suburb.guide

VIC · Glenelg Council

Portland, 3305

Current weather

8.5°CLight drizzle

88% humidity · 38.6 km/h wind · 12.7° / 7.6° today · 16.7 mm rain

Updated

Desirability score

54.3/100
Average

Top 24% of Victoria's suburbs

82% data confidence

How this score is calculated
  • Heritage area
  • Green suburb
  • Education hub
  • Excellent transport
  • High desirability
What Portland is known for: Heritage area, Green suburb, Education hub, Excellent transport, High desirability

Suburb profile

Portland anchors everyday life in Glenelg, a regional established suburb with its own identity and rhythm. Distance from the capital is noticeable, but the trade-off is space, calm and a community that knows its neighbours. Tree-lined streets and leafy pockets give the suburb a noticeably green, settled character.

Long-term locals and family households define much of the community, with plenty of young families in the mix. The town centre holds its own, with enough local flavour to make staying close to home appealing. Green space is a real strength, with parks and playgrounds woven through the suburb.

Strong public transport connections keep the wider area accessible. Homes are relatively affordable, which helps families and first-time residents put down roots.

On the desirability index, the suburb sits around average overall, mainly because community and employment and local dining and lifestyle amenities lag similar regional towns, despite relative strength in growth momentum and parks and green space.

Population

Population
10,016
Median age
47
Median household income / week
$1,146
Dwelling vacancy
11.6%
Unoccupied private dwellings
543 of 4,691
Median monthly mortgage
$1,083
Employment rate
49.3%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
343 / 392 / 55

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)
1,729
Against the person
334
Against property
653
Rate per 1,000 residents
172.6
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 30 residents
State safety percentile
88.7th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+8%

Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage170
  • B49 Other Theft96
  • C32 Drug Possession92
  • E13 Resist Or Hinder Officer91
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order277

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
8
Median school ICSEA (8 schools)
969.5
  • All Saints Parish SchoolPrimary
  • Bayview CollegeSecondary
  • Bundarra Primary SchoolPrimary
  • Portland Bay SchoolSpecial
  • Portland Primary SchoolPrimary
  • Portland Secondary CollegeSecondary
  • Portland South Primary SchoolPrimary
  • St John's Lutheran SchoolPrimary

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

60 public transport stops in this suburb

  • All Saints Catholic Church/Henty St
  • Henty Street Bus Interchange/Henty St
  • Henty Street Bus Interchange/Henty St
  • Henty Street Bus Interchange/Henty St
  • Portland Hospital/Bentinck St

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

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).

82 planning-related records

2021· 40 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Development of a Two Storey Commercial Building Containing 28 Retail Tenancies
    2/53 PERCY STREET PORTLAND 3305NOD issued by a delegate
  • Use of land to sell or consume liquor (Liquor Licence) and for Retail Premises - Manufacturing Sales (Cellar Door Sales)
    8 KALINA COURT PORTLAND 3305Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of land for an office and caretakers dwelling and to construct a two (2) storey building
    125A PERCY STREET PORTLAND 3305Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • External painting in a heritage overlay
    ROYAL HOTEL, 113-119 PERCY STREET PORTLAND 3305Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • August 2021

  • Buildings and works to construct carport in a heritage overlay
    9 TYERS STREET PORTLAND 3305Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • To re-subdivide six existing titles into 5 lots. To remove easement of way shown as E-1 on PS333707X created by instrument PS333707X
    123 & 125A & 125 B PERCY STREET & 33 JULIANI PLACE PORTLAND 3305Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two lot subdivision
    52 BARKLY STREET PORTLAND 3305NOD issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and works to construct verandah
    PORTLAND RSL BOWLING CLUB, 17 CAPE NELSON ROAD PORTLAND 3305Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • 19 Lot Subdivision
    288 EDGAR STREET PORTLAND 3305Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works - illuminated double sided sign
    CANADIAN ROOSTER, 18 FERN STREET PORTLAND 3305Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct two sheds
    1-2 HILL COURT PORTLAND 3305Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Buildings and works - alterations and extensions to classrooms and gymnasium buildings
    BAYVIEW COLLEGE, 119-121 BENTINCK STREET PORTLAND 3305Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to construct garage in a heritage overlay
    17 HURD STREET PORTLAND 3305Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Nine (9) lot subdivision and common property
    49 BANCROFT STREET PORTLAND 3305NOD issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and works for floodlit signage
    165A Percy StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Development of land for a Transport Depot (includes Warehouse, Offices and Ancillary Buildings, and Vehicle Parking) This is not Vicsmart
    174 GARDEN STREET PORTLAND 3305Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Demolition of Garden Shed in Heritage Overlay
    31 Gawler StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of a Dwelling
    30 OLERIA ROAD PORTLAND 3305Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and Works to Construct a Storage Shed
    Shed 1/430 Henty HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Erect Coast Guard Antenna System
    839 MADEIRA PACKET ROAD PORTLAND 3305Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works to replace the verandah, external painting and display signs in a heritage overlay
    46A Percy StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • May 2021

  • TWENTY (20) Lot Subdivision
    48 RICHARDSON STREET PORTLAND 3305NOD issued by a delegate
  • Building and Works to Construct a Shed
    29 Fitzgerald StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and Development of Land for a Dwelling
    106 Trangmar StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and Works to Construct a Shed
    285 Cape Nelson RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and Works to Construct a Caretakers Dwelling
    Victoria House, 7 Tyers StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construct and display signs in a heritage overlay
    86A Percy StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of verandah, painting of verandah and signage
    14-16 Gawler StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • April 2021

  • TWENTY-ONE (21) Lot Subdivision
    56 LEARMONTH STREET PORTLAND 3305NOD issued by a delegate
  • Development of two (2) buildings containing two (2) retail premises, two (2) office spaces, and six (6) dwellings. Reduction of required onsite car parking spaces associated with commercial use
    55 Percy StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Business Identification Signage
    135 Percy StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of a single dwelling including front fence
    25 Percy StreetNOD issued by a delegate
  • AMEND WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN: Staged Twenty Six (26) Lot Subdivision AND Removal of Native Vegetation remove condition 25 & 26
    1/121 Fawthrop StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Display of Business Identification and Promotion Signs
    611 Henty HighwayPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works in a heritage overlay: repaint facade
    65-67 Bentinck StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • March 2021

  • Two Lot Subdivision
    1/186 Must StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and Works to Construct Six Dwellings
    349 HANLON PARADE PORTLAND 3305Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Buildings and works in a heritage overlay
    36 Percy StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • External painting and Signage in a Heritage Overlay
    81 Bentinck StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Building and Works and Business Identification Signage
    Compleat Angler, 61 Bentinck StreetPermit issued by 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

63 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Bbq (5)
  • Logans CyclesBicycle
  • Adamson Ct/Must StBus stop
  • Banyan Cres/Kauri CresBus stop
  • Barkly St/Bancroft StBus stop
  • Barkly St/Findlay StBus stop
  • Barkly St/George StBus stop
  • Bennett St/George StBus stop
  • Bundarra Primary School/Fawthrop StBus stop
  • Bus 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

6 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Alexandra ParkPark
  • Flinders ParkPark
  • Friendly Society ReservePark
  • Hanlon ParkPark
  • Husson Fauna ParkPark
  • Portland Botanic GardensPark

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
5
Emergency department
On site
  • Amcalpharmacy
  • AmcalPercy Streetpharmacy
  • Hearing Australiaclinic
  • Portland District Hospitalhospital
  • Seraport Medical Clinicdoctor

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
2/10
IRSD decile (2021)
2/10

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

Heritage

28 state heritage places

  • 15-19 GAWLER STREET, PORTLANDNH2169
  • ANZ BANKNH0238
  • BRIERYNH2126
  • BURSWOODNH0240
  • CUSTOMS HOUSENH1844
  • DRILL HALL AND GUN SHEDNH2245
  • DWELLINGNH0727
  • FORMER BUILDERS INNNH0659
  • FORMER NATIONAL SCHOOLNH1647
  • FORMER PORTLAND INNNH2071

Data sources & freshness

  • State heritage register — State heritage authority · 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)
20
Parks (OSM)
9

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
54.3/100 — Average
State standing
Top 24% of Victoria's suburbs
National rank
1287th in Australia
State rank
293rd in VIC
Peer rank
#9 among Country & regional · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#43 among Country & regional suburbs
Data confidence
82%

Data sources & freshness

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

Recent changes

  • B21 Criminal Damagecrime170
  • B49 Other Theftcrime96
  • C32 Drug Possessioncrime92
  • E13 Resist Or Hinder Officercrime91
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Ordercrime277
  • 15-19 GAWLER STREET, PORTLANDheritageNH2169
  • ANZ BANKheritageNH0238
  • BRIERYheritageNH2126
  • BURSWOODheritageNH0240
  • CUSTOMS HOUSEheritageNH1844

Data sources & freshness

  • Recorded offences by suburb/town — Crime Statistics Agency (Victoria) · Updated on site · Year ending March release
  • State heritage register — State heritage authority · Updated on site

More in Glenelg Council

Other suburbs in the same local government area.

Comparable suburbs

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