🔍

Kerang

VIC 3579 • Rest of VIC

3,960
Population (2021)
$52,312
Median Household Income
146.61 km²
Area
$200/wk
Median Rent
RuralIrrigation DistrictBirdwatchingCountry LivingHeritage
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About Kerang

Kerang is a historic country town on the Loddon River in north-central Victoria, located 277 kilometres northwest of Melbourne in the Gannawarra Shire. With a population of around 4,000, it serves as the commercial heart of an irrigation district supporting livestock, horticulture, and grain farming. The town sits at 78 metres elevation and experiences a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cool winters.

Life in Kerang revolves around agriculture and the surrounding wetlands—the area boasts some of the world's largest ibis rookeries and Ramsar-listed lakes that draw birdwatchers year-round. The town is home to Australia's largest solar and battery farm, bringing new economic opportunities. Kerang attracts farming families, retirees seeking affordable country living, and those who appreciate the tight-knit community, heritage pubs, and genuine rural Australian character far from city pressures.

Kerang falls under postcode 3579 and is governed by the Gannawarra Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Mallee, while state elections fall under the Murray Plains (Northern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3579
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Gannawarra
Federal Electorate
Mallee
State Electorate
Murray Plains (Northern Victoria)
Type
Rural
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-35.72°, 143.95°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
146.61 km²
Population Density
27 /km²
Elevation
77m

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🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$313K
24 sales · ▼ 30.2% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$275K
3 sales · ▲ 6.8% 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 3579

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3579, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$38,478
Median 2023–24
$46,477
▲ 20.8% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$56,976

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3579; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

Census personal income 2016 vs 2021

Personal Income 2016
$26,104
Personal Income 2021
$29,796
▲ 14.1% 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
$29,796 / yr
$573/wk
Household
$52,312 / yr
$1006/wk
Family
$73,424 / yr
$1412/wk
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$200
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,000
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
51 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3%

50 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • V/Line Coach — Bendigo, Melbourne (Southern Cross) 5h to Melbourne
  • V/Line Coach — Swan Hill, Mildura 1h to Swan Hill
  • Dysons 3579 — Echuca Regional

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
277 km
By Train
3h 45min (V/Line via Bendigo)
By Bus
5h (coach via Bendigo)
By Car (Peak)
3h 15min
By Car (Off-Peak)
3h

🛣️ Regional town; most residents work locally in agriculture, healthcare, or education

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre walkable with shops, cafes, and services along main street; car needed for surrounding farms and wetlands

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    12 Nolan Street Kerang 3579 VIC

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,893
Census 2021
3,960
▲ 1.7% 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 Gannawarra Local Government Area, which contains Kerang. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
192.4 / 100k
2yr Down 49.9% 10yr Down 45.0%
Motor vehicle theft
279 / 100k
2yr Up 142.3% 10yr Up 145.7%
Non-FV assault
259.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 71.6%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
298.3 / 100k
2yr Up 55.4% 10yr Up 26.1%
View all offence subgroups for Gannawarra →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,419
Born Overseas 224

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 63
  • 2. Philippines 25
  • 3. South Africa 21
  • 4. India 14
  • 5. New Zealand 14
  • 6. Netherlands 7
  • 7. United States 7
  • 8. Greece 6
  • 9. Italy 5
  • 10. Nepal 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,802
Australian 1,714
Scottish 468
Irish 423
German 171
Australian Aboriginal 135
Italian 79
Dutch 41
Filipino 27
Greek 24

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace

3,048
Both parents born in Australia
339
Both parents born overseas
255
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
50.4%
No Religion
39.3%
Buddhism
0.5%
Hinduism
0.3%
Judaism
0.1%
Sikhism
0.1%
Islam
0.1%

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📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
201 (5.1%)
5-14 years
454 (11.5%)
15-19 years
179 (4.5%)
20-24 years
174 (4.4%)
25-34 years
346 (8.7%)
35-44 years
381 (9.6%)
45-54 years
434 (11.0%)
55-64 years
580 (14.6%)
65-74 years
612 (15.5%)
75-84 years
401 (10.1%)
85+ years
215 (5.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kerang known for? +

Kerang is known for its spectacular wetlands and ibis rookeries — among the world's largest — and the surrounding Ramsar-listed lakes that attract birdwatchers year-round. It also serves as the regional service centre for the Gannawarra Shire's irrigation district.

How far is Kerang from Melbourne? +

Kerang is approximately 277 kilometres north-west of Melbourne CBD, around a 3 hour drive via the Calder Highway and Loddon Valley Highway.

Does Kerang have public transport? +

Kerang is served by V/Line train services on the Swan Hill line, with a direct station in town connecting to Melbourne (approximately 3.5 hours). V/Line coach services also operate to regional centres.

What is the population of Kerang? +

According to the 2021 Census, Kerang has a population of approximately 3,960 residents, with the broader Gannawarra Shire area relying on Kerang as its main service town.

Is Kerang a good place to live? +

Kerang offers affordable country living with a strong agricultural community, remarkable wildlife and wetland experiences, and direct V/Line rail services to Melbourne. It suits those drawn to rural lifestyles in the Murray-Darling irrigation district.

What is the postcode for Kerang? +

The postcode for Kerang is 3579.

What is the average income in Kerang? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Kerang is about $573 per week (around $29,800 per year). The median household income is $1,006 per week and the median family income is $1,412 per week.

What is the median house price in Kerang? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $312,500, down 30.2% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $275,000, up 6.8% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Kerang? +

The median age in Kerang is 51. The largest age group is 65–74 (612 residents, around 15%). Around 21% of residents are under 20 and about 31% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Kerang a safe area? +

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

In Kerang, the median weekly rent is $200, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,000 (2021 Census).