Preston

The community is younger than most, with a typical age of 37 and fewer seniors than the state average. De facto relationships are much more common here, with 16.0% of residents in one, well above the national figure of 11.5%.

Preston has a strong international character, as 32.4% of people were born overseas, which is well above the national average. English, Australian, and Italian are the most common ancestries.

Language diversity is very high, with 33.8% of people using a language other than English at home, far above the national figure. Around 6.7% of residents speak little or no English, which is among the highest rates for similar areas.

A large number of residents identify as having no religion, at 46.9%. This is well above both the Victorian and national figures.

The area is highly qualified; 39.0% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher, far above the national average of 26.3%. School completion is also high, with 71.3% of residents finishing Year 12.

Incomes are generally higher than usual, with a typical weekly family income of $2,345. About 14.3% of people earn $2,000 or more per week, which is much higher than in most similar areas.

Mental health conditions are more common here than in most areas, affecting 11.6% of residents. About 6.4% of people need help with daily activities, which is slightly higher than the state average.

Volunteer rates are much lower than most areas at 11.9%. Similarly, fewer people do significant unpaid housework or care for children compared to the state and national averages.

First Nations residents are noticeably older than the national average, with a typical age of 30. Education levels are far above the national figure, with 59.8% completing Year 12.

Living arrangements vary, with 29.7% of people living alone, which is well above the national average. One-parent families are also more common here than in most similar areas.

Renting is very common, with 40.1% of households renting, far above the Victorian average. Homes tend to be smaller, and the typical weekly rent of $392 is much higher than in most similar areas.

The area is built for transit, with 12.9% of homes having no car and a very high number of people working from home at 35.4%. Public transport is highly accessible, with a typical 2-minute walk to the nearest stop.

The population is quite mobile, with 41.6% of people moving in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals also make up a significant portion of the community at 14.7%.

More adults are working or looking for work here (67.4%) than in most similar areas. Many residents work in professional roles or in the health and education sectors.

Described as a walker's paradise, every single home is within a 15-minute walk of a school, park, and public transport. This makes the area far more walkable than the Victorian average.