[citation needed] The name appears to have come from the rising land in the area having heath or low, shrub-like vegetation on it.

Ventura bus route 679, which runs from Chirnside Park to Ringwood Station via Lilydale, Mount Evelyn and along Canterbury Road, Great Ryrie St and Bedford Road, serves much of Heathmont.

It includes a handful of cafes, an IGA Supermarket, butcher shop, two bakeries, a newsagent, takeaway shops, multiple hairdressers, several massage parlours, a funeral parlour, a car wash and a post office.

There is plenty of parking, and the main shopping precinct is opposite the Heathmont railway station.

The combined booth results across the suburb saw the primary vote split 40.1% to Labor, 41.4% to the Liberals and 12.7% to the Greens.

[6] The suburb tends to be highly competitive electorally and is generally a reliable barometer for the overall voting population.

Heathmont and surrounding areas were visited by federal politicians Joe Hockey, Kevin Rudd, Tony Abbott and Wayne Swan throughout 2010.

Dandenong Creek supports much wildlife, including birds and frogs, although swimming is not recommended.