Urban Centre · Area profile
Rawson
1 km²
Life in Rawson is mostly car-dependent, with a small population of 281 people living in a hilly, residential setting. This is an older community where the typical resident is 46 and nearly a quarter are seniors. It is a place of modest means and high home ownership, where many people live alone or in single-parent families. The area has grown slightly since 2011, remaining a quiet pocket of Victoria where most residents were born in Australia.
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The community is far older than the state and national averages, with 23.5% of people aged 65 and over. While children under 15 make up 17.1% of the population, there is a notably high rate of people in de facto relationships at 20.9%.
Most residents were born in Australia, though the proportion of overseas-born people rose to 10.3% since 2011. English, Australian, Scottish, and Irish are the most common ancestries.
English is the only language used at home, which is far below the national figure. No one in the area speaks little or no English.
A majority of residents, 53.4%, report having no religion. This is far above the national average and has risen by 19 percentage points since 2011.
Educational qualifications are much lower than in most areas, with only 7.8% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. About 32.9% of residents have completed Year 12.
Incomes are much lower than the national figure, with a typical household earning $822 a week. Only 4.7% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly, which is far below the state average.
Health challenges are common here, as 43.8% of people have a long-term health condition. This is far above the state average, and 14.2% of residents need help with daily activities.
Unpaid care is a significant part of local life, with 19.5% of people providing such support. While volunteering is well above the national figure at 18.2%, it has fallen sharply since 2011.
Living arrangements are distinctive, with 45.0% of people living alone and 25.5% in one-parent families. Because of this, the average of 2.1 people per home is lower than in most areas.
The area is dominated by separate houses, 47.3% of which are owned outright. Rent is far below the national figure, with a typical weekly rent of $210.
Cars are essential for the community, as 71.4% of workers drive to work and no one uses public transport. Very few people, just 3.6%, work from home.
The population is relatively stable, with 30.9% of people moving in the last five years, which is well below the national figure. No recent arrivals from overseas were recorded.
The local workforce is smaller than in most areas, with only 44.2% of adults working or looking for work. Unemployment is very high at 15.7%, far above the state average.
While almost everyone lives within a 15-minute walk of a park, school, or groceries, the area is mostly car-dependent. No homes are within a 10-minute walk of public transport.