Town by town snapshot Marong

The size of Marong is approximately 76.1 square kilometres and has two parks covering nearly 1.8 per cent of total area.

The population in 2016 was 1438 and by the 2021 Census it was recorded at 2005 showing population growth of 39.4 per cent in the area during that time.

Marong is a rural township on the Calder Highway, 13 kilometres west of Bendigo and was also the administrative centre of Marong Shire and rural city from 1908 until 1994.

It is thought that the name was derived from an Aboriginal word meaning a native or Murray pine tree.

Marong has become popular with young families and first homebuyers with the median age at 31, one of the lowest in the state, and it also has one of the highest owner occupier rate at 84 per cent.

Although set in the gold fields region, Marong was not a gold town, being situated on Bullocks Creek, it became a gold-washing place and Commissioners’ camp in 1852 and a school was opened in 1859.

Gold discoveries occurred in the vicinity of Marong in 1853, but the significant discovery was Wilsons Reef in 1867 about four kilometres eastwards.

Mining and cereal growing were the district’s main activities and there were about 60 hectares of vineyards.

In 1876 the Marong railway station was opened on the line from Bendigo to Inglewood

Marong’s position on the railway line and the highway preserved it from decline, whereas some former gold mining villages are marked by ruins.

In 1908 the Marong Shire’s offices were transferred from Lockwood to Marong.

Marong’s highway location and proximity to Bendigo have contributed some residential growth to the township.

CoreLogic data indicates that the predominant age group in Marong is 0-9 years with households being primarily couples with children and are likely to be repaying on average $1560 per month on mortgage repayments.

In general, people in Marong work in a trades occupation.

TITBIT:

In 1908 the Marong Shire’s offices were transferred from Lockwood to Marong.

 

Population: 2005

Male: 50.1%

Female: 49.9%

Median age: 31

5-year population change: 39.4%

House median value: $611,650

Change in Median Price: (5yrs) is 71.7%

Median asking rent per week: $465

Average length of ownership: 11 years

Owner occupiers: 84%

Renters: 16%

 

House median sale price:

April 2023: $625,000

April 2022: $602,500

April 2021: $480,000

April 2020: $415,000

April 2019: $382,500

 

House sales per annum:

Period ending April 2023: 31

Period ending April 2022: 22

 

Land median sale price:

April 2023: $260,000

April 2022: $248,000

 

Land sales per annum:

Period ending April 2023: 7

Period ending April 2022: 27