Suburb profile · ABS Census 2021
Barwon Heads suburb profile
Barwon Heads, VIC · Postcode 3227
This Barwon Heads suburb profile summarises official Australian Bureau of Statistics Census 2021 data for Barwon Heads, VIC (postcode 3227). Use it as a free suburb report covering population, median rent, household income, age, housing tenure and employment, plus how those figures changed since Census 2016— then compare Barwon Heads with nearby suburbs.
Barwon Heads at a glance
Population
4,353
Median rent
$450/wk
Household income
$2,226/wk
Median age
46
Barwon Heads trends (2016 → 2021)
Change since the previous Census. Historical figures are mapped from State Suburbs (SSC) to today's suburb boundaries.
Population
Census 2011 → 2016 → 2021
+22.5% over 10 years
Population
4,353
was 3,875 in 2016
+478 · +12.3%
Median rent
$450/wk
was $360/wk in 2016
+$90 · +25%
Household income
$2,226/wk
was $1,774/wk in 2016
+$452 · +25.5%
Median age
46
was 43 in 2016
+3 · +7%
Dig deeper: Barwon Heads population growth · Barwon Heads then and now
Barwon Heads vs nearby & Greater Melbourne
Median Census 2021 figures for Barwon Heads, nearby suburbs (8), and the Melbourne metro median (suburbs with 1,000+ people).
Rent
+15.2% vs area
- Barwon Heads$450/wk
- Nearby$400/wk
- Melbourne$390.5/wk
Household income
+14.9% vs area
- Barwon Heads$2,226/wk
- Nearby$1,713/wk
- Melbourne$1,936.5/wk
Median age
+17.9% vs area
- Barwon Heads46
- Nearby46.5
- Melbourne39
Personal income
+22.1% vs area
- Barwon Heads$1,030/wk
- Nearby$844.5/wk
- Melbourne$843.5/wk
Nearby uses the same postcode first, then larger suburbs in VIC. See Melbourne rankings.
Socio-economic profile
How Barwon Heads compares to other Australian suburbs on income, education and occupation — from official ABS SEIFA 2021 data.
Barwon Heads ranks among Australia's most advantaged suburbs. It shows strong access to economic resources and high education and occupation levels.
Relative disadvantage (IRSD)
Decile 101,095.4
Lower score / decile = more relative disadvantage
Advantage & disadvantage (IRSAD)
Decile 101,100.1
Higher score / decile = more relative advantage
Economic resources (IER)
Decile 91,077.1
Access to economic resources (income, housing)
Education & occupation (IEO)
Decile 101,112.4
Education and occupational skill levels
Source: ABS SEIFA 2021. See methodology.
Barwon Heads on the map
OpenStreetMap outline for Barwon Heads, VIC.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Boundary matching is approximate.
Barwon Heads people
- Population
- 4,353
- Median age
- 46
- Born overseas
- 9.4%
- Average household size
- 2.5
Total usual residents (Census 2021)
Median age of residents in years
Percentage born outside Australia
Average number of people per household
Barwon Heads income
- Median household income
- $2,226/wk
- Median personal income
- $1,030/wk
Median total weekly household income
Median total weekly personal income
Barwon Heads housing
- Median rent
- $450/wk
- Median mortgage repayment
- $2,184/mo
- Separate houses
- 67%
- Flats & apartments
- 2.1%
- Owned outright
- 35%
- Mortgaged
- 24.9%
- Rented
- 11.4%
- Unoccupied dwellings
- 26.4%
Median weekly rent for rented dwellings
Median monthly mortgage repayment
Percentage of dwellings that are separate houses
Percentage of dwellings that are flats or apartments
Percentage of dwellings owned without a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings with a mortgage
Percentage of dwellings rented
Percentage of private dwellings unoccupied on Census night
Barwon Heads work
- Employment to population
- 56.7%
- Unemployment rate
- 2.7%
- Year 12 or above
- 69%
Employed persons as a percentage of population aged 15+
Unemployed persons as a percentage of the labour force
Percentage with Year 12 or equivalent as highest school level
Nearby suburb profiles (near 3227)
Compare Barwon Heads with nearby suburbs
Barwon Heads in numbers
Barwon Heads had 4,353 residents at the 2021 Census, making it the 393rd most populous suburb or locality in VIC out of 2,835. The median age is 46, 12% above the typical VIC suburb. The average household has 2.5 people. 9.4% of residents were born overseas.
Among occupied homes, 35% own their home outright, 24.9% are paying a mortgage, 11.4% rent. Separate houses make up 67% of dwellings, with 2.1% in flats or apartments. Median rent was $450/wk, 29% above the typical VIC suburb.
Median household income was $2,226/wk, 25% above the typical VIC suburb. The unemployment rate on Census night was 2.7%. 69% of adults had completed Year 12 or above. On the ABS SEIFA index of relative socio-economic disadvantage it sits in decile 10 nationally (1 is most disadvantaged, 10 least).
Between the 2016 and 2021 Censuses the population grew 12.3% (from 3,875 to 4,353). Median rent moved from $360/wk to $450/wk (+25%).
Barwon Heads suburb FAQs
- What is the median rent in Barwon Heads, VIC?
- The median weekly rent in Barwon Heads was $450/wk at the 2021 Census (ABS).
- How many people live in Barwon Heads, VIC?
- Barwon Heads had 4,353 residents at the 2021 Census, up 12.3% from 2016.
- What is the median household income in Barwon Heads?
- Median household income in Barwon Heads was $2,226/wk at the 2021 Census.
- Do most people rent or own in Barwon Heads?
- 11.4% of occupied homes in Barwon Heads were rented, 35% were owned outright and 24.9% were owned with a mortgage.
About this Barwon Heads suburb profile
Figures are from the ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021 (General Community Profile) for the Suburbs and Localities boundary matching Barwon Heads. Where shown, 2016 values come from the 2016 State Suburbs (SSC) profile, linked via ABS geographic correspondence — boundaries are not always identical. Medians may be suppressed for very small areas. This is not financial or relocation advice — use it alongside current market data.
Source: ABS Census 2021. Methodology · Richest suburbs in Melbourne