Federal Electorate · Area profile
Spence
533 km²
Daily life in Spence is shaped by a young, growing population and a strong focus on family. The typical resident is just 35 years old, and the area has seen a significant increase in children and a 17% population rise since 2011. While it is a large community with a high number of detached family homes, it also faces challenges with lower typical incomes and higher unemployment than the state average. Overall, it is a place where young families are establishing themselves in spacious housing.
A family-heavy area that's short on schools per child.
62 schools within reach make Spence convenient for families.
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Spence is noticeably younger than the rest of the state, with 21.3% of people being children under 15. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population has also risen to 3.6%, which is higher than most similar areas.
English and Australian ancestries are most common, while 24.4% of the population was born overseas. This figure has fallen by 4.3 points since 2011.
While English is the main language, 18.8% of people use another language at home. The proportion of people who speak little or no English is 4.8%, which is higher than the national figure.
A large number of residents report no religion, at 47.5%. This figure has risen sharply by 23 points since 2011 and is well above the national average.
Educational attainment is quite low, with only 42.8% of residents completing Year 12 and 9.5% holding a bachelor degree or higher, both of which are far below state and national levels.
Incomes are among the lowest for its level, with a typical weekly family income of $1,518. This is well below the national figure of $2,120.
Health challenges are more common here, as 33.0% of people have a long-term health condition. Mental health conditions are also reported at 12.2%, which is among the highest for similar areas.
Unpaid care is common, with 13.3% of people providing care and 28.1% looking after children. Conversely, volunteering is much lower than most areas at 10.1%.
Homes tend to be larger, with an average of 2.6 people per household. This is consistent with the high number of one-parent families (22.5%), which is well above the national average.
The area is dominated by separate houses, and 85.6% of homes have three or more bedrooms. While rental rates are higher than average at 33.1%, the typical weekly rent of $275 is much lower than the national figure.
Most people drive to work, but 8.6% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is higher than most areas. Public transport is accessible, with most residents living within a short walk of a stop.
Migration is steady, with 37.8% of people moving in the last five years. However, the number of recent overseas arrivals has fallen by 7.8 points since 2011.
While full-time employment is around the national middle, the unemployment rate of 8.4% is well above both the state and national figures.
The area is somewhat walkable, with 92.6% of homes near a park and 84.9% near public transport. However, it is far below the state average for walkability to health services and groceries.