Council (LGA) · Area profile
Southern Midlands
2,615 km²
A higher proportion of residents live in detached houses here than in most similar areas, making Southern Midlands a spacious, rural community. The population has grown by 10% since 2011 to 6,662 people and is noticeably older than the national average. This is a traditional Australian region where most people were born here and speak only English. It is a place where home ownership is common and many families live in large homes.
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The typical resident is 44, making the area a little older than the state average. There is a notable First Nations presence at 6.8%, which is well above the national figure and has risen since 2011.
The community is very homogenous, with 85% of people born in Australia. Only 6% of residents were born overseas, a figure that is far below the national average.
English is the primary language here, with 90.9% of people using it only. Very few residents use another language at home, at just 1.4%.
A large number of people report having no religion, at 43.5%. This figure has risen sharply by 21 points since 2011, though it remains well below the state average.
Educational attainment is much lower than in most areas, with only 32.4% of residents completing Year 12. This is far below the national figure of 58.8%.
Weekly incomes are generally lower than the national average, with the typical family earning $1,605. However, there has been a steady increase, with typical household income rising by $463 since 2011.
Health challenges are more common here than in most areas, as 33.7% of people have a long-term health condition. This is well above the national average of 27.7%.
Unpaid work is common, with 14.6% of people providing unpaid care, which is among the highest for its level. Many residents have also served in the Defence Force.
First Nations residents have a typical personal income of $620, which is a little above the national figure. The unemployment rate for this group is 7.4%, which is well below the national average.
Homes are generally larger than average, with 2.5 people per home. Fewer people live alone here compared to most other areas.
The area is dominated by separate houses, making up 98.3% of all homes. Renting is very uncommon, with only 12.9% of households renting, which is far below the national average.
Most people rely on cars to get to work, as only 0.4% use public transport. Very few homes lack a motor vehicle, and public transport stops are far fewer than in the rest of the state.
The population is relatively stable, with only 28% of people moving in the last five years. This is far below the national figure of 40.7%.
About 57% of adults are working or looking for work. Employment is spread across agriculture, health care, and construction, with a full-time employment rate that is well above the state average.
The area has low scores for education and job skills compared to other regions. Overall, its advantage score is below the national average.
The local climate is drier than the state average, with 599mm of annual rainfall. Minimum and maximum temperatures are both slightly higher than the state average.
The area is very car-dependent, with a walkability score far below the state average. Most homes are far from groceries, health services, and public transport.