Urban Centre · Area profile
Red Cliffs
3 km²
A shrinking population defines the recent trajectory of Red Cliffs, which lost about 17% of its residents since 2011. The community is noticeably older than the state average, with a typical resident now aged 41. It is a place where many people struggle with health issues and low incomes, yet it remains highly walkable with easy access to essential services. A growing own-home ownership rate and a rise in recent overseas arrivals add contrasting layers to this regional Victorian town.
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The area has seen a significant shift since 2011, with the proportion of seniors rising by 12 points to 22.1%. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population has also grown quickly to 5.6%, which is well above the Victorian average.
Most residents were born in Australia (80.7%), and the community is far less diverse than the state average, with only 9.5% of people born overseas.
While 84.6% of people speak only English, those who use another language at home make up 6.8% of the population. This is far below the state figure, though the number has risen slightly since 2011.
A large proportion of the community reports no religion (48.6%), which is well above the national figure and represents a 21 point increase since 2011.
Educational attainment is much lower than in most areas, with only 31.6% of residents completing Year 12 and just 7% holding a bachelor degree or higher.
Incomes are well below the national average; the typical household earns $1,081 a week, and only 6.4% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly.
Health challenges are common here, as 38% of people have a long-term health condition and 11% need help with daily activities, which is much higher than in most other areas.
Volunteer rates are much lower than typical, at 12%. About 13.6% of the community provides unpaid care, which is about the same as the state average.
Single-person households are common at 32.9%, while one-parent families have risen significantly since 2011 to reach 21.3%, a figure well above the national average.
Most people live in separate houses, and 35.8% own theirs outright. Renting has become more common, rising to 30.9% since 2011, though the typical weekly rent of $250 remains well below the state average.
Cars are the primary way to get around, with 72.3% of workers driving to work. Very few people use public transport for commuting, at just 1.5%.
The area has seen a sharp increase in recent overseas arrivals, who now make up 25% of the population, a jump of 23 points since 2011.
Half of the adults are working or looking for work, which is far below the state average. The unemployment rate is 7.3%, slightly higher than the national figure.
The town is very walkable, with 84.5% of homes within a 15-minute walk of a 'city' center. Almost every home is within a short walk of a park, and most are near schools and health services.