Council (LGA) · Area profile
Cranbrook
3,276 km²
Older residents are a defining feature of Cranbrook, where the typical age is 46, far exceeding the national figure of 38. This rural community of 1,100 people is predominantly made up of homeowners, with nearly half owning their place outright. While the population has grown slightly since 2011, it remains a stable area where many people work from home or in the local agricultural sector. The town's character is marked by a strong spirit of giving, with nearly 30% of residents volunteering.
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The community is significantly older than the state and national average, with 20.9% of people aged 65 and over. This senior population has risen by 5.6 percentage points since 2011, while children under 15 now make up 19.6% of the population.
Most residents were born in Australia (73.3%), though 15.8% were born overseas. This is far below the national figure of 27.7%, and those with English and Australian ancestry are the most common groups.
English is the primary language for the vast majority, with only 3.8% of people using another language at home. This is far below the national figure of 22.3%, and very few residents speak little or no English.
People with no religion now make up 44.9% of the population, a figure that has risen by 19 percentage points since 2011. This is well above the national figure of 38.9%.
Academic qualifications are much lower than in most areas, with only 9.4% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Around 40.7% of residents have completed Year 12, which is far below the national figure of 58.8%.
Typical household incomes are well below the national figure, with a typical weekly income of $1,287. However, the number of households earning $3,000 or more a week rose by 12 percentage points since 2011.
About 29.1% of residents have a long-term health condition, which is a little above the national average. Arthritis and asthma are the most common reported conditions.
Volunteering is very high here, with 29.7% of people pitching in, far above the national figure of 14.1%. Unpaid housework is also common, with 27.7% of people doing 15 or more hours a week.
The First Nations community is small, consisting of 25 people. The typical personal income for this group is $416, which is well below the national figure of $540.
Homes are often smaller than average with 2.3 people per dwelling. Many people live alone, accounting for 31.4% of households, which is well above the national figure of 25.6%.
Housing is dominated by separate houses, which make up 96.5% of all homes. A high 45.9% of residents own their home outright, and typical weekly rents are much lower than the national figure at $168.
Cranbrook is heavily reliant on cars, with 0% of people commuting by public transport. This is consistent with the fact that 98% of homes own at least one motor vehicle.
The population is very stable, as only 28.9% of people moved in the last five years, far below the national figure of 40.7%. Recent arrivals from overseas have also fallen since 2011.
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing are the primary industries, employing 54.5% of the workforce. The unemployment rate is 3.1%, which is much lower than most other areas.
The area has an overall advantage score of 951, which is slightly below the national average. There are 230 businesses operating within the region.
The local climate is cooler and wetter than the state average, with an average maximum temperature of 22.2 degrees and annual rainfall of 503mm.
The area is car-dependent, with a very low walkability score of 1.2. No homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries or health services.