Federal Electorate · Area profile
Ballarat
5,399 km²
Typical weekly household incomes in Ballarat are a little below the national figure, reflecting a community where a higher proportion of people earn less than the usual amount. It is a growing regional centre that has become noticeably older over the last decade, with a population of 152,243. The area is distinctive for its high rate of home ownership and a very strong trend toward residents identifying as having no religion. It serves as a major hub for health and education services in the region.
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The population is noticeably older than the state and national average, with a typical age of 41. This trend is highlighted by the 19.6% of residents aged 65 and over, a figure that rose 4.8 points since 2011.
People born overseas make up 11.4% of the community, which is far below the national figure of 27.7%. English and Australian are the most common ancestries, accounting for 41.8% and 39.3% respectively.
English is the primary language for 88.5% of residents, and the 6.2% who use another language at home is far below the national average. Very few people, just 0.6%, speak little or no English.
A significant 48.6% of residents report having no religion, which is well above the national figure. This has seen a sharp increase of 21 points since 2011.
The community has a high number of schools, with 2.82 per 1,000 children, far more than most similar areas. About 22.4% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher, which is well below the state average.
Typical weekly household income is $1,445, a little below the national figure. However, the number of households earning $3,000 or more a week rose 11 points since 2011 to reach 15.9%.
Health challenges are more common here than in most areas, with 34.4% of people living with a long-term condition. Mental health conditions are among the highest at this level, affecting 12.4% of residents.
Participation in unpaid work is high, with 14.4% of people providing unpaid care and 16.2% volunteering. This is above the national figure for both activities.
Many people live alone, at 29.2%, which is well above the national average. One-parent families also make up 15.7% of the community, a figure higher than most similar areas.
Detached houses are very common at 88%, far above the national average. The community is also more likely to own their home outright, with 35.4% doing so.
Reliance on cars is high, with 60.6% of people driving to work and only 0.7% using public transport. The typical drive time to the city is 78 minutes, which is much higher than most areas.
About 40% of residents moved house in the last five years, which is about the same as the national rate. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 12.4% of the population.
Health care and social assistance is the largest industry, employing 17.9% of the workforce. The unemployment rate is 4.4%, which is lower than most other areas.
The area is only somewhat walkable, with a score of 4.8. Access to services is limited, as only 41.1% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of health services, far below the state figure.