Heathcote - Castlemaine - Kyneton

The community is aging rapidly, with people aged 65 and over making up 24.6% of the population, which is well above the national figure. Children under 15 are less common here than in most areas, and their share has fallen since 2011.

The area has a very strong connection to British and Australian roots, with 80.8% of people born in Australia. Only 12.2% were born overseas, a figure far below the national average.

English is the dominant tongue, with 88.7% of people using it only. Very few residents speak little or no English, and the use of other languages at home is much lower than in most areas.

A majority of residents—53.3%—report having no religion, which is far above the national figure. This represents a significant shift, as this figure rose 21 points since 2011.

The workforce is well-qualified, with 26.5% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This is higher than most similar areas and has grown by 8.9 points since 2011.

Typical household income is $1,492 a week, which is a little below the national figure. While the typical personal income is also lower than the national average, the number of households earning $3,000 or more a week rose 13 points since 2011.

Long-term health conditions are much more common here than in most areas, affecting 33% of people. Mental health conditions are also more frequent than the national average.

Residents are highly active in their community, with 21.2% volunteering—well above the national figure. Unpaid care is also common, with 14.7% of people providing support to others.

First Nations people make up 1.2% of the population. This group is noticeably older than the national average, with a typical age of 29, and they experience much lower unemployment than most similar areas.

Family structures are typical for the region, with 53.9% of homes being couples with children. About 27.4% of people live alone, and most homes house between one and two people.

Housing is dominated by separate houses, which make up 95.1% of dwellings. Renting is very uncommon here, while 44.7% of homes are owned outright, far above the national figure.

The area is heavily reliant on cars, with only 0.9% of people using public transport to commute. However, work-from-home habits have surged, with 24.7% of people now working from home.

The population is relatively stable, as fewer people have moved here in the last five years compared to the national average. Recent overseas arrivals are also much less common than in most areas.

Full-time employment is much lower than in most areas at 52.1%. The local economy relies on health care, construction, and education, with a low unemployment rate of 3.5%.

The population has continued to grow, though the 4.5% increase since 2021 is well below the Victorian average of 8%.

The area is cooler than most of the state, with an average maximum temperature of 20.1 degrees. It is also wetter, receiving 666mm of annual rainfall.

The region is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score far below the state average. Most homes are far from basic services, though 61% of residents live within a 15-minute walk of a park.