Towong

The community is far older than the national average, with 28.6% of people aged 65 and over. This senior population has risen by 6.7 percentage points since 2011, while the proportion of children under 15 has fallen.

The area is much less diverse than the rest of the state, with only 8.5% of people born overseas. Most residents claim Australian or English ancestry.

English is the dominant language, with only 2.8% of people using another language at home. This is far below the national figure of 22.3%.

About 39% of residents report no religion, which is about the same as the national average. This figure has risen significantly by 16 percentage points since 2011.

Schooling levels are much lower than most areas, with only 38.4% of people completing Year 12. However, the proportion of adults with a bachelor degree or higher rose to 14.0% by 2021.

Incomes are well below the state and national figures, with a typical weekly family income of $1,657. This is much lower than most areas, though typical household income has risen by $433 since 2011.

Long-term health conditions are much more common here than elsewhere, affecting 34.0% of people. Arthritis and mental health are the most reported conditions.

Residents are highly active in their community, with 27.8% volunteering, which is far above the national figure. A high number of people also provide unpaid care or do significant housework.

First Nations people in the area are far older than those in the rest of the state, with a typical age of 41. About 7.1% speak a First Nations language, which is higher than most similar areas.

Homes tend to be smaller than average with 2.2 people per dwelling. There are more people living alone here than in most other areas, at 29.7%.

Housing is dominated by separate houses, making up 96.8% of all homes. Nearly half of all properties (49.7%) are owned outright, and weekly rents are among the lowest in the region at $210.

The area is heavily reliant on cars, with only 0.2% of people using public transport to commute. This is consistent with very low numbers of public transport stops and routes.

People here are less likely to move than the national average, with only 29.6% having changed homes in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 12.0% of the population.

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing are the main industries, employing 23.8% of the workforce. The unemployment rate is 3.5%, which is lower than the national average.

The area has an overall advantage score of 4, placing it below 60% of similar areas. While it has a fair amount of businesses, population growth has stalled since 2021.

Towong is cooler and wetter than the state average, with an average annual rainfall of 1,163mm and a typical maximum temperature of 18.1 degrees.

The area is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score of 3.2. Only 41% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries or a 15-minute-city walkshed.