Bacchus Marsh

The typical resident is 37, a little younger than the national figure. This youthfulness is reflected in the fact that 20.9% of the population are children, which is much higher than in most similar areas.

Bacchus Marsh is less diverse than the state and national averages, with 80.3% of people born in Australia. Those born overseas make up 15.7% of the population, though this has risen since 2011.

English is the main language for 86.2% of the community. Only 9.8% of people use another language at home, which is far below the figures for Victoria and Australia.

A large number of residents report no religion, at 46.0%, which is well above the national figure. This has been a significant trend, rising by 19 points since 2011.

Education levels are lower than in most similar areas, with 51.5% of residents having completed Year 12. However, this is an improving trend, having risen 12 points since 2011.

Typical weekly household income is $1,807, which is about the same as the national figure. There has been a notable increase in higher earners, with those making $3,000 or more a week rising by 14 points since 2011.

Long-term health conditions are more common here than in most similar areas, affecting 31.6% of people. This includes a mental health rate of 10.9%, which is a little above the national average.

Unpaid care is a strong feature of the community, with 31.0% of people caring for children, a figure well above the national average. Conversely, volunteering has fallen since 2011 to 12.3%.

First Nations people make up 1.5% of the population. This group has an unemployment rate of 4.9%, which is well below the national figure of 12.3%.

Homes here are typically larger, with 2.7 people per dwelling. This is consistent with a high proportion of couples with children, who make up 59.7% of households.

The area is dominated by separate houses, which make up 90.1% of all dwellings. Most of these are large, with 87.7% having three or more bedrooms, far above the state average.

Car use is essential here, as 59.5% of people drive to work and only 1.6% use public transport. This is reinforced by the fact that only 3.7% of homes have no motor vehicle.

The area is experiencing high mobility, with 42.1% of residents having moved house in the last five years. This is a little above the national average.

Employment is strong, with 64.5% of adults working or looking for work. The local workforce is concentrated in construction, healthcare, and education.

Bacchus Marsh is home to a large business community of 2,258 enterprises. Its overall advantage score is about average compared to other areas.

The local climate is characterized by lower rainfall and temperatures than most other areas in the state.

The area is only somewhat walkable, as many homes are far from essential services. While 94.3% of people live near a park, only 47.7% are within a 15-minute walk of health services.