Urban Centre · Area profile
Ballarat
132 km²
Typical household incomes in Ballarat are higher than in most similar areas, with the usual family earning $1,834 a week. This large regional centre has a diverse mix of people, including a growing number of highly qualified professionals and a significant population of seniors. While it feels like a traditional city with many detached homes, there is a strong trend toward renting and a high proportion of people living alone. It is a place where a significant number of residents now work from home.
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The population is about 105,348 and has a typical age of 38, which is much lower than in most similar areas. Seniors make up 19.1% of the community, a figure that has risen by 2.5 points since 2011.
Most of the population was born in Australia (83.3%), and the area has far fewer overseas-born residents than the state and national figures. English and Australian are the most common ancestries.
English is the main language for 87.6% of residents, and the proportion of people using another language at home has fallen to 7.4% since 2011.
A large number of residents report having no religion, at 48.3%, which is well above the national figure. This trend has grown significantly, rising 24 points since 2011.
The area is well-qualified, with 23.3% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Both university degrees and Year 12 completion rates have risen since 2011.
Typical personal weekly income is $736, which is higher than in most similar areas. The number of households earning $3,000 or more a week has risen by 9 points since 2011.
Health challenges are more common here than in similar areas, with 35.5% of people living with a long-term health condition and 13.5% reporting a mental health condition.
Unpaid care is common, with 14.0% of people providing care and 27.3% caring for children. Volunteering has fallen slightly to 15.0% since 2011.
One-parent families (18.4%) and people living alone (31.2%) are both well above the national figures. Typical homes are slightly smaller than average, with 2.3 people per household.
Detached houses are very common at 84.3%, but renting is much more frequent here than in most similar areas. Typical weekly rent is $300, which is well below the national figure.
Most people drive to work, though the number of people working from home rose by 13 points since 2011 to 15.3%. Public transport use for commuting is low at 0.9%.
The community is quite mobile, with 44.2% of people moving in the last five years. This is well above the national figure, alongside a steady rate of recent overseas arrivals at 15.7%.
About 59.7% of adults are working or looking for work, with many employed in health care, social assistance, and education. The unemployment rate is 4.9%.
The area is very walkable, and nearly every home (98.7%) is within a 15-minute walk of a park. However, access to health services within a 15-minute walk is far below the state average.