Golden Square, VIC: suburb profile

The population of Golden Square VIC is 9,220 according to the 2021 Census. The median personal income in Golden Square is $721 per week ($37,492 per year). Median rent in Golden Square is $295 per week ($1,278 per month). Golden Square has a median age of 39 years, older than the national median of 38. Golden Square has a population density of 1,086 people per km².

The most common overseas birthplace in Golden Square is England. The most common religion is No religion (47.7% of residents). After English, the most spoken language is Mandarin. The median monthly mortgage repayment in Golden Square is $1,300.

There were 910 recorded offences in Golden Square in 2025-25, a rate of 99 offences per 1,000 people. The most common offence category was theft (236 offences).

Population
9,220
Census 2021
Median income
$721/wk
Personal, Census 2021
Median rent
$295/wk
Weekly, Census 2021
Median age
39years
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.

Golden Square vs the typical VIC suburb

The median personal income in Golden Square is $721 a week, 6% below the typical VIC suburb ($767). That ranks 791st of 1,274 VIC suburbs with 200 or more residents. Median rent is $295 a week, $21 less than the typical VIC suburb. Rent takes 21.9% of the median household income here, against 19.1% in the typical VIC suburb. The median resident is 39, 4 years younger 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.
MeasureGolden SquareTypical VICDifferenceTypical Australia
Personal income$721/wk$767/wk −6%$766/wk
Household income$1,344/wk$1,687/wk −20%$1,637/wk
Rent$295/wk$316/wk −7%$330/wk
Mortgage repayment$1,300/mo$1,723/mo −25%$1,733/mo
Median age3943 −4 yrs42
Rent share of household income21.9%19.1% +2.9 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 Golden Square, the typical VIC suburb and the typical Australian suburb.

Golden Square Population

9,220 residents at the 2021 Census.

Golden Square Median Income & Rent

Median Income
$721/wk
$37,492 per year
Ranked 5,090 of 14,663
Median Rent
$295/wk
$1,278 per month
Ranked 5,069 of 14,663
Median Age
39years
1 years older than the national median
Mortgage
$1,300/mo
Avg household size: 2.3 · 0.7 per bedroom

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

Golden Square Rent Prices & Affordability

22% of median household income goes on median rent

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

Household income $1,344/wk
Median rent $295/wk
Rent to income 21.9%

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

Median rent in Golden Square against your income

About $5,824 a month
Median rent $295/wk
Left after rent $1,049/wk
Rent share 21.9%

Golden Square Schools

18
schools nearby
11
government
1012
avg ICSEA score
8,327
total students
Girton Grammar School Independent
Combined · Prep-12 · 1,195 students
1148
ICSEA
St Joseph's School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 234 students
1064
ICSEA
Creek Street Christian College Independent
Combined · Prep-12 · 457 students
1063
ICSEA
Catherine McAuley College Catholic
Secondary · 7-12 · 1,567 students
1055
ICSEA
Camp Hill Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 251 students
1040
ICSEA
Quarry Hill Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 324 students
1037
ICSEA
St Monica's School Catholic
Primary · Prep-6 · 284 students
1032
ICSEA
Bendigo Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 196 students
1005
ICSEA
Bendigo Senior Secondary College Government
Secondary · 10-12 · 1,918 students
1003
ICSEA
Golden Square Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 262 students
967
ICSEA
Crusoe 7-10 Secondary College Government
Secondary · 7-10 · 925 students
966
ICSEA
Bendigo Special Developmental School Government
Combined · U · 167 students
940
ICSEA
Specimen Hill Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 234 students
934
ICSEA
Kangaroo Flat Primary School Government
Primary · Prep-6 · 313 students
908
ICSEA
Bendigo Senior Secondary College-Netschool Campus Government
Secondary

Showing 15 of 18 schools.

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

All schools near Golden Square, with a map

Golden Square Map

Golden Square, Victoria Map data: OpenStreetMap
Loading map…

Golden Square, Victoria: 36.7750°S, 144.2514°E

Golden Square Circle size: offences per 1,000 residents Schools (18)

People in Golden Square

Demographics

Gender Split

Male 46.9% (4,326) Female 53.1% (4,890)

Population Density

1,086
people per km²
9,220 people · 8.5 km²

Households

2.3
Avg household size
0.7
Persons per bedroom
$1,715
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
1.4%
India
1.2%
Thailand
0.9%
Philippines
0.7%
Myanmar
0.7%
New Zealand
0.7%
China
0.4%

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

Most common languages at home other than English

Mandarin
0.6%
Punjabi
0.6%
Malayalam
0.5%
Greek
0.3%
Nepali
0.2%
Filipino
0.2%
Vietnamese
0.2%

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

Ancestry

English
42.9%
Australian
40.5%
Irish
13.5%
Scottish
12.3%
German
4.1%
Italian
3.0%
Australian Aboriginal
2.4%
Dutch
1.6%
Indian
1.5%
Chinese
1.4%
Filipino
0.9%

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
47.7%
Catholic
17.2%
Anglican
9.5%
Not stated
6.2%
Uniting Church
5.3%
Christian (other)
2.4%
Baptist
2.3%
Presbyterian and Reformed
1.6%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G14 Religion by SAL

Indigenous Population

2.5%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Source: ABS Census 2021, G07 Indigenous Status by SAL

Marital Status

Married
40.1% 3,051
Separated
4.2% 316
Divorced
10.4% 792
Widowed
6.5% 498
Never married
38.8% 2,951

Source: ABS Census 2021, G05 Marital Status by SAL

Family Structure

Couple: children under 15
37.3%
Couple: no children
29.9%
Couple: no children under 15
12.8%
One parent: children under 15
11.7%
One parent: no children under 15
8.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G29 Family Composition by SAL

Household Size

1 person
32.3%
2 persons
35.4%
3 persons
14.6%
4 persons
10.8%
5 persons
4.7%
6+ persons
2.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G35 Household Size by SAL

Homes in Golden Square

Housing Tenure

Of the 3,752 occupied private dwellings in Golden Square at the 2021 Census, 34.7% were rented, 30.7% owned outright and 32.1% owned with a mortgage.

Other tenure type
1.0% 37 dwellings
Owned outright
30.7% 1,152 dwellings
Owned with mortgage
32.1% 1,203 dwellings
Rented
34.7% 1,303 dwellings
Tenure type not stated
1.5% 58 dwellings

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

Dwelling Types

Separate house
95.4%
Semi-detached (1 storey)
3.5%
Semi-detached (2+ storey)
1.2%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G36 Dwelling Structure by SAL

Number of Bedrooms

1 bedroom
2.7%
2 bedrooms
17.1%
3 bedrooms
57.7%
4 bedrooms
19.9%
5 bedrooms
2.3%
6+ bedrooms
0.4%

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

Monthly Mortgage Repayments

$0-$299/mo
5.0%
$300-$449/mo
2.5%
$450-$599/mo
2.1%
$600-$799/mo
6.4%
$800-$999/mo
8.9%
$1,000-$1,399/mo
32.1%
$1,400-$1,799/mo
24.4%
$1,800-$2,399/mo
12.8%
$2,400-$2,999/mo
3.3%
$3,000-$3,999/mo
2.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G38 Mortgage Repayment by SAL

Car Ownership

0 vehicles
6.2%
1 vehicle
39.3%
2 vehicles
37.5%
3 vehicles
11.9%
4+ vehicles
5.2%

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

Work, income and education in Golden Square

Employment

Employed full-time
34.8% 2,426 people
Employed part-time
22.8% 1,587 people
Unemployed
2.5% 177 people
Not in labour force
39.9% 2,784 people

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

Occupation

Professionals
30.3%
Technicians & Trade Workers
15.9%
Community & Personal Service
15.7%
Clerical & Administrative
11.6%
Managers
10.3%
Labourers
7.1%
Sales Workers
5.2%
Machinery Operators & Drivers
3.8%

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

Weekly Household Income

Nil/Negative/wk
1.3%
$1-$149/wk
0.7%
$150-$299/wk
1.4%
$300-$399/wk
2.8%
$400-$499/wk
7.7%
$500-$649/wk
5.9%
$650-$799/wk
8.4%
$800-$999/wk
8.5%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
10.0%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.8%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.0%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
5.8%
$2,000-$2,499/wk
12.2%
$2,500-$2,999/wk
6.6%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
5.4%
$3,500-$3,999/wk
3.0%
$4,000+/wk
4.5%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G33 Household Income by SAL

Personal Weekly Income Distribution

$0 or less/wk
7.6%
$1-$149/wk
4.2%
$150-$299/wk
6.4%
$300-$399/wk
5.0%
$400-$499/wk
5.0%
$500-$649/wk
4.8%
$650-$799/wk
11.4%
$800-$999/wk
13.3%
$1,000-$1,249/wk
13.1%
$1,250-$1,499/wk
8.8%
$1,500-$1,749/wk
7.7%
$1,750-$1,999/wk
4.5%
$2,000-$2,999/wk
6.4%
$3,000-$3,499/wk
1.0%
$3,500+/wk
1.0%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G17 Personal Income by SAL

How People Get to Work

Car (driver)
74.9%
Did not go to work
14.1%
Car (passenger)
5.5%
Walked only
1.9%
Bus
1.1%
Bicycle
0.8%
Motorbike/Scooter
0.5%
Truck
0.4%
Other
0.4%
Taxi/Rideshare
0.2%
Train
0.2%

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

Education Level

Year 12 or equivalent
53.3%
Year 10 or equivalent
21.9%
Year 11 or equivalent
15.9%
Year 9 or equivalent
8.9%

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
41.2%
Bachelor Degree
25.7%
Advanced Diploma/Diploma
18.4%
Postgraduate Degree
6.6%
Graduate Diploma/Certificate
5.4%
Certificate I/II
2.7%

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

Field of Study

Management & Commerce
17.2%
Society & Culture
17.0%
Health
16.9%
Engineering
12.8%
Education
10.2%
Architecture & Building
8.4%
Food, Hospitality & Personal Services
6.8%
Information Technology
3.3%
Creative Arts
3.1%
Natural & Physical Sciences
2.3%
Agriculture & Environment
2.0%

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

School & University Attendance

Primary: Government
29.4%
Secondary: Government
21.1%
Vocational Education
14.1%
Pre-school
12.0%
Primary: Catholic
8.9%
Secondary: Catholic
7.2%
Secondary: Other Non-Govt
3.8%
Primary: Other Non-Govt
3.4%

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
85.7%
Has need for assistance
8.4%
Need for assistance not stated
5.8%

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

Long-term Health Conditions

Mental health
1,252
Asthma
402
Arthritis
364
Heart disease
244
Diabetes
236
Lung condition
216
Cancer
144
Stroke
112
Kidney disease
96
Dementia
34

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

Unpaid Carers

Provided unpaid assistance
14.7% 1,049
Did not provide
85.3% 6,069

Source: ABS Census 2021, G25 Unpaid Assistance by SAL

Volunteering

Volunteer
14.2% 1,016
Not a volunteer
85.8% 6,124

Source: ABS Census 2021, G23 Voluntary Work by SAL

Military Service

Current ADF: Reserves
0.0% 3
Previously served
3.2% 227
Never served
96.8% 6,934

Source: ABS Census 2021, G22 ADF Service by SAL

Children Ever Born

No children
32.6%
1 child
13.5%
2 children
26.6%
3 children
17.1%
4 children
7.5%
5+ children
2.8%

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

When Migrants Arrived

Before 1951
12
1951: 1960
57
1961: 1970
75
1971: 1980
53
1981: 1990
45
1991: 2000
57
2001: 2010
197
2011: 2015
175
2016
54
2017
28
2018
47
2019
60
2020
14
2021
8

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

Population Mobility

15.5%
moved in the last year
44.1%
moved in the last 5 years
4.0%
unemployment rate (Census)
58.7%
labour force participation

Source: ABS Census 2021, G43 Summary by SAL

Where Residents Moved From

Same address
7,272
Moved from VIC
931
Moved: same area (SA2)
282
Moved from overseas
28
Moved from NSW
19
Moved from QLD
15
Moved from TAS
10
Moved from NT
9
Moved from WA
8
Moved from SA
7

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

Unpaid Domestic Work

Less than 5 hours
21.1%
5: 14 hours
28.7%
15: 29 hours
13.0%
30+ hours
9.1%
Did not do domestic work
28.1%

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

Family Blending

Intact family: no other children
86.4%
Step family: no other children
8.3%
Blended family: no other children
4.9%
Intact family: other children present
0.4%

Source: ABS Census 2021, G31 Family Blending by SAL

Golden Square Crime Statistics

910 reported offences in 2025-25, by category.

Theft
236
Justice Procedures
227
Assault
151
Property Damage
75
Weapons
60
Break & Enter
58
Drug Offences
47
Public Order
31
Fraud
21
Robbery
3
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

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Income: $719/wk Rent: $290/wk $5/wk less rent
Strathmerton
Income: $662/wk Rent: $210/wk $85/wk less rent
Churchill (Vic.)
Income: $577/wk Rent: $230/wk $65/wk less rent

Suburbs near Golden Square

The closest suburb to Golden Square is Ironbark (Vic.), 2.5 km away.

Ironbark (Vic.)
2.5 km away · income $696/wk · rent $275/wk
Quarry Hill
2.5 km away · income $863/wk · rent $298/wk
Bendigo
3.3 km away · income $821/wk · rent $290/wk
Long Gully
3.5 km away · income $575/wk · rent $250/wk
Kangaroo Flat (Vic.)
3.6 km away · income $638/wk · rent $285/wk
Flora Hill
4.1 km away · income $705/wk · rent $290/wk

Compare Golden Square

Frequently Asked Questions About Golden Square

What is the population of Golden Square VIC?

The population of Golden Square VIC is 9,220 according to the ABS Census 2021. The suburb has a population density of 1,086 people per km². Golden Square is ranked #733 out of 14,663 suburbs by population.

What is the median income in Golden Square?

The median personal income in Golden Square VIC is $721 per week, or $37,492 per year. The median household income is $1,344 per week. Family income is $1,715 per week. Golden Square is ranked #5,090 by income out of 14,663 Australian suburbs.

How much is rent in Golden Square?

Median rent in Golden Square VIC is $295 per week ($1,278 per month). Rent represents 21.9% of household income, which is considered affordable. Golden Square ranks #5,069 out of 14,663 suburbs by rent.

What are mortgage repayments in Golden Square?

The median monthly mortgage repayment in Golden Square VIC is $1,300. This data comes from the ABS Census 2021 and reflects mortgage repayments for owner-occupied dwellings.

What is the median age in Golden Square?

The median age in Golden Square VIC is 39 years. This is older than the national median age of 38 years.

Is Golden Square a good suburb to live in?

Golden Square is a suburb in Victoria with a population of 9,220. The median income is $721/wk, which is below the typical VIC suburb ($767/wk). Rent affordability is rated as affordable (21.9% 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: 21058. All dollar figures in AUD.