🔍

Stratford

VIC 3862 • Rest of VIC

2,980
Population (2021)
$73,788
Median Household Income
153.70 km²
Area
$290/wk
Median Rent
RuralHistoricAffordableQuietFamily-Friendly

About Stratford

Stratford is a historic rural township on the Avon River in Victoria's Gippsland region, situated approximately 232 kilometres east of Melbourne along the Princes Highway within the Wellington Shire. With a population of 2,980 at the 2021 Census — up 13.9% from 2016 — the town has attracted steady growth from families and retirees seeking a relaxed country lifestyle with convenient highway access. The community is predominantly Anglo-Australian with a median household income of approximately $1,419 per week, and housing is characterised by established quarter-acre properties and rural residential allotments spread across the township's generous 154 square kilometre area.

Positioned along the Princes Highway between the larger Gippsland centres of Sale (approximately 55 kilometres west) and Bairnsdale (approximately 43 kilometres east), Stratford benefits from its strategic location while retaining a quiet country town character. The V/Line Bairnsdale train line stops in Stratford, offering a connection to Melbourne for those who need city access. Residents enjoy the scenic Avon River parklands, the town's historic streetscape, local primary and secondary schools, a hotel, and essential shops, with a strong community spirit that makes it popular with families and those seeking an affordable regional lifestyle in the heart of Gippsland.

Stratford falls under postcode 3862 and is governed by Wellington Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3862
Urban Area
Wellington (Vic.)
LGA / Council
Wellington
Federal Electorate
Gippsland
State Electorate
Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.95°, 147.12°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
153.70 km²
Elevation
47m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$487K
16 sales · ▲ 8.1% 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)
$290
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,308
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
39 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Stratford
0.3 km
5 min

Bus Services

  • V/Line coach connections — Sale, Bairnsdale 45-60 min to Sale or Bairnsdale

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
232 km
By Train
Approx. 2 hr 45 min to Southern Cross Station via V/Line Bairnsdale Line
By Car (Peak)
2 hr 30 min to 3 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hr 15 min to 2 hr 30 min

🛣️ Located on the Princes Highway (M1). V/Line train stops in town. Practical for occasional Melbourne visits; most residents work locally or in Sale/Bairnsdale.

Walkability Car-Dependent

The small town centre is walkable for basic needs, but most errands and larger shopping require driving to Sale or Bairnsdale.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Wellington Local Government Area, which contains Stratford. 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
2,617
Census 2021
2,980
▲ 13.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$31,044
Personal Income 2021
$37,388
▲ 20.4% 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
$37,388 / yr
$719/wk
Household
$73,788 / yr
$1419/wk
Family
$91,988 / yr
$1769/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,630
Born Overseas 239

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 86
  • 2. New Zealand 38
  • 3. Netherlands 14
  • 4. Scotland 12
  • 5. South Africa 10
  • 6. Philippines 9
  • 7. Germany 8
  • 8. Ireland 6
  • 9. Wales 6
  • 10. Canada 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,423
English 1,314
Scottish 342
Irish 341
German 113
Dutch 78
Italian 54
Australian Aboriginal 45
Polish 23
New Zealander 22

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,234
Both parents born in Australia
320
Both parents born overseas
288
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
51.1%
Christianity
42.1%
Buddhism
0.4%
Islam
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
195 (6.5%)
5-14 years
400 (13.4%)
15-19 years
163 (5.5%)
20-24 years
169 (5.7%)
25-34 years
391 (13.1%)
35-44 years
338 (11.3%)
45-54 years
329 (11.0%)
55-64 years
381 (12.8%)
65-74 years
397 (13.3%)
75-84 years
165 (5.5%)
85+ years
48 (1.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stratford VIC known for? +

Stratford is known as a quiet historic township on the Avon River in Victoria's Gippsland region. The town is situated on the Princes Highway and has a charming country character, with the river parklands, a heritage streetscape, and its convenient position between Sale and Bairnsdale making it popular with families seeking an affordable regional lifestyle.

How far is Stratford VIC from Melbourne? +

Stratford is approximately 232 kilometres east of Melbourne CBD via the Princes Highway (M1). The drive typically takes around 2.5 to 3 hours, and V/Line trains on the Bairnsdale line also stop at Stratford station, with the journey to Southern Cross Station taking approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Does Stratford VIC have public transport? +

Yes — Stratford has its own V/Line railway station on the Bairnsdale line, providing passenger rail services between Melbourne (Southern Cross Station) and Bairnsdale. V/Line coach connections also link the town to Sale and surrounding communities.

What is the population of Stratford VIC? +

According to the 2021 Census, Stratford has a population of 2,980. This represents strong growth of 13.9% since 2016 when the population was 2,617, reflecting increasing interest in regional Gippsland townships.

Is Stratford VIC a good place to live? +

Stratford suits those seeking an affordable, relaxed country lifestyle in the Gippsland corridor. The town offers good community facilities, V/Line train access, and a beautiful riverside setting, though residents typically need to travel to Sale or Bairnsdale for major shopping, specialist services, and employment.

What is the postcode for Stratford VIC? +

The postcode for Stratford, Victoria is 3862.

What is the average income in Stratford? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Stratford is about $719 per week (around $37,400 per year). The median household income is $1,419 per week and the median family income is $1,769 per week.

What is the median house price in Stratford? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $486,500, up 8.1% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Stratford? +

The median age in Stratford is 39. The largest age group is 5–14 (400 residents, around 13%). Around 25% of residents are under 20 and about 20% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Stratford a safe area? +

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

What is the population of Stratford? +

Stratford had a population of 2,980 at the 2021 Census, up 13.9% from 2,617 in 2016.

How much is rent in Stratford? +

In Stratford, the median weekly rent is $290, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,308 (2021 Census).