Urban Centre · Area profile
Paynesville
4 km²
Typical weekly household incomes in Paynesville are much lower than the national figure, reflecting a community heavily skewed toward retirees. The area has aged rapidly since 2011, with the typical resident now 64 and nearly half the population aged 65 or over. This shift is mirrored in the housing and health data, where high rates of outright home ownership sit alongside a significant need for daily health support. It is a growing regional spot that has become a primary destination for older adults.
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The population has grown 64% since 2011 to 3,505 people, but it has aged significantly. Children under 15 now make up only 8.5% of the community, while those 65 and over have risen to 48.2%, a figure far above the national average.
English is the most common ancestry at 50.8%, and most residents were born in Australia. While the proportion of people born overseas is higher than in similar areas, it has fallen sharply since 2011.
English is the dominant language, spoken at home by 93.5% of residents. The use of other languages has fallen 36 points since 2011, and very few people speak little or no English.
A large portion of the community reports no religion at 46.0%, which is well above the national figure. This is a significant increase from 2011, when only 11.3% identified this way.
More adults here hold a bachelor degree or higher than in similar areas, though the rate is far below the state average at 14.6%. About 39.4% of residents have completed Year 12.
Incomes are much lower than most areas; the typical weekly household earns $975, which is far below the national figure of $1,746. Only 8.3% of households earn $3,000 or more per week.
Health needs are high, with 47.0% of people living with a long-term health condition. This is far above the national average, and 10.3% of residents require help with daily activities.
Volunteering is more common here than in most areas, with 18.6% of people participating. There is also a high rate of unpaid carers and a strong presence of former Defence Force members.
Homes are generally smaller than the national average, with just 2.0 people per household. Many residents live alone, accounting for 34.3% of households.
Home ownership is very high, with 58.6% of homes owned outright, far exceeding the national average. Separate houses make up 85.7% of the dwellings, and rental rates have fallen 24 points since 2011.
The community relies heavily on cars, and no one uses public transport to commute to work. However, 13.7% of workers now work from home, which is a rise of 8.9 points since 2011.
The area has seen significant movement, with 40.6% of people moving house in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas have fallen to 3.6%.
Far fewer adults are working or looking for work compared to the state average, with only 36.9% active in the labour market. Health care and retail are the most common industries for those employed.
While 90.5% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of a park, the overall walkability is low. Many residents live far from groceries, health services, and public transport.