State Electorate · Area profile
Burnett
7,758 km²
An ageing population has become the defining feature of Burnett since 2011. The typical resident is now 51, making the area far older than the national figure. This shift is seen in the high proportion of seniors and a sharp drop in children under 15. It is a quiet, largely car-dependent community where many people own their homes outright and live in detached houses.
Plenty of schools here relative to how few children live in the area.
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Burnett is far older than most areas, with the typical age rising to 51 and 27% of residents now aged 65 or over. This is a significant increase since 2011, while the proportion of children under 15 has fallen to 15.2%.
The community is predominantly Australian and English in ancestry, with 78.3% of people born in Australia. Those born overseas make up 13.9% of the population, which is far below the national figure.
English is the primary language for 89.1% of residents. Only 3.9% of people use another language at home, which is among the lowest proportions for similar areas.
About 40.2% of people report having no religion, a figure that has risen by 23 points since 2011. Christianity remains the most common affiliation at 48.9%.
Education levels are lower than the state average, with only 38.6% of residents completing Year 12. Those with a bachelor degree or higher make up 12.8% of the population, far below the same group nationally.
Incomes are among the lowest for similar areas, with a typical weekly household income of $1,201. Only 11.9% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, well below the national figure.
Health challenges are common here; 35.9% of people have a long-term health condition and 8.2% need help with daily activities. Arthritis and mental health are the most reported long-term conditions.
Unpaid care is a key part of local life, with 13.4% of people providing unpaid care and 25.8% doing over 15 hours of housework weekly. There is also a high rate of former Defence Force members at 5%.
Homes are typically small, with 2.4 people per dwelling. About 44.7% of households consist of two people, and 23.7% of residents live alone.
Housing is dominated by detached houses, which make up 91.2% of homes. A high 46.1% of residents own their homes outright, and the rental rate of 18.2% is far below the national average.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, with 66.9% of people driving to work. Only 0.8% of residents use public transport to commute, and 97.3% of homes own at least one vehicle.
About 40.2% of the population moved in the last five years. However, recent arrivals from overseas have fallen sharply since 2011, now making up 8.8% of the community.
Fewer people are working or looking for work here compared to the state, at 49.3%. The unemployment rate is 6.0%, which is much higher than in most similar areas.
Burnett is highly car-dependent with a walkability score of 1.9. Very few residents live within a 15-minute walk of essential services, with only 23.2% near groceries and 13.9% near health services.