Urban Centre · Area profile
Port MacDonnell
4 km²
Population growth of 22% since 2011 has shifted Port MacDonnell (L) into a much older community. The typical resident is now 56, with seniors making up 35% of the area—far more than the national figure. This aging trend is reflected in the housing, where over half of homes are owned outright and families with children are less common than in most other areas.
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The area is far older than most, with a typical age of 56 and a population of 660. While the number of children under 15 fell to 10.8%, the proportion of people aged 65 and over rose 10 points since 2011 to reach 35%.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the area has far fewer overseas-born people (8.2%) than the state average. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries.
English is the dominant language, with only 1.5% of people using another language at home, a figure far below the national average. Very few residents speak little or no English.
Nearly half the community (49.8%) reports having no religion, which is far above the national figure. This is a significant shift, as this group rose 26 points since 2011.
The area has a much lower rate of higher education than most, with only 7.7% of adults holding a bachelor degree. Many residents hold a Certificate III or IV, and only 31% completed Year 12.
Typical weekly household income is $1,218, which is well below the national figure. However, personal income is higher than in most similar areas, and 9.1% of people earn $2,000 or more a week.
Long-term health conditions are more common here than elsewhere, affecting 35.3% of people. This is consistent with the older population, as 7.9% of residents need help with daily activities.
Volunteering is much more common here than in most areas, though the rate fell 20 points since 2011 to 22.4%. There is also a higher proportion of Defence Force veterans compared to the state.
Homes are smaller than usual, with a typical size of 2.1 people. Couples without children make up 50.6% of households, while 29.6% of people live alone.
A striking 51.6% of homes are owned outright, far above the national figure. Most people live in separate houses, and typical weekly rent is much lower than the state average at $205.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, with no one commuting by public transport. Almost every home has a vehicle, and only 5% of the workforce works from home.
Recent arrivals from overseas rose 8.6 points since 2011 to 14.8%, which is about the same as the national average. About 34.1% of residents moved here in the last five years.
Far fewer adults are working or looking for work (49.1%) compared to the state. The most common industries are agriculture, forestry, and fishing, followed by construction.
While no one lives within a short walk of a school or public transport, almost everyone (99.3%) is near a park. Most homes are also within a 15-minute walk of health services and groceries.