Needles

The population is noticeably older than the national average, though there are far fewer seniors here than in most similar areas. Children under 15 make up only 10% of the community, which is well below the national figure.

About 80% of residents were born in Australia, with English and Australian ancestries being the most common. The proportion of people born overseas is 10%, which is well below the state average.

English is the primary language for 84% of residents. While 6% of people use another language at home—a rate higher than most similar areas—no one in the community speaks little or no English.

A large majority of residents identify as having no religion, at 62%. This is far above the figures for both Tasmania and Australia.

Educational attainment is lower than the state and national averages, with only 11.8% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Many of the most common qualifications are in agriculture and the environment.

The community is quite wealthy, with a typical weekly household income of $2,125, which is well above the state figure. Typical personal weekly incomes are $820, about the same as the national average.

Residents are in good health, with no one needing help with daily activities. The rate of long-term health conditions is 26%, which is well below the state average.

Volunteering is common here at 20.6%, well above the national figure. A high proportion of people also provide unpaid care for children, though far fewer spend time on general housework compared to similar areas.

The First Nations population is very small. Those who do identify as First Nations are far older and have much higher personal and household incomes than the state and national averages.

Homes here are larger than usual, with 2.9 people per home. The community is dominated by couples, and there are no one-parent families.

Housing costs are quite low, with typical weekly rents at $210 and typical monthly home-loan payments at $934, both of which are well below the national figures.

The area is entirely car-dependent, with no public transport stops or routes available. It takes nearly three hours to drive to the city, and no one uses public transport to commute.

The community is very stable, with only 20.5% of people moving house in the last five years. This is far below the national average of 40.7%.

Employment rates are exceptionally high, with 79.4% of adults working or looking for work. Full-time employment is far above the national average, and the unemployment rate is 0.0%.

The area has a walkability score of zero, as there are no shops, schools, parks, or health services within a 15-minute walk.