Town by Town Snapshot: Inverleigh

THE size of Inverleigh is about 211.7sqkm. It has three parks covering nearly 5.5 per cent of the total area.

The population of Inverleigh in 2016 was 1,474 people. By 2021, the population was 1,746 showing a population growth of 18.4 per cent in the area during that time.

Positioned at the junction of the Barwon and Leigh rivers, Inverleigh sits within gently undulating grazing country about 30 minutes west of Geelong and within reach of Ballarat and Bannockburn.

The township functions as a rural service centre for surrounding farming districts while maintaining the character of a small, historic country town.

The landscape is open and agricultural. Broad paddocks used for sheep, cattle and cropping extend in all directions, broken by shelterbelts, river flats and stands of mature river red gums.

The Leigh River runs directly through town, with walking tracks and recreation areas following its banks.

Inverleigh’s centre is compact and well defined. A cluster of heritage buildings lines Hamilton Highway, including the well-known Inverleigh Hotel, which has operated in various forms since the mid-1800s and remains a social anchor for the district.

The Inverleigh General Store, local cafe spaces and small businesses support everyday services for residents and passing travellers.

Community facilities are prominent despite the town’s modest size. The Inverleigh Recreation Reserve hosts local football and cricket, while nearby sporting spaces include tennis courts and equestrian facilities.

Inverleigh Primary School sits close to the town centre and continues to serve generations of local families.

The township’s housing stock reflects its long settlement history. Weatherboard cottages and Victorian-era homes remain scattered through the original township grid, many on generous blocks with established gardens.

Newer homes and lifestyle properties appear on the edges of town, often on larger allotments that blend residential living with rural outlooks.

Beyond the township boundary, acreage properties dominate. Working farms and lifestyle holdings form much of the surrounding market, attracting buyers seeking space and proximity to Geelong without leaving a rural setting.

Population growth has been steady but measured. Inverleigh remains tightly held, with development limited by agricultural land use and the desire to retain the town’s rural character.

The predominant age group in Inverleigh is 0–9 years.

Households in Inverleigh are primarily couples with children and are likely to be repaying $1,800–$2,399 per month on mortgage repayments.

In general, people in Inverleigh work in a professional occupation. In 2021, 92.1 per cent of the homes in Inverleigh were owner-occupied compared with 91.3 per cent in 2016.

Quick Stats

Inverleigh

Population: 1,746

Male: 50.8%

Female: 49.2%

Median age: 38

5 Year Population Change: 18.4%

Median House Value: $1,771,968

Change in Median House Price (5YRS): 55.5%

Median Asking Rent Per Week: $242.50

Average Length of Ownership: 11 years

Median House Price Over Time:

February 2026: $1,334,094

February 2025: $1,182,319

February 2024: $1,126,388

February 2023: $1,193,284

February 2022: $857,796

House Sales (12 Months): 11

Land Median Sale Price: NA

Land Sales (12 Months): 13