suburb.guide

VIC · Greater Geelong Council

Highton, VIC, 3216

Current weather

13.3°CDense drizzle

81% humidity · 21.5 km/h wind · 16.7° / 9.4° today · 5.2 mm rain

Desirability index

100/100

#1 among Coastal & beach suburbs

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

Highton is a mid-sized suburb in the Greater Geelong area, home to around 20,736 residents (2021 Census). Recent indicators show 479 offences in 2026 with falling year-on-year trends (-31%), roughly 23.1 offences per 1,000 residents, 4 school and preschool sites in the area, strong public transport coverage with many Public Transport Victoria stops, a higher concentration of local shops, services, and recreation amenities, 6 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 and hospitals or GP clinics within the suburb.

Population

Population
20,736
Median age
39
Median household income / week
$2,054
Dwelling vacancy
5.7%
Unoccupied private dwellings
449 of 7,902
Median monthly mortgage
$2,000
Employment rate
63.1%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
411 / 922 / 18

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)
479
Against the person
99
Against property
270
Rate per 1,000 residents
23.1
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 209 residents
State safety percentile
16.6th (lower crime is better)
Year-on-year change
-31.4%

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage51
  • B42 Steal From A Motor Vehicle53
  • B49 Other Theft58
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order57
  • Other Crimes Against The Person35

Data sources & freshness

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
4
Median school ICSEA (4 schools)
1,099.5
  • Bellaire Primary SchoolPrimary
  • Christian College GeelongCombined
  • Highton Primary SchoolPrimary
  • Montpellier Primary SchoolPrimary

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

74 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Barrabool Hills Cemetery/Mt Pleasant Rd
  • Highton Library/Roslyn Rd
  • Lambhill Cres/Mt Pleasant Rd
  • St John's Church/Roslyn Rd
  • Thornhill Rd/Roslyn Rd

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

6 active roadworks / incidents

  • Council Works activities occurring between 10/06/2026 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed southbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.BARRABOOL ROAD, ROBERTS ROAD09 Jun 2026 – 30 Jul 2026
  • Council Works activities occurring between 10/06/2026 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed southbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.BARRABOOL ROAD, MOUNT PLEASANT ROAD09 Jun 2026 – 30 Jul 2026
  • Council Works activities occurring between 10/06/2026 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed southbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.ROBERTS ROAD, MOUNT PLEASANT ROAD09 Jun 2026 – 30 Jul 2026
  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 09/06/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 8:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed southbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.GEELONG RING ROAD, HAMILTON-GEELONG RING OUT RAMP ON08 Jun 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 09/06/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 8:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed southbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.GEELONG RING OUT-BARRABOOL RAMP OF, HAMILTON-GEELONG RING OUT RAMP ON08 Jun 2026 – 30 Aug 2026
  • Maintenance Works activities occurring between 09/06/2026 and 31/08/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 8:00 PM to 6:00 AM, Weekends 8:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed southbound. Altered speed limit during operation will be 40 and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.GEELONG RING ROAD, GEELONG RING OUT-BARRABOOL RAMP OF08 Jun 2026 – 30 Aug 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).

109 planning-related records

2021· 41 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Construction of Three (3) Dwellings and Three (3) Lot Subdivision
    8 BUNDOORA CRESCENT HIGHTON 3216NOD issued by a delegate
  • Construction of a dwelling greater than 7.5m in height
    1 HIGHPOINT CRESCENT HIGHTON 3216Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construct a Front Fence in a Special Building Overlay
    19-21 SOUTH VALLEY ROAD HIGHTON 3216Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works Associated with Construction of a Dwelling over 7.5 Metres in Height
    54 BASIN RISE HIGHTON 3216NOD issued by a delegate
  • Construction of a Dwelling Over 7.5m in Height and within SBO
    20 MARCUS STREET HIGHTON 3216Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2021

  • Construction of Three Dwellings and a Three Lot Subdivision
    1-3 SPEDDING LINK HIGHTON 3216Permit issued by the RA
  • Construction of Two (2) Dwellings and Two (2) Lot Subdivision
    2 ELIZABETH STREET HIGHTON 3216Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Extension to a Dwelling in a Special Building Overlay
    20 MONTAGUE STREET HIGHTON 3216Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of Two (2) Dwellings and Two (2) Lot Subdivision
    1 CARA ROAD HIGHTON 3216In progress
  • Display Electronic Promotion Signage
    250 SOUTH VALLEY ROAD HIGHTON 3216Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and Works associated with Alterations and Additions to an Existing Kindergarten and Display of Business Identification Signs and Alteration of Access to a Road in a Transport Zone 2
    170-172 BARRABOOL ROAD HIGHTON 3216Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Alterations and Additions to Dwelling in an SBO
    11 SHOUBRA COURT HIGHTON 3216Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use of the land as an education centre (disability support service) and display of business identification signage
    57 BARRABOOL ROAD HIGHTON 3216Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Alterations and Additions to a Supermarket, Construct and Display Direction Signage and Reduction of Carparking
    36-46 PROVINCE BOULEVARD HIGHTON 3216Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of Dwelling over 7.5m in height
    36 RADSTOCK AVENUE HIGHTON 3216Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and Works Associated with a Section 2 Use (Replacement of Facade)
    2/132-138 Colac RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Dwelling over 7.5 metres in Height above Natural Ground Level
    91 DRYDEN WAY HIGHTON 3216Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Building and Works Associated with Alterations and Additions to an Existing Dwelling exceeding 7.5m above Natural Ground Level
    3-5 LICHEN GROVE HIGHTON 3216Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of Six (6) Dwellings and Reduction of Visitor Carparking Space
    19 CARINA WAY HIGHTON 3216Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of Vegetation and Construction of a Footpath
    91-99 Scenic RoadNo permit required

  • May 2021

  • Buildings and Works Associated with the Construction of Nine (9) Dwellings, Alteration of Access to a Road in a Transport Zone 2 and Reduction of Visitor Car Parking
    16 DUGGAN COURT HIGHTON 3216In progress
  • Construction of Two (2) Dwellings and Two (2) Lot Subdivision
    6 COBDEN STREET HIGHTON 3216Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Extension to a Dwelling in a Special Building Overlay
    18 Bonsey RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Verandah
    3/49 Dryden WayNo permit required
  • Construction of 46 Dwellings including 14 Apartments, and Alteration of Access to a Road in a Road Zone, Category 1
    152-156 COLAC ROAD HIGHTON 3216NOD issued by a delegate

  • April 2021

  • Building and Works Associated with an Existing Dwelling
    52 Porter AvenueNo permit required
  • Construction of a Dwelling
    87 Dryden WayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Construction of Two (2) Dwellings and Two (2) Lot Subdivision
    14 Adelaide StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of Three (3) Dwellings
    1 ADELAIDE STREET HIGHTON 3216NOD issued by a delegate
  • Construction of a Boundary Fence within a Special Building Overlay
    89 Thornhill RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Three Lot Subdivision and Creation of Access to a Road Zone Category 1
    60-62 South Valley RoadNOD issued by a delegate

  • February 2021

  • Construction of Seven (7) Dwellings
    50 BELLE VUE AVENUE HIGHTON 3216Withdrawn
  • Construction of Four (4) Dwellings
    27 BUCKLEY FALLS ROAD HIGHTON 3216In progress
  • Construction of Dependent Persons Unit in a Special Building Overlay
    63 Thornhill RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two (2) Lot Subdivision and Construction of Two (2) Dwellings
    16 Aitkenside AvenuePermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • January 2021

  • Removal of One Native Tree in a Heritage Overlay
    150-160 Queens Park RoadWithdrawn
  • Buildings and Works for the Construction of Two (2) Dwellings greater than 7.5 metres in height above natural ground level
    PARENT - 6-8 DEVON PARK DRIVE HIGHTON 3216Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of Two (2) Dwellings and Two (2) Lot Subdivision
    126 South Valley RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of a Dwelling over 7.5 metres
    25 Augustine DrivePermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of Two (2) Dwellings and Two (2) lot Subdivision
    16 Barrabool RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
2020· 68 proposals

68 proposals lodged in 2020. Individual listings are kept for the most recent proposals.

Data sources & freshness

  • PPARS planning permit activity (statewide) — Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · Period: 2020; 2020–2022; 2021 · Updated on site · Public MapServer last updated Feb 2024 — applications through FY 2022–23 only; newer PPARS data requires council/API access

Amenities

119 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Nardi CellarbrationsAlcohol

    15 Bellevue Avenue

  • Bakers DelightBakery

    3 Bellevue Avenue

  • Highton BakeryBakery

    10 Bellevue Arcade, Highton

  • Bendigo BankBank

    Bellevue Avenue

  • Bench (26)
  • Avondale Ave/Province BvdBus stop
  • Barrabool Hills Baptist ChurchBus stop
  • Barrabool Hills Cemetery/Mt Pleasant RdBus stop
  • Barrabool Rd/Grantham DrBus stop
  • Barwon Bvd/Mt Pleasant RdBus stop

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

Data sources & freshness

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

Parks & reserves

22 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Bennett ReservePark
  • Buckley Falls ParkPark
  • Cara ReservePark
  • Carramar ParkPark
  • Cedmar ReservePark
  • Ferndale ReservePark
  • Gwyther ReservePark
  • Highton BasinsPark
  • Highview Estate ReservePark
  • Kindale ReservePark

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
9
Emergency department
Not in suburb
  • 291 Roslyn Road Medical Practicedoctor
  • AmcalBellevue Avenuepharmacy
  • Amcalpharmacy
  • BodyLab Healthphysiotherapist
  • Highton Village Medical Clinicclinic
  • Prosper Podiatrydoctor
  • Radius Medical Imagingyes
  • South Valley Medical Centreclinic
  • The Highton ClinicBellevue Avenuedoctor

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
9/10
IRSD decile (2021)
9/10

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

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

4 childcare services from OpenStreetMap

  • Botanica Early Learning Centrechildcare
  • Highton Pre Schoolkindergarten
  • kindergartenkindergarten
  • kindergartenkindergarten

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.

Data sources & freshness

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

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
335
Parks (OSM)
34

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

Data sources & freshness

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

Desirability index

Desirability score
100.0/100
Cohort rank
#1 among Coastal & beach suburbs

Data sources & freshness

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

Recent changes

  • Botanica Early Learning Centrechildcarechildcare
  • Highton Pre Schoolchildcarekindergarten
  • kindergartenchildcarekindergarten
  • kindergartenchildcarekindergarten
  • 291 Roslyn Road Medical Practicehealthdoctor
  • AmcalhealthBellevue Avenuepharmacy
  • Amcalhealthpharmacy
  • BodyLab Healthhealthphysiotherapist
  • Highton Village Medical Clinichealthclinic
  • Prosper Podiatryhealthdoctor

Data sources & freshness

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Suburbs with a comparable population profile, socio-economic decile, and location.