Bedford

The typical resident is 39, and the area has a higher proportion of children under 15 than most similar places. This is consistent with the fact that nearly 60% of households are couples with children.

Bedford is very diverse, with 32.9% of people born overseas, a figure well above the national average of 27.7%. English and Australian are the most common ancestries, followed by Italian, Irish and Scottish.

A quarter of the community speaks a language other than English at home, which is much higher than in most similar areas. This diversity is reflected in the use of Italian, Vietnamese and Cantonese alongside English.

About 42.3% of residents report having no religion, which is well above the national figure of 38.9%. Christianity remains the most common affiliation at 44.8%.

The area is highly educated, with 34.2% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, far above the state average of 23.8%. Year 12 completion is also much higher than in most similar areas.

Typical incomes are much higher than the national figure, with typical weekly household income reaching $2,072. About 30.6% of households earn $3,000 or more a week, which is well above the state average.

Mental health conditions are more common here than in most similar areas, affecting 9.5% of residents. Other long-term health figures, such as those needing help with daily activities, are about the same as the state average.

More people here provide unpaid care for children than in most other areas. However, volunteering rates are lower than in most similar places.

There are 92 First Nations people in the area, and they have a Year 12 completion rate of 48.3%, which is far above the national figure.

Family life is central to the area, as most homes are occupied by couples with children. About 24.1% of people live alone, which is a little below the state average.

Most residents live in separate houses, though typical monthly mortgage payments are much higher than in other areas. Renting is also much more common here than in most similar places.

Bedford is an exceptional hub for transit, with 9.8% of people commuting by public transport, well above the national figure of 3.1%. This is supported by a very high number of public transport stops and routes.

The area has seen significant movement, with 38.9% of people moving house in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals make up 5.6% of the population, which is well below the national average.

A high percentage of adults are working or looking for work, and full-time employment is higher than in most similar areas. Professionals and managers make up the largest job groups.

The area is very walkable, with 100% of homes within a 10-minute walk of public transport and a 15-minute walk to a park. Most residents can also easily reach groceries and health services on foot.