Picola

The area is far older than the state and national figures, with 21.8% of residents aged 65 and over. In contrast, children under 15 make up only 9.2%, which is well below the national average of 18.2%.

Most residents were born in Australia, and those born overseas make up only 8.3%, a figure far below the national average. The most common ancestries are Australian, English, Scottish, and Irish.

English is the dominant language, with 88.3% of people using it only at home. Only 4.4% of the community uses another language, which is far below the Victorian average.

A high proportion of residents report having no religion at 45.1%, which is well above the national figure of 38.9%. Christianity is the next most common affiliation at 47.1%.

Education levels are lower than in most areas, with only 33.1% of residents completing Year 12, far below the state average. Qualifications are often in agriculture and the environment, which fits the local industry.

Typical incomes are much lower than the state and national figures, with a typical weekly household income of $1,104. Only 4.8% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, far below the national average.

Long-term health conditions are much more common here than in most areas, affecting 35% of residents. Arthritis is the most reported condition at 17%.

Community spirit is high, with 23.9% of people volunteering, which is far above the state average. Unpaid care is also common, with 18.1% of people providing unpaid care.

There are 4 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the area. This group has a typical age of 65, which is far older than the national figure of 24.

Homes tend to be smaller, with 2.2 people per household. About 27.4% of people live alone, which is a little above the national average.

Every home in Picola is a separate house, and 60.7% are owned outright, far above the national figure. Rents are also much lower than usual, with a typical weekly rent of $150.

The town is very car-dependent, as every household owns at least one motor vehicle. However, 29% of the workforce works from home, which is well above the national average.

The population is very stable, with only 19.8% of people moving in the last five years, far below the national figure of 40.7%.

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing dominate the local economy, employing 45.8% of the workforce. Full-time employment is slightly higher than the national average at 62.6%.

Picola is highly car-dependent, with a walkability score of 0.9. There are no schools, groceries, or health services within a 15-minute walk for any resident.