Surges Bay

The community is far older than the national figure, with 28.2% of people aged 65 and over. It is also more diverse in its identity, as 8.0% of residents are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, which is well above the national average.

English and Australian ancestries are the most common, though 16.0% of people were born overseas. This is slightly higher than the state figure, but far below the national average.

English is the main language for 89.6% of residents. About 4.9% of people use another language at home, which is higher than in most similar areas but far below the national figure.

A large majority of the community—59.5%—reports no religion. This is far above the national average of 38.9% and among the highest figures for this type of area.

Educational attainment is lower than in most areas, with only 12.1% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This is far below the national figure of 26.3%.

Incomes are much lower than in most areas, with a typical weekly personal income of $541. No one in the community earns $2,000 or more per week, which is far below the national trend.

Long-term health conditions are more common here than in most areas, affecting 31.9% of residents. Mental health conditions are also more frequent, at 11.0%, which is a little above the national average.

Unpaid housework is very common, with 31.9% of people spending 15 or more hours a week on it. This is far above the national figure of 20.7%.

There are 13 First Nations people in the area. Their typical personal income of $575 is about the same as the national figure.

Homes here are larger than usual, with a typical 2.6 people per household. Very few people live alone (6.6%), which is far below the state and national figures.

The area is dominated by separate houses, which make up 95.1% of dwellings. Large homes are the norm, as 88.5% of houses have three or more bedrooms, far above the national average.

Cars are essential, as every single home has at least one motor vehicle. While there are a few public transport stops, no one uses them to commute to work.

The community has seen significant movement, with 40.3% of people moving in the last five years. This is a little above the state average.

The unemployment rate is 11.3%, which is well above both the state and national figures. Many people work in agriculture, forestry and fishing, or health care and social assistance.

The area is entirely car-dependent, with a walkability score of 0.3. There are no groceries, schools, or health services within a 15-minute walk.