Council (LGA) · Area profile
Break O'Day
3,524 km²
An ageing population has become the defining feature of Break O'Day, where the typical resident is now 56. This is far older than the national figure and reflects a steady trend, with the number of seniors over 65 rising significantly since 2011. The area is largely rural and residential, though its population grew by 9.3% over the last decade. It is a place where home ownership is very high, creating a stable but older community with a notable lack of children.
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The community is far older than most areas, with 31.5% of people aged 65 and over. This is far above the national figure and is consistent with the fact that children under 15 make up only 12.9% of the population, a figure that has fallen since 2011.
Most residents were born in Australia, though 13.1% were born overseas. English is the most common ancestry at 47.7%, followed by Australian and Scottish.
English is used in 90.2% of homes, and the proportion of people using another language is much lower than in most areas. Very few residents speak little or no English, at just 0.1%.
Nearly half of the population (49.5%) report no religion, a figure that has risen 21 points since 2011. This is far above the national average.
Education levels are lower than the state and national figures, with only 34.9% of residents completing Year 12. However, the proportion of adults with a bachelor degree or higher rose to 13.4% since 2011.
Incomes are among the lowest for its level, with a typical household earning $836 a week. This is far below the national figure of $1,746.
Health challenges are common here, as 38.8% of people have a long-term health condition, which is far above the national figure. About 9.1% of residents need help with daily activities.
Volunteering is more common here than in most areas, with 20.8% of people pitching in. There is also a higher rate of unpaid care and housework compared to the state and nation.
First Nations residents are noticeably older than those in other areas, with a typical age of 28. The typical personal income for this group is $451, which is a little below the national figure.
Small households are the norm, with people living alone in 35.8% of homes. This is far above the national figure, contributing to a low average of 2.0 people per home.
Home ownership is very high, with 54.1% of homes owned outright, far exceeding the national figure of 31%. Most people live in separate houses, and renting is much less common than in other areas.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, with 60.7% of workers driving to work and only 0.1% using public transport. Very few homes are without a motor vehicle.
Movement into the area is steady, with 36.4% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 5.1% of the population, which is well below the national figure.
Job activity is much lower than in most areas, with only 42.7% of adults working or looking for work. The unemployment rate of 7.4% is a little above the national figure.
The area ranks low for overall advantage, with a score of 881. This is lower than about 90% of similar areas, reflecting challenges with access to money, resources, and job skills.
The climate is wetter than the state average, with 999mm of annual rainfall. Minimum and maximum temperatures are also higher than the Tasmanian average.
Most residents are car-dependent, as the walkability score is only 2.3. Many homes are far from essential services, with only 23.6% within a 15-minute walk of groceries.