3962, VIC

This is an older community where the typical resident is 54, far older than the national figure of 38. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 32.8% of the population, a figure that rose 8.2 points since 2011.

The area is overwhelmingly Australian-born, with 76.5% born here. This means the proportion of overseas-born residents is far below the national figure of 27.7%.

English is the primary language for 87.9% of the community. Only 2.9% of people use another language at home, which is far below the national figure.

Nearly half of residents (49.5%) report having no religion, which is far above the national figure. This trend has grown significantly, rising 19 points since 2011.

Education levels are lower than the state average, with only 36% of people completing Year 12. Only 13.2% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher.

Incomes are among the lowest for this level; the typical household earns $937 a week, which is far below the national figure of $1,746.

Health challenges are common here, with 35.6% of people living with a long-term health condition. This is well above the national figure of 27.7%.

Community spirit is high, as 20.9% of people volunteer, which is well above the national figure. Unpaid care is also common, with 16.7% of residents providing such support.

Many residents live alone (36.2%), which is far above the national figure. Consequently, households are smaller than usual, with just 2.1 people per home.

Housing is mostly secure and stable, with 49.5% of homes owned outright—far above the national figure. Most people live in separate houses, and typical weekly rent is lower than usual at $240.

The area is heavily car-dependent, with 0% of people commuting by public transport. It is a long way from the city, with a typical drive time of 120 minutes.

The population is relatively stable, as only 29.6% of people moved in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas are also very few, at just 2.4%.

Working rates are much lower than in other areas, with only 47.7% of adults working or looking for work. The most common industries are agriculture and healthcare.

The area faces significant challenges, scoring a 3 out of 10 for overall advantage. This reflects the local struggles with low income and lower educational attainment.

The area is mostly car-dependent with a low walkability score of 2.8. Access to essentials is limited, and no homes are within a 15-minute walk of health services.