The 2021 Census data which was released in June reveals Yarrawonga’s population increased by 731 people since 2016 bringing the total to 8,661 people. Mulwala welcomed 396 new people to record a population of 2,557 while Bundalong’s population also increased by 84 to record a total population 512. In 2011 Yarrawonga had 7057 residents, Mulwala 1904 and Bundalong 604 for a combined total population of 9565.
The latest data also revealed Yarrawonga, Mulwala and Bundalong’s home ownership has increased, the average age of residents has upheld, and fewer people are identifying as religious.
Overall, the number of people reporting themselves as being from an Indigenous background also increased across the three towns with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people representing 1.2 per cent of the total population in Yarrawonga, 1.4 per cent in Mulwala and 1.2 per cent in Bundalong.
Meanwhile, the median age of people in Yarrawonga is now 52 years, Mulwala 53 years and Bundalong 51 years, all significantly higher than the national average of 38 years.
Across the three towns, more than 80 per cent of the population was born in Australia (Yarrawonga 84.8, Mulwala 83.3 and Bundalong 84.4), with England and New Zealand the most common places for people born overseas.
The latest data also revealed that more people now own their home.
In Yarrawonga 46.1 per cent of the population own their home outright, and 27.96 per cent own their home with a mortgage.
In Bundalong, 45.7 per cent of the population own their home outright, and 36 per cent own their home with a mortgage. In Mulwala it was similar figures with 44.6 per cent of residents owning their home outright and 30.4 per cent with a mortgage.
Yarrawonga’s median household income grew from $962 to $1,149 per week between the 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 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.
The Census figures showed a decline in religious affiliation across the local border community.
Bundalong took the cake with the largest increase in people identifying as having no religion. In 2021, 40.8 per cent of people marked no religion on the census compared to 31.5 per cent in 2016. However, more than 22.9 per cent of Bundalong residents identified as Catholic.
In our biggest town, 36.4 per cent of Yarrawonga residents identified as having no religion (up 13.5 per cent since 2016) with 28.8 per cent identifying as Catholic.
In Yarrawonga 36.4 per cent of residents marked no religion (up 13.5 per cent since 2016), 28.2 per cent identifying as Catholic.
It was a similar picture across the country with almost 40 per cent (38.9 per cent) of Australia’s population reported having no religion in the 2021 Census, an increase from 30 per cent (30.1 per cent) in 2016 and 22 per cent (22.3 per cent) in 2011.
“Census religion data shows a characteristic of Australia that has changed significantly over the past two decades. Knowing about the religious affiliation across the population supports local planning for facilities, goods and services for Australians who identify as religious and helps them to live according to their beliefs,” Australian Statistician Dr David Gruen AO said.
The 2021 Census also revealed for the first time the number of residents with past or current service in the Australian Defence Force.
In Mulwala 77 people were listed as having previously served for the Australian Defence Force Service, in Bundalong 23 and in Yarrawonga 293.
Both Yarrawonga and Mulwala recorded currently serving members with Yarrawonga documenting 6 and Mulwala 4.
For the first time, the 2021 Census also collected information on diagnosed, ongoing health conditions with some alarming statistics revealed across Yarrawonga, Mulwala and Bundalong. Arthritis topped the list, with asthma, mental health, diabetes and heart disease the next most prominent long-term health conditions reported, all higher than the national average.
“For the first time, we have data on long-term health conditions across the whole population. This is critical data to inform planning and service delivery decisions about how treatment and care is provided for all Australians,” Dr Gruen said.
“Census data will help provide a more detailed picture of Australians’ health. Census data complements existing ABS health surveys by providing additional insights about the communities that require services to support complex health needs.”
The 2021 Census achieved a response rate above the Australian Bureau of Statistics target obtaining data from 10 million (10,852,208) dwellings, on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The dwelling response rate was 96.1 per cent, up from 95.1 per cent in 2016.
“Census data is used to inform important decisions about transport, schools, health care, infrastructure and business at the community and national level. The high response rate means that Census data provides accurate insights to tell your community’s story,” Dr Gruen said.
For further information visit www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data.
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