Bairnsdale, VIC: suburb profile

The population of Bairnsdale VIC is 7,905 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Bairnsdale is $634 per week ($32,968 per year). Median rent in Bairnsdale is $270 per week ($1,170 per month). Bairnsdale has a median age of 44 years, older than the national median of 38. Bairnsdale has a population density of 124 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Bairnsdale is England. The most common religion is No religion (46.7% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Vietnamese. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Bairnsdale is $1,192.

There were 2,300 recorded offences in Bairnsdale in 2025-25, a rate of 291 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was justice procedures (645 offences).

Population
7,905
Census 2021
Median income
$634/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$270/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
44years
Census 2021

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing 2021; offences from Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (crimestatistics.vic.gov.au), 2025-25.

Bairnsdale vs the typical VIC suburb

The median personal income in Bairnsdale is $634 a week, 17% below the typical VIC suburb ($767). That ranks 1,029th of 1,274 VIC suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $270 a week, $46 less than the typical VIC suburb. Rent takes 24.5% of the median household income here, against 19.1% in the typical VIC suburb. The median resident is 44, 1 year older than in the typical VIC suburb (43).

The typical suburb is the median across suburbs with 200 or more residents. ABS Census 2021, calculated by GDP.com.au.
MeasureBairnsdaleTypical VICDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$634/wk$767/wk −17%$766/wk
Household income$1,101/wk$1,687/wk −35%$1,637/wk
Rent$270/wk$316/wk −15%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,192/mo$1,723/mo −31%$1,733/mo
Median age4443 +1 yrs42
Rent share of household income24.5%19.1% +5.4 pts20.3%
Income, rent and mortgage against the typical suburb Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS, calculated by GDP.com.au
Bar chart of median income, rent and mortgage repayment in Bairnsdale, the typical VIC suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Bairnsdale Population

7,905 residents at the 2021 Census.

Bairnsdale Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$634/wk
$32,968 per year
Ranked 6,551 of 14,663
Median Rent
$270/wk
$1,170 per month
Ranked 5,664 of 14,663
Median Age
44years
6 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,192/mo
Avg household size: 2.2 · 0.7 per bedroom

Valid: Census 2021 · Source: ABS Census of Population and Housing.

Bairnsdale Rent Prices & Affordability

25% of median household income goes on median rent

Marks at 25% and 35%. Band: affordable.

Household income $1,101/wk
Median rent $270/wk
Rent to income 24.5%

Rent is under 25% of household income, generally considered affordable.

Median rent in Bairnsdale against your income

About $4,771 a month
Median rent $270/wk
Left after rent $831/wk
Rent share 24.5%

Bairnsdale Schools

6
schools nearby
3
government
963
avg ICSEA score
2,994
total students
St Mary's School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 473 students
1024
ICSEA
Nagle College Catholic
Secondary · 7-12 · 803 students
1018
ICSEA
Bairnsdale Christian College Independent
Combined · Prep-10 · 82 students
1010
ICSEA
Bairnsdale Secondary College Government
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,213 students
955
ICSEA
Bairnsdale West Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 328 students
913
ICSEA
East Gippsland Specialist School Government
Combined · U · 95 students
857
ICSEA

Source: Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), 2025. ICSEA is the Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage (national average 1000).

All schools near Bairnsdale, with a map

Bairnsdale Map

Bairnsdale, Victoria Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Bairnsdale, Victoria: 37.8534°S, 147.5810°E

Bairnsdale Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (6)

People in Bairnsdale

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 46.8% (3,698) Female 53.2% (4,202)

Population Density

124
people per km²
7,905 people · 63.5 km²

Households

2.2
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$1,429
Family income/wk

Age Distribution

0-4
5-9
10-14
15-19
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
65-69
70-74
75-79
80-84
85+
Male Female

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Most common overseas birthplaces

England
2.6%
Philippines
1.2%
New Zealand
0.8%
India
0.7%
Vietnam
0.5%
Thailand
0.5%
Malaysia
0.5%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G09 Country of Birth by SAL

Most common languages at home other than English

Vietnamese
0.6%
Italian
0.5%
Tagalog
0.5%
Filipino
0.4%
Mandarin
0.4%
Thai
0.4%
Punjabi
0.3%

Shares are of all residents. Source: ABS Census 2021, G13 Language Used at Home by SAL

Ancestry

English
40.7%
Australian
40.2%
Scottish
10.2%
Irish
9.6%
Australian Aboriginal
5.7%
German
4.0%
Italian
3.8%
Dutch
2.0%
Filipino
1.5%
Chinese
1.1%
Indian
1.0%

Shares are of the suburb population. People can report up to two ancestries, so shares add to more than 100%. Source: ABS Census 2021, G08 Ancestry by SAL

Religion

No religion
46.7%
Catholic
15.4%
Anglican
11.9%
Not stated
9.4%
Uniting Church
3.9%
Christian (other)
2.0%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.9%
Baptist
1.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

6.1%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
37.7% 2,479
Separated
4.6% 301
Divorced
11.1% 729
Widowed
8.9% 583
Never married
37.7% 2,479

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
35.4%
Couple: no children
30.9%
One parent: children under 15
13.2%
Couple: no children under 15
11.4%
One parent: no children under 15
9.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
37.5%
2 persons
33.5%
3 persons
12.2%
4 persons
9.7%
5 persons
4.7%
6+ persons
2.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Bairnsdale

Housing Tenure

Of the 3,300 occupied private dwellings in Bairnsdale at the 2021 Census, 33.4% were rented, 36.8% owned outright and 26.1% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.2% 41 dwellings
Owned outright
36.8% 1,214 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
26.1% 861 dwellings
Rented
33.4% 1,102 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
2.6% 87 dwellings

Source: ABS Census 2021, Suburb and Locality (SAL)

Dwelling Types

Separate house
85.5%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
13.9%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
0.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
4.0%
2 bedrooms
22.2%
3 bedrooms
52.4%
4 bedrooms
18.7%
5 bedrooms
1.8%
6+ bedrooms
1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G41 Number of Bedrooms by SAL

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
5.2%
$300-$449/mo
3.6%
$450-$599/mo
3.1%
$600-$799/mo
8.3%
$800-$999/mo
13.7%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
32.8%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
20.8%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
8.6%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
1.8%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
2.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
8.3%
1 vehicle
41.9%
2 vehicles
34.0%
3 vehicles
10.8%
4+ vehicles
4.9%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G34 Motor Vehicles per Dwelling by SAL

Work, income and education in Bairnsdale

Employment

Employed full-time
28.8% 1,668 people
Employed part-time
22.3% 1,291 people
Unemployed
2.9% 166 people
Not in labour force
46.0% 2,666 people

Source: ABS Census 2021, G46 Labour Force Status by SAL

Occupation

Professionals
24.4%
Community & Personal Service
17.5%
Technicians & Trade Workers
16.8%
Clerical & Administrative
11.5%
Managers
10.3%
Labourers
9.1%
Sales Workers
6.7%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
3.8%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Industry of Employment by Occupation

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.8%
$1-$149/wk
0.7%
$150-$299/wk
2.2%
$300-$399/wk
4.1%
$400-$499/wk
10.4%
$500-$649/wk
7.5%
$650-$799/wk
10.2%
$800-$999/wk
9.2%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
9.5%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
9.6%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.2%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.9%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
9.6%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
5.1%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
3.1%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
1.6%
$4,000+/wk
3.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
7.9%
$1-$149/wk
5.0%
$150-$299/wk
7.4%
$300-$399/wk
6.3%
$400-$499/wk
6.3%
$500-$649/wk
5.5%
$650-$799/wk
13.5%
$800-$999/wk
13.5%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
11.9%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
7.3%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
6.3%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
3.2%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
3.9%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
0.7%
$3,500+/wk
1.3%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
74.4%
Did not go to work
11.4%
Car (passenger)
6.7%
Walked only
4.8%
Bicycle
1.1%
Other
0.5%
Truck
0.3%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.3%
Train
0.1%
Bus
0.1%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G62 Method of Travel to Work by SAL

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
48.9%
Year 10 or equivalent
23.5%
Year 11 or equivalent
17.4%
Year 9 or equivalent
10.2%

Shares are of people whose highest year of school is Year 9 to 12 only. Source: ABS Census 2021, G16 Highest Year of School by SAL

Qualifications

Certificate III/IV
45.7%
Bachelor Degree
20.7%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
20.2%
Postgraduate Degree
5.3%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
4.4%
Certificate I/II
3.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G49 Non-School Qualification by SAL

Field of Study

Health
16.4%
Society & Culture
16.2%
Management & Commerce
16.0%
Engineering
13.7%
Education
9.5%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
8.3%
Architecture & Building
7.6%
Agriculture & Environment
5.1%
Creative Arts
3.3%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.2%
Information Technology
1.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G51 Field of Study by SAL

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
30.3%
Secondary: Government
21.3%
Vocational Education
14.1%
Pre-school
12.0%
Primary: Catholic
9.3%
Secondary: Catholic
7.0%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
3.3%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
2.7%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G15 Type of Educational Institution by SAL

More from the 2021 Census

Need for Assistance

Does not have need for assistance
82.9%
Has need for assistance
9.1%
Need for assistance not stated
8.1%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G18 Core Activity Need for Assistance by SAL

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
1,021
Asthma
330
Arthritis
307
Lung condition
278
Heart disease
257
Diabetes
235
Stroke
134
Cancer
123
Kidney disease
75
Dementia
27

Source: ABS Census 2021, G19 Long-term Health Conditions by SAL

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
16.0% 952
Did not provide
84.0% 4,999

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
18.2% 1,085
Not a volunteer
81.8% 4,884

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Regular
0.0% 3
Current ADF: Reserves
0.1% 4
Previously served
3.7% 220
Never served
96.2% 5,785

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
31.0%
1 child
12.1%
2 children
26.1%
3 children
18.9%
4 children
9.4%
5+ children
2.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G28 Children Ever Born by SAL

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
33
1951: 1960
95
1961: 1970
121
1971: 1980
71
1981: 1990
69
1991: 2000
60
2001: 2010
123
2011: 2015
115
2016
33
2017
35
2018
38
2019
48
2020
24
2021
10

Source: ABS Census 2021, G10 Year of Arrival by SAL

Population Mobility

14.8%
moved in the last year
43.7%
moved in the last 5 years
4.9%
unemployment rate (Census)
51.2%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
6,142
Moved: same area (SA2)
475
Moved from VIC
471
Moved from QLD
27
Moved from NSW
24
Moved from overseas
19
Moved from NT
11
Moved from WA
8
Moved from SA
6
Moved from TAS
3

Source: ABS Census 2021, G44 Address 1 Year Ago by SAL

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
18.7%
5: 14 hours
27.7%
15: 29 hours
13.9%
30+ hours
11.2%
Did not do domestic work
28.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G24 Unpaid Domestic Work by SAL

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
82.2%
Step family: no other children
9.8%
Blended family: no other children
5.4%
Other couple: children only
1.4%
Intact family: other children present
0.6%
Blended family: other children present
0.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Bairnsdale Crime Statistics

2,300 reported offences in 2025-25, by category.

Justice Procedures
645
Theft
523
Assault
432
Property Damage
222
Drug Offences
161
Break & Enter
90
Public Order
85
Weapons
79
Fraud
57
Robbery
4
Traffic
1
Other
1

Total offences by year

2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria (crimestatistics.vic.gov.au).

Cheaper alternatives with similar incomes

Merbein
Income: $608/wk Rent: $210/wk $60/wk less rent
Tatura
Income: $715/wk Rent: $245/wk $25/wk less rent
Briagolong
Income: $705/wk Rent: $250/wk $20/wk less rent
Colac
Income: $661/wk Rent: $260/wk $10/wk less rent
Morwell
Income: $522/wk Rent: $215/wk $55/wk less rent
Carisbrook
Income: $603/wk Rent: $223/wk $47/wk less rent
Newborough
Income: $626/wk Rent: $230/wk $40/wk less rent
Hamilton (Vic.)
Income: $693/wk Rent: $235/wk $35/wk less rent

Suburbs near Bairnsdale

The closest suburb to Bairnsdale is Eastwood (Vic.), 6.5 km away.

Eastwood (Vic.)
6.5 km away · income $662/wk · rent $370/wk
Wy Yung
7.1 km away · income $723/wk · rent $278/wk
East Bairnsdale
9.7 km away · income $551/wk · rent $250/wk
Lucknow (Vic.)
9.9 km away · income $708/wk · rent $290/wk
Eagle Point
11.2 km away · income $599/wk · rent $310/wk
Paynesville (Vic.)
13.1 km away · income $561/wk · rent $310/wk

Compare Bairnsdale

Frequently Asked Questions About Bairnsdale

What is the population of Bairnsdale VIC?

The population of Bairnsdale VIC is 7,905 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 124 people per km². Bairnsdale is ranked #895 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Bairnsdale?

The median personal income in Bairnsdale VIC is $634 per week, or $32,968 per year. The median household income is $1,101 per week. Family income is $1,429 per week. Bairnsdale is ranked #6,551 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Bairnsdale?

Median rent in Bairnsdale VIC is $270 per week ($1,170 per month). Rent represents 24.5% of household income, which is considered affordable. Bairnsdale ranks #5,664 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Bairnsdale?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Bairnsdale VIC is $1,192. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Bairnsdale?

The median age in Bairnsdale VIC is 44 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Bairnsdale a good suburb to live in?

Bairnsdale is a suburb in Victoria with a population of 7,905. The median income is $634/wk, which is below the typical VIC suburb ($767/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (24.5% of household income). See the full suburb profile above for detailed statistics.

Explore More

Australian Average Salary Australian House Prices Melbourne Cost of Living

Data: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. SA2 area: 20103. All dollar figures in AUD.