Preston

The community is noticeably older than most, with a typical resident aged 48 and about 20.1% being seniors. First Nations people make up 6.0% of the population, which is much higher than most similar areas.

People of Australian and English ancestry each make up 45.0% of the population. While 14.8% were born overseas, this is far below the national figure of 27.7%.

English is the only language used at home for 87.9% of residents, and no one in the community speaks little or no English.

About 45.0% of people report having no religion, which is well above the national figure of 38.9% but lower than the state average.

Education levels are among the lowest for similar areas, with only 25.9% of residents completing Year 12 and 4.9% holding a bachelor degree or higher.

Typical weekly household income is $941, which is far below the national figure of $1,746. No households earn $3,000 or more per week.

Health challenges are common here, as 35.6% of people have a long-term health condition and 12.8% live with a mental health condition, both of which are much higher than most areas.

Unpaid care is common, with 16.3% of people providing support, though only 10.6% of residents volunteer, which is much lower than the national average.

There are 9 First Nations people in the area. The typical First Nations resident is 39, which is far older than the national figure of 24.

One-parent families are more common here than in most areas at 17.2%. Around 30.5% of people live alone, a figure well above the national average.

Housing is dominated by separate houses, with 47.5% owned outright. Rent is much lower than the national figure, typically costing $220 per week.

The area is highly car-dependent, with every home owning at least one vehicle. A significant 29.3% of the workforce works from home, far above the state figure.

About 30.7% of residents moved in the last five years. There have been no recent arrivals from overseas.

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing are the main industries for 39.7% of workers. However, only 52.0% of adults are working or looking for work, which is much lower than most areas.

Preston is completely car-dependent, with a walkability score of 0.0. There are no shops, schools, or health services within a 15-minute walk.