Foster

Foster is far older than most of Australia, with a typical age of 54 and a large proportion of seniors. Children under 15 make up only 14.5% of the population, a figure that has fallen since 2011.

The community is predominantly Australian and English, with 78% of people born in Australia. Those born overseas make up only 12.8% of the population, which is far below the national average.

English is the primary language here, used by 88.4% of residents. Very few people use another language at home, and only 0.3% speak little or no English.

More than half of the population (52.1%) report having no religion, which is far above the national figure. This has been a significant trend, with the number rising 20 points since 2011.

While 18.5% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher, only 44.5% of residents completed Year 12, which is far below the state average. However, Year 12 completion has risen 10 points since 2011.

Incomes are generally low, with a typical weekly household earning $1,110, which is well below the national figure. This is one of the lowest levels for similar areas.

Long-term health conditions are much more common here than in most areas, affecting 34.6% of residents. Arthritis is the most frequently reported condition.

Volunteerism is very high at 25.4%, far above the national average. There is also a high rate of unpaid care and housework, consistent with the area's older demographic.

First Nations people make up 1.3% of the population. This group faces significant challenges, with an unemployment rate of 14.6%, which is well above the national figure.

Homes tend to be small, with only 2.1 people per household. This is partly because 34.2% of people live alone, a rate well above the national average.

Home ownership is very strong, with 53.1% of houses owned outright. The area is almost entirely made up of separate houses, and typical weekly rents are much lower than the state average at $250.

The town is heavily reliant on cars; only 0.1% of people commute by public transport. It is a long way from the city, with a typical two-hour drive and very few public transport stops.

Residents are less likely to move than those in other areas, with 33.8% moving in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals are also much less common than in the rest of the state.

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing are major industries, employing 20.9% of the workforce. The rate of people working or looking for work is much lower than the national average at 50.7%.

The area is rated as having a lower overall advantage compared to most other areas, though it has a fair number of local businesses.

The climate is cool and wet, with average annual rainfall of 1,177mm, which is far above the Victorian average.

Foster is mostly car-dependent, with a low walkability score of 2.4. Very few homes are within a 15-minute walk of health services or schools.