🔍

Poowong

VIC 3988 • Victoria

717
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
49.58 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalQuietPeaceful
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About Poowong

Poowong is a small dairying town in South Gippsland, Victoria, situated approximately 111 kilometres south-east of Melbourne and about 15 kilometres north-west of Korumburra within the South Gippsland Shire. The locality had a population of 717 residents at the 2021 Census, spread across around 50 square kilometres of rolling green hills, lush pastures, and small family farms. Poowong is characteristic of South Gippsland's agricultural heartland — a tight-knit rural community with deep ties to the dairy industry.

The town has a small local hub with essential services, and residents access a broader range of shops, schools, and facilities in Korumburra, Nyora, or Leongatha. Community life revolves around the Poowong Magpies Australian rules football club, which competes in the Ellinbank and District Football League and is a strong source of local pride. The surrounding South Gippsland countryside, with its scenic hills and relative proximity to Wilsons Promontory National Park, makes Poowong an appealing destination for those seeking a genuinely rural lifestyle within a few hours' drive of Melbourne.

Poowong falls under postcode 3988 and is governed by the South Gippsland Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Monash, while state elections fall under the Narracan (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3988
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
South Gippsland
Federal Electorate
Monash
State Electorate
Narracan (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.31°, 145.81°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
49.58 km²
Population Density
14 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3988

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3988 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$48,326
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$60,622

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3988; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited rural coach services — Korumburra / Leongatha Approx. 15-30 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
111 km
By Train
No direct service; Nyora station (~12km) offers limited Stony Point line services, or drive to Leongatha for Gippsland line (approx. 2h 10min to Flinders Street)
By Car (Peak)
1h 45min - 2h 15min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1h 30min - 1h 50min

🛣️ South Gippsland Highway and Princes Highway are the main routes to Melbourne; car is the primary mode of transport

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A car is essential in Poowong; the town has very limited local services and most errands require a drive to Korumburra or Leongatha

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
717
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
326.2 / 100k
2yr Up 15.6% 10yr Up 15.8%
Motor vehicle theft
249.4 / 100k
2yr Up 78.8% 10yr Up 202.7%
Non-FV assault
198.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
460.5 / 100k
2yr Up 153.5% 10yr Up 71.9%
View all offence subgroups for South Gippsland →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Poowong known for? +

Poowong is known as a small South Gippsland dairy town with a strong agricultural heritage and community sporting culture, particularly through the Poowong Magpies Australian rules football club in the Ellinbank and District Football League. The town sits at the heart of the region's lush dairying country.

How far is Poowong from Melbourne? +

Poowong is approximately 111 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, typically a 1.5 to 2 hour drive depending on traffic and route via the South Gippsland Highway.

Does Poowong have public transport? +

Public transport options are very limited in Poowong. The nearest train stations are Nyora (approx. 12km away) and Leongatha (approx. 29km), but services are infrequent; a car is the most practical way to get around.

What is the population of Poowong? +

According to the 2021 Census, Poowong had a population of 717 residents across approximately 275 dwellings, reflecting its character as a small country town serving the surrounding farming community.

Is Poowong a good place to live? +

Poowong suits those who genuinely enjoy rural living — it offers beautiful South Gippsland scenery, a close-knit community, and a peaceful lifestyle. Access to services is limited locally, but Korumburra and Leongatha are within easy driving distance for most needs.

What is the postcode for Poowong? +

The postcode for Poowong is 3988.

Is Poowong a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Poowong is part of the South Gippsland 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.