🔍

Smythesdale

VIC 3351 • Rest of VIC

1,189
Population (2021)
$86,112
Median Household Income
40.92 km²
Area
$300/wk
Median Rent
HistoricRuralMining HeritageCountry Living

About Smythesdale

Smythesdale is a historic rural town located 45 kilometres southwest of Ballarat in Victoria's Golden Plains Shire. With a population of 1,189, this former gold mining settlement retains its country character while serving surrounding agricultural areas. The community has a median age of 39 and strong family demographics, with residents valuing the peaceful rural lifestyle and heritage mining history.

Life in Smythesdale centres around rural pursuits and community activities, with residents enjoying wide open spaces, heritage architecture, and close-knit neighbourhood connections. The town offers basic amenities while relying on nearby Ballarat for major services and employment. Mining heritage sites and rural landscapes attract history enthusiasts and those seeking affordable country living with reasonable access to regional facilities.

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

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3351
Urban Area
Corangamite - Golden Plains
LGA / Council
Golden Plains
Federal Electorate
Ballarat
State Electorate
Ripon (Western Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.64°, 143.68°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
40.92 km²
Elevation
380m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$300
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,430
Avg Household Size
2.7 people
Median Age
39 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Ballarat Station
45 km
9 hrs

Bus Services

  • Limited regional services — Ballarat 60 min

Commute to Ballarat

Distance
45 km
By Train
N/A (no direct service)
By Bus
60-90 min
By Car (Peak)
50 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
45 min

🛣️ Car-dependent rural area with limited public transport to Ballarat

Walkability Car-dependent

Rural town requiring private vehicle for most services and employment

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
189.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 57.4%
Motor vehicle theft
130.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 13.1%
Non-FV assault
63.3 / 100k
2yr Up 16.6% 10yr Down 22.6%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
174.9 / 100k
2yr Up 29.0% 10yr Down 31.2%
View all offence subgroups for Golden Plains →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,032
Census 2021
1,189
▲ 15.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$32,396
Personal Income 2021
$37,284
▲ 15.1% 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
$37,284 / yr
$717/wk
Household
$86,112 / yr
$1656/wk
Family
$97,708 / yr
$1879/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,016
Born Overseas 81

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 33
  • 2. Netherlands 8
  • 3. China 7
  • 4. Scotland 7
  • 5. New Zealand 5
  • 6. Croatia 4
  • 7. Philippines 3
  • 8. South Africa 3
  • 9. United States 3
  • 10. Vietnam 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 524
Australian 514
Irish 156
Scottish 131
German 67
Dutch 46
Australian Aboriginal 33
Italian 18
Maltese 15
Chinese 9

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

867
Both parents born in Australia
131
Both parents born overseas
108
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
53.9%
Christianity
37.4%
Buddhism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
74 (6.2%)
5-14 years
176 (14.8%)
15-19 years
73 (6.1%)
20-24 years
81 (6.8%)
25-34 years
117 (9.8%)
35-44 years
149 (12.5%)
45-54 years
175 (14.7%)
55-64 years
156 (13.1%)
65-74 years
133 (11.2%)
75-84 years
48 (4.0%)
85+ years
6 (0.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Smythesdale known for? +

Smythesdale is a historic gold rush town in the Golden Plains Shire, known for its 19th-century heritage buildings, friendly community character, and affordable rural lifestyle. The town serves as a service centre for the surrounding farming district.

How far is Smythesdale from Ballarat? +

Smythesdale is approximately 45 kilometres south-west of Ballarat, around a 45-50 minute drive. Melbourne is approximately 140 kilometres east via the Western Highway and Midland Highway.

Does Smythesdale have public transport? +

Smythesdale has no direct public transport. Local roads connect to Ballarat and Geelong. A car is essential for all travel and daily needs.

What is the population of Smythesdale? +

According to the 2021 Census, Smythesdale has a population of approximately 1,189 residents, a stable rural community with deep historical roots in the Golden Plains Shire.

Is Smythesdale a good place to live? +

Smythesdale suits those seeking an affordable rural lifestyle in historic gold rush country, with a community-focused town character and easy road access to both Geelong and Ballarat for regional services.

What is the postcode for Smythesdale? +

The postcode for Smythesdale is 3351.

What is the average income in Smythesdale? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Smythesdale is about $717 per week (around $37,300 per year). The median household income is $1,656 per week and the median family income is $1,879 per week.

What is the age profile of Smythesdale? +

The median age in Smythesdale is 39. The largest age group is 5–14 (176 residents, around 15%). Around 27% of residents are under 20 and about 16% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Smythesdale a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Smythesdale is part of the Golden Plains 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 Smythesdale? +

In Smythesdale, the median weekly rent is $300, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,430 (2021 Census).