Urban Centre · Area profile
Lorne
5 km²
A shrinking population and a rapidly ageing community define Lorne, where the typical resident is now 56. This coastal area has seen a dramatic shift since 2011, with the total population falling by 59% to 1,248 people. It is now a place of high qualifications and significant wealth, where many residents are retirees or professionals working from home. The community is notably older and more affluent than the national average, with a strong tendency toward home ownership.
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Lorne is far older than most areas, with 34.8% of residents aged 65 and over. In contrast, children under 15 make up only 9.5% of the population, a figure that has fallen by 9.5 points since 2011.
People born overseas make up 16.4% of the community, which is much higher than in similar areas, though still far below the state and national figures. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries.
About 8.7% of residents use a language other than English at home, a figure that has risen by 5.7 points since 2011. However, this is still far below the national average of 22.3%.
Nearly half of the population (49.9%) report having no religion, which is far above the national figure. This trend has grown significantly, rising 24 points since 2011.
The area is highly educated, with 30.2% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Both university qualifications and Year 12 completion rates have risen sharply since 2011.
Typical personal weekly income is $881, which is a little above the national figure. Wealth is high here, with 22.3% of households earning $3,000 or more per week.
The community reports fewer mental health conditions (5.2%) and fewer people needing help with daily activities (4.4%) than most other areas. Long-term health conditions, such as arthritis, are reported by 30% of residents.
Lorne has a very high rate of volunteering at 28.7%, which is far above the national figure. Unpaid care for others is also slightly more common here than in the rest of the country.
Homes are smaller than average with 2.1 people per dwelling. A high number of people live alone (36.1%), and the number of one-parent families has fallen since 2011.
Home ownership is very strong, with 52.3% of homes owned outright, far above the national figure. While separate houses are common, the typical monthly mortgage payment of $2,167 is among the highest for this level.
Working from home is common for 20.9% of the workforce, and no one uses public transport to commute. Most homes have at least one car, and only 3.9% have no vehicle.
The area is quite mobile, with 45.3% of people moving house in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas have also increased, now making up 22% of the community.
Only 49.7% of adults are working or looking for work, which is far below the national average. However, unemployment is very low at 1.1%, and many residents work in accommodation and food services.
The area is somewhat walkable with an abundance of parks nearby, though the steep terrain makes movement harder. Most residents live within 15 minutes of a park, but far fewer are within walking distance of health services or schools.