Urban Centre · Area profile
George Town
7 km²
A flat landscape and easy walking access to shops and schools define George Town. This community has grown rapidly, adding over 2,300 people since 2011 to reach a population of 4,408. It is a place where the typical resident is now 45, making it noticeably older than the national average. While many residents enjoy a simple life with modest incomes, there is a strong presence of seniors and a growing number of people living alone.
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The population is aging, with the typical resident now 45 and seniors making up 24.3% of the community. There is also a notable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander presence at 6.1%, which is higher than most similar areas.
Most residents were born in Australia (82.1%), and the community has a strong English and Australian ancestry. Only 11.3% of people were born overseas, which is far below the national figure.
English is the primary language for 91.6% of the area. Only 2.8% of people use another language at home, a figure that is far below the Australian average.
More than half of the community (52.4%) report having no religion, which is far above the national average. This is a significant shift, as the figure has risen 26 points since 2011.
Education levels are much lower than in most areas, with only 6.6% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Many residents finished school at Year 10, and only 31.3% completed Year 12.
Incomes are well below the national and state figures, with the typical household earning $893 a week. Only 5.2% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly, and these figures have generally fallen since 2011.
Health challenges are common here, with 42.1% of people living with a long-term health condition. This is reflected in the 10.5% of residents who need help with daily activities, a figure that has risen since 2011.
A higher than usual 16.0% of people provide unpaid care, though fewer residents volunteer compared to other areas. There is also a strong connection to the Defence Force, with 5.0% of people having served.
One-parent families are far more common here than nationally, making up 24.3% of households. This contributes to smaller average home sizes, with 33.7% of people living alone.
Renting is much more common than in most areas, with 35.2% of households renting at a typical weekly cost of $220. Most people live in separate houses, and 38.0% own their home outright.
Cars are the main way to get around, and 9.2% of homes have no motor vehicle, which is much higher than in most similar areas. Very few people (0.5%) use public transport to commute.
The community is relatively stable, with 33.9% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 6.2% of the population, which is well below the national average.
The local job market is struggling, with an unemployment rate of 13.3%, which is well above the national figure. Many residents work in manufacturing or as labourers.
The area is quite walkable due to its flat terrain, with 70.3% of homes within a 15-minute walk of groceries. Most residents (98.8%) also live within a short walk of a park.