Australian Tax Office statistics released for 2006-07 show people in Buninyong earned an average of $49,692, compared to $37,360 for residents of Sebastopol and Delacombe.

People in central Ballarat had a mean income of $45,025 but Gordon residents fared even better with $46,903.

The statistics are compiled annually by the ATO from personal tax information and is collated by postcodes.

Rounding out the list are Bungaree and Yendon ($44,063), Daylesford ($42,407), Ballan ($42,365), Creswick ($41,239), Wendouree ($40,498), Smythes Creek, Smythesdale and Carngham ($39,436) and Clunes ($38,376).

However, the Ballarat region is way below the wealthiest postcode in Victoria - Portsea with a mean taxable income of $219,345.

It is also above the poorest suburbs of Marnoo and Wallaloo in western Victoria, whose residents only earn $28,806.

The biggest jump in income from 2005-06 was Gordon, which increased nearly $5000 on average.

Daylesford also rose substantially, with an increase of $4407.

All suburbs had an increase in mean taxable income on the year before, but again Sebastopol and Delacombe fared the worst, jumping only just over $2000.

Bungaree and Yendon ($3836), Ballarat ($3763), Buninyong ($3074) and Creswick ($3255) also had substantial rises.

Ballan, Wendouree, Clunes and Smythesdale/Smythes Creek recorded a lift in income of between $2450 and $2792.

Ballarat has the highest number of taxable individuals - 22,925 - compared to just 505 at Gordon.