🔍

Maffra

VIC 3860 • Rest of VIC

5,384
Population (2021)
$66,820
Median Household Income
78.82 km²
Area
$250/wk
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalFamily-FriendlyAffordablePeaceful

About Maffra

Maffra is a regional service town in Victoria's Gippsland region, located approximately 220 kilometres east of Melbourne within the Wellington Shire. With a population of around 5,400 and a large land area of nearly 79 square kilometres, it serves as an important centre for the surrounding agricultural district. The median age of 42 and household income of around ,285 per week reflect its character as a stable, working-class country town with deep roots in the dairy and sugar beet industries.

The town sits along the Thomson River and is known for its strong community spirit, regular agricultural shows, and relaxed country lifestyle. Maffra provides a solid range of local services including schools, a hospital, supermarkets, and sporting clubs — making it largely self-sufficient for everyday needs. The area attracts families and retirees drawn by affordable housing, wide open spaces, and easy access to the Gippsland Lakes, alpine areas, and the broader East Gippsland coast.

Maffra falls under postcode 3860 and is governed by Wellington Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3860
Urban Area
Wellington (Vic.)
LGA / Council
Wellington
Federal Electorate
Gippsland
State Electorate
Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.96°, 147.00°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
78.82 km²
Elevation
36m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$413K
26 sales · ▲ 2.9% 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)
$250
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,300
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
42 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Sale
25 km
N/A

Bus Services

  • V/Line Coach — Sale then train to Melbourne 30 min to Sale

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
220 km
By Train
Approx 3 hrs (coach to Sale, Bairnsdale Line train to Melbourne)
By Car (Peak)
2 hrs 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hrs 15 min

🛣️ Princes Highway (A1) is the main road route. V/Line coach to Sale station for train access.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Compact regional town with walkable main street; most shopping and services accessible on foot in the town centre.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    Corner Johnson Street And Purdy Lane Maffra 3860 VIC

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Wellington Local Government Area, which contains Maffra. 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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
5,280
Census 2021
5,384
▲ 2.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$29,640
Personal Income 2021
$34,788
▲ 17.4% 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
$34,788 / yr
$669/wk
Household
$66,820 / yr
$1285/wk
Family
$90,324 / yr
$1737/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 4,631
Born Overseas 438

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 114
  • 2. New Zealand 47
  • 3. Philippines 47
  • 4. Netherlands 35
  • 5. India 25
  • 6. Germany 22
  • 7. Scotland 20
  • 8. Vietnam 13
  • 9. Thailand 9
  • 10. United States 9

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 2,415
English 2,347
Irish 662
Scottish 612
German 187
Dutch 162
Italian 99
Australian Aboriginal 94
Filipino 38
Polish 36

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

4,070
Both parents born in Australia
555
Both parents born overseas
451
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
46.7%
Christianity
45.2%
Buddhism
0.5%
Islam
0.3%
Sikhism
0.3%
Hinduism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
308 (5.7%)
5-14 years
719 (13.4%)
15-19 years
299 (5.6%)
20-24 years
255 (4.7%)
25-34 years
602 (11.2%)
35-44 years
630 (11.7%)
45-54 years
557 (10.3%)
55-64 years
738 (13.7%)
65-74 years
712 (13.2%)
75-84 years
404 (7.5%)
85+ years
149 (2.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Maffra known for? +

Maffra is known as a service centre for the Wellington Shire and for its historical connection to sugar beet processing, which drove early agricultural development in the region. The town has a well-established main street with local shopping and services.

How far is Maffra from Melbourne? +

Maffra is approximately 220 kilometres east of Melbourne CBD, around a 2 hour 30 minute drive via the Princes Highway through Gippsland.

Does Maffra have public transport? +

Maffra is served by V/Line coach services connecting to Sale station (approximately 25 km west) on the Bairnsdale Line, where train services to Melbourne can be accessed. The total journey to Melbourne by public transport is approximately 3 hours.

What is the population of Maffra? +

According to the 2021 Census, Maffra has a population of approximately 5,384 residents, with a stable community reflecting its role as a regional service town in East Gippsland.

Is Maffra a good place to live? +

Maffra offers affordable regional living with a good range of local services, schools, and sporting clubs. It suits families and those working in the Wellington Shire or Sale region who value a quiet Gippsland lifestyle.

What is the postcode for Maffra? +

The postcode for Maffra is 3860.

What is the average income in Maffra? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Maffra is about $669 per week (around $34,800 per year). The median household income is $1,285 per week and the median family income is $1,737 per week.

What is the median house price in Maffra? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $412,500, up 2.9% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Maffra? +

The median age in Maffra is 42. The largest age group is 55–64 (738 residents, around 14%). Around 25% of residents are under 20 and about 23% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Maffra a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Maffra 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.

How much is rent in Maffra? +

In Maffra, the median weekly rent is $250, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,300 (2021 Census).