Otway

The community is far older than the national average, with 27.6% of people aged 65 and over, a figure that has risen since 2016. In contrast, children under 15 make up only 12.8% of the population, which is well below the Victorian average.

Most residents were born in Australia, and there is a strong English, Australian, and Irish heritage. Only 15.8% of people were born overseas, which is far below the state and national figures.

English is the primary language for 82.4% of the population. Only 6.8% of residents use another language at home, and very few people speak little or no English.

A majority of the community reports having no religion, at 53.8%. This figure is far above the national average and has risen by 7.3 percentage points since 2016.

While 23.9% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher, Year 12 completion is far below the state average at 51.4%. There are four schools in the area, providing a high number of schools per 1,000 children.

Incomes here are much lower than in most other areas, with a typical weekly household income of $1,167. However, the number of households earning $3,000 or more a week rose to 11.7% since 2016.

Long-term health conditions are reported by 27.6% of people, which is about the same as the national figure. Arthritis is the most common condition, affecting 10% of residents.

Volunteerism is very high at 25.9%, far above the national figure. Additionally, 27% of people spend 15 or more hours a week on unpaid housework, which is well above the state average.

First Nations people make up 1.4% of the population. The typical personal income for this group is $487, which is well below the Victorian average of $619.

Many people live alone here—35.2% of households—which is well above the national average. This helps explain why the typical home has only 2.1 people.

The area is dominated by detached houses, with 90.6% of homes being separate dwellings. Nearly half of all homes (49.9%) are owned outright, far above the national figure of 31%.

Car dependence is high, as 0% of people commute using public transport. While 21.6% of people work from home, the drive time to the city is very long at 146 minutes.

The community is relatively stable, with 34.9% of people moving in the last five years, which is well below the national figure. Recent overseas arrivals have fallen to 8.3% since 2016.

Only 53.7% of adults are working or looking for work, which is well below the state average. The most common industries for workers here are accommodation and food, followed by health care and construction.

The area has an overall advantage score of 5, placing it around the middle of all areas. Population growth has stalled recently, with a slight decline of 0.1% since 2021.

Otway is a cool, wet place, with an average annual rainfall of 1,520mm that is far above the Victorian average. Maximum temperatures are also well below the state figure.

The area is mostly car-dependent with a low walkability score of 3.4. Many homes are far from groceries and health services, though 71.1% are within a 15-minute walk of a park.