Suburb / Locality · Area profile
Echuca
144 km²
Noticeably older than the state and national average, Echuca is a regional community where the typical resident is 45. It is a predominantly Australian-born town with deep roots in the region, though it has recently seen a high number of overseas arrivals. The area is defined by a large population of seniors and a high proportion of detached housing, which creates a spacious, slower-paced character compared to the rest of Victoria.
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The community is older than most, with nearly a quarter of residents aged 65 and over, a figure well above the national average. First Nations people make up 4.1% of the population, which is higher than most similar areas.
Echuca has a very strong Australian and English heritage, with 85.3% of people born in Australia. This means far fewer residents were born overseas compared to the state and national figures.
English is the primary language for 89.4% of the community. Only 4.6% of people use another language at home, which is far below the national figure.
Many residents identify as having no religion, at 43.0%, which is well above the national average. Christianity remains the most common affiliation at 48.0%.
Educational attainment is lower than the state average, with only 39.3% of residents completing Year 12. This is far below the national figure, and only 14.1% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher.
Typical incomes are lower than those in the rest of the state. Weekly household income usually sits at $1,335, which is well below the national figure of $1,746.
Health needs are high here, as 33.8% of people live with a long-term health condition. This is well above the national average, and 7.6% of residents need help with daily activities.
Volunteer rates are around 14.2%, which is about the same as the national figure. About 13.2% of the community provide unpaid care.
The First Nations community is larger than in most similar areas, though typical household incomes are well below the state and national figures. Only 25.5% of First Nations residents completed Year 12, far below the national average.
Living arrangements vary, with 30.3% of people living alone, which is well above the national average. One-parent families are also much more common here than in most other areas.
Housing is dominated by separate houses, which make up 86.1% of homes. While many residents own their homes outright, rent is well below the state and national averages at $285 a week.
The town is very dependent on cars, with only 8.4% of people working from home, far below the national figure. Despite having many public transport stops, only 0.2% of people use it to commute.
The area is experiencing a shift in population, with 38.1% of residents moving in the last five years. Notably, recent overseas arrivals are well above the national average.
Fewer people are working or looking for work here compared to the state average. The most common industries for local jobs are health care, retail, and construction.
Echuca is considered somewhat walkable, though it has far fewer health services within a 15-minute walk than the state average. Most homes are within a short walk of public transport and parks.