7470, TAS

The population is far older than the national average, with the typical age rising by 13 years since 2011. While the number of children has fallen sharply, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is much higher than most areas, reaching 8.0%.

Most residents were born in Australia, and the area has a far lower percentage of overseas-born people than the national figure. English, Scottish, and Irish ancestries are the most common among those with overseas roots.

English is the primary language for the vast majority, and the area has a far lower rate of people using other languages at home compared to Australia. Notably, no one reported speaking little or no English in the latest census.

A high proportion of people report having no religion, a figure that has risen by 14 points since 2011. This is well above the national average, though it remains slightly below the Tasmanian figure.

Educational attainment is among the lowest in the region, with a far lower share of adults holding a bachelor's degree compared to the state and nation. Only 29.5% of residents completed Year 12, which is far below the national figure.

Typical incomes are among the lowest at this level, with the typical household earning $962 a week, far below the national figure. Despite this, 12.1% of people earn $2,000 or more weekly, which is well above the Tasmanian average.

Health challenges are common here, as the area has some of the highest rates of long-term health conditions and mental health issues in the region. About 10.8% of people need help with daily activities, which is well above the national average.

The area has a strong history of service with a high share of Defence Force veterans. However, volunteering has fallen since 2011, and the number of people caring for children is well below the national figure.

Many residents live alone, accounting for 46.0% of households, which is far above the national average. There is also a much higher share of one-parent families compared to most other areas.

Housing is predominantly made up of separate houses, and 47.2% are owned outright, far above the national figure. Rent is much lower than the national average, with a typical weekly cost of $150.

The area is heavily reliant on cars, as no one uses public transport to commute to work. It is very difficult to access transit, with a long average walk of 85 minutes to the nearest stop.

The community is quite mobile, with 41.3% of people having moved in the last five years. However, there have been no recent arrivals from overseas since the previous census period.

Mining is the dominant industry for 38.0% of workers, and full-time employment is well above the national average. Despite this, the unemployment rate is among the highest at this level at 14.6%.

The area ranks at the very bottom for overall advantage, including access to money and job skills. It is smaller than about 90% of similar areas across these measures.

While public transport is out of reach, the area is surprisingly walkable for daily needs. Residents have far better access to parks and health services within a 15-minute walk than the average Tasmanian.