Tooma

Residents are far older than the state and national average, with a typical age of 49. While children under 15 make up a little more than the national figure at 19.7%, the population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is well below the national average.

The community is overwhelmingly Australian-born, with 98.5% born here. Only 12.1% were born overseas, which is far below the national figure, and those with European roots primarily list Australian, English, and Scottish ancestry.

English is the only language used at home in Tooma. This means there are no residents who speak another language or who speak little or no English, placing the area far below the national average for language diversity.

Most residents identify as Christian (68.2%), while 31.8% report no religion. This figure for people with no religion is a little below the state average and well below the national figure.

The area is highly qualified, with 27.6% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, which is much higher than most similar areas. Qualifications are strongly linked to the local landscape, with 31.6% of degrees in agriculture and environment.

Earnings are high in Tooma, with the typical household income of $2,125 a week being a little above the national figure. A third of households earn $3,000 or more weekly, which is far above the national average.

While 33.3% of people have a long-term health condition—well above the national figure—no one in the community requires help with daily activities. Rates of mental health conditions are well below the national average.

Volunteering is very common here, with 25.9% of people volunteering, which is far above the national figure. However, fewer people provide unpaid care or look after children compared to most other areas.

There are no Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people recorded in this area, and the small number of First Nations residents is smaller than in about 60% of similar areas.

Families are common, with 47.1% of homes consisting of couples with children. The area has far fewer one-parent families and people living alone than the state or national average.

Housing is almost exclusively detached houses, and 70.8% are owned outright, which is far above the national figure. Renting is uncommon, with only 12.5% of households renting, far below the national average.

The community is entirely car-dependent, with every home owning at least one vehicle. There is no public transport available, which helps explain why 37.0% of people work from home, a figure far above the national average.

The population is very stable, with only 21.9% of people moving in the last five years. This is far below the national average of 40.7%.

The area has a very high rate of people working or looking for work at 79.3%. Employment is concentrated in agriculture, forestry, and fishing, which accounts for 56.5% of jobs, and unemployment is non-existent.

Toma is completely car-dependent with a walkability score of 0.4, far below the state average. There are no groceries, schools, or health services within a 15-minute walk.