Council (LGA) · Area profile
Alpine
4,788 km²
A typical resident in Alpine is 49, making this community far older than the national figure of 38. This regional area has seen its population grow by 11% since 2011, though it remains a place where seniors are well represented. It is a relatively wealthy and qualified area with a high proportion of homeowners and a strong spirit of volunteering. The community is defined by its high rainfall, cool temperatures, and a preference for detached housing in a landscape that is largely car-dependent.
Alpine is well supplied with schools for its relatively small share of children.
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The area is significantly older than most, with 26.2% of people aged 65 and over, a figure well above the national average. Children under 15 make up 15.3% of the population, which is lower than most other areas.
Most residents were born in Australia, and 14.2% were born overseas, which is far below the national figure of 27.7%. English and Australian are the most common ancestries reported.
English is the primary language for 86.3% of residents. Only 6.9% of people use another language at home, far below the 22.3% seen across Australia.
Nearly half of the population (48.5%) reports no religion, a figure well above the national average. This has risen by 22 percentage points since 2011.
The community is well-qualified, with 20.8% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Year 12 completion is higher than in most similar areas, though it remains far below the state average.
Typical weekly household income is $1,340, which is well below the Victorian figure of $1,759. However, the number of households earning over $3,000 a week has risen 11 percentage points since 2011.
Long-term health conditions are more common here than in the state or national figures, affecting 30.8% of people. Arthritis is the most reported condition at 10.7%.
Volunteering is very high here, with 24.1% of people contributing, which is far above the national figure. A high number of residents also spend 15 or more hours a week on unpaid housework.
First Nations people make up 1.0% of the population. While unemployment for this group is among the lowest at 0.0%, those who speak a First Nations language (13.1%) are well above the state average.
About 29.3% of people live alone, which is well above the national figure. Family sizes are slightly smaller than usual, with a typical 2.3 people per home.
Housing is dominated by separate houses (93.3%), and 46.3% of homes are owned outright, far above the national average. Renting is much less common here than in other areas.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, with only 0.3% of people using public transport to commute. Most homes have at least one vehicle, and 40.1% have two.
Around 35.1% of residents moved in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 8.8% of the population, which is well below the national average.
Unemployment is very low at 2.1%, which is well below the national figure. The most common industries for workers are accommodation and food, and healthcare.
The area ranks high for overall advantage and job skills, placing it above 80% of similar areas. Population growth since 2021 has been very low at 0.5%.
The climate is much wetter and cooler than the state average, with annual rainfall far above the Victorian figure and minimum temperatures among the lowest in the state.
The area is very safe, with recorded offences per 100,000 being among the lowest at this level. Theft is the most common offence, but rates for most crimes are much lower than in other areas.
The region is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score far below the state average. Only 44.6% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of basic amenities.