suburb.guide

VIC · Ballarat Council

Brown Hill, 3350

Current weather

6.5°CLight drizzle

96% humidity · 31.4 km/h wind · 8.1° / 5.3° today · 15.2 mm rain

Desirability score

58.2/100

876th in Australia

85% data confidence

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

Brown Hill (Vic.) is a smaller suburban community in the Ballarat area, home to around 4,489 residents (2021 Census). Available data shows 141 offences in 2026 with falling year-on-year trends (-39%), roughly 31.4 offences per 1,000 residents, 1 school and preschool site in the area, strong public transport coverage with many Public Transport Victoria stops, a reasonable spread of amenities, 29 active roadworks or transport incidents on nearby routes, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb.

Population

Population
4,489
Median age
36
Median household income / week
$1,757
Dwelling vacancy
5.1%
Unoccupied private dwellings
93 of 1,828
Median monthly mortgage
$1,619
Employment rate
65.2%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
102 / 200 / 6

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

Crime & safety

Total offences (2026)
141
Against the person
17
Against property
87
Rate per 1,000 residents
31.4
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 264 residents
State safety percentile
25.9th (lower crime is better)
Decrease (daily rate)
-39.2%

Reported offences decreased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage13
  • B41 Motor Vehicle Theft12
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle24
  • B49 Other Theft18
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order27

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
1
Median school ICSEA
1,010
  • Caledonian Primary SchoolPrimary

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

16 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Bradbury St/Humffray St N
  • Brown Hill Reserve/Humffray St N
  • Brown Hill Reserve/Humffray St N
  • Lawless Pl/Humffray St N
  • Uniting Church/Humffray St N

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

29 active roadworks / incidents

  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 06/05/2026 and 30/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.DAYLESFORD-WESTERN OUT RAMP ON, DAYLESFORD ROAD05 May 2026 – 29 Dec 2026
  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 06/05/2026 and 30/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.DAYLESFORD ROAD, WESTERN IN-DAYLESFORD RAMP OF05 May 2026 – 29 Dec 2026
  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 06/05/2026 and 30/12/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.WESTERN IN-DAYLESFORD RAMP OF, WESTERN FREEWAY05 May 2026 – 29 Dec 2026
  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 17/03/2026 and 30/01/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Greater than 10 min.WESTERN FREEWAY, BALLARAT-BURRUMBEET ROAD16 Mar 2026 – 29 Jan 2027
  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 17/03/2026 and 30/01/2027 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM, Weekends 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be Greater than 10 min.WESTERN FREEWAY, BALLARAT-BURRUMBEET ROAD16 Mar 2026 – 29 Jan 2027
  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 27/05/2026 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed westbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 60 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.WESTERN FREEWAY, WESTERN OUT-DAYLESFORD RAMP OF26 May 2026 – 30 Jul 2026
  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 27/05/2026 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed westbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 60 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.WESTERN FREEWAY, WESTERN OUT-DAYLESFORD RAMP OF26 May 2026 – 30 Jul 2026
  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 27/05/2026 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed westbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 60 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.WESTERN FREEWAY, BALLARAT-BURRUMBEET ROAD26 May 2026 – 30 Jul 2026
  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 27/05/2026 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed westbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 60 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.WESTERN FREEWAY, DAYLESFORD-WESTERN OUT RAMP ON26 May 2026 – 30 Jul 2026
  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 27/05/2026 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed westbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 60 and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.WESTERN FREEWAY, WESTERN OUT-DAYLESFORD RAMP OF26 May 2026 – 30 Jul 2026

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported

Planning & development

Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).

54 planning-related records

2021· 27 proposals

  • August 2021

  • Staged 10 lot subdivision
    30 RYAN STREET BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by the RA
  • Use and development of a childcare centre and medical centre, removal of native vegetation and associated works
    214 STAWELL STREET NORTH BROWN HILL 3350In progress
  • Construction of an outbuilding
    39 THOMPSON STREET BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Development of an outbuilding
    183 HILLVIEW ROAD BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two Lot Subdivision
    218 DAYLESFORD ROAD BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a dwelling, outbuilding and fence and removal of a restriction (building envelopes)
    1 PALENTINO PLACE BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a dwelling
    42 APPLE ORCHARD DRIVE BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Amendment to existing permit to allow additional removal of native trees . Original permit issued for : Staged multi lot subdivision and removal of vegetation
    LOT 2 HILLVIEW ROAD BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a shed
    12 RUSTY RISE BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of two dwellings and five lot subdivision
    327A Humffray Street NorthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • Development of an outbuilding
    26 WILLOWBANK WAY BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a dwelling
    7 HOLMSGARTH COURT BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a dwelling and associated works
    38 APPLE ORCHARD DRIVE BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • Development of a dwelling
    42 Apple Orchard DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a dependent person's unit
    14 STRINGYBARK DRIVE BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Development of a single dwelling
    10 Gallowburn CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a dwelling
    2 Ninox CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a dwelling and tennis court, removal of native vegetation and removal of restrictions
    3 PALENTINO PLACE BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of an outbuilding
    12 GALA CLOSE BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • February 2021

  • Development of a second dwelling and two lot subdivision
    14 Illana StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of land for child care centre, indoor recreational facility (swimming pool), car parking to Council satisfaction and alteration of access to a road in a road zone category 1
    40 WATER STREET BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a dwelling
    10 Lautaret RoadWithdrawn
  • Subdivide the land into two lots and removal of the drainage and sewerage easement as shown on E1 on Lot 1 LP126266
    326 HUMFFRAY STREET NORTH BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development a dwelling
    4 Brooklyn CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2021

  • Two lot subdivision
    9 RUSTY RISE BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two lot subdivision; and create access to a Road Zone, Category 1
    245 Daylesford RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of an outdoor covered area associated with a dwelling
    3/5 Canterbury StreetNo permit required
2020· 13 proposals

  • December 2020

  • Development of six additional dwellings and seven lot subdivsion
    6 BROPHY STREET BROWN HILL 3350Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of an outbuilding
    60 Stringybark DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • November 2020

  • Retrospective works partial demolition of existing brick fence and replacement with timber and wire fence
    278 Humffray Street NorthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a dwelling
    154 Finlay StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construct a dwelling and create vehicle access to a Road Zone Category 1
    135 Daylesford RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a dwelling
    40 Gracefield RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a shed
    35 Gracefield RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • October 2020

  • Staged multi-lot residential subdivision, removal of native vegetation, removal of drainage easement E-3 and carriageway easement E-2 on PS428241R and removal of drainage easement E-3 and carriageway easement E-2 on LP218528G
    Lot A Hillview RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a second dwelling and two lot subdivision
    14 Illana StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a dwelling
    23 Springs RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of a dwelling
    387 Humffray Street NorthPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two lot subdivision
    102 Thompson StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • September 2020

  • Development of a dwelling
    10 Bawden StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

  • PPARS planning permit activity (statewide) — Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · Period: 2020–2022 · Updated on site · Public MapServer last updated Feb 2024 — applications through FY 2022–23 only; newer PPARS data requires council/API access

Amenities

23 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Bench (4)
  • Bradbury St/Humffray St NBus stop
  • Brown Hill Reserve/Humffray St NBus stop
  • Cypress Rd/Gracefield RdBus stop
  • Daylesford Rd/Cypress RdBus stop
  • Gracefield Dr/Gracefield RdBus stop
  • Lawless Pl/Humffray St NBus stop
  • Ryan St/Dalesford RdBus stop
  • Ryan St/Water StBus stop
  • Springs Rd/Daylesford RdBus stop

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)

Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Parks & reserves

2 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Brown Hill ReservePark
  • Hearns Road ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
7/10
IRSD decile (2021)
7/10

SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

2 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • kindergartenkindergarten
  • kindergartenkindergarten

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
No overlay at centroid

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay mapping.

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Bushfire hazard overlays

Data sources & freshness

  • Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
21
Parks (OSM)
17

OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.

Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)

Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Desirability index

Desirability score
58.2/100
National rank
876th in Australia
State rank
230th in VIC
Peer rank
#5 among Country & regional · Growth area suburbs
Cohort rank
#28 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
85%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • B21 Criminal Damagecrime13
  • B41 Motor Vehicle Theftcrime12
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehiclecrime24
  • B49 Other Theftcrime18
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Ordercrime27
  • kindergartenchildcarekindergarten
  • kindergartenchildcarekindergarten
  • Brown Hill Reservegovernmentpark
  • Hearns Road Parkgovernmentpark
  • Amendment to existing permit to allow additional removal of native trees . Original permit issued for : Staged multi lot subdivision and removal of vegetationplanningLOT 2 HILLVIEW ROAD BROWN HILL 3350Lodged 25 Jun 2021 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

Data sources & freshness

Similar suburbs

Suburbs with a similar population, SEIFA decile and location.