INTRODUCTION
STATISTICS PRESENTED IN THIS PUBLICATION
This publication presents a range of social and housing statistics produced from the 2001 Census of Population and Housing for Victoria. For comparative purposes, it includes 1996 Census data based on 2001 Census geography.
The tables in this publication provide a selection of data for the population and their housing arrangements for Urban Centres/Localities (UC/L) and Sections of State (SOS). These geographic structures classify areas according to size of the population. Whilst the UC/L classification covers only part of each state and territory, the SOS classification covers each state and territory in its entirety. Refer to the Glossary for more information about the definitions of UC/L and SOS.
The data are presented on the basis of where people were counted on Census Night ('as enumerated'), and therefore data for each geographic area include visitors to that area, but exclude those people who were away on Census Night. All tables exclude overseas visitors unless otherwise stated.
Data released in Selected Social and Housing Characteristics, Victoria (cat.no. 2015.2) provide various characteristics for Statistical Divisions (SDs), Statistical Subdivisions (SSDs) and Statistical Local Areas (SLAs). Refer to Appendix 2-Census Products and Services for more information.
POPULATION MEASURES
Census counts should not be confused with the Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS) official population estimate, the Estimated Resident Population (ERP) which is used for electoral purposes and in assisting in the distribution of government funds to state and local governments. The ERP is the definitive population estimate and is derived from the census counts. For a fuller description of population measures and the derivation of ERP, please see paragraphs 6, 7 and 8 of the Explanatory Notes. Appendix 1-Estimated Resident Population includes a table showing census counts and ERP for each state and territory.
One of the important features of the Census is that it describes the characteristics of Australia's population and housing for small geographic areas and small population groups. While not available in this publication, data at the smallest geographic level (Collection District) are available in a range of census products. For more information on these products, please refer to Appendix 2-Census Products and Services. Concepts and definitions used in this publication are explained in the Glossary and more detailed information is available in the 2001 Census Dictionary (cat. no. 2901.0). The Explanatory Notes in this publication provide a discussion of the scope and coverage of the Census, the different measures of population, and the limitations of census data.
This publication is one of a series of publications which provide data for both UC/L and SOS geographic areas for each state and territory (cat. no's 2016.1-7). A similar publication is also available, providing data for urban centres across the whole of Australia (cat. no. 2016.0). See Appendix 2-Census Products and Services for more information.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Person characteristics
Population distribution
The Census of Population and Housing conducted on 7 August 2001 counted 4,644,950 persons (including 32,853 overseas visitors) in Victoria, an increase of 6.2% or 271,430 persons since 1996 (4,373,520 persons).
There were 147 Urban Centres and 188 Localities in Victoria in 2001, two of which had population counts of over 100,000 persons: Melbourne (3,160,171) and Geelong (130,194). These Urban Centres accounted for 70.8% of the population.
Age
In 2001, the median age was 35 years, compared with 33 years in 1996. The proportion of persons aged 0-14 years decreased from 21.2% in 1996 to 20.4% in 2001, while the proportion of persons aged 65 years and over increased from 12.0% to 12.7% during the same period.
The highest percentages of people aged 0-14 years were recorded in the Localities of Moriac (36.0%), Merino (34.9%), Cabarita (34.1%) and Noorat (34.0%).
A high proportion of people aged 65 years and over was recorded in the Urban Centres of St Leonards (34.1%), Portarlington (32.4%) and Paynesville (31.2%), and in the Localities of Indented Head (33.3%), Edenhope (32.6%) and Minyip (31.9%).
Sex
In 2001, there were slightly more females (2,365,889) than males (2,279,061) with higher proportions of females recorded in urban areas (Major Urban (51.2%) and Other Urban (51.6%)) and Bounded Locality (50.1%). Proportionally more males were recorded in Rural Balance (51.9%).
Females outnumbered males in 215 Urban Centres and Localities. A higher proportion were recorded in the Urban Centres of Yarram (53.9%), Daylesford (53.9%) and Queenscliffe (53.8%), and in the Localities of Poowong (55.9%), Foster (55.4%) and San Remo (55.1%).
A higher proportion of males was recorded in the Urban Centres of Nagambie (53.3%), Barham-Koondrook (Koondrook Part) (52.1%), Kinglake (51.6%) and Yallourn North (51.4%), and in the Localities of Cann River (55.9%), Werribee South (55.8%), Dartmoor (55.7%) and Pyalong (55.5%).
Median individual income
The median weekly income grew from $290 in 1996 to $380 in 2001, an increase of 31.0%, with larger increases recorded in the Rural Balance (31.9% to $368) and Bounded Locality (34.1% to $303) sections of the state.
The highest median incomes were recorded in the Urban Centres of Mount Macedon ($547), New Gisborne ($517) and Hurstbridge ($463), while Localities with high median incomes were Dinner Plain ($603), Cabarita ($559) and Arcadia Downs ($534). The lowest median incomes were recorded in the Localities of Woomelang ($198), Loch Sport ($203) and Newlands Arm ($223).
Indigenous status
The number of persons who reported being of Indigenous origin increased by 16.8% to 25,079 persons in 2001, up from 21,474 persons in 1996, representing 0.5% of the total population (excluding overseas visitors).
Of the Urban Centres and Localities, 42.8% reported proportions of Indigenous persons equivalent to, or less than, the average for Victoria (0.5%). The highest proportions were recorded in the Localities of Cann River (10.6%), Halls Gap (5.0%) and Bruthen (4.9%), and in the Urban Centres of Heywood (7.4%) and Orbost (4.2%).
Birthplace
The number of persons born in Australia increased by 3.4% to 3,277,054 persons in 2001, up from 3,168,853 persons in 1996, representing 71.1% of the population of Victoria (excluding overseas visitors).
In 51 of the Urban Centres and Localities, 90.0% or more of the population were born in Australia. The highest proportions of Australian born were recorded in the Localities of Cabarita (96.3%), Noorat (95.9%) and Murrayville (94.4%).
Of the population counted (excluding overseas visitors), 23.4% (1,080,344 persons) stated that they had been born overseas, with the highest proportions recorded in Melbourne (29.4%), Robinvale (25.1%) and Venus Bay (L) (24.9%).
Internet and Personal computer use
Of the population counted (excluding overseas visitors), 43.4% (2,001,169 persons) used a personal computer at home in the week prior to Census Night. Of the same population, 38.6% (1,780,853 persons) used the Internet in the week prior to Census Night.
The highest proportions of persons who used a personal computer at home were recorded in the Localities of Arcadia Downs (64.6%), Baranduda (64.0%) and Menzies Creek (61.6%), while low proportions were recorded in the Localities of Gunbower (16.3%), Loch Sport (18.4%) and Nyah (18.4%).
Employed persons
In 2001, there were 2,082,216 employed persons (93.2% of the labour force ), an increase of 197,336 persons since 1996.
Urban Centres with the largest numbers of employed persons were Melbourne (1,447,136 or 93.3% of the labour force), Geelong (53,507 or 90.6%), Ballarat (29,970 or 90.2%) and Bendigo (28,254 or 90.8%).
Full-time employment
The number of full-time workers increased from 1,285,053 persons in 1996 to 1,354,647 in 2001. This represents 65.1% of the employed population in Victoria. As a proportion of persons in the labour force, the highest proportions of full-time workers were recorded in the Localities of Dartmoor (70.9%) and Waterford Park (68.8%). Urban Centres with the highest proportions of full-time workers were Wallan (65.7%) and Wandong-Heathcote Junction (64.2%).
Part-time employment
In 2001, 663,221 workers (31.9% of employed persons) were employed part-time, an increase of 106,799 persons since 1996. The highest proportions of part-time workers, as a proportion of persons in the labour force, were recorded in the Localities of Venus Bay (50.0%) and Loch Sport (42.5%). The Locality with the lowest proportion of part-time workers was Dartmoor (20.4%).
Unemployed persons
In 2001, there were 151,859 unemployed persons (6.8% of persons in the labour force), down from 196,189 persons (9.4%) in 1996. High unemployment rates were recorded in the Localities of Loch Sport (26.1%), Seaspray (24.6%) and Port Welshpool (21.6%).
For those aged 15-24 years, the unemployment rate fell to 12.8% from 16.1% in 1996. Localities which recorded a high level of youth unemployment were Quambatook (66.7%) and Talbot (50.0%).
The number of unemployed persons looking for full-time employment decreased by 31.5%, down from 155,021 persons in 1996 to 106,157 in 2001. However, those looking for part-time work increased by 11.0%, from 41,168 in 1996 up to 45,702 in 2001.
Occupation
In 2001, the largest occupation groups were Professionals and Associate Professionals (30.5% of employed persons), Intermediate Clerical, Sales and Service Workers (16.1%) and Tradespersons and Related Workers (12.2%). These proportions are similar to those in 1996.
The highest proportions of Professionals and Associate Professionals were recorded in Halls Gap (L) (52.0%), Shoreham (L) (48.4%) and Mount Macedon (45.6%).
The highest proportions of Intermediate Clerical, Sales and Service Workers were recorded in the Localities of Cranbourne South (21.6%), Bethanga (21.3%) and Goornong (20.9%).
The highest proportions of Tradespersons and Related Workers were recorded in the Localities of St Andrews Beach (25.3%), Hazeldene (23.4%) and Briagolong (23.3%).
Industry
In 2001, the three largest industries of employment were Manufacturing (15.3%), Retail Trade (14.8%), and Property and Business Services (11.4%). These were also the top three employing industries in 1996.
The highest proportions of persons employed in Manufacturing were recorded in the Localities of Strathmerton (53.1%), Dartmoor (50.0%) and Girgarre (46.8%).
The highest proportions of persons employed in Retail Trade were recorded in Loch (L) (28.8%), Marong (L) (23.6%) and Barham-Koondrook (Koondrook Part) (23.6%).
The highest proportions of persons employed in Property and Business Services were recorded in the Localities of Metung (15.7%), St Andrews (15.3%) and Dinner Plain (15.0%).
Dwelling Characteristics
Total number of dwellings
The number of dwellings increased by 8.2% from 1,773,220 in 1996 to 1,918,583 in 2001. Of these dwellings, 90.2% (1,731,343) were occupied private dwellings, 9.5% were unoccupied private dwellings and 0.2% were non-private dwellings.
Total number of persons
The number of persons in occupied private dwellings increased by 6.4% from 4,254,566 in 1996 to 4,525,065 in 2001. Of these, 71.0% (3,212,904 persons) were counted in Major Urban areas, similar to 1996 (68.6%).
Fully owned
Of the 1,731,343 occupied private dwellings in Victoria, 42.9% were fully owned, compared with 43.7% in 1996. The Rural Balance area recorded the highest proportion of fully owned dwellings (51.5%). In 1996, the highest proportion was Bounded Locality (52.0%), followed by the Rural Balance (51.9%).
Home ownership proportions were highest in the Localities of Underbool (78.2%), Indented Head (72.0%) and Woomelang (71.4%).
Being purchased
In Victoria, 27.8% of private dwellings were being purchased, similar to 27.1% in 1996. The Other Urban areas recorded the highest percentages in both 2001 (29.2%) and 1996 (29.3%).
High proportions of homes being purchased were recorded in Waterford Park (L) (64.6%), Seville East (L) (62.4%) and Miners Rest (61.3%).
Housing loan repayments
The median housing loan repayment increased by 14.7%, up from $741 in 1996 to $850 in 2001. High median loan repayments were recorded in Cranbourne South (L) ($1,325), Mount Macedon ($1,172) and Dinner Plain (L) ($1,166).
Rented dwellings
In 2001, 22.1% (382,981) of occupied private dwellings were being rented, compared with 23.2% in 1996. The Major Urban and Other Urban areas (both 23.4%) recorded the highest proportions, similar to 1996 (24.5% and 24.6% respectively).
The areas with the highest proportions of rented dwellings were Dinner Plain (L) (55.9%), Cann River (L) (43.8%) and Robinvale (40.3%).
Rent
The median weekly rent increased by 24.8%, from $121 in 1996 to $151 in 2001. The Major Urban areas ($165) recorded the highest median rent, compared with the Rural Balance ($87) and the Bounded Locality ($102).
A high median rent was recorded in the Urban Centres of Mount Macedon ($180), Beaconsfield Upper ($179), and Gisborne ($175), and in the Localities of Dinner Plain, Waterford Park (both $500) and Arcadia Downs ($237).
Family Characteristics
The number of families grew from 1,152,887 in 1996 to 1,222,690 in 2001, an increase of 6.1%. Of these families, 48.8% were couples with dependent and non-dependent children, 34.4% were couples without children, 14.8% were one parent families and 1.9% were of other family type. In the Rural Balance area, 47.6% of couple families had dependent children.
The highest proportions of couple families with dependent children were recorded in the Localities of Arcadia Downs (66.3%), Cabarita (66.2%), Moriac (64.8%) and Miners Rest (63.4%).
The highest proportions of couple families without children were recorded in the Localities of Loch Sport (76.4%), Metung (71.2%) and Newlands Arm (70.1%).
The highest proportions of one parent families were recorded in the areas of Seaspray (L) (27.5%), Millgrove (L) (25.6%) and Woori Yallock (24.2%).
Households Characteristics
The number of households grew from 1,554,456 in 1996 to 1,667,687 in 2001, an increase of 7.3%. Of these households, 72.3% were family households, 23.8% were lone person households and 3.8% were group households. These proportions are similar to those in 1996 (73.0%, 22.9% and 4.0% respectively).
The highest proportions of lone person households were recorded in the Localities of Jeparit (43.6%), Gunbower (43.4%) and Seaspray (42.6%).
Localities recording the highest proportions of group households were Dinner Plain (12.0%) and Buxton (6.5%).
Print Page
Print All