Urban Centre · Area profile
Willaura
2 km²
Daily life in Willaura is shaped by a very elderly population and a small, shrinking community. The typical resident is now 59, and those aged 65 and over make up 36.3% of the area. This shift is stark, as the total population fell by 41% since 2011. It is a place where most people live alone in their own homes, and the high number of seniors is reflected in the community's significant health needs.
Explore Willaura by topic
Willaura is far older than the national average, with a typical age of 59. This is a sharp change since 2011, and it is reflected in the fact that children under 15 now make up only 8.8% of the population.
English and Australian are the most common ancestries, and 13.8% of residents were born overseas, which is higher than in most similar areas.
English is the main language for 84.2% of the community. Only 3.3% of people use another language at home, a figure that is far below the national average.
Christianity is the most common faith at 43.3%, while 39.6% of residents have no religion, which is about the same as the state figure.
Qualifications are lower than usual, with only 24.7% of residents completing Year 12, a figure that has fallen by 28 points since 2011.
Incomes are far below the national average, with the typical household earning $809 a week. No households earn $3,000 or more per week.
Health challenges are common here, as 47.5% of people have a long-term health condition. Nearly 18% of residents need help with daily activities, which is far above the state average.
Volunteers make up 17.1% of the area, which is well above the national figure. Unpaid care for children has fallen sharply since 2011 to just 6.3%.
Living arrangements are dominated by small households, with 45.3% of people living alone. This helps explain why there are only 1.8 people per home on average.
Most people own their homes outright (58.1%), and almost all residents live in separate houses. Weekly rent is very low at $180, which is far below the national figure.
Cars are the primary way to get around, with 71.9% of workers driving to work. No one in the area commutes using public transport.
Movement into the area is modest, with 32.9% of people having moved in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 9.1% of the population.
The workforce is small, with only 33.3% of adults working or looking for work. The unemployment rate is 13.5%, which is well above the state and national figures.
The town is very walkable, with nearly all homes within a 15-minute walk of groceries, health services, and schools.