suburb.guide

VIC · Unincorporated Vic Council

French Island, 3921

Current weather

10.6°CLight drizzle

96% humidity · 27 km/h wind · 12.8° / 10.1° today · 20.8 mm rain

Updated

  • Green suburb
  • National parks
  • Education hub
  • Café precinct
  • Excellent transport
What French Island is known for: Green suburb, National parks, Education hub, Café precinct, Excellent transport

Suburb profile

French Island is a welcoming smaller community in Unincorporated Vic, with a settled community character. Out in the wider region, it rewards those who value open country and a pace set by the land, not the clock. Generous greenery runs through the area, from street trees to tucked-away reserves.

An older demographic makes it especially popular with retirees. Local shops, markets and community spots keep everyday life grounded in the town itself. Outdoor life is easy here, with generous parks and room for kids, dogs and weekend strolls.

Housing is well-priced for what you get: space, location and everyday convenience. The streetscape feels settled and established, with older homes giving the area a familiar, lived-in look.

Population

Population
141
Median age
51
Median household income / week
$1,015
Dwelling vacancy
53.3%
Unoccupied private dwellings
65 of 122
Median monthly mortgage
$1,800
Employment rate
45.5%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
4 / 0 / 0

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.

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
1
Median school ICSEA
977
  • Perseverance Primary SchoolPrimary

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Planning & development

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

2 planning-related records

2020· 2 proposals

  • July 2020

  • Application to amend endorsed plans and to extend time of permit expiry.
    290 Mt Wellington RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2020

  • use and development of a camping and caravan park, associated vegetation removal and works in accordance with the plans.
    20 FARM ROAD FRENCH ISLAND 3921Refusal issued by a delegate

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

No OpenStreetMap amenities mapped for this suburb yet.

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

4 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • French Island (east) Reference AreaNature reserve
  • French Island (north) Reference AreaNature reserve
  • French Island G230 Bushland ReserveNature reserve
  • French Island Recreational ReservePark

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
6/10
IRSD decile (2021)
5/10

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

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
Overlay applies

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)
1

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

Recent changes

  • French Island (east) Reference Areagovernmentnature_reserve
  • French Island (north) Reference Areagovernmentnature_reserve
  • French Island G230 Bushland Reservegovernmentnature_reserve
  • French Island Recreational Reservegovernmentpark
  • Application to amend endorsed plans and to extend time of permit expiry.planning290 Mt Wellington RoadLodged 06 Jul 2020 · Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • use and development of a camping and caravan park, associated vegetation removal and works in accordance with the plans.planning20 FARM ROAD FRENCH ISLAND 3921Lodged 27 Mar 2020 · Refusal issued by a delegate
  • Perseverance Primary SchoolschoolsPrimary

Data sources & freshness

More in Unincorporated Vic Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

Similar population and socio-economic profile in other parts of Victoria.