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Buffalo River vs Merriang South

Suburb / Locality comparison ≈ 7.4 km apart · Buffalo River profile · Merriang South profile

Buffalo River Merriang South

Buffalo River and Merriang South are neighbouring rural areas in Victoria with very different profiles. Buffalo River has a much older population, with a typical resident aged 54 and 26% of people aged 65 and over. In contrast, Merriang South is younger, with a typical age of 44 and a higher share of people in de facto relationships (35.3%). There is also a significant income gap; the typical weekly household income in Merriang South is $2,416, which is far higher than the $1,421 seen in Buffalo River.

Both areas are almost entirely car-dependent, with walkability scores showing neither has a walkable environment. They also share similar home sizes, averaging around 2.3 to 2.4 people per house. While Buffalo River has more people with long-term health conditions (32.6% compared to 16.3%), both areas sit well below the national figure for public transport use, which is nonexistent in both locations.

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Where they differ most

De facto: 26.7 pts higher in Merriang South Rent: $140 higher in Merriang South Population: 242 larger in Buffalo River Unpaid child care: 19.3 pts higher in Merriang South Personal income: $571 higher in Merriang South

Demographics & Identity

Population in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +242 larger in Buffalo River gap widening
285 59th pct 43 25th pct
Median age in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +10 yrs older in Buffalo River gap widening
54 yrs 83rd pct 44 yrs 46th pct
First Nations in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +1.1 pts higher in Buffalo River gap steady
1.1% 41st pct 0.0% 0th pct
Aged 65+ in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +12.0 pts higher in Buffalo River gap widening
26.0% 77th pct 14.0% 28th pct
Under 15 in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +4.8 pts higher in Merriang South gap narrowing
9.1% 14th pct 14.0% 30th pct
De facto in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +26.7 pts higher in Merriang South gap widening
8.6% 24th pct 35.3% 100th pct

Age structure

34.7% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +18.5 pts 16.3%
26.0% Seniors (65+) ◂ +12.0 pts 14.0%
17.2% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +5.6 pts 11.6%
11.6% Youth (15–24) +4.7 pts ▸ 16.3%
9.1% Children (0–14) +4.8 pts ▸ 14.0%

Marital status

60.5% Married ◂ +9.0 pts 51.4%
23.3% Never married +8.1 pts ▸ 31.4%
9.1% Divorced +8.1 pts ▸ 17.1%
4.0% Separated ◂ +4.0 pts 0.0%
2.4% Widowed ◂ +2.4 pts 0.0%

Age & sex structure

Buffalo River Merriang South

Bars show the share of each area's own population, so differently sized areas stay comparable.

Ancestry & Birthplace

Born overseas in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +11.1 pts higher in Merriang South gap widening
9.8% 43rd pct 20.9% 78th pct

Country of birth

80.7% Australia ◂ +6.3 pts 74.4%
1.8% England ◂ +1.8 pts 0.0%
1.8% Italy ◂ +1.8 pts 0.0%
1.1% New Zealand ◂ +1.1 pts 0.0%
0.0% India even 0.0%
0.0% China even 0.0%
0.0% Philippines even 0.0%
0.0% Vietnam even 0.0%
0.0% Nepal even 0.0%
0.0% South Africa even 0.0%

Ancestry

38.6% English +10.2 pts ▸ 48.8%
38.2% Australian +3.6 pts ▸ 41.9%
16.8% Italian ◂ +9.9 pts 7.0%
15.1% Irish ◂ +8.1 pts 7.0%
9.8% Scottish +1.8 pts ▸ 11.6%
4.2% German ◂ +4.2 pts 0.0%
2.8% Dutch ◂ +2.8 pts 0.0%
2.1% Chinese ◂ +2.1 pts 0.0%
0.0% Indian even 0.0%
0.0% Greek even 0.0%
0.0% Filipino even 0.0%
0.0% Vietnamese even 0.0%

Language

Other language in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +7.0 pts higher in Buffalo River gap widening
7.0% 69th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Limited English in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +1.1 pts higher in Buffalo River gap steady
1.1% 76th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Language used at home

83.2% English only +7.5 pts ▸ 90.7%
4.6% Italian ◂ +4.6 pts 0.0%
0.0% Mandarin even 0.0%
0.0% Arabic even 0.0%
0.0% Vietnamese even 0.0%
0.0% Cantonese even 0.0%
0.0% Punjabi even 0.0%
0.0% Greek even 0.0%
0.0% Hindi even 0.0%
0.0% Tagalog even 0.0%

Religion

No religion in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +1.5 pts higher in Merriang South gap narrowing
40.4% 49th pct 41.9% 54th pct

Religious affiliation

47.4% Christianity +3.8 pts ▸ 51.2%
40.4% No religion +1.5 pts ▸ 41.9%
10.2% Not stated ◂ +3.2 pts 7.0%
0.0% Islam even 0.0%
0.0% Hinduism even 0.0%
0.0% Buddhism even 0.0%
0.0% Judaism even 0.0%
0.0% Other religions even 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +2.1 pts higher in Merriang South gap narrowing
50.8% 64th pct 52.9% 68th pct
Bachelor+ in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +2.2 pts higher in Buffalo River gap steady
19.4% 65th pct 17.1% 59th pct
Schools ≤3 km in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +1 more in Buffalo River
1 43rd pct 0 0th pct
Avg size in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South
145 32nd pct —
ICSEA in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South
1,019 66th pct —

Highest year of school

50.8% Year 12 +2.1 pts ▸ 52.9%
14.6% Year 11 +6.0 pts ▸ 20.6%
15.0% Year 10 ◂ +0.3 pts 14.7%
10.8% Year 9 or below +3.9 pts ▸ 14.7%

Highest qualification level

34.2% Certificate III / IV +15.8 pts ▸ 50.0%
20.5% Bachelor degree +6.8 pts ▸ 27.3%
11.2% Advanced diploma / diploma +2.5 pts ▸ 13.6%
5.6% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +5.6 pts 0.0%
4.3% Postgraduate degree ◂ +4.3 pts 0.0%
1.9% Certificate I / II ◂ +1.9 pts 0.0%

Field of qualification

3.7% Creative arts +19.0 pts ▸ 22.7%
20.5% Engineering & related ◂ +20.5 pts 0.0%
9.9% Management & commerce +8.2 pts ▸ 18.2%
17.4% Health ◂ +17.4 pts 0.0%
6.2% Architecture & building +7.4 pts ▸ 13.6%
9.9% Education +3.7 pts ▸ 13.6%
5.6% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +5.6 pts 0.0%
4.3% Society & culture ◂ +4.3 pts 0.0%
2.5% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +2.5 pts 0.0%
2.5% Agriculture & environment ◂ +2.5 pts 0.0%
0.0% Information technology even 0.0%

Income

Personal income in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +$571 higher in Merriang South gap widening
$741 48th pct $1,312 93rd pct
Household income in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +$995 higher in Merriang South gap widening
$1,421 42nd pct $2,416 88th pct
Family income in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +$771 higher in Merriang South gap widening
$1,895 50th pct $2,666 86th pct
High earners in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +8.8 pts higher in Merriang South gap widening
5.5% 35th pct 14.3% 77th pct
High-income homes in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South
17.0% 53rd pct —

Household income distribution

29.5% $1,500–$2,999 +10.5 pts ▸ 40.0%
34.8% $650–$1,499 ◂ +34.8 pts 0.0%
8.9% $4,000 or more +17.7 pts ▸ 26.7%
10.7% Under $650 +9.3 pts ▸ 20.0%
8.0% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +8.0 pts 0.0%

Personal income distribution

43.5% Under $650 ◂ +26.3 pts 17.1%
11.1% $1,500–$2,999 +28.9 pts ▸ 40.0%
38.3% $650–$1,499 ◂ +4.1 pts 34.3%
0.0% $3,000 or more even 0.0%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +16.4 pts higher in Buffalo River
32.6% 69th pct 16.3% 9th pct
Mental health in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +7.0 pts higher in Buffalo River
7.0% 39th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Needs assistance in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +3.9 pts higher in Buffalo River gap steady
3.9% 41st pct 0.0% 0th pct

Long-term health conditions reported

13.3% Arthritis +0.6 pts ▸ 14.0%
7.0% Asthma ◂ +7.0 pts 0.0%
7.0% Mental health ◂ +7.0 pts 0.0%
5.3% Other condition ◂ +5.3 pts 0.0%
4.6% Diabetes ◂ +4.6 pts 0.0%
3.9% Cancer ◂ +3.9 pts 0.0%
3.9% Heart disease ◂ +3.9 pts 0.0%
2.5% Lung condition ◂ +2.5 pts 0.0%
1.1% Stroke ◂ +1.1 pts 0.0%
0.0% Dementia even 0.0%

Number of long-term health conditions

56.8% None +22.2 pts ▸ 79.1%
22.5% One condition ◂ +3.9 pts 18.6%
7.0% Two conditions +2.3 pts ▸ 9.3%
2.1% Three or more ◂ +2.1 pts 0.0%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +1.3 pts higher in Buffalo River gap narrowing
21.3% 64th pct 20.0% 59th pct
Unpaid carers in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +4.1 pts higher in Merriang South gap narrowing
13.0% 53rd pct 17.1% 85th pct
Unpaid child care in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +19.3 pts higher in Merriang South gap widening
15.0% 13th pct 34.3% 87th pct
Defence service in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +2.4 pts higher in Buffalo River
2.4% 46th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Housework 15h+ in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +5.8 pts higher in Merriang South gap widening
28.5% 73rd pct 34.3% 88th pct

First Nations

First Nations people in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +3 larger in Buffalo River
3 43rd pct 0 0th pct
Median age in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +5 yrs older in Buffalo River
55 yrs 91st pct 50 yrs 87th pct
Median income in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +$38 higher in Merriang South
$537 37th pct $575 43rd pct
Household income in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +$4,138 higher in Merriang South
$612 5th pct $4,750 100th pct

Family & Households

Household size in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +0.1 larger in Merriang South gap narrowing
2.3 29th pct 2.4 43rd pct
One-parent in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +4.9 pts higher in Buffalo River gap narrowing
4.9% 22nd pct 0.0% 0th pct
Living alone in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South
25.0% 55th pct —

Family composition

46.0% Couples without children +8.3 pts ▸ 54.3%
50.9% Couples with children ◂ +8.0 pts 42.9%
4.9% One-parent families ◂ +4.9 pts 0.0%
1.3% Other families ◂ +1.3 pts 0.0%

Household size

50.9% 2 people +15.8 pts ▸ 66.7%
25.0% 1 person +15.0 pts ▸ 40.0%
3.6% 5 people +23.1 pts ▸ 26.7%
13.4% 3 people ◂ +13.4 pts 0.0%
11.6% 4 people ◂ +11.6 pts 0.0%
2.7% 6 or more ◂ +2.7 pts 0.0%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +$140 higher in Merriang South gap widening
$130 10th pct $270 47th pct
Mortgage in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +$5 higher in Buffalo River gap narrowing
$1,733 57th pct $1,728 57th pct
People / bedroom in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +0.10 higher in Merriang South gap steady
0.70 14th pct 0.80 43rd pct
Renting in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South
16.1% 48th pct —
Owned outright in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South
50.9% 77th pct —
Separate houses in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South
100.0% 100th pct —
3+ bedrooms in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South
80.4% 52nd pct —

How homes are owned or rented

29.5% Owned with a mortgage +23.9 pts ▸ 53.3%
50.9% Owned outright ◂ +17.6 pts 33.3%
16.1% Rented +3.9 pts ▸ 20.0%
2.7% Not stated ◂ +2.7 pts 0.0%
0.0% Other tenure even 0.0%

Types of homes

100.0% Separate house even 100.0%
0.0% Townhouse / semi-detached even 0.0%
0.0% Flat or apartment even 0.0%
0.0% Other dwelling even 0.0%

Bedrooms per home

43.8% 3 bedrooms +16.3 pts ▸ 60.0%
31.3% 4 bedrooms ◂ +4.6 pts 26.7%
7.1% 1 bedroom +12.9 pts ▸ 20.0%
12.5% 2 bedrooms ◂ +12.5 pts 0.0%
5.4% 5 or more ◂ +5.4 pts 0.0%
0.0% Studio / none even 0.0%

Weekly rent distribution

38.9% $200–$349 +161.1 pts ▸ 200.0%
33.3% Under $200 ◂ +33.3 pts 0.0%
22.2% $350–$549 ◂ +22.2 pts 0.0%
0.0% $550–$749 even 0.0%
0.0% $750 or more even 0.0%

Monthly mortgage distribution

39.4% $1,000–$1,799 ◂ +1.9 pts 37.5%
24.2% Under $1,000 ◂ +24.2 pts 0.0%
21.2% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +21.2 pts 0.0%
12.1% $3,000 or more ◂ +12.1 pts 0.0%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South
0.0% 0th pct —
Work from home in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +18.5 pts higher in Merriang South gap widening
13.5% 40th pct 32.0% 84th pct
PT commute in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South even gap steady
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
PT stops in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South even
0 0th pct 0 0th pct
Stops/1k in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South even
0.00 0th pct 0.00 0th pct
Departures/1k in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South even
0.0 0th pct 0.0 0th pct
PT routes in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South even
0 0th pct 0 0th pct

How people get to work

63.5% Car (driver) ◂ +23.5 pts 40.0%
13.5% Worked at home +18.5 pts ▸ 32.0%
5.4% Car (passenger) ◂ +5.4 pts 0.0%
2.0% Walked ◂ +2.0 pts 0.0%
0.0% Train even 0.0%
0.0% Bus even 0.0%
0.0% Bicycle even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

44.5% 2 vehicles +22.1 pts ▸ 66.7%
22.7% 3 vehicles +17.3 pts ▸ 40.0%
17.3% 4 or more ◂ +17.3 pts 0.0%
16.4% 1 vehicle ◂ +16.4 pts 0.0%
0.0% No vehicle even 0.0%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +6.3 pts higher in Merriang South gap steady
25.3% 29th pct 31.6% 52nd pct
Recent arrivals in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South
0.0% 0th pct —

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +1.9 pts higher in Buffalo River gap narrowing
1.9% 38th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Participation in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +10.2 pts higher in Merriang South gap widening
61.3% 52nd pct 71.4% 85th pct
Full-time in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +8.6 pts higher in Merriang South gap steady
55.4% 36th pct 64.0% 76th pct

Industries people work in

6.1% Education & training +17.9 pts ▸ 24.0%
5.4% Public administration & safety +14.6 pts ▸ 20.0%
15.5% Agriculture, forestry & fishing +0.5 pts ▸ 16.0%
10.1% Manufacturing +5.9 pts ▸ 16.0%
14.2% Health care & social assistance ◂ +2.2 pts 12.0%
11.5% Professional & technical ◂ +11.5 pts 0.0%
8.8% Retail trade ◂ +8.8 pts 0.0%
7.4% Construction ◂ +7.4 pts 0.0%
4.7% Administrative & support ◂ +4.7 pts 0.0%
4.1% Accommodation & food ◂ +4.1 pts 0.0%
2.7% Electricity, gas & water ◂ +2.7 pts 0.0%
2.7% Transport & warehousing ◂ +2.7 pts 0.0%

Occupations people work in

20.3% Technicians & trades ◂ +4.3 pts 16.0%
18.2% Managers +1.8 pts ▸ 20.0%
12.8% Community & personal service +7.2 pts ▸ 20.0%
17.6% Professionals ◂ +5.6 pts 12.0%
9.5% Clerical & administrative +2.5 pts ▸ 12.0%
9.5% Labourers +2.5 pts ▸ 12.0%
10.1% Sales workers ◂ +10.1 pts 0.0%
6.1% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +6.1 pts 0.0%

Walkability

Walk score in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +0.1 higher in Buffalo River
0.1 33rd pct 0.0 0th pct
Types ≤15 min in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +0.1 more in Buffalo River
0.1 34th pct 0.0 0th pct
15-min city in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to shops in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to transit in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to school in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to a park in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +2.5 pts higher in Buffalo River
2.5% 41st pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to health in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Amenities/1k in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +3.5 more in Buffalo River
3.5 25th pct 0.0 0th pct
Intersections/km² in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +2 higher in Merriang South
1 57th pct 3 61st pct
Mean slope in Buffalo Riverin Merriang South +4.1 pts higher in Buffalo River
9.0% 76th pct 4.9% 41st pct

Compare Buffalo River with nearby areas

Merriang South Nug Nug Whorouly South Merriang Carboor Whorouly East Myrtleford Ovens

Compare Merriang South with nearby areas

Merriang Whorouly East Buffalo River Whorouly South Myrtleford Nug Nug Gapsted Ovens

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Buffalo River vs Merriang South [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sal/SAL20376/buffalo-river/vs/SAL21661/merriang-south