Council (LGA) · Area profile
Macedon Ranges
1,748 km²
Cooler temperatures and high rainfall define the Macedon Ranges, a region that has grown by 23% since 2011. It is a prosperous community where the typical family income is $2,403 a week, well above the national figure. This area attracts well-qualified professionals and families, which is reflected in the high number of children and large, detached homes. It is a place of significant relative advantage, combining a high standard of living with a strong preference for home ownership.
Macedon Ranges's schools draw a community as advantaged as its high household incomes suggest.
Macedon Ranges has many young families but fewer schools per child than most areas.
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The population is noticeably older than the state and national averages, with a typical resident aged 43. While seniors make up 19.1% of the community, the area also has a high proportion of children under 15, at 19.9%.
Most residents were born in Australia, and those born overseas make up 13.1% of the population, which is far below the national figure. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries.
English is the primary language for 90.4% of the community. Only 4.5% of people use another language at home, a figure far below both the state and national averages.
A large proportion of the community report having no religion, at 49.5%. This figure is far above the national average and has risen by 21 points since 2011.
The area is highly qualified, with 26.7% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. Year 12 completion has also risen since 2011 to 59.2%, which is much higher than most similar areas.
Incomes are significantly higher than the national average, with 29.1% of households earning $3,000 or more a week. The typical weekly household income is $2,059, a jump of $664 since 2011.
About 29.6% of residents have a long-term health condition, which is a little above the national figure. Mental health, arthritis, and asthma are the most commonly reported conditions.
Unpaid work is common here; 27.5% of people do 15 or more hours of housework weekly, and 30.5% provide unpaid childcare. This is well above the national average.
First Nations people in the region have a Year 12 completion rate of 51.8%, which is far above the national figure. Their typical personal income is also much higher than in most other areas.
Homes tend to be larger than usual, with 2.7 people per household. Families with children make up 61.9% of the community, and very few people—just 20%—live alone.
The landscape is dominated by separate houses, which make up 93.5% of dwellings. Renting is rare at 13.5%, while 87.5% of homes have three or more bedrooms.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, with only 2.1% of homes having no motor vehicle. Working from home is very popular, rising to 27% of the workforce since 2011.
About 34.3% of people moved into the area in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas are few, making up 5.8% of the population.
The unemployment rate is 3.2%, which is much lower than most areas. Many residents work in construction, healthcare, or education.
The region is ranked among the most advantaged in the country, with a high score for overall advantage and access to resources. This is supported by a high number of local businesses.
The climate is much wetter and cooler than the state average, with an average annual rainfall of 954mm and a low average maximum temperature of 16.3°C.
Crime rates are much lower than most areas across almost every category, including burglary, drug offences, and motor vehicle theft.
Most of the region is car-dependent, with a walkability score far below the state average. Only 35.5% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries.