Pyrenees

The area is much older than most, with 27.3% of people aged 65 and over, a figure far above the national average. Children under 15 make up only 14.6% of the population, which is well below the state and national figures.

Most of the population was born in Australia, and the area has far fewer overseas-born residents than the state or nation. English, Australian, Scottish, and Irish are the most common ancestries.

English is the dominant language, with only 2.2% of people using another language at home. This is far below the national figure, and very few residents speak little or no English.

A large 44% of residents report having no religion, which is well above the national average. This represents a significant shift since 2011, when that figure was 25%.

Education levels are far below the state average, with only 34.8% of people completing Year 12. However, there are many schools for the number of children, and the proportion of people with a bachelor degree has risen since 2011.

Incomes are much lower than in most other areas, with the typical weekly family income at $1,419, well below the national figure. Only 8.6% of households earn $3,000 or more a week.

Residents face more health challenges than most, with 35.5% having a long-term health condition. Mental health conditions and arthritis are the most common, and 7.7% of people need help with daily activities.

Volunteering is more common here than in most areas, and 14% of people provide unpaid care. There is also a higher rate of former Defence Force members compared to the state average.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 1.9% of the population. Those who identify as First Nations are noticeably older than those in the rest of the state, and 7.6% speak a First Nations language.

Homes are smaller than usual, with a typical size of 2.2 people. Many residents live alone—31.5% of households—which is well above the national figure.

The area is dominated by separate houses, with 97.7% of dwellings being detached. Renting is very rare compared to the state, and over half of all homes are owned outright.

Car travel is essential as only 0.2% of people use public transport to commute. Very few homes lack a motor vehicle, and the typical drive time to the city is 104 minutes.

The population is very stable, with far fewer people moving into the area in the last five years than is typical for the state. Recent arrivals from overseas are also among the lowest in the country.

Working or looking for work is much less common here than in the rest of Victoria. The workforce is heavily tied to the land, with 18.8% of people working in agriculture, forestry, and fishing.

The area has a lower overall advantage score than most other regions, sitting at 4 out of 10. Population growth has been slower than the state average since 2021.

The region is cooler than most of Victoria, with a much lower average maximum temperature. It is also wetter, receiving 711mm of annual rainfall compared to the state average of 510mm.

Recorded offences are much lower than in most areas, particularly for drug offences and robbery. However, the burglary rate is higher than typical for similar areas.

The area is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score far below the state average. Very few homes are within a 15-minute walk of health services or schools.