Casterton

The community is far older than the state and national average, with 37.8% of people aged 65 and over. Conversely, children under 15 make up only 10.8% of the population, which is well below the national figure of 18.2%.

Most residents were born in Australia, and those with overseas roots are far fewer than in the state. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries reported.

English is the main language for 89.8% of the population, and the proportion of people using another language at home is far below the national average.

About half of the population identifies as Christian, while 40% report no religion, which is about the same as the Victorian average.

Education levels are much lower than most areas, with only 32.4% of residents completing Year 12. Those with a bachelor degree or higher are also far fewer than the state average.

Incomes are significantly lower than the national figure, with the typical household earning $881 a week. Only 7.6% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly, which is far below the state average.

Long-term health conditions are much more common here than in most areas, affecting 39.6% of people. This is consistent with the older age of the community, with 11.8% needing help with daily activities.

Volunteering is more common here than in most areas, with 22% of people pitching in. There is also a higher rate of former Defence Force members compared to the state.

First Nations people make up 1.9% of the population. This group is noticeably younger than the state average, and 55% have completed Year 12, which is far above the national figure.

Many people live alone—41.7% of households—which is far above the national average. This helps explain why homes are smaller, with a typical of 1.9 people per dwelling.

Home ownership is very high, with 57.6% of homes owned outright, far above the national figure. Consequently, rent and mortgage payments are much lower than typical state levels.

Most people rely on cars, as 0% of the population commutes using public transport. While there are some bus routes, the walk to the nearest stop takes longer than in most areas.

Recent arrivals from overseas are much more common here than in most similar areas, though overall movement into the area over the last five years is lower than the state average.

Fewer adults are working or looking for work compared to the state. The local workforce is mainly employed in health care, social assistance, and agriculture.

The area is somewhat walkable, though many homes are far from groceries and health services. Residents are more likely to be within a 15-minute walk of a school than the state average.