Urban Centre · Area profile
Wandong - Heathcote Junction
5 km²
Families with children are a major part of life in Wandong - Heathcote Junction, where 20.9% of the population are under 15. This is a growing community of 1,705 people, marked by a high number of couples with children and large family homes. Most residents were born in Australia and have lived in the area for a long time, creating a stable environment where typical household incomes are a little above the national figure. It is a predominantly residential area where life revolves around the home and the car.
Explore Wandong - Heathcote Junction by topic
The area is notably young, with a much higher proportion of children than most similar places. While the typical resident is 40, the number of seniors has risen significantly since 2011 to reach 15.5%.
The community is overwhelmingly Australian-born, with 83.4% born here. This is far below the national figure for overseas births, and the proportion of people born outside Australia has fallen since 2011.
English is the primary language for 87.4% of residents. While some people use another language at home, the rate of those who speak little or no English is well below the national average.
A large number of residents report no religion, which is well above the national figure and has risen by 17 points since 2011. Christianity remains the most common affiliation at 45.5%.
The area has fewer people with university degrees than most similar places, with 12.2% holding a bachelor's degree or higher. This is far below the Victorian average.
Typical household incomes are a little above the national figure, and the area has a much higher share of high-earning households than most similar places, despite a general decline in typical incomes since 2011.
Residents are generally healthier than those in most similar areas, with lower rates of people needing help with daily activities. Long-term health conditions are slightly more common than the state average.
Many residents are active at home, with a much higher proportion caring for children unpaid than the national average. However, the number of volunteers has fallen since 2011.
Homes are larger than usual, with an average of 2.9 people per household. This is consistent with the high number of couples with children, who make up 66.3% of families.
The landscape is dominated by separate houses, with 98.5% of homes being detached. Large homes are the norm, as 88.3% of dwellings have three or more bedrooms.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, with 41.1% of homes owning two vehicles. Only 2.3% of people commute by public transport, and 14.3% work from home.
The population is very stable, as far fewer people have moved in the last five years compared to the rest of Victoria. Recent arrivals from overseas are also far below the national average.
The local workforce is strong, with a low unemployment rate of 2.7%. Many residents work in construction, which is the most common industry at 19.3%.
The area is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score far below the Victorian average. Many residents live more than 15 minutes away from groceries, health services, and schools.