Baw Baw

The typical resident is 41, making the area older than the national figure. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 21.5% of the population, which is well above the national average, while 19.0% are children under 15.

Most residents were born in Australia, and only 12.1% were born overseas, which is far below the national figure of 27.7%. English and Australian are the most common ancestries.

English is the dominant language, with only 4.9% of people using another language at home—far below the national figure of 22.3%. Very few people, just 0.5%, speak little or no English.

Nearly half of the population (48.7%) report no religion, a figure that is well above the national average and has risen 22 points since 2011.

About 16.8% of adults have a bachelor degree or higher, which is well below the national figure. However, the proportion of people who completed Year 12 has risen to 45.4% since 2011.

Typical weekly household income is $1,495, a little below the national figure of $1,746. Incomes have risen since 2011, with the typical family income increasing by $601.

Health challenges are more common here than in most areas, with 33.3% of people living with a long-term health condition and 11.1% reporting a mental health condition.

Unpaid work is common, as the rates of people caring for children, performing housework, and providing general unpaid care are all higher than in most areas.

First Nations people in the area have a lower unemployment rate (8.2%) than the national average and a typical personal income that is a little above the national figure.

Homes tend to be larger, with 2.5 people per home. Over half of all households are couples with children.

The area is dominated by separate houses, which make up 91.5% of dwellings. Large homes are the norm, with 83.5% having three or more bedrooms, and renting is much less common here than across Australia.

Cars are essential, as 91.5% of homes have a motor vehicle and only 0.7% of people commute by public transport. Working from home is more common here than in most areas at 15.6%.

The area is seeing significant movement, with 41.5% of people having moved in the last five years, which is a little above the national figure.

The unemployment rate is 3.8%, which is a little below the national figure. Many residents work in health care, social assistance, and construction.

Baw Baw is generally advantaged, scoring in the top 30% for overall advantage. It has seen strong recent growth, with the population increasing by 9.0% since 2021.

The area is much wetter and cooler than the state average, with annual rainfall of 1,084mm and an average maximum temperature of 19.4°C.

The overall recorded offence rate is lower than in most areas, although theft is more common. Rates of robbery and motor vehicle theft are lower than average.

The region is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score of 3.7. Many residents live far from services, as only 39.3% are within a 15-minute walk of groceries.