Urban Centre · Area profile
Halls Gap
5 km²
A significant shift in population has transformed Halls Gap since 2011, with the typical resident now 16 years younger than a decade ago. This small community of 363 people is now marked by a mix of young adults and a large proportion of seniors. It is a place where high levels of volunteering and a strong presence of detached houses create a distinct rural character. The area is noticeably more secular and educated than the state average, reflecting a changing social makeup.
Explore Halls Gap by topic
The typical resident is 43, which is noticeably older than the national figure. However, there has been a shift towards younger families, with children under 15 making up 17.1% of the population, up 9.5 points since 2011.
The community is predominantly Australian and English, though 14.9% of people were born overseas. This is much higher than similar areas, but far below the Victorian average of 30%.
English is the main language for 80.2% of residents. While 7.7% of people use another language at home—a figure much higher than similar areas—nobody in the community speaks little or no English.
More than half the population (52.6%) reports having no religion, which is far above the national figure of 38.9%. This is a major change from 2011, when only 27% identified this way.
The area has become much more qualified since 2011, with 25% of adults now holding a bachelor degree or higher. This is a jump of 21 points over the decade.
Typical weekly household income is $1,204, which is well below the state figure of $1,759. However, personal incomes are generally higher than in similar areas, with a typical weekly pay of $793.
Long-term health conditions are more common here than across Australia, affecting 32.5% of people. Despite this, very few residents (2.5%) need help with daily activities, which is well below the state average.
Volunteering is very common here, with 26% of people helping out, far above the national figure of 14.1%. A higher number of residents have also served in the Defence Force compared to most areas.
Living arrangements are unusual, with 39.4% of people living alone—far above the national figure of 25.6%. Because of this, the typical home is small, with only 1.9 people per dwelling.
The area is dominated by detached houses, and 40.9% of homes are owned outright. Interestingly, rentals have surged by 25 points since 2011 and now make up 40.9% of all homes.
Cars are the main way to get around, though 13.5% of people walk to work. Working from home has become more common, rising 14 points since 2011 to reach 17.1%.
The population is quite mobile, with 45.2% of residents having moved house in the last five years, which is well above the national average. There have been no recent arrivals from overseas.
Employment is heavily concentrated in accommodation and food services, where 31.2% of workers are employed. The unemployment rate is 3.4%, which is lower than both the state and national figures.
The area is somewhat walkable, though it is far below the state average for access to schools, groceries, and health services. Most homes are within a 15-minute walk of a park.