Council (LGA) · Area profile
Central Goldfields
1,533 km²
Spanning over 1,500 square kilometres of the Victorian interior, Central Goldfields is a wide-reaching rural community with a noticeably older population. The typical resident is 52, and nearly a third of the population are seniors, making it far older than the national average. This demographic shift is mirrored in the housing, where many people live alone in detached homes. With lower typical incomes and a high proportion of outright home ownership, it is a quiet area where life moves at a slower pace.
Central Goldfields's schools draw a more advantaged community than the area overall.
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The area is far older than most of Australia, with 31.1% of people aged 65 and over. Conversely, children under 15 make up only 14.6% of the population, a figure that has fallen since 2011.
Most residents were born in Australia, and only 9.2% were born overseas, which is far below the state and national figures. English and Australian are the most common ancestries listed.
English is the primary language for almost everyone here, with only 3.0% of people using another language at home. This is far below the Victorian average of 27.6%.
A significant shift has occurred since 2011, with the number of people reporting no religion rising 20 points to 45.0%. This is well above the national figure.
Education levels are much lower than most areas; only 33.1% of residents completed Year 12, and just 9.3% hold a bachelor degree or higher.
Typical incomes are among the lowest in the country, with a typical weekly household earning $904. Only 5.9% of households earn $3,000 or more per week.
Health challenges are common here, as 41.6% of people have a long-term health condition. About 10.4% of residents need help with daily activities, which is well above the national average.
The area has a higher rate of former Defence Force members than most regions. While 16.3% of people volunteer, the number of people providing unpaid care is among the highest at this level.
There are 304 First Nations people in the area, with a typical age of 22. Unemployment is higher than most areas at 13.9%, and typical personal incomes are well below the national figure.
Living arrangements are often small, with only 2.1 people per home. About 37.0% of people live alone, and one-parent families are much more common than in most other areas.
Detached houses dominate the landscape, and 46.8% of homes are owned outright. Weekly rents are well below the state average at $235.
Cars are essential for travel, as only 0.1% of people commute by public transport. Those who do drive face a long trip to the city, taking typically 135 minutes.
The community is relatively stable, with only 30.5% of people moving in the last five years. This is well below the national figure of 40.7%.
Workforce participation is much lower than most areas, with only 43.3% of adults working or looking for work. Many are employed in health care, manufacturing, or retail.
The region is ranked among the most disadvantaged in the country, scoring very low for overall advantage, job skills, and access to resources.
The local climate is slightly cooler than the state average, with an average maximum temperature of 20.6 degrees and annual rainfall around 542mm.
Theft and assault rates are higher than in most areas, while robbery and sexual offences are much lower. The overall crime rate has risen by 25.2% over the last five years.
The area is only somewhat walkable, as few homes are within a 15-minute walk of schools, health services, or groceries compared to the state average.