🔍

Jack River

VIC 3971 • Victoria

161
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
49.60 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalRemoteQuiet
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About Jack River

Jack River is a small rural locality in the Shire of Wellington in Gippsland, Victoria, approximately 170 kilometres east-southeast of Melbourne and around 15 kilometres north of Yarram. With a population of just 161 residents spread across nearly 50 square kilometres, it is a sparsely settled farming community typical of the broader South Gippsland lowlands. The median household income reflects the modest, agricultural character of the area.

The locality takes its name from the Jack River, which flows through the area before joining the Albert River to the south. Life here centres on primary industries including grazing and mixed farming, with the nearest significant services found in Yarram. The surrounding countryside features the open pastoral landscapes of the Bass Coast hinterland, offering a quiet, rural lifestyle well suited to those seeking space and a close connection to the land.

Jack River falls under postcode 3971 and is governed by the Wellington Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Gippsland, while state elections fall under the Gippsland South (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3971
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Wellington
Federal Electorate
Gippsland
State Electorate
Gippsland South (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.63°, 146.82°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
49.60 km²
Population Density
3 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3971

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3971, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$36,019
Median 2023–24
$44,136
▲ 22.5% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$53,556

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3971; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited regional services — Yarram / Sale Varies

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
170 km
By Train
No direct train service — drive to Sale then V/Line to Melbourne
By Car (Peak)
2 h 15 min – 2 h 45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 h – 2 h 20 min

🛣️ South Gippsland Highway provides main road access; Yarram is the nearest service town

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A dispersed rural locality with no shops or footpaths; a car is essential for all daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
161
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
494.7 / 100k
2yr Up 59.5% 10yr Down 28.0%
Motor vehicle theft
191.9 / 100k
2yr Up 84.4% 10yr Up 57.6%
Non-FV assault
432.8 / 100k
2yr Up 10.3% 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr Down 100.0% 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
577.8 / 100k
2yr Up 81.3% 10yr Up 72.3%
View all offence subgroups for Wellington →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Jack River known for? +

Jack River is known for its quiet rural and agricultural character in the Gippsland region, set around the Jack River waterway that flows through the South Gippsland lowlands.

How far is Jack River from Melbourne CBD? +

Jack River is approximately 170 kilometres east-southeast of Melbourne, making it around a 2 to 2.5 hour drive depending on traffic.

Does Jack River have public transport? +

There is no rail service to Jack River. Limited regional coach and bus connections exist via nearby Yarram; a car is the most practical way to get around.

What is the population of Jack River? +

According to the 2021 Census, Jack River has a population of approximately 161 residents, spread across a broad rural area of nearly 50 square kilometres.

Is Jack River a good place to live? +

Jack River suits those who value open space, farming lifestyle, and the peaceful landscapes of Gippsland. It is best suited to people comfortable with rural living and a car-dependent lifestyle.

What is the postcode for Jack River? +

The postcode for Jack River is 3971.

Is Jack River a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Jack River is part of the Wellington 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.