community Insights
The Ballarat Vital Signs report combines data and community voice to show where our region is thriving and where support is most needed.
Ballarat Vital Signs 2025: A Snapshot of Our Community’s Wellbeing
The Ballarat Vital Signs 2025 report brings together local data and community insight to show where the community is thriving and where it’s under pressure. It highlights trends across our eight focus areas: family violence, housing, food security, youth, mental health, early childhood, equality and environment.
The report offers a clear picture of how our community is going, showing progress and pressure in equal measure. Family violence is rising faster here than across Victoria. Housing is tight with very low rental vacancies. Food stress has eased since 2022 but remains a challenge. Mental health distress and suicide are higher than the state, though more people are seeking help. Young people are working and studying in strong numbers, yet loneliness and offending have grown. Early years access is a bright spot with high preschool attendance. Equality and leadership gaps remain and our environment lags on canopy, protected land and clean-energy uptake.
How Ballarat is tracking across eight areas of our community:
Respect starts at home
Ballarat’s family violence rate sits 50% above the Victorian average.
Our Mental Health
Distress and suicide rates are higher in Ballarat. The suicide rate 41% higher than Victoria.
Homes under pressure
Rental stress is real. Ballarat’s rental vacancy rate is just 0.9% - one of the lowest in Victoria.
Close the equality gap
Leadership and fairness go together. Women are still underrepresented and paid less.
Food Stress is Stubborn
Food costs are easing, but many families still need help. Food remains 7–12% less affordable than before COVID.
Young People Need Pathways
Youth employment is strong, but connection is slipping. Youth offending has increased by 36.8%.
Early Years are a Bright Spot
Strong starts shape bright futures. Preschool attendance is above state and national benchmarks.
Green Our City
Canopy cover is low. Only 0.4% of Ballarat’s land is protected, and tree cover sits at 13.2%.
your say
The Vital Signs community survey asked people across Ballarat to share what issues matter most to them. Your feedback helps guide our focus areas and ensures our grants, programs and advocacy work reflect local needs.
We work on Wadawurrung land
The Ballarat Foundation acknowledges the Wadawurrung people, the traditional owners of the lands and waterways in our region. We recognise their diversity, resilience, and the ongoing place that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people hold in our communities. We pay our respects to the Elders, both past and present, and commit to working together in the spirit of mutual understanding, respect and reconciliation.
The Ballarat Foundation is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive community where everyone is welcomed, respected and empowered to thrive.