Maroochy Hinterland

The community is far older than the state and national figures, with 28.2% of people aged 65 and over. Children under 15 make up only 14.6% of the population, which is well below the national average.

Most residents were born in Australia, and those born overseas make up 18.4% of the population, a figure well below the national average of 27.7%. English, Australian, and Scottish are the most common ancestries.

English is the primary language here, with only 3.8% of people using another language at home, which is far below the national figure of 22.3%. Very few people speak little or no English.

A large number of residents report having no religion, accounting for 45.4% of the population. This figure is well above the national average and has risen by 16 points since 2011.

About 22.4% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher, which is about the same as the Queensland average. Year 12 completion has risen to 53.3% since 2011, though this remains well below the national figure.

Incomes are much lower than in most similar areas, with a typical household earning $1,337 a week. This is well below the national figure of $1,746.

A high proportion of residents have a long-term health condition, at 32.8%, which is well above the national average. Arthritis and mental health are the most common reported conditions.

Volunteering is much more common here than in most areas, with 20.7% of people helping out. Unpaid care is also high, with 14.6% of people providing support to others.

First Nations people make up 1.8% of the population. This group is noticeably older than the state and national averages, with a typical age of 29.

Most homes are occupied by couples, and the area has much fewer one-parent families than most other areas. The typical household size is 2.4 people.

Housing is dominated by detached houses, which make up 94.3% of all homes. A huge 47.9% of these are owned outright, far above the national figure of 31%.

The area is heavily reliant on cars, with 94% of homes owning at least one vehicle. Public transport is almost non-existent, with no routes or stops available.

Migration is lower than in the state and nation, with 35.9% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas are also much lower than the national average.

Fewer adults are working or looking for work compared to most areas, at 51.8%. Full-time employment is also well below the national average at 49%.

The area is rated as having a moderate level of overall advantage. It has seen a population growth of 8% since 2021, which is about the same as the state average.

The climate is characterised by high rainfall, averaging 1,611mm a year, which is far above the Queensland average. Maximum temperatures are lower than the state average.

The area is almost entirely car-dependent, with a very low walkability score. Most homes are far from groceries, health services, and public transport.