Heidelberg West

The typical resident is 35, which is noticeably younger than the national figure. While the population grew by 10% since 2011, there are far fewer seniors here than in most other areas.

About 30.6% of people were born overseas, a figure slightly above the national average. English and Australian are the most common ancestries, though many residents have roots in Ireland, Scotland, and Italy.

Language diversity is high, with 31.7% of people using a language other than English at home, well above the national figure. Mandarin, Arabic, and Greek are the most common non-English languages spoken.

The area has seen a big shift toward secularism, with the share of people reporting no religion rising 17 points since 2011 to reach 41.4%.

Education levels are much higher than in most similar areas, with 34.5% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Year 12 completion also rose significantly since 2011 to reach 66.3%.

Typical weekly household income is $1,618, which is about the same as the national figure. Since 2011, the typical family income has risen by $970.

Mental health conditions are much more common here than in most areas, affecting 12% of residents. Additionally, 7.4% of people need help with daily activities, which is higher than the state average.

Volunteer rates are lower than the national figure at 11.2%. There are also far fewer people performing unpaid housework or caring for children than in most similar areas.

First Nations residents are typically older than those in the rest of the state, with a median age of 28. However, they face significant hardship, with an unemployment rate of 16.2%.

Homes here are smaller than usual, with only 2.3 people per household. One-parent families are much more common here than in most areas, and 32.5% of people live alone.

Rental properties are very common, while outright home ownership is far below the national figure. Most homes have fewer than three bedrooms, and typical monthly mortgage payments are slightly above the state average.

The area is exceptionally well served by public transport, with 103 stops and a very short walk to the nearest one. Working from home has also surged, with 28% of people now working remotely.

The community is quite mobile, as 43.8% of residents moved house in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals make up 14.8% of the population.

Unemployment is higher here than in most similar areas at 6.3%. Many residents work in health care and social assistance, which is the most common industry for the local workforce.

The area has a strong base of job skills and a high number of businesses, though overall access to money and resources is low compared to most other areas.

The area is wetter than most of Victoria, with average annual rainfall of 710mm, and it experiences slightly cooler average temperatures.

This is a walker's paradise, where every single home is within a 15-minute walk of a park and public transport. Nearly all residents can also reach health services and groceries on foot within 15 minutes.