Merbein

The typical resident is 43, and seniors aged 65 and over make up 20.1% of the population, which is well above the national figure. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 4.6% of the community, a figure well above the Victorian average.

The area is very homogenous, with only 6.0% of people born overseas, which is far below the national average of 27.7%. Most residents claim Australian or English ancestry.

English is the primary language for 86.6% of the population, and the proportion of people using another language at home is much lower than in most other areas.

There has been a significant shift in belief, with the proportion of people reporting no religion rising 19 points since 2011 to reach 46.2%, well above the national figure.

Educational attainment is quite low, with only 9.1% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, far below the state average of 29.2%. Only 34.3% of residents completed Year 12, which is among the lowest for similar areas.

Incomes are much lower than in most areas, with the typical family earning $1,645 a week, well below the national figure of $2,120. Only 12.0% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly.

Health challenges are more common here, as 32.8% of people have a long-term health condition, which is well above the national average. This is reflected in the 7.3% of residents who need help with daily activities.

Unpaid care is a notable part of life, with 14.6% of people providing unpaid care, a rate much higher than most areas. Volunteering has fallen since 2011, now involving 14.6% of the population.

First Nations residents are noticeably younger, with a typical age of just 17, though they face significant gaps in income and Year 12 completion compared to the wider community.

Most homes are family-based, with 55% consisting of couples with children. One-parent families are slightly more common here than in most other areas.

The area is dominated by separate houses, which make up 93.6% of dwellings. Rent is very affordable at a typical $220 per week, far below the national figure.

Car use is essential, as 69.2% of people drive to work and only 0.6% use public transport. Most homes have multiple vehicles, with 39.1% owning two.

The population is relatively stable, as the proportion of people who moved in the last five years is much lower than the national average. However, recent arrivals from overseas have increased since 2011.

Working or looking for work is less common here than in most areas, with 56.5% of adults active in the workforce. Major employers are in health care, agriculture, and retail.

The area ranks low for overall advantage and job skills, sitting in the bottom 20% of similar areas. Population growth since 2021 has been very slow at 0.3%.

The climate is hot and dry, with an average maximum temperature of 25.2 degrees and annual rainfall far below the Victorian average.

The area is mostly car-dependent with a low walkability score of 3.7. Residents generally lack easy access to health services and groceries within a 15-minute walk.