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Talbot

VIC 3371 • Victoria

452
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
32.47 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
HistoricHeritageRuralAffordableUp-and-Coming
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About Talbot

Talbot is a small historic town in Victoria's Shire of Central Goldfields, located approximately 167 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, 53 kilometres north of Ballarat, and 16 kilometres south of Maryborough. Settled in the 1840s and transformed during the gold rush era of the 1850s, Talbot retains a strong sense of history with heritage streetscapes and gold rush-era buildings defining its compact town centre. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 452, reflecting the modest but enduring scale of this well-preserved Victorian country town.

Talbot is celebrated for its remarkably intact Victorian-era architecture, including the distinctive Scandinavian Crescent — a legacy of the diverse immigrant communities who flocked to the central goldfields in the nineteenth century. In recent years the town has attracted artists, artisans, and lifestyle seekers drawn to its heritage character and affordable rural properties, fostering a vibrant small community with a creative edge. Maryborough provides the nearest major services and schooling, while the Midland Highway connects Talbot to Ballarat and the broader Goldfields region; a private vehicle is essential for daily needs.

Talbot falls under postcode 3371 and is governed by the Central Goldfields Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Wannon, while state elections fall under the Ripon (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3371
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Central Goldfields
Federal Electorate
Wannon
State Electorate
Ripon (Western Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.20°, 143.64°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
32.47 km²
Population Density
14 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3371

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3371 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$42,473
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$49,787

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3371; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No regular service — Maryborough (16 km north) N/A

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
167 km
By Train
Drive to Maryborough (~16 km), then ~2 hr 15 min to Melbourne Southern Cross via Maryborough-Ballarat V/Line
By Car (Peak)
2 hr – 2 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 45 min – 2 hr

🛣️ Via Midland Highway to Ballarat, then Western Ring Road to Melbourne; Ballarat is 53 km south

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Some local facilities exist in the town centre but most errands require a car to reach Maryborough or Ballarat

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
452
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
290.1 / 100k
2yr Up 45.8% 10yr Down 28.4%
Motor vehicle theft
152.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 26.2%
Non-FV assault
500.4 / 100k
2yr Up 74.2% 10yr Up 63.7%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
304.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 13.3%
View all offence subgroups for Central Goldfields →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Talbot known for? +

Talbot is known for its exceptionally well-preserved Victorian-era gold rush heritage, including the unique Scandinavian Crescent and a historic town centre that reflects the diverse immigrant communities of the 1850s gold rush. In recent years it has also gained a reputation as a destination for artists and lifestyle seekers drawn to its heritage charm.

How far is Talbot from Melbourne? +

Talbot is approximately 167 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, a drive of around 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours via the Midland Highway and Western Ring Road.

Does Talbot have public transport? +

Talbot does not have its own railway station, but the nearby town of Maryborough (16 km north) has V/Line train services to Melbourne via Ballarat. A private vehicle is needed to access Maryborough station.

What is the population of Talbot? +

According to the 2021 Census, Talbot has a population of approximately 452 residents, making it a very small but historically significant town within the Shire of Central Goldfields.

Is Talbot a good place to live? +

Talbot is an excellent choice for those who value heritage character, community spirit, and affordable rural living within reach of Ballarat and Maryborough. It has attracted a growing community of artists and lifestyle changers, though a car is essential and major services are a drive away.

What is the postcode for Talbot? +

The postcode for Talbot is 3371.

Is Talbot a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Talbot is part of the Central Goldfields 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.