Ovens

Residents here are much older than those in the rest of the state, with 20.8% aged 65 and over. This trend is mirrored by a low number of children, as those under 15 make up only 9.6% of the population.

Most people were born in Australia, and the community has strong English and Italian roots. Only 9.6% of residents were born overseas, which is far below the national figure of 27.7%.

English is the main language here, spoken by 85.3% of residents. While 6.6% use another language at home, no one in the community reported speaking little or no English.

Religion is split almost evenly, with 48.7% of people identifying as Christian and 38.6% reporting no religion, which is about the same as the national figure.

About 19.5% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher, which is higher than in similar areas but well below the state average. Many residents hold a Certificate III or IV.

Typical weekly household income is $1,406, which is well below the Victorian average of $1,759. Only 5.9% of people earn $2,000 or more a week, a figure much lower than most areas.

Mental health conditions are much more common here than in most areas, affecting 12.2% of residents. However, the proportion of people needing help with daily activities is lower than the state average.

This is a highly active community where 24.9% of people volunteer, far above the national figure of 14.1%. Unpaid care for children is also more common here than in most areas.

First Nations people make up 3.0% of the population, a little above the state average. On average, these residents are far older and earn a higher personal income than the state average.

Homes here are smaller than usual, with a typical size of 2.2 people. Couples without children make up the largest group at 46.6%, while 26.8% of people live alone.

Every single home in Ovens is a separate house, and 40.2% are owned outright. Renting is far less common here than across the state, and typical weekly rents are much lower at $183.

The area is entirely car-dependent, as every home has at least one motor vehicle and no one uses public transport to commute. The walk to the nearest stop takes about 86 minutes.

The community is very stable, with only 22.8% of people moving in the last five years, which is far below the national figure of 40.7%.

About 63.3% of adults are working or looking for work, a little above the national figure. The local workforce is concentrated in agriculture, forestry, fishing, and health care.

Ovens is almost entirely car-dependent, with a walkability score of 0.5. There are no schools, grocery stores, or health services within a 15-minute walk.