Rochester

The population is ageing, with the typical age rising to 50 since 2011. Seniors make up 28.6% of the community, which is far above the national figure of 17.2%.

The area is overwhelmingly Australian-born, with 86.2% of people born here. Only 5.5% of residents were born overseas, a figure far below the national average.

English is the primary language for 90.6% of the community. Only 1.9% of people use another language at home, which is far below the Victorian average of 27.6%.

About half of the community identifies as Christian, while 40.5% report no religion. This latter group has grown significantly, rising 20 points since 2011.

Educational attainment is much lower than most areas, with only 31.5% of residents completing Year 12. Only 9.6% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher, far below the state figure of 29.2%.

Typical incomes are well below national figures, with the usual household earning $1,166 a week. Only 10.6% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly, which is much lower than most areas.

Health challenges are common here; 36.8% of people have a long-term health condition, far above the national figure of 27.7%. About 8.8% of residents need help with daily activities.

Volunteering is higher than most areas at 18.1%, though this fell 12 points since 2011. Unpaid care is also common, with 14.4% of people providing care to others.

First Nations people make up 2.1% of the community. This group is noticeably younger than others in the area, with a typical age of 20.

Living arrangements are often small, with 30.2% of people living alone. The typical home holds 2.3 people, which is lower than most areas.

The town consists almost entirely of separate houses, and nearly half are owned outright. Rent is very affordable, with a typical weekly rent of $213, far below the state average.

Cars are essential here, as only 0.2% of people commute by public transport. Most homes have at least one vehicle, and the drive to the city takes around 129 minutes.

The community is very stable, with only 28.6% of people moving in the last five years. This is far below the national figure of 40.7%.

Agriculture and health care are the main industries, but fewer adults are working or looking for work compared to most areas, at 51.0%.

The area faces significant disadvantage, ranking in the bottom 20% for overall advantage. It also ranks very low for education and job skills.

Rochester is generally warm and dry, with an average maximum temperature of 22.8 degrees and annual rainfall of 476mm, which is among the lowest for its level.

The town is only somewhat walkable, as many homes are far from schools, groceries, and health services. Only about half of the homes are within a 15-minute walk of these amenities.