Federal Electorate · Area profile
Isaacs
156 km²
Higher typical incomes set Isaacs apart as a relatively affluent community in Greater Melbourne. The area has grown by 24% since 2011 and is home to a population that is slightly older than the national figure. It is a diverse and well-educated place, with a high proportion of residents born overseas and a strong presence of university qualifications. The community is largely residential, with a high number of families and a strong trend toward working from home.
An affluent area whose schools serve an equally well-off community.
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The typical resident is 40, which is a little older than the national figure. While the population has grown to 160,526 people, the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents is among the lowest for its level at 0.5%.
Overseas birthplaces are common here, with 32.0% of people born abroad, a figure well above the national average. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries.
Language diversity is high, with 27.0% of people using a language other than English at home. This is well above the Australian figure, and 4.2% of residents speak little or no English.
About 39.8% of people report no religion, which is around the middle for its level. This figure has risen by 12 points since 2011, while Christianity remains the most common affiliation at 42.5%.
The community is well-qualified, with 30.4% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher and 66.4% having completed Year 12, both figures being higher than most areas.
Incomes are notably high, with 27.8% of households earning $3,000 or more a week. The typical weekly household income of $1,966 is a little above the state and national figures.
Health profiles are typical for the region, with 26.4% of people having a long-term health condition. People with a mental health condition make up 7.7% of the population, which is lower than most areas.
Unpaid care is common, with 13.4% of people providing care, much higher than most areas. However, the proportion of volunteers has fallen 11 points since 2011 to 12.1%.
Families are larger than usual, with 2.6 people per home. Couples with children make up 63.3% of households, while 26.3% of people live alone.
Detached houses are far less common here than in the rest of the state, making up only 59.3% of homes. Renting is less frequent than the national average, and the typical weekly rent of $406 is a little above the national figure.
Working from home is very common, with 29.5% of people doing so, a figure well above the national average. Despite this, 49.3% of workers still commute by car.
The community is relatively stable, with 35.9% of people moving in the last five years, which is well below the national figure. Recent overseas arrivals have also fallen to 9.5%.
Job prospects are strong, with a lower unemployment rate of 4.3% than most areas. More adults are working or looking for work (65.5%) compared to the state and national averages.
The area is very walkable, with a score of 7.3. Most homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries, parks, and public transport, far exceeding the state average for accessibility.