Federal Electorate · Area profile
Blair
6,468 km²
Spread across a vast 6,467 square kilometre area in the Somerset region, Blair is a growing community that has seen its population jump 40% since 2011. It is a notably young area where the typical resident is just 35, and families with children are common. This growth and young age are reflected in the large number of children under 15, which is well above the national figure. It is a place where most people live in detached houses and rely on cars to get around.
82 schools within reach make Blair convenient for families.
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Blair has a young profile, with children under 15 making up 22.1% of the population, well above the national figure. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community is also much larger than in most areas at 5.6%.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the area has a lower proportion of overseas-born people (17.1%) compared to the national figure. English and Australian are the most common ancestries.
English is the primary language for 84.2% of residents, and the 9.5% who use another language at home is far below the national average. Very few people speak little or no English.
A large number of people report no religion at 42.9%, a figure that has risen 21 points since 2011. This is well above the national figure.
Educational qualifications are lower than in most areas, with only 14.4% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. However, the proportion of people who completed Year 12 has risen 12 points since 2011.
Typical family incomes are a little below the national figure at $1,860 a week. The number of households earning $3,000 or more weekly is much lower than most areas, though it has risen since 2011.
Residents face more health challenges than most, with 32.3% living with a long-term health condition. Mental health conditions are particularly common, affecting 12.5% of the population.
Unpaid care is common here, with 29.7% of people caring for children, which is well above the national figure. The area also has a high number of Defence Force veterans.
Homes are larger than typical, with 2.7 people per household. One-parent families are among the highest at this level, making up 19.3% of households.
The landscape is dominated by separate houses (90.2%), with 85.2% of homes having three or more bedrooms. Renting is more common here than in most areas, at 36.3%.
Most residents rely on cars, which is consistent with the long 83-minute typical drive to the city. Only 1.7% of people use public transport for their commute.
The area is quite dynamic, as 46.4% of people have moved in the last five years. This is well above the national average.
Full-time employment is slightly higher than the national figure at 60.7%. However, the unemployment rate is 6.4%, which is much higher than in most similar areas.
Blair is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score of 4.0. Many residents live far from essential services, with only 31.8% within a 15-minute walk of health services.