is approximately 25 kilometres from Melbourne CBD, with a typical drive taking around 30-45 minutes depending on traffic and route taken.

Does Heywood have public transport? +

Heywood 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 Heywood? +

According to the 2021 Census, Heywood has a population of approximately 1,815 residents, a modest but established community. The suburb falls within the Glenelg (Shire) local government area.

Is Heywood a good place to live? +

Heywood 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 Heywood? +

The postcode for Heywood, VIC is 3304. This postcode covers Heywood and may also serve nearby localities within the same postcode zone.

What is the average income in Heywood? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Heywood is about $622 per week (around $32,300 per year). The median household income is $1,077 per week and the median family income is $1,553 per week.

What is the median house price in Heywood? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $353,000, up 3.8% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Heywood? +

The median age in Heywood is 48. The largest age group is 55–64 (290 residents, around 16%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 26% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Heywood a safe area? +

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

In Heywood, the median weekly rent is $180, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,025 (2021 Census).