🔍

Sandford

VIC 3312 • Victoria

130
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
89.66 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalHistoricQuietRemote
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About Sandford

Sandford is a rural locality in Victoria's far south-west, situated south of the town of Casterton in the Shire of Glenelg local government area. With a population of 130 at the 2021 Census and covering approximately 90 square kilometres, the locality is thinly settled grazing country on the traditional lands of the Gunditjmara people. The area was historically settled in the 1860s due to its position on the Wannon River, which provided a reliable fresh water source for early European farmers and their stock.

Sandford's long history includes a post office that operated from 1862 until 1978, and a hotel that served the local farming community until around 2005 — both now gone, leaving a quiet pastoral landscape as the locality's defining character. Casterton is the nearest township and provides essential services including shops, schools, and community facilities, while Hamilton to the north-east is the main regional centre for south-west Victoria. The Wannon River corridor adds a gentle natural amenity to the locality, and the Gunditjmara's ongoing connection to this country is formally recognised through the Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.

Sandford falls under postcode 3312 and is governed by the Glenelg Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Wannon, while state elections fall under the Lowan (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3312
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Glenelg
Federal Electorate
Wannon
State Electorate
Lowan (Western Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.64°, 141.37°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
89.66 km²
Population Density
1 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3312

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3312 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$40,096
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$46,298

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3312; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No scheduled bus service to Sandford — Casterton or Hamilton (car required) Casterton approx 15-20 min by car

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
340 km
By Train
V/Line from Hamilton (approx 55 km away) — approx 3 hr to Melbourne Southern Cross
By Car (Peak)
3 hr 30 min - 4 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
3 hr - 3 hr 30 min

🛣️ Via Hamilton and Western Highway; Casterton is 15-20 min by car for nearest services

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A remote rural locality with no local services; residents drive to Casterton for all daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

No schools listed for this postcode.

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
130
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
499.5 / 100k
2yr Up 170.3% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
294.7 / 100k
2yr Up 195.0% 10yr Up 123.9%
Non-FV assault
334.6 / 100k
2yr Up 28.8% 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr Down 100.0% 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
679.3 / 100k
2yr Up 338.7% 10yr Stable
View all offence subgroups for Glenelg →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sandford known for? +

Sandford is known for its long pastoral history — the locality was settled in the 1860s due to its position on the Wannon River, and once had a post office and hotel that served the local farming community. Today it is a quiet rural locality on the traditional lands of the Gunditjmara people.

How far is Sandford from Melbourne? +

Sandford is approximately 340 kilometres west of Melbourne CBD, making it a drive of around 3.5 to 4 hours via Hamilton and the Western Highway.

Does Sandford have public transport? +

Sandford has no bus or rail service. The nearest V/Line station is at Hamilton, approximately 55 kilometres to the north-east, which provides train connections to Melbourne. A private vehicle is essential for all travel from Sandford.

What is the population of Sandford? +

According to the 2021 Census, Sandford had a population of 130 residents across approximately 90 square kilometres, making it a very sparsely settled rural locality in Victoria's far south-west.

Is Sandford a good place to live? +

Sandford suits those drawn to a deeply rural lifestyle in a quiet corner of south-west Victoria. Casterton provides nearby services, and the Wannon River adds a pleasant natural element to the landscape, but the area is very car-dependent and far from major urban centres.

What is the postcode for Sandford? +

The postcode for Sandford is 3312, shared with Casterton and other localities in Victoria's far south-west.

Is Sandford a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Sandford is part of the Glenelg 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.