Demographics & Community Profile

Area Statistics

Dandenong Division catchment includes the majority of the City of Greater Dandenong and the City of Casey. This is approximately 520 square kilometers with a population currently estimated at 360,864. However, the Division catchment area excludes the suburb of Springvale thereby making a population total of 342,864.

This is an increase in total population of approximately 20% since the last Census data release and reflects changes in the socio-demographic make up of the area.

Background and Changing Trends

In the years to 2001 the City of Greater Dandenong had a declining and ageing population. However, since then the overall population has increased and in particular the number of younger people has grown partially due to recent migration trends (e.g. refugee settlement). Recent real estate development has also seen an increase in the number of dwellings constructed, thereby attracting younger people to the area. The City of Greater Dandenong is central to the State Governments planning and development strategy, receiving almost $300 million dollars for its urban renewal project. This will have a considerable effect on the area in coming years, although the long term experience of significant social and economic disadvantage will be a key feature of the area for some time yet. Notably, each year approximately 2,000 recently-arrived migrants settle in Greater Dandenong, contributing to the emergence of communities from Sudan, Afghanistan, Ethiopia and Iraq several of which more than doubled in number during the past five years. In the five years to June 2006, the number of Sudanese residents has surged from 150 to more than 2,200 a 14 fold increase. Typically, people in these communities tend to have limited education, are limited to employment in unskilled roles and are in rental housing indicators of lower socio-economic status. Frequently, refugees also experience poor health status and require a range of unique services and strategies.

The City of Casey has retained its status as one of the fastest growing municipalities in Australia, with an increased population of approximately 53,000 since the 2001 census (from approximately 175,000 to 228,000). This is expected to reach around 350,000 within the next 15 years. Local Government figures indicate that up to 50 families move in every week or, approximately 8,000 people each year and approximately 70 per cent of people are aged under 40 years (August 2006). While this regional growth continues, it is interesting to note that annual building approvals (housing) have slowed from the peak of 4013 (2001-02) to 2295 (2005-06). Geographically, the City of Casey includes large suburban areas (Cranbourne, Narre Warren, Berwick), but also still retains areas of rural nature. Combined, these features of the LGA indicate that issues facing the community include access to services (including transport issues, service development lagging behind population growth, etc). The largest occupational groups in the City of Casey in 2001 included clerical, sales and service workers, tradespersons and production and transport workers. This occupational structure indicates the area has a population working in less skilled and socio-economically advantaged job-types, with the largest occupations such as clerical, sales and service workers, tradespersons and production and transport workers requiring less education and training and generally returning lower income levels. It is worth noting that as migrant groups become more established in the Greater Dandenong area there is a subsequent drift to neighbouring Casey, resulting in pockets of culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Diversity

Within the Division catchment area there are approximately 1,500 to 2,000 people identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. The City of Greater Dandenong reports that the indigenous community is relatively youthful, with nearly two-thirds (58%) of its members aged less than 25 years, compared with one-third of the population of Greater Dandenong. On the other hand, just 3% of indigenous residents are aged 65 years or more, compared with 12% of the general population. Most indigenous families with children are one-parent families. Levels of participation in education among indigenous residents are lower than among the community as a whole, fewer indigenous people hold degrees or other formal qualification, and unemployment rates are triple the metropolitan average. Birth rates among teenage and younger women are far higher than for Victoria.

Source: ABS population projections, City of Casey and City of Greater Dandenong community profiles and population data (websites)

Demographics: City of Casey

These figures can be found at the City of Casey Website at
www.casey.vic.gov.au/demographics

Demographics: Greater Dandenong

These figures can be found at the Greater Dandenong Website at
Social Statsitics for the City of Greater Dandenong

Access Point

A local government compiled site for health and data information
Melbourne Access Point