Urban Centre · Area profile
Warrnambool
52 km²
A large regional hub in Victoria, Warrnambool is a community where traditional roots meet a growing number of new arrivals. It is an older population than the state average, with many seniors and a high proportion of detached houses. This regional character is balanced by a significant number of recent overseas arrivals, which helps explain the area's diverse heritage. Overall, it is a stable, well-established town with a strong presence of professional and healthcare workers.
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The typical resident here is 42, making the population noticeably older than both Victoria and Australia. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 21.6% of the community, a figure well above the national average.
The area is predominantly Australian, English, and Irish in its ancestry. Only 9.9% of people were born overseas, which is far below the figures for Victoria and Australia.
English is the main language for 88.7% of residents. While 5.6% use another language at home, this is far below the state and national averages.
Religion is less common here than in other parts of the country, with 43.3% of people reporting no religion, a figure well above the national average of 38.9%.
Education levels are higher than in similar areas, though they remain well below the state average. About 19.5% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher, with many qualified in health and management.
Typical weekly household income is $1,396, which is higher than in similar areas but well below the Victorian figure of $1,759.
Long-term health conditions are more common here than across the state, affecting 32.6% of residents. Mental health conditions are also a little more frequent than the national average.
Community spirit is evident in the 17.3% of people who volunteer, a figure well above the national average. This is consistent with a higher number of people providing unpaid care.
About 31.2% of people live alone, which is well above the national figure. Family sizes are slightly smaller than average, with 2.3 people per home.
Separate houses are very common at 82.8%, far above the national average. Rent is much more affordable than in the rest of the state, with a typical weekly cost of $295.
Cars are the main way to get around, with 66.6% of people driving to work. Very few people use public transport for their commute, at just 0.5%.
The area has seen significant movement, with 38.0% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas are especially high, standing well above the national average.
The unemployment rate is 3.2%, which is a little below the national figure. Health care and social assistance is the most common industry for local workers.
The area is somewhat walkable, with most homes within a short walk of a park or public transport. However, it is far below the state average for access to health services within 15 minutes.