Urban Centre · Area profile
Southern Cross
2 km²
Far older than the national average is the community of Southern Cross, where the typical resident is now 50. The area has seen a significant shift since 2011, with the population shrinking by 20% and the proportion of seniors rising sharply to 22.2%. This is a place of contrasts, where high rates of volunteering and full-time employment sit alongside typical household incomes that are well below the state figure. It is a quiet regional centre characterized by a growing number of people living alone.
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The typical resident is 50, which is far older than the state and national figure of 38. The area has aged rapidly since 2011, with the proportion of seniors rising by 22 points, while the share of children under 15 fell by 12 points.
While 72.3% of residents were born in Australia, the share of people born overseas is much higher than in most similar areas, though still far below the state average.
English is the main language for 82.4% of the community. The share of people using another language at home is much higher than in similar areas, but far below the national figure.
About 39.6% of residents report no religion, a figure that is about the same as the national average and has risen by 12 points since 2011.
Education levels are far below the state and national averages, with only 8.4% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher and just 33.8% having completed Year 12.
Typical incomes are well below the national figure, with a typical household earning $1,304 a week. The share of households earning $3,000 or more per week has fallen 16 points since 2011.
Long-term health conditions are well above the state and national averages, affecting 31.9% of the population. Arthritis is the most common reported condition at 13.4%.
The community is highly active, with 21.6% of people volunteering, which is well above the national figure. However, the share of people providing unpaid care is among the lowest for its level.
Living arrangements are distinctive, as 46.6% of people live alone—far above the state average. This helps explain why the typical number of people per home is very low at 1.9.
Most homes are separate houses, and weekly rents are far below the national figure at just $150. About 36.2% of households rent, which is well above the state average.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, as only 1.2% of people commute by public transport. Very few residents work from home, at just 1.6%.
The population is quite mobile, with 40.2% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 18.7% of the community, which is well above the national figure.
Full-time employment is well above the national average at 64.9%, with many residents working in mining, public administration, or retail.
The town is quite walkable, with most homes within a 15-minute walk of health services, groceries, and schools, though there is no public transport within a 10-minute walk.