Region (SA4) · Area profile
Mornington Peninsula
854 km²
The population of Mornington Peninsula has grown by 14% since 2011, reflecting a community that is becoming both larger and noticeably older. The typical resident is now 44, which is much higher than in most similar areas and the national figure. This is a predominantly Australian-born community with a strong preference for large, detached houses. It is an area where a high proportion of residents now identify as having no religion, a trend that has accelerated significantly over the last decade.
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The area is much older than most, with the typical age at 44 and a senior population that is well above the national figure at 22.4%. Children under 15 make up 17.3% of the community, which is about the same as the state and national figures.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the area has a far lower proportion of overseas-born people (19.3%) than the Victorian average. English ancestry is the most common, shared by 43.0% of the population.
English is the main language for 86.7% of people, and the proportion who use another language at home is far below the national and state figures. Only 0.9% of residents speak little or no English.
Nearly half of the population (49.9%) reports having no religion, a figure that is far above the national average and has risen 21 points since 2011.
Around 20.2% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher, which is well below the state figure. Year 12 completion has risen 10 points since 2011 to reach 53.9%.
Typical weekly household income is $1,604, which is a little below the national figure. Higher earners are more common than a decade ago, with 19.7% of households now earning $3,000 or more per week.
Long-term health conditions are much more common here than in most areas, affecting 32.7% of people. Mental health conditions are also reported at a much higher rate than most areas, at 10.6%.
Unpaid care is a significant part of local life, with 14.0% of people providing unpaid care, a rate that is among the highest for its level. Conversely, volunteering has fallen since 2011 to 12.9%.
There are 3,526 First Nations people in the area. The unemployment rate for this group is 8.7%, which is much lower than most similar areas and well below the national figure.
Families with one parent are slightly more common here than in most areas, at 15.3%. The typical home holds 2.4 people, which is about the same as the state and national figures.
Homes here are typically large, with 80.5% having three or more bedrooms, and 82.9% are separate houses. Outright home ownership is well above the national figure at 35.5%.
Cars are essential here, as only 0.9% of people commute by public transport. However, working from home has become much more common, rising 17 points since 2011 to 21.4%.
The area is less mobile than most, with a lower proportion of people moving in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals have also fallen significantly since 2011 to 5.8%.
The unemployment rate is 3.9%, which is much lower than most similar areas. Health care and social assistance are the most common industries, employing 14.4% of the workforce.
The population has grown slightly since 2021, though this 2.0% increase is much lower than the state average.
The area is wetter and cooler than the state average, with annual rainfall far above the Victorian figure and a maximum temperature that is a little below the state average.
While 93.3% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of a park, the area is generally less walkable than the state average. Access to groceries, health services, and schools is far below the Victorian figure.