🔍

Little River

VIC 3211 • Rest of VIC

1,353
Population (2021)
$104,260
Median Household Income
181.20 km²
Area
$427/wk
Median Rent
RuralSemi-RuralCommuter BeltEstablishedQuiet

About Little River

Little River is a rural locality in the City of Greater Geelong in Victoria, situated on the Princes Highway and the Geelong rail line midway between Melbourne and Geelong, approximately 50 kilometres south-west of Melbourne CBD and 30 kilometres north-east of Geelong. With a population of 1,353 spread across a large 181 square kilometre area, it is a low-density semi-rural community that straddles the boundary of Melbourne's outer commuter belt. The median household income of around $104,000 per week is above the national average, pointing to a mix of established farming families and working professionals who commute to Melbourne or Geelong.

The Little River township itself is a small, charming settlement with a historic character, known for the nearby Werribee Gorge area and its pastoral landscapes. Little River railway station on the Geelong line provides a direct commute to Melbourne's Flinders Street Station and Geelong, making it an appealing option for those who want a rural address with city access. The community has a diverse background with notable Maltese, Italian, and Lebanese heritage reflecting broader Greater Geelong settlement patterns. Local amenities are limited to the township scale, with residents heading to Werribee or Geelong for major shopping and services.

Little River falls under postcode 3211 and is governed by Greater Geelong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Werribee (Western Metropolitan) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3211
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Greater Geelong
Federal Electorate
Corio
State Electorate
Werribee (Western Metropolitan)
Type
Rural
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.94°, 144.48°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
181.20 km²
Elevation
50m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$427
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,167
Avg Household Size
3 people
Median Age
42 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • PTV bus services — Geelong CBD 10-30 min

Commute to Geelong CBD

Distance
50 km
By Train
V/Line train service to Melbourne CBD (~60 min from Geelong Station)
By Car (Peak)
50-75 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
40-50 min

🛣️ Princes Highway (M1) and Western Ring Road connect to Melbourne; Geelong is approx. 30 min by car

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Little River is a dispersed rural locality with minimal local services; a car is essential for most daily needs, though the train station provides public transport access

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
357.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 56.6%
Motor vehicle theft
236.5 / 100k
2yr Up 57.4% 10yr Down 43.2%
Non-FV assault
291.6 / 100k
2yr Up 10.1% 10yr Up 20.2%
Robbery (unarmed)
1.4 / 100k
2yr Down 65.3% 10yr Down 53.8%
Steal from vehicle
772.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 42.4%
View all offence subgroups for Greater Geelong →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,322
Census 2021
1,353
▲ 2.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$33,176
Personal Income 2021
$39,000
▲ 17.6% 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
$39,000 / yr
$750/wk
Household
$104,260 / yr
$2005/wk
Family
$113,256 / yr
$2178/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 991
Born Overseas 211

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 31
  • 2. Lebanon 22
  • 3. Malta 18
  • 4. India 16
  • 5. New Zealand 14
  • 6. Scotland 10
  • 7. Ireland 9
  • 8. China 8
  • 9. Germany 6
  • 10. Netherlands 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 458
Australian 450
Scottish 156
Irish 144
Maltese 80
Italian 59
Lebanese 59
German 42
Dutch 25
Chinese 23

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

691
Both parents born in Australia
358
Both parents born overseas
163
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
41.0%
No Religion
35.6%
Islam
7.8%
Buddhism
1.8%
Hinduism
1.2%
Sikhism
1.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
56 (4.1%)
5-14 years
205 (15.2%)
15-19 years
100 (7.4%)
20-24 years
97 (7.2%)
25-34 years
97 (7.2%)
35-44 years
167 (12.3%)
45-54 years
218 (16.1%)
55-64 years
220 (16.3%)
65-74 years
137 (10.1%)
75-84 years
52 (3.8%)
85+ years
16 (1.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Little River VIC known for? +

Little River is known for its peaceful rural landscape between Melbourne and Geelong, its historic township, and proximity to Werribee Gorge State Park. The Little River railway station makes it an accessible rural retreat for commuters.

How far is Little River from Melbourne? +

Little River is approximately 50 kilometres south-west of Melbourne CBD, typically a 40 to 75 minute drive via the Princes Highway (M1) depending on traffic.

Does Little River have public transport? +

Yes — Little River railway station is served by the Geelong Line, providing train services to Melbourne's Southern Cross Station and Geelong. Journey time to Melbourne is approximately 55 to 65 minutes.

What is the population of Little River? +

According to the 2021 Census, Little River has a population of 1,353 residents across a large area of 181 square kilometres, making it a very low-density rural locality.

Is Little River a good place to live? +

Little River offers a rare combination of rural character and train access to both Melbourne and Geelong, appealing to families and professionals who want space and a quieter lifestyle without giving up city connectivity. Local amenities are limited, so residents head to Werribee or Geelong for services.

What is the postcode for Little River VIC? +

The postcode for Little River, Victoria is 3211.

What is the average income in Little River? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Little River is about $750 per week (around $39,000 per year). The median household income is $2,005 per week and the median family income is $2,178 per week.

What is the age profile of Little River? +

The median age in Little River is 42. The largest age group is 55–64 (220 residents, around 16%). Around 27% of residents are under 20 and about 15% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Little River a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Little River is part of the Greater Geelong 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 Little River? +

In Little River, the median weekly rent is $427, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,167 (2021 Census).