3509, VIC

The community is significantly older than most areas, with seniors making up 23.7% of the population. This is well above the national figure of 17.2%. Interestingly, children under 15 have also increased since 2011 to 19.3%.

This is a very traditional Australian community, as only 2.6% of people were born overseas, which is far below the national figure of 27.7%. Most residents claim English or Australian ancestry.

English is the primary language here, with only 1.3% of people using another language at home. This is far below the Victorian average of 27.6%.

Over half of the population identifies as Christian. Those with no religion make up 34.2%, a figure that has risen by 15 points since 2011, though it remains well below the national figure.

Educational attainment is much lower than in most areas, with only 31.9% of residents completing Year 12. Only 8.5% hold a bachelor degree or higher, which is far below the state average of 29.2%.

Typical incomes are well below the national figure, with the usual family earning $1,471 a week. Only 12.5% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly, which is far below the state average.

A high number of residents need help with daily activities, at 8.3%, which is a little above the national figure. This has risen by 6.3 points since 2011, likely reflecting the older population.

Volunteering is very common here; 37% of people volunteer, which is far above the national figure. About 29.1% of residents spend 15 or more hours a week on unpaid housework.

People often live alone here, with 32.3% of households being single-person, well above the national figure. Homes are typically small, with an average of 2.1 people per dwelling.

Housing is dominated by detached houses, all of which are separate buildings. A huge 65.6% of homes are owned outright, far above the state average, and typical weekly rent is much lower than usual at $150.

Most people rely on cars to get to work, and 64.4% of workers drive. While there are a high number of bus stops per person, no one uses public transport to commute.

The population is very stable, with only 19.4% of people moving in the last five years. This is far below the national figure of 40.7%.

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing are the main industries, employing 51.9% of the workforce. The unemployment rate is 7.3%, which is a little above the national figure.

The area has a moderate overall advantage score of 963, which is slightly below the national average. It sits in the middle of the pack compared to similar areas.

While most homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries and parks, the area is generally less walkable than the state average. There are no health services within a 15-minute walk.