Rushworth

Rushworth is an older community where 27.4% of people are aged 65 or over, a figure far above the national average. Children under 15 make up only 14.9% of the population, which is well below the figure for Victoria.

The area is overwhelmingly Australian-born, with only 9.3% of people born overseas, a figure far below the national average. Common ancestries include English, Irish, and Scottish.

English is the main language here, with only 4.4% of people using another language at home, which is far below the national figure. This is consistent with the very low proportion of overseas-born residents.

About 40.2% of residents report having no religion, which is about the same as the state average. This figure has risen significantly by 19 percentage points since 2011.

Education levels are among the lowest for similar areas, with only 32.3% of people completing Year 12, far below the national figure of 58.8%. Only 9.2% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher.

Incomes are among the lowest for similar areas; the typical weekly household income is $1,072, which is far below the national figure of $1,746. Only 8.1% of households earn $3,000 or more per week.

Health challenges are more common here than in most areas, with 36.1% of people living with a long-term health condition. This includes higher-than-average rates of arthritis and mental health conditions.

Community spirit is high, with 21% of people volunteering, which is well above the national average. A higher-than-usual 14.1% of residents also provide unpaid care.

The First Nations community is smaller than in 70% of similar areas. Those who identify as First Nations have a typical personal income of $487, which is well below the state average.

Many people live alone, accounting for 33.1% of households, which is well above the national figure. Consequently, the average home has only 2.2 people, much lower than most areas.

Housing is dominated by separate houses, which make up 96% of all dwellings. Home ownership is very high, with 49.6% of homes owned outright, far above the national figure.

The area is almost entirely car-dependent, with no one commuting by public transport and a very long drive time to the city. Most homes have at least two vehicles.

The population is very stable, as only 27.5% of people moved in the last five years, which is far below the national average. Recent overseas arrivals make up 11.6% of the community.

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing are the main industries for those who work. Only 49.7% of adults are working or looking for work, which is far below the national figure.

Overall advantage is low, with the area ranking in the bottom 20% for both general advantage and disadvantage. Job skills and education levels are also among the lowest for similar areas.

The local climate is characterized by an average annual rainfall of 509mm, which is about the same as the state average.

The area is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score far below the state average. Only 27.5% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries.