Ballarat Central

The typical resident is 41, making the area noticeably older than both Victoria and Australia. Children under 15 make up only 14.3% of the population, which is well below the national figure of 18.2%.

Most residents were born in Australia, and those born overseas make up 13.0% of the population, which is far below the national figure of 27.7%. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries.

English is the primary language for 86.4% of people. While 7.9% use another language at home—higher than most similar areas—this is still far below the Victorian average of 27.6%.

Nearly half the community (49.6%) reports having no religion, a figure far above the national average of 38.9%. Christianity is the next most common affiliation at 38.9%.

This is a highly qualified area, with 36.1% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, well above the national figure of 26.3%. Many of these qualifications are in health, management, and society and culture.

Personal incomes are higher than in most similar areas, with a typical weekly income of $821. However, the typical household income of $1,454 is a little below the national figure of $1,746.

Long-term health conditions are much more common here than in most areas, affecting 34.1% of residents. This includes a mental health condition rate of 13.8%, which is well above the national figure of 8.8%.

Volunteering is more common here than in the wider state, with 18.3% of people volunteering. Fewer people provide unpaid childcare compared to the national figure of 26.3%.

First Nations residents are noticeably older than the national average, with a typical age of 29. While unemployment is much higher than most areas at 20.7%, Year 12 completion is far above the national figure.

The community is marked by many people living alone, accounting for 40.0% of households. Consequently, the average of 2.1 people per home is much lower than the national average of 2.5.

Renters make up 40.1% of the population, which is far above the Victorian average of 28.5%. Homes here tend to be smaller, with 66.3% having three or more bedrooms, well below the national figure.

The area is exceptionally well-served by public transport, with some of the highest numbers of stops and departures per 1,000 people. About 9.3% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is higher than most areas.

The population is quite mobile, with 45.6% of people moving in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals are also much more common here than in most similar areas, at 21.3%.

Many residents work in health care and social assistance, which employs 23.9% of the workforce. About 20.7% of people work from home, a rate higher than most similar areas.

Described as a walker's paradise, every single home is within a 15-minute walk of groceries, parks, and public transport. This is reflected in a walkability score of 9.0, well above the Victorian average.