Edenhope

The population is much older than the state average, with seniors making up 32.3% of the community. Children under 15 are well below the national figure at 13%, and those in de facto relationships are also much less common than in most areas.

Most residents were born in Australia, and those with overseas roots are far fewer than the state average. Ancestry is predominantly Australian and English, with Irish and Scottish heritage also common.

English is the primary language for the vast majority of the community. Only 4.1% of people use another language at home, which is far below the figures for Victoria and Australia.

About half of the residents identify as Christian, while 36.8% report no religion. This lack of religious affiliation is a little below the national and state figures.

Academic qualifications are lower than in most areas, with only 11.9% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This is reflected in the proportion of people who completed Year 12, which is far below the national average.

Typical incomes are much lower than in the rest of the state, with the usual household earning $963 a week. This is far below the Victorian figure of $1,759.

Health challenges are much more common here, with 38.7% of people having a long-term health condition. This is far above the national figure, and the proportion of people needing help with daily activities is among the highest for its level.

Volunteering is very common, with 26.5% of people helping out—far above the state and national figures. There are also more former Defence Force members here than in most similar areas.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 2.1% of the population. The typical First Nations resident is 31, which is noticeably older than the national figure.

Living arrangements are distinctive, as 42.6% of people live alone, which is far above the state average. Consequently, homes are smaller, with a typical size of 2.0 people per household.

Housing is dominated by separate houses, and nearly half of all homes are owned outright. Rent is much lower than the national average, with a typical weekly cost of $165.

Cars are essential, as no one commutes by public transport. While there is one bus route, the walk to the nearest stop takes much longer than in most other areas.

The community has seen a high number of recent arrivals from overseas, with this group making up 32.3% of the population—far above the state and national figures.

A quarter of the workforce is employed in agriculture, forestry, and fishing. However, fewer adults are working or looking for work compared to the national average.

The area is somewhat walkable, and residents have far better access to health services within a 15-minute walk than the state average. However, walking to schools and public transport is far less common.