Suburb / Locality · Area profile
French Island
170 km²
Isolated from the mainland and sparsely populated, French Island is a quiet rural community of just 141 people. It is a place for older adults, with a typical resident aged 51 and a significant number of retirees. The community is largely independent and self-sufficient, with a high proportion of homeowners and a strong culture of volunteering. Many residents work from home or in agriculture, reflecting the area's remote setting and natural landscape.
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The population is far older than the national figure, with a typical age of 51 and nearly a quarter of residents aged 65 or over. Children under 15 make up only 9.9%, which is well below the national average of 18.2%.
Most residents were born in Australia, and those with overseas birthplaces are far fewer than in the rest of the state. English and Australian are the most common ancestries, followed by Irish and Scottish.
English is the main language for 78% of the community, though the proportion of people using another language at home is much higher than in most similar areas.
A large majority of residents—61.7%—report having no religion, a figure far above the national average of 38.9%.
Education levels vary, with a high number of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher, though the rate of people completing Year 12 is well below the national figure.
Incomes are among the lowest in the region, with a typical weekly household income of $1,015, which is far below the Victorian average of $1,759.
While fewer people need help with daily activities than in most areas, there is a higher rate of long-term health conditions and mental health issues compared to the state average.
Volunteering is very common here, with 34.1% of residents helping out, far above the national figure of 14.1%. Many also spend significant time on unpaid housework.
The First Nations population is very small, and the typical age for this group is 15, which is much lower than the state average of 24.
Homes are slightly smaller than usual, with 2.3 people per household. Nearly half of all households are couples with children.
Housing is almost exclusively detached houses, and 67.9% are owned outright, which is far above the national figure. No one in the area rents.
The area is highly car-dependent, though 42.1% of the workforce—far above the national average—works from home. The drive time to the city is very long at 119 minutes.
About 33.6% of residents have moved house in the last five years, which is lower than the national rate of 40.7%.
Employment is largely focused on agriculture, forestry, and fishing. Fewer adults are working or looking for work compared to the state average.
The area is almost entirely car-dependent, with a walkability score far below the state average and no residents living within a 15-minute walk of health services.