🔍

Smythes Creek

VIC 3351 • Rest of VIC

1,762
Population (2021)
$110,864
Median Household Income
26.67 km²
Area
$395/wk
Median Rent
Rural LifestyleFamily-FriendlyAcreage LivingGrowth AreaBallarat Region

About Smythes Creek

Smythes Creek is a growing rural locality nestled in Victoria's Central Highlands, approximately 10 kilometres southwest of Ballarat's CBD within the City of Ballarat. With a population approaching 1,800 that has grown over 20% since 2016, this elevated community at 408 metres offers the space and tranquility of country living while remaining accessible to regional services. The area features a mix of established properties and newer lifestyle estates, with high owner-occupancy rates reflecting its appeal to families seeking permanence.

Life in Smythes Creek centres on space, community, and proximity to Ballarat's amenities. The nearby Delacombe Town Centre provides shopping and services, while the new Pinnacle Ballarat development is bringing additional facilities to the area. Residents are typically families and mature professionals drawn by affordable acreage blocks, quality local schools like Haddon Primary, and the ability to commute to Ballarat within 15 minutes. It's country living for those who want room to move without sacrificing access to regional city conveniences.

Smythes Creek falls under postcode 3351 and is governed by Ballarat Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Ripon (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3351
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Ballarat
Federal Electorate
Ballarat
State Electorate
Ripon (Western Victoria)
Type
Rural
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.60°, 143.77°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
26.67 km²
Elevation
408m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$559K
8 sales · ▲ 3.5% 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)
$395
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,647
Avg Household Size
3.1 people
Median Age
38 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Ballarat
15 km
N/A

Bus Services

  • Limited local service — Ballarat CBD 25-35 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
115 km
By Train
Approx 1 hr 30 min from Ballarat station (V/Line)
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 20 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 10 min

🛣️ Western Freeway provides road access. A car is essential; Ballarat station is the key rail hub.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Rural locality with no local shops or footpaths; car essential for all daily needs.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
467.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 46.3%
Motor vehicle theft
449.8 / 100k
2yr Up 23.3% 10yr Up 11.4%
Non-FV assault
395.7 / 100k
2yr Up 38.7% 10yr Up 20.1%
Robbery (unarmed)
1.6 / 100k
2yr Down 52.3% 10yr Up 67.2%
Steal from vehicle
1,167 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 27.0%
View all offence subgroups for Ballarat →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,467
Census 2021
1,762
▲ 20.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$33,644
Personal Income 2021
$42,484
▲ 26.3% 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
$42,484 / yr
$817/wk
Household
$110,864 / yr
$2132/wk
Family
$113,984 / yr
$2192/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,577
Born Overseas 147

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 35
  • 2. India 19
  • 3. Scotland 15
  • 4. New Zealand 11
  • 5. Netherlands 10
  • 6. Iran 5
  • 7. Malta 5
  • 8. South Africa 5
  • 9. Ireland 4
  • 10. Philippines 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 747
Australian 741
Irish 261
Scottish 243
German 72
Dutch 64
Italian 49
Australian Aboriginal 30
Maltese 28
New Zealander 14

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,319
Both parents born in Australia
211
Both parents born overseas
184
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
51.2%
Christianity
43.0%
Sikhism
1.0%
Islam
0.4%
Buddhism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
110 (6.2%)
5-14 years
239 (13.6%)
15-19 years
171 (9.7%)
20-24 years
117 (6.6%)
25-34 years
179 (10.2%)
35-44 years
196 (11.1%)
45-54 years
247 (14.0%)
55-64 years
233 (13.2%)
65-74 years
180 (10.2%)
75-84 years
72 (4.1%)
85+ years
11 (0.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Smythes Creek known for? +

Smythes Creek is a growing rural-residential locality in Victoria's Central Highlands near Ballarat, attracting families and tree-changers seeking spacious bush blocks within commuting reach of Ballarat's regional city services.

How far is Smythes Creek from Ballarat? +

Smythes Creek is approximately 15 kilometres from Ballarat city centre, around a 20-25 minute drive. Melbourne is approximately 115 kilometres east via the Western Freeway.

Does Smythes Creek have public transport? +

Smythes Creek has very limited public transport. A car is essential, with Ballarat station (approximately 15 km) providing V/Line Ballarat Line services to Melbourne Southern Cross.

What is the population of Smythes Creek? +

According to the 2021 Census, Smythes Creek has a population of approximately 1,762 residents, growing as families seek acreage lifestyle properties near Ballarat.

Is Smythes Creek a good place to live? +

Smythes Creek suits families seeking a rural-residential lifestyle with spacious blocks in the Central Highlands, within driving reach of Ballarat's comprehensive regional city services and V/Line rail access to Melbourne.

What is the postcode for Smythes Creek? +

The postcode for Smythes Creek is 3351.

What is the average income in Smythes Creek? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Smythes Creek is about $817 per week (around $42,500 per year). The median household income is $2,132 per week and the median family income is $2,192 per week.

What is the median house price in Smythes Creek? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $559,000, up 3.5% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Smythes Creek? +

The median age in Smythes Creek is 38. The largest age group is 45–54 (247 residents, around 14%). Around 30% of residents are under 20 and about 15% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Smythes Creek a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Smythes Creek is part of the Ballarat 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 Smythes Creek? +

In Smythes Creek, the median weekly rent is $395, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,647 (2021 Census).