Suburb / Locality · Area profile
Somerville
39 km²
Tucked into the Mornington Peninsula, Somerville is a large community of around 11,767 people. It is a family-oriented area where many homes are spacious and the typical resident is 40 years old. The neighbourhood is notably less religious than the rest of the country, with over half of the population reporting no religion. Large detached houses and a high number of children make it a typical suburban residential hub in the region.
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The community is slightly older than the national average, though it has a higher-than-usual number of children under 15. De facto relationships are much more common here than in most similar areas.
Most residents were born in Australia, and those born overseas make up 15.2% of the population, which is far below the state and national figures. English and Australian ancestries are the most frequent.
English is the primary language for 92.1% of the community. This means far fewer people use another language at home compared to the national average of 22.3%.
A striking 53.9% of people report no religion, a figure far above the national average of 38.9%. Christianity is the next most common affiliation at 39.4%.
Many residents have a Certificate III or IV, but the proportion of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher is far below the state average. Around 50.5% of residents completed Year 12, which is well below the national figure.
Typical weekly incomes for families and individuals are slightly higher than the state and national averages. About 20.5% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, which is higher than most similar areas.
Mental health conditions are much more common here than in most areas, at 11.8%. Long-term health conditions are also well above the national average, affecting 33.5% of residents.
A high 30.7% of people provide unpaid care for children, which is well above the national figure. However, the local volunteering rate is much lower than most other areas.
There are 115 First Nations people in the area. This group has a much lower unemployment rate than the national average and a typical personal income slightly above the national figure.
Families are larger here than in most areas, with 2.6 people per home. Couples with children make up nearly 60% of all households.
Homes are predominantly separate houses, with 84.5% having three or more bedrooms, which is far above the national average. Renting is far less common here than across Victoria.
Cars are essential for most, with 62.6% of people driving to work and very few using public transport. Only 3% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is well below the state average.
The area has seen some movement, with 34.1% of people moving house in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas are far less common here than in the rest of Australia.
The local workforce is quite active, with a higher percentage of adults working or looking for work than most similar areas. Construction and health care are the most common industries.
The area is considered somewhat walkable, though far fewer homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries or public transport compared to the state average. Most homes are within a short walk of a park.