Greater Geelong

The typical resident is 39 years old, and the population has grown significantly to 271,057 people. While the number of children is about the same as the national figure, there are a few more seniors here than across Australia.

People born overseas make up 17.7% of the population, which is higher than most similar areas but far below the Victorian average of 30%. English and Australian are the most common ancestries.

About 11.7% of people use a language other than English at home, a figure that has risen since 2011. This is higher than most similar areas, though it remains far below the state and national figures.

The area has a high proportion of people reporting no religion at 44.4%, which is well above the national figure. This trend has grown sharply, rising 20 points since 2011.

The community is well-qualified, with 24.2% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, a figure that rose 8.6 points since 2011. This is much higher than most similar areas, though still a little below the national average.

Typical weekly family income is $2,051, which is higher than most similar areas and about the same as the national figure. High earners are more common here, with the share of households earning $3,000 or more a week rising 13 points since 2011.

Long-term health conditions are more common here than in most similar areas, with 31.8% of people affected. This includes a mental health condition rate of 11.1%, which is much higher than most similar areas.

Unpaid care is more common here than in most similar areas, with 13.5% of people providing such support. However, the proportion of volunteers fell 4.4 points since 2011 to 14.1%.

With 3,562 people, the First Nations community is larger than about 90% of similar areas. Education outcomes are strong, with Year 12 completion at 41.8%, which is well above the national figure.

Most homes consist of couples with children (55.6%) or couples without children (28.7%). One-parent families make up 14.6% of the community, which is higher than most similar areas.

The area is dominated by separate houses (86.4%), and 79.4% of homes have three or more bedrooms, which is well above the national figure. Typical weekly rent is $346, which is much higher than most similar areas.

While working from home has risen sharply to 18.7%, very few people (1.4%) commute by public transport. Most residents rely on cars, with 40.4% of homes having two vehicles.

The community is quite mobile, with 42.8% of people moving in the last five years, which is much higher than most similar areas. Recent overseas arrivals make up 14.2% of the population.

Health care and social assistance are the biggest employers (17.4%). While the unemployment rate is 4.4%, full-time employment at 55.5% is much lower than most similar areas.

Greater Geelong is an advantaged area, scoring 8 out of 10 for overall advantage. It ranks higher than about 80% of similar areas for both overall advantage and job skills.

The area is generally cooler and drier than other regions, with an average maximum temperature of 20.1 degrees and annual rainfall of 521mm.

The overall crime rate is lower than most similar areas, though the theft rate is much higher. Rates for assault, drug offences, and sexual offences are all lower than most similar areas.

Most homes are within a 15-minute walk of a park (95.7%), but walkability to groceries and health services is well below the Victorian average. The overall walkability score is 5.9, described as somewhat walkable.