Bright

The community is ageing rapidly, with the typical resident now 49 and the proportion of seniors rising by 14 points since 2011. This shift is reflected in the family structure, as the number of children under 15 has fallen significantly.

English and Australian ancestries are most common, though the proportion of people born overseas has risen to 15.9%. While this is much higher than in similar areas, it remains far below the state and national figures.

English is the main language for 84.2% of residents, but the number of people using another language at home has risen to 7.2%. Despite this growth, the proportion who speak little or no English is well below the national average.

More than half of the population (54.6%) report no religion, a figure far above the national average. This trend has grown sharply, with a 27 point increase since 2011.

The town is highly qualified, with 24.4% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Both university qualifications and Year 12 completion rates have risen significantly since 2011.

Typical weekly personal incomes are around $771, which is about the same as the national figure. A higher proportion of people earn $2,000 or more a week compared to most similar areas.

Residents generally report fewer needs for help with daily activities than people in most other areas. Long-term health conditions are slightly more common here than across Victoria, with arthritis being the most reported.

Volunteering is very common, with 27.1% of people giving their time, a figure far above the state and national averages. Unpaid care for children has fallen, while housework duties have risen slightly.

Homes are smaller than usual, with an average of 2.2 people per dwelling. There has been a notable increase in people living alone, who now make up 31.2% of households.

A high 45.3% of homes are owned outright, far above the national figure. Most residents live in separate houses, though the proportion of renters has risen by 10 points since 2011.

Driving is the primary way to get to work, though 20.7% of the workforce now works from home. Public transport use for commuting is very low at just 0.3%.

The area is seeing significant movement, with 40.5% of people moving house in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas have also increased sharply since 2011.

Unemployment is very low at 2.0%, much lower than most other areas. Many residents work in accommodation and food services, while professionals and managers are the most common occupations.

The town is somewhat walkable, with 73% of homes within a 15-minute walk of health services. However, access to public transport and schools on foot is far below the state average.