Brookton

The community is aging, with seniors making up 27.3% of the population, a figure far above the national average. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 6.4% of the area, which is well above the state and national figures.

Most residents were born in Australia, and the area has a much lower proportion of overseas-born people (12.4%) compared to the rest of the state. English and Australian are the most common ancestries.

English is the dominant language, with only 3.6% of people using another tongue at home, which is far below the national figure. Very few residents speak little or no English.

The area has seen a shift toward secularism, with the proportion of people reporting no religion rising 18 points since 2011 to reach 43.5%.

Educational attainment is lower than in most areas, with only 9.2% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Year 12 completion is also far below the national average at 39.5%.

Typical incomes are much lower than the national figure, with a typical weekly household earning $1,258. However, the number of households earning $3,000 or more a week rose 9.1 points since 2011.

Long-term health conditions are much more common here than elsewhere, affecting 34.9% of residents. About 6.7% of people need help with daily activities, which is a little above the state average.

Volunteering is very high, with 30.8% of people helping out, a figure far above the national average. Unpaid housework is also more common here than in most other areas.

First Nations residents face significant challenges, with a First Nations unemployment rate of 32.4% and a typical household income of $769, both of which are among the lowest in the region.

Living arrangements are skewed toward smaller groups, as 31.1% of people live alone. One-parent families are much less common here than in most other areas.

The housing market is dominated by separate houses, which make up 96.5% of dwellings. Rent is very low compared to the rest of the country, with a typical weekly payment of $200.

The area is highly car-dependent, with only 0.8% of people using public transport to get to work. However, 18.1% of the workforce works from home, which is far above the state average.

Brookton is a stable community where few people have moved in the last five years (29.1%). Recent arrivals from overseas are also much less common than in most other areas.

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing are the primary industries, employing 38.1% of the workforce. Full-time employment is a little higher than the state average.

The area ranks lower than most in terms of overall advantage and job skills. Population growth has been slow, rising just 2.2% since 2021.

The climate is marked by low rainfall, averaging 331mm annually. Minimum temperatures are well below the state average, making for cooler nights.

The town is mostly car-dependent with a walkability score of 3.5. Many residents live far from public transport, with only 28.8% within a 10-minute walk.