Yarrawonga, Mulwala and Bundalong continue to experience a population boom with 2021 census data revealing that an additional 2,207 people have made the area their home over the past decade.
The past decade has seen an 18.7% increase in the population of Yarrawonga, Mulwala and Bundalong, with the three towns now having a combined population of 11,772.
Data from the 2021 census which was released in June reveals that the population of Yarrawonga has increased by 731 people since 2016, bringing the total to 8,661 people. Mulwala welcomed 396 new people to register a population of 2,557 while the population of Bundalong also increased by 84 to register a total population of 512. combined total of 9,565.
The latest data also revealed that ownership of Yarrawonga, Mulwala and Bundalong has increased, the average age of residents has held up and fewer people identify as religious.
Overall, the number of people reporting Aboriginal descent has also increased in all three towns, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people accounting for 1.2% of the total population in Yarrawonga, 1.4% in Mulwala and 1.2% in Bundalong.
Meanwhile, the median age of people in Yarrawonga is now 52, Mulwala 53 and Bundalong 51, all significantly above the national average of 38.
In all three cities, over 80% of the population was born in Australia (Yarrawonga 84.8, Mulwala 83.3 and Bundalong 84.4), with England and New Zealand being the most common places for people born abroad.
The latest data also revealed that more and more people now own their homes.
In Yarrawonga, 46.1% of the population own their home and 27.96% own their home with a mortgage.
In Bundalong, 45.7% of the population own their home and 36% own their home with a mortgage. In Mulwala, the figures were similar with 44.6% of residents owning their house and 30.4% with a mortgage.
Yarrawonga’s median household income increased from $962 to $1,149 per week between census periods.
Personal income also increased from $515 to $625 per week, well below the national average of $805.
In Mulwala, the median household income was $1,185 per week, slightly higher than in Yarrawonga while Bundalong recorded $1,527, the highest amount of the three towns.
Personal income in Mulwala was $638 per week, while in Bundalong it was $733 per week.
Census figures showed a decline in religious affiliation in the local border community.
Bundalong took the cake with the biggest increase in the number of people identifying as having no religion. In 2021, 40.8% of people indicated no religion at the census, down from 31.5% in 2016. However, over 22.9% of Bundalong residents identified as Catholic.
In our largest city, 36.4% of Yarrawonga residents identified as having no religion (up 13.5% since 2016) and 28.8% identified as Catholic.
In Yarrawonga, 36.4% of residents indicated no religion (up 13.5% since 2016), with 28.2% identifying as Catholic.
It was a similar picture across the country with almost 40% (38.9%) of Australia’s population saying they had no religion in the 2021 census, an increase from 30% (30.1% ) in 2016 and 22% (22.3% cent) in 2011.
“Census data on religion shows a feature of Australia that has changed significantly over the past two decades. Knowing people’s religious affiliation supports local planning of facilities, goods and services for Australians who identify as religious and help them to live by their beliefs,” said Australian statistician Dr David Gruen AO.
The 2021 census also revealed for the first time the number of residents with past or current service in the Australian Defense Force.
In Mulwala, 77 people were listed as having previously served in Australian Defense Force service, in Bundalong 23 and in Yarrawonga 293.
Yarrawonga and Mulwala have recorded members currently in service with Yarrawonga documenting 6 and Mulwala 4.
For the first time, the 2021 census also collected information on diagnosed and ongoing health conditions with alarming statistics revealed in Yarrawonga, Mulwala and Bundalong. Arthritis topped the list, followed by asthma, mental health, diabetes and heart disease, the most significant long-term health conditions reported, all above the national average.
“For the first time, we have data on the long-term health conditions of the entire population. This is essential data to inform planning and service delivery decisions about how treatment and care is delivered to all Australians,” said Dr Gruen.
“The census data will help provide a more detailed picture of the health of Australians. Census data complements existing ABS health surveys by providing additional information about communities that require services to meet complex health needs.
The 2021 Census achieved a response rate above the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ target by obtaining data from 10 million (10,852,208) dwellings, on Tuesday August 10, 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic . The accommodation response rate was 96.1%, up from 95.1% in 2016.
“Census data is used to inform important decisions about transportation, schools, health care, infrastructure and businesses at the community and national level. The high response rate means the census data provides accurate information to tell your community’s story,” said Dr. Gruen.
For more information visit www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data.