Federal Electorate · Area profile
Gippsland
33,136 km²
The population in Gippsland has grown by 15% since 2011, though the community is aging rapidly. The typical resident is now 46, making it far older than the national figure of 38. This is a predominantly Australian-born area with a strong lean toward independent living, where many people own their homes outright and live in detached houses. It is a place where a large number of residents are now seniors, contributing to a higher need for health and daily support.
Plenty of schools here relative to how few children live in the area.
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Gippsland is far older than most areas, with the typical resident aged 46 and a quarter of the population aged 65 or over. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community has also grown, rising to 2.5% since 2011.
The area is much less diverse than the state average, as the proportion of people born overseas fell to 11.9% since 2011. Most residents claim English or Australian ancestry.
English is the dominant language here, with only 5.1% of people using another language at home. This is far below the national figure and represents a significant drop from 2011.
A large number of residents identify as having no religion, at 47.5%, which is well above the national figure. This figure has risen by 22 points since 2011.
Education levels are much lower than in most areas, with only 39.8% of residents completing Year 12. The proportion of adults with a bachelor degree or higher also fell sharply to 13.7% since 2016.
Typical incomes are well below the national figure, with the usual household earning $1,238 a week. Higher earners are also rare; only 7.1% of people earn $2,000 or more weekly.
Health challenges are more common here than in most areas, with 34.6% of people reporting a long-term health condition. This is consistent with the older population, as 7.5% of residents need help with daily activities.
Volunteering is much more common here than elsewhere, though the rate fell slightly to 16.6% since 2011. There is also a higher-than-average number of former Defence Force members at 4.0%.
Living alone is much more common here than in the rest of the state, with 30.7% of people in single-person households. This helps explain why the typical home holds only 2.3 people.
Detached houses are the norm for 90.4% of residents, and home ownership is very strong, with 42.6% owning their home outright. Typical weekly rents are well below the state average at $250.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, with only 0.4% of people commuting by public transport. Most homes have at least one vehicle, and 38% have two.
The community is relatively stable, as the proportion of people who moved in the last five years is much lower than in most areas. Recent arrivals from overseas also fell to 9.1% since 2011.
Fewer adults are working or looking for work compared to the state average, at 52.7%. Health care and social assistance is the largest industry, employing 16.3% of the workforce.
Most residents are car-dependent, with a walkability score of 3.7. Access to basic needs is limited, as only 31.5% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of health services.