Suburb by suburb snapshot – Bendigo

The size of Bendigo is approximately 5.5 square kilometres and has six parks covering nearly 6.9 per cent of total area.

The population of Bendigo in 2016 was 5534 and by the 2021 Census it had grown to 5662, showing a slight population increase of two per cent in the area during that time.

The discovery of gold in 1851 put Bendigo on the map, with 15,000 people moving there is just three years, drawing migrants from throughout the UK, Germany, America, and China.

A direct rail link to Melbourne in 1862 and to Echuca, to the north, on the Murray River by 1864, opened up a major corridor for passengers and freight.

Until gold was discovered at Bendigo the locality was part of the Ravenswood or Mount Alexander pastoral run.

As in all gold rush towns, there were hotels a plenty along with local industries, including brewing and flour milling, catering to the rapidly growing population.

Many of the grander commercial buildings remain, most notably the imposing Shamrock Hotel, built in 1897.

It’s diagonally opposite an equally imposing post office which now serves as the town’s visitor centre and a gallery space.

Bendigo suffered more than its larger goldfields neighbour Ballarat, from the decline of gold mining in the early 20 century.

Its population almost halved between 1901 and 1911, falling from 30,774 to 17,883.

From the 1920s gradual population growth took place, with tramways, railways and a soft drinks factory as major employers.

Once mining petered out in the 1940s, Bendigo further developed as a manufacturing hub. Pop culture began to play its part and the city is affectionately remembered as the birthplace of both the Chicko Roll and Four ‘n Twenty pies.

A few tough periods over the course of the 20th century ensued, seeing a slump in manufacturing, the effects of the depression and two world wars, a cultural cringe that blindsided many to Bendigo’s heritage treasures, and a crippling ten-year drought that persisted until the late 2000s.

Today there’s little evidence of those challenges, Bendigo is proud of its story and intent on adding to the chapters with creativity, energy and personality.

Bendigo is a vibrant regional city fostering a strong local food and wine scene, arts and cultural offerings to rival any capital, stunning heritage buildings and gardens, authentic attractions and fun festivals.

CoreLogic data indicates that the predominant age group in Bendigo is 20-29 years with households in being primarily childless couples and are likely to be repaying on average $1417 per month on mortgage.

In general, people in Bendigo work in a professional occupation.

 

TITBIT:

The Shamrock Hotel was built in 1897.

 

Population: 5662

Male: 48.5%

Female: 51.5%

Median age: 40

5-year population change: 2%

House median value: $589,000

Change in Median Price: (5yrs) is 69.6%

Median asking rent per week: $400

Average length of ownership: 14 years

Owner occupiers: 56%

Renters: 44%

 

House median sale price:

September 2022: $670,000

September 2021: $565,000

September 2020: $435,000

September 2019: $410,000

September 2018: $385,000

 

House sales per annum:

Period ending September 2022: 146

Period ending September 2021: 152

 

Land median sale price:

September 2022: $350,000

September 2021: $297,000

 

Land sales per annum:

Period ending September 2022: 17

Period ending September 2021: 13