3856, VIC

Families with children are common here, and the area has seen a 19% population growth since 2011. The typical resident is 39, while de facto relationships are much more common than in most other areas.

This community is overwhelmingly Australian-born, with only 4.8% of people born overseas—one of the lowest rates in the region. English, Irish, and Scottish ancestries are the most frequent following Australian.

English is the primary language for almost everyone, with only 0.7% of residents using another language at home. Consequently, there are no residents who speak little or no English.

A majority of people—55.0%—report having no religion, a figure far above the state and national averages. This trend has grown significantly, rising 21 points since 2011.

Qualifications are generally lower than the national average, with only 12.1% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. While school completion rates have risen slightly, they remain far below the state figure.

Typical weekly household income is $1,732, which is higher than in most similar areas and about the same as the national figure. Weekly personal incomes have risen by $223 since 2011.

Residents are less likely to need help with daily activities than people in most other areas. Long-term health conditions, such as arthritis and asthma, are reported at rates similar to the rest of the state.

Unpaid work is a major feature of life here; the rate of people doing 15 or more hours of housework weekly is among the highest at this level. Many residents also spend significant time caring for children.

Homes are larger than usual, with 2.7 people per household. This is consistent with the high number of couples with children and the fact that far fewer people live alone compared to the state average.

Almost every home is a separate house, and 92.5% have three or more bedrooms. Renting is very rare here, as 38.5% of homes are owned outright and 53.4% have a mortgage.

The area is heavily reliant on cars, with 70.5% of workers driving to work and almost no one using public transport. Most homes have two or more vehicles, which is necessary given the long drive times to the city.

The population is very stable, with far fewer people moving in the last five years compared to the state average. There have been no recent arrivals from overseas since 2016.

Most people who work are employed full-time, with a workforce focused on health care, construction, and retail. The unemployment rate is 3.8%, slightly lower than the national figure.

Residents generally have good access to money and resources, ranking better than 80% of similar areas. However, the area ranks much lower for overall education and job skills.

The area is mostly car-dependent and lacks basic amenities within walking distance. There are no grocery stores or health services within a 15-minute walk for any resident.