Watchem, VIC
In 2026, police recorded 5 offences in Watchem, or 40.3 per 1,000 residents. That is 0.45× the VIC rate.
Watchem has about 124 residents. Below 300, a few incidents swing the per-person rate wildly, so we show counts but don't rank it.
By crime type, 2026
Rates per 1,000 residents. ×-values compare with the state rate for the same offence type.
Crimes against the person
16.1 / 1,000
VIC 13.7
· National 17.5
Property & deception
8.1 / 1,000
VIC 51.3
· National 49.7
Justice procedures
16.1 / 1,000
VIC 14.4
· National 10.3
administrative
View as table
| Group | Offence type | Count | Per 1,000 | VIC per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes against the person | Stalking, harassment and threatening behaviour | 1 | 8.06 | 2.15 |
| Crimes against the person | Other crimes against the person | 1 | 8.06 | 0.00 |
| Property & deception | Theft | 1 | 8.06 | 33.72 |
| Justice procedures | Breaches of orders | 2 | 16.13 | 12.35 |
Trend
Recorded offences per year. Projection is a simple linear trend, not a forecast of individual risk.
Vs state & national
per 1,000 residentsNearby suburbs
Housing, rent and growth
Housing & rent
ABS Census 2021Median rent is 17% of median household income. Below the 30% stress benchmark
| Measure | Value | vs other VIC suburbs |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $175/week | higher than 19% |
| Median household income | $1,031/week | higher than 12% |
| Rent as a share of income | 17% | higher than 47% |
| Median mortgage repayment | $477/month | higher than 3% |
| Homes that are rented | 12% | higher than 48% |
| Owned outright | 52% | higher than 74% |
| Social housing | 0% | higher than 35% |
| Average household size | 2.1 people | higher than 17% |
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| Measure | Value | vs other VIC areas |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth, 5 years 2020–2025 | -4.4% | higher than 4% |
| Population growth, last year 2024–2025 | -0.6% | higher than 2% |
| New homes approved, 12 months 12 months to Aug 2026 | 16 | higher than 22% |
| New homes approved per 1,000 residents 12 months to Aug 2026 | 2.7 | higher than 35% |
ABS publishes these for larger areas: figures are for “Buloke”, which contains this suburb. Approvals are dwellings approved, not yet built. Growth and new supply are change indicators, not a price forecast.
Common questions about Watchem
What is the crime rate in Watchem?
In 2026, 5 offences were recorded in Watchem, or 40.3 per 1,000 residents. That is 0.5× the VIC rate of 89.1.
What are the chances of being a victim of crime in Watchem?
Based on 2026 recorded offences per resident, roughly 1 in 62 for violent crime and 1 in 124 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.