Suburb · VIC · 2026 data

Bendigo, VIC

In 2026, police recorded 3,590 offences in Bendigo, or 635.2 per 1,000 residents. That is 8.3× the VIC rate.

5,652 residents · estimated 5.5 km² -2.8% vs 2025
Crime rank within VIC
100 out of 100
Very high crime

Highest weighted crime rate of the 911 ranked VIC suburbs (2026).

Violent
100
Property
99

Higher = more crime. Severity-weighted rate per resident · method v2026.07

All offences
3,590
2026 · ▼ -2.8%
Crimes / 1,000
635.2
VIC avg 76.5
Violent / 1,000
90.8
513 offences · avg 11.8
Property / 1,000
266.5
1,506 offences · avg 44.0
Harm-focused / 1,000
439.5
excl. justice & regulatory · avg 63.7
Violent crime, roughly
1 in 11residents per year
VIC: 1 in 85
Property crime, roughly
1 in 4residents per year
VIC: 1 in 23

By crime type, 2026

Bendigo VIC average Line = 2021–2026

Rates per 1,000 residents. ×-values compare with the state rate for the same offence type.

Crimes against the person

90.8 / 1,000 VIC 11.8 · National 11.8
Assault and related offences
58.03
9.0×
Stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour
12.21
6.8×
Other crimes against the person
11.15
34.8×
Dangerous and negligent acts endangering people
5.13
6.2×
Robbery
4.25
10.9×

Property & deception

266.5 / 1,000 VIC 44.0 · National 44.0
Theft
166.31
5.8×
Property damage
46.71
8.0×
Deception
31.14
7.8×
Burglary/Break and enter
20.17
3.9×
Arson
2.12
4.7×

Drug offences

43.0 / 1,000 VIC 4.1 · National 4.1
Drug use and possession
37.86
11.0×
Drug dealing and trafficking
2.48
6.1×
Cultivate or manufacture drugs
2.48
8.9×
Other drug offences
0.18
—

Public order & weapons

39.3 / 1,000 VIC 3.8 · National 3.8
Disorderly and offensive conduct
17.87
19.9×
Weapons and explosives offences
14.69
6.8×
Public nuisance offences
6.72
9.9×

Justice procedures

195.0 / 1,000 VIC 12.6 · National 12.6 administrative
Breaches of orders
174.10
16.1×
Justice procedures
20.88
11.5×

Traffic, regulatory & other

0.7 / 1,000 VIC 0.2 · National 0.2 administrative
Miscellaneous offences
0.53
10.6×
Transport regulation offences
0.18
3.0×
View as table
GroupOffence typeCountPer 1,000VIC per 1,000
Crimes against the personAssault and related offences32858.036.44
Crimes against the personStalking, harassment and threatening behaviour6912.211.80
Crimes against the personOther crimes against the person6311.150.32
Crimes against the personDangerous and negligent acts endangering people295.130.83
Crimes against the personRobbery244.250.39
Property & deceptionTheft940166.3128.52
Property & deceptionProperty damage26446.715.83
Property & deceptionDeception17631.144.00
Property & deceptionBurglary/Break and enter11420.175.24
Property & deceptionArson122.120.45
Drug offencesDrug use and possession21437.863.45
Drug offencesDrug dealing and trafficking142.480.41
Drug offencesCultivate or manufacture drugs142.480.28
Drug offencesOther drug offences10.180.00
Public order & weaponsDisorderly and offensive conduct10117.870.90
Public order & weaponsWeapons and explosives offences8314.692.17
Public order & weaponsPublic nuisance offences386.720.68
Justice proceduresBreaches of orders984174.1010.81
Justice proceduresJustice procedures11820.881.81
Traffic, regulatory & otherMiscellaneous offences30.530.05
Traffic, regulatory & otherTransport regulation offences10.180.06

Trend

TotalViolentPropertydashed = projection
01,9503,9012021202220232024202520262027

Recorded offences per year. Projection is a simple linear trend, not a forecast of individual risk.

Vs state & national

per 1,000 residents
BendigoState
All offences
Bendigo
635.2
State
76.5
Violent
Bendigo
90.8
State
11.8
Property
Bendigo
266.5
State
44.0

Nearby suburbs

  1. East Bendigo0.6 km 81 compare
  2. Flora Hill0.6 km not ranked compare
  3. Ironbark0.6 km 69 compare
  4. Kennington0.6 km 65 compare
  5. Long Gully0.6 km 90 compare
  6. North Bendigo0.6 km 76 compare
  7. Quarry Hill0.6 km 66 compare
  8. Spring Gully0.6 km 19 compare

Housing, rent and growth

Housing & rent

ABS Census 2021

Median rent is 20% of median household income. Below the 30% stress benchmark

MeasureValuevs other VIC suburbs
Median rent$290/week higher than 58%
Median household income$1,429/week higher than 40%
Rent as a share of income20% higher than 69%
Median mortgage repayment$1,482/month higher than 45%
Homes that are rented45% higher than 97%
Owned outright31% higher than 15%
Social housing4% higher than 94%
Average household size2.1 people higher than 16%

2021 Census figures: rents and incomes have risen since, so compare suburbs rather than reading today's prices. The rent share uses the median rent and the median income of all households (owners included), so it is a guide, not the share any one renter pays. The 30% benchmark is a common convention.

Growth & new homes

ABS Regional Population · Building Approvals
MeasureValuevs other VIC areas
Population growth, 5 years
2020–2025
-4.2% higher than 4%
Population growth, last year
2024–2025
+0.2% higher than 22%
New homes approved, 12 months
12 months to Aug 2026
50 higher than 53%
New homes approved per 1,000 residents
12 months to Aug 2026
3.5 higher than 46%

Figures are for the ABS area “Bendigo”. Approvals are dwellings approved, not yet built. Growth and new supply are change indicators, not a price forecast.

Common questions about Bendigo

Is Bendigo a high-crime area?

Bendigo falls in the “very high crime” band: Highest weighted crime rate of the 911 ranked VIC suburbs (2026). Rankings use a severity-weighted rate per resident, so serious offences count more than minor ones.

What is the crime rate in Bendigo?

In 2026, 3,590 offences were recorded in Bendigo, or 635.2 per 1,000 residents. That is 8.3× the VIC rate of 76.5.

What are the chances of being a victim of crime in Bendigo?

Based on 2026 recorded offences per resident, roughly 1 in 11 for violent crime and 1 in 4 for property crime. Recorded crime includes offences against visitors and businesses, so this overstates risk for residents.

Where does this data come from?

Official recorded-crime statistics published by state police and crime statistics agencies, divided by 2021 Census or ABS population estimates. See the methodology page for details.

Data notes

  • Population is estimated (medium confidence) from the ABS 2021 Census.
  • Recorded crime counts offences reported to or detected by police where they occurred. That includes offences against visitors and businesses, so busy centres score higher than their resident risk.
  • States classify offences differently, so ranks compare areas within the same state.