3396, VIC

The area is far older than most of Australia, with 35.9% of people aged 65 and over. This trend has strengthened since 2011 and is reflected in a much lower proportion of children under 15 compared to the state average.

Most residents were born in Australia, and the community is much less diverse than the national average, with only 6.8% born overseas. English, Irish, and German are the most common ancestries after Australian.

English is the primary language for 91.2% of the population. The proportion of people using another language at home is far below both the state and national figures.

Over half of the community identifies as Christian, while 36.2% report no religion. This lack of religious affiliation has risen sharply by 18 points since 2011.

Educational attainment is much lower than in most areas, with only 9.6% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. While 33.6% have completed Year 12, this is far below the Victorian average.

Typical weekly incomes are much lower than the national figure, with the typical household earning $1,120. However, there has been a rise in higher earners, with 8.4% of households now earning $3,000 or more a week.

Health challenges are common here; 41.4% of people have a long-term health condition, which is far above the national average. Similarly, 10.8% need help with daily activities, one of the highest rates for this level.

Volunteering is a standout feature, with 33.4% of residents giving their time, far above the state figure. The area also has a much higher proportion of former Defence Force members than most other areas.

Homes tend to be smaller in occupancy, with 2.1 people per home. A high number of people live alone (34.3%), which is well above the Victorian average.

Housing is dominated by separate houses, and 61.5% of homes are owned outright, far exceeding the national average. This helps explain the very low typical monthly mortgage payments of $650.

Car travel is essential, as 60.8% of workers drive and no one commutes by public transport. While there are several bus stops, the walk to the nearest one is much longer than in most areas.

The population is very stable, with far fewer people moving in the last five years compared to the state average. There were no recent overseas arrivals recorded in the 2021 census.

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing are the primary industries for 32.4% of workers. Only 50.8% of adults are working or looking for work, which is far below the national figure.

The area ranks in the bottom 30% for overall advantage compared to all similar areas, reflecting lower typical incomes and education levels.

The area is somewhat walkable, with a high number of amenities per resident. Residents have particularly good access to health services within a 15-minute walk compared to the state average.