Get a property report and suburb profile for any property in Highton

Highton is an established, leafy suburb of Geelong set on higher ground above the Barwon River, known for riverfront reserves and winding, tree-lined streets. Housing leans to older weatherboard and brick family homes on generous blocks, with pockets of newer elevated builds taking advantage of valley and coastal glimpses. Day-to-day life centres on a village-style shopping strip with cafes and everyday shops, plenty of parks and riverside walking and cycling trails, and straightforward road links to Geelong and the Surf Coast. The suburb is home to 20,736 people and has a median age of 39, with families dominating the household mix.

Most dwellings are owner-occupied, giving a combined owner-occupied share of 78.3% while renters make up 21.8%. Local planning changes have rezoned parts of Highton Village, introduced a design overlay limiting preferred building heights to around 2–4 storeys and added a local clause for social and affordable housing. The council is also upgrading a nearby intersection with a new roundabout, raised pedestrian crossings and improved footpaths. That combination will matter most to families and professionals after a quieter, greener outlook within easy reach of the city.

Measured against what a typical Highton household earned at the last Census, a median house price of $870,000 works out to about 8.1 times a local household's annual income, while the median unit price of $530,000 is roughly five times that annual income. An 8.1-times multiple sits well above local incomes, and around five times sits somewhat above local incomes.

If you're renting, $570 a week for a house would take about 27.8% of a typical local household's weekly income at the last Census, and $440 a week for a unit would take about 21.4%. On these figures, renting represents a moderate share of local income and looks relatively more manageable than buying a house against incomes recorded at the last Census.

Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.

Unit rents climbed 7.3% over the past year, the largest movement among the four measures. House values rose a solid 5.7% while unit values increased a modest 3.0%. On the income side, house rents edged up 3.6% and trailed the stronger gain for unit rents. For someone weighing Highton as an investment, the figures show the house side delivered the stronger capital growth this year, whereas units produced the stronger rental growth; which matters to you depends on whether you prioritise capital growth or rental income.

This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional financial advice. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.