Urban Centre · Area profile
Morwell
14 km²
Located in the heart of the Latrobe Valley, Morwell is a larger regional hub with a population of 14,068. It is an aging community where the typical resident is 43, making it noticeably older than the state and national average. This profile is shaped by significant challenges, including high unemployment and lower-than-average incomes, but it remains a primary residential centre with a growing number of people and a strong preference for detached housing.
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The community is aging, with seniors making up 22.6% of the population, which is well above the national figure. This shift is reflected in the typical age rising by four years since 2011 to 43.
While 72% of residents were born in Australia, the proportion of people born overseas has risen to 16.1%. This is still far below the state and national averages, though it represents a climb from 2011.
About 10.7% of people use a language other than English at home, a figure that has risen significantly since 2011. However, this is still far below the state average of 27.6%.
A large portion of the community does not identify with a religion, at 45.0%. This is well above the national figure and represents a sharp increase of 21 percentage points since 2011.
Education levels are much lower than most areas, with only 7.5% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. The proportion of people who completed Year 12 has also fallen since 2011 to 32.4%.
Incomes are far below the state and national averages, with a typical weekly household income of $935. Only 6.7% of households earn $3,000 or more per week.
Health challenges are prominent here, as 38.7% of people have a long-term health condition. Mental health conditions affect 14.6% of residents, which is among the highest rates for similar areas.
Volunteer rates have fallen by 10 percentage points since 2011 to 10.5%, which is well below the national figure. Unpaid care for children is also lower than the state average.
One-parent families make up 25.5% of households, a figure far above the national average. Additionally, 38% of people live alone, which is much higher than in most other areas.
Most homes are separate houses, and 36.8% are owned outright. While rental rates are well above the state average at 34.1%, typical weekly rents are far below the national figure at $215.
The vast majority of workers drive to work, and only 1.3% use public transport. About 10.5% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is higher than in most areas.
The community is relatively stable, as fewer people have moved in the last five years compared to the state average. Recent arrivals from overseas have also fallen since 2011.
The local job market is struggling, with an unemployment rate of 11.2%, which is well above the national figure. Only 44.2% of adults are working or looking for work, a sharp drop since 2011.
Morwell is somewhat walkable, with almost all homes located within a 15-minute walk of public transport and parks. However, access to groceries and health services is lower than the state average.