Suburb / Locality · Area profile
Footscray
5 km²
Over half of the people in Footscray have moved here in the last five years, marking it as a rapidly changing hub. This is a notably young community where the typical resident is just 34, far below the national figure. It is a highly diverse and educated area, with a huge proportion of residents born overseas and a very high rate of university degrees. This mix of professional talent and international migration creates a dynamic, urban character in the heart of the inner west.
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The area is much younger than most, with children and seniors both well below the state and national figures. A high number of residents are in de facto relationships, and nearly half of the population are young adults aged 25 to 44.
Footscray is among the most diverse areas at this level, with 41.6% of people born overseas, far above the national figure. Vietnamese, Indian, and Chinese birthplaces are common, and Vietnamese is the most frequent non-English ancestry.
Language diversity is very high, with 39% of people using a language other than English at home, far above the national average. This is reflected in the fact that 7.9% of residents speak little or no English, a figure well above the state average.
A large number of residents report having no religion, at 47.8%, which is well above the national figure of 38.9%. Buddhism and Hinduism are also present, reflecting the area's diverse cultural makeup.
This is a highly qualified community, with 43.2% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, far above the national figure. School completion is also very high, with 72.9% of residents finishing Year 12.
Typical personal and family incomes are higher than in most similar areas. About 13.7% of people earn $2,000 or more a week, which is a little above the national average.
Mental health conditions are much more common here than in most areas, affecting 12.9% of residents compared to the national figure of 8.8%. About 6.4% of people need help with daily activities.
Unpaid care and housework are much less common here than in other areas, with only 9% of people providing unpaid care. Volunteer rates are also a little below the national figure.
First Nations residents here are noticeably older than the national average and have a much higher rate of Year 12 completion. Use of First Nations languages is also well above the state figure.
The area is dominated by small households, with 37.6% of people living alone, far above the national figure. This is consistent with the low typical household size of 2.1 people.
Rental properties are very common, with 55.9% of homes rented, far above the national average. Most homes are flats or apartments, and only 14.3% of dwellings are owned outright.
Public transport use is very high, and 21.3% of homes have no motor vehicle, far above the state average. Working from home is also much more common here, at 36.2%.
The area is highly transient, with 55.2% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas are also very common, accounting for 23.4% of the population.
A high number of adults are working or looking for work, and the full-time employment rate is slightly above the national average. Many residents work in professional, technical, or health roles.
Footscray is a walker's paradise with a score of 9.4, and 100% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries, schools, and parks. Every home is also within a 10-minute walk of public transport.