4650, QLD

The area is much older than most, with 27.5% of people aged 65 and over, a figure far above the national average. This trend has grown since 2011, while the proportion of children has fallen to 15.1%. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 5.8% of the population, which is a little above the state and national figures.

Most residents were born in Australia, and only 9.5% were born overseas, which is far below the national figure. English and Australian are the most common ancestries, followed by Scottish and Irish.

English is the dominant language, with 89.5% of people using it only. Only 2.3% of residents use another language at home, a figure far below both the state and national averages.

About 40.9% of people report having no religion, which is about the same as the Queensland average. This figure has risen by 19 points since 2011, though Christianity remains the most common affiliation at 47.2%.

Educational attainment is much lower than in most areas, with only 34.5% of residents completing Year 12. This is far below the national figure of 58.8%. Just 8.3% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher, which is far below the state average.

Incomes are among the lowest in the region, with a typical household earning $1,035 a week, far below the national figure of $1,746. Only 7.8% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, which is much lower than most other areas.

Health challenges are common here; 40.9% of people have a long-term health condition, far above the national average. This is reflected in the 11.1% of residents who need help with daily activities, one of the highest rates for this level.

Unpaid care is a common part of life, with 14.9% of people providing such support, which is well above the national average. Additionally, 5.2% of the population served in the Defence Force, a much higher rate than most areas.

Homes are smaller than usual, with 2.3 people per dwelling. About 29.4% of people live alone, which is well above the national figure, and one-parent families are much more common here than in most areas.

The area is dominated by separate houses, and 43.4% are owned outright, far above the national figure. Typical weekly rents are $255, which is well below the national average of $375.

The community is heavily reliant on cars, as 68.2% of workers drive to work and there are zero public transport stops. Working from home is rare, with only 6.1% of people doing so, far below the national average.

Movement into the area is lower than elsewhere, with 36.1% of people having moved in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas are also few, at 5.2%, which is well below the national figure.

Job opportunities are limited, with an unemployment rate of 9.2% that is well above the national average. Only 43.8% of adults are working or looking for work, among the lowest rates for this level.

This area ranks among the most disadvantaged in the country, scoring a 1 out of 10 for overall advantage. This reflects the combination of low job skills and limited access to money and resources.

The area is mostly car-dependent with a low walkability score of 2.6. Very few people live within a 15-minute walk of a school, health service, or groceries compared to the state average.