Urban Centre · Area profile
Poona
2 km²
An exceptionally elderly population defines Poona, where the typical resident is 66 years old. This small community of 576 people has aged significantly since 2011, and now more than half of all residents are seniors. With very few children and a high proportion of retirees, the area is characterized by a quiet, older demographic. Most people live in their own homes and enjoy a relaxed pace of life in this rural part of the Fraser Coast.
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The area is far older than the national figure, with 55.4% of people aged 65 and over. Children under 15 make up only 2.3% of the population, a figure that has fallen by 16 points since 2011.
Most residents were born in Australia, and English is the most common ancestry at 52.6%. Around 14.8% of the population was born overseas, which is much higher than in most similar areas.
English is the main language for 90.1% of the community. Only 3.1% of people use another language at home, which is far below the Queensland figure of 13.2%.
About half of the population identifies as Christian, while 40.3% report having no religion. This last figure has risen by 15 points since 2011.
Educational attainment is far below the national average, with only 7.4% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. A typical resident has completed Year 10, and only 24.2% have finished Year 12.
Incomes are among the lowest at this level, with a typical weekly household income of $775, which is far below the national figure of $1,746. Only 3% of households earn $3,000 or more per week.
Consistent with its older population, 49.5% of residents have a long-term health condition, and 11.1% need help with daily activities, which is well above the national average.
Volunteering is common here, with 20.4% of people helping out. There is also a high rate of unpaid housework at 35.7% and a strong presence of former Defence Force members at 8.1%.
Most homes are small, with a typical size of 1.9 people. Couples without children make up the bulk of the community at 80.4%, while one-parent families are much less common than in most areas.
The area is dominated by detached houses, with 73.5% owned outright, far above the national figure of 31%. Renting is rare at 10.4%, and typical weekly rents are well below the national average at $250.
Every single home in Poona has at least one motor vehicle, and 45.2% have two. No one in the community uses public transport to get to work.
The area has seen significant movement, with 42% of people moving in the last five years. However, there have been no recent arrivals from overseas.
Very few adults are working or looking for work, at just 20.2%. The unemployment rate is 11.6%, which is well above the national figure of 5.1%.
Poona is car-dependent, with a walkability score of 1.4. While 91.3% of homes are within a short walk of a park, there are no shops, schools or health services nearby.