7301, TAS

The area is noticeably older than the rest of Tasmania, with 26.2% of people aged 65 and over. This senior population is much higher than in most similar areas and has risen 6.8 points since 2011.

Most residents were born in Australia, and the area has a much lower proportion of overseas-born people (9.8%) compared to the national figure of 27.7%. English and Australian are the most common ancestries.

English is the primary language for 91.6% of the community. Only 2.8% of people use another language at home, which is far below the national average of 22.3%.

A little below half of the residents (47.5%) report having no religion. This figure is well above the national average and has risen sharply by 24 points since 2011.

Qualifications are generally lower than in most areas, with only 13.2% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. The proportion of people who completed Year 12 is also far below the national figure.

Weekly incomes are lower than in most areas, with a typical family earning $1,547. Only 10.3% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, which is far below the national rate.

Health challenges are common here, as 36.1% of people have a long-term health condition. This is much higher than most areas, and 7.2% of residents need help with daily activities.

The community has a strong history of service, with 4.8% of people having served in the Defence Force, which is much higher than in most areas. About 17.2% of residents are volunteers.

Living arrangements vary, with 29.6% of people living alone and a high proportion of one-parent families (16.4%), which is much higher than in most similar areas.

Most people live in separate houses (86.8%), and 39.5% own their homes outright. Typical weekly rent is $260, which is well below the national figure of $375.

Cars are essential for most, as 70.2% of workers drive to work. Public transport use is very low (0.5%), and the walk to the nearest stop is among the longest in the region.

The population is relatively stable, though recent arrivals from overseas have risen to 10.6% since 2011. About 34.7% of residents moved in the last five years.

About 55% of adults are working or looking for work, which is well below the national figure. The most common industries are health care and social assistance, followed by agriculture and construction.

The area faces significant challenges, ranking in the bottom 20% of similar areas for overall advantage and job skills.

Despite the rural setting, the area is somewhat walkable, with over 60% of homes within a 15-minute walk of basic amenities. Most residents live within a short walk of a park or health service.