WIDER METROPOLITAN MELBOURNE REGION ( GREATER MELBOURNE )
The wider Metropolitan Melbourne Region covers the North , East , West and South of Melbourne . It includes 31 municipalities and 4.9 million people . This region is undergoing significant growth and change .
Diversity
The highest number of people born overseas come from India , followed by China , England , Vietnam and New Zealand . 61.1 % speak English at home , 4.3 % speak Mandarin , and Vietnamese , Greek and Punjabi sit at 2 % each .
Health
People in this area experience a higher rate of mental health issues at 8.1 %. Other chronic diseases affecting the population include asthma 7.9 % and arthritis 6.9 %.
Age groups
This region ’ s median age is 37 . Residents aged 65 years and over are forecast to increase to 7.6 % by 2026 .
Disadvantage
An estimated 0.7 % of the population are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples . They are one of the most vulnerable groups to COVID-19 and have twice the rate of suicide of non-Indigenous peoples .
Wangaratta
HUME REGION
Merri Health has substantially increased its service provision across North Eastern Victoria to service the Hume Region : Mitchell , Murrindindi , Shepparton , Strathbogie , Moira , Mansfield , Wangaratta , Benalla , Indigo , Wodonga , Towong and Alpine .
Our Wangaratta site provides a base for our service provision across the Hume Region .
The Hume Region covers North Eastern Victoria and the Goulburn Valley and includes 12 Local Government Areas .
Diversity
The population of Hume is also diverse in culture and language . English is the most common language spoken at home followed by Italian , Mandarin , German , Punjabi and Nepali . England , New Zealand , Germany , India and the Philippines are the most common countries of birth after Australia .
Health
People living in Hume experience long-term health conditions at a higher rate than the Victorian average . 10.7 % of the population have mental health issues compared to Victoria ’ s rate at 8.8 %. Other conditions where there is a gap include arthritis at 11.6 % ( compared to Victoria 8 %) and Asthma at 10 % ( compared to Victoria ’ s 8.4 %).
Age groups
Hume ’ s median age is 45 years . People aged 0-14 make up 17.7 % of the population and people aged 65 + make up 23.5 % of the population .
WIDER REGIONAL VICTORIA
Regional Victoria has a population of approximately 1,576,613 people spread across its 48 LGAs .
Diversity
English ( 40.6 %) and Australian ( 39.2 %) ancestries are most common in regional Victoria . 32,234 of the population ( 2 %) identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples . 81 % of the population was born in Australia , followed by England ( 2.6 %), New Zealand and India at 1 %.
Health
People who live in rural and regional Victoria experience poorer health than metropolitan Victorians . This is due to greater difficulty accessing health services living in remote areas .
They can also be at higher risk of mental health disorders due to loneliness , financial issues , natural disasters and low employment opportunities .
Age groups
The median age in regional Victoria is 43 , compared to 35 years in Metropolitan Melbourne . Children 0-14 make up 17.6 % of the population , people 65 + make up 29.4 % of the population .
Taungurung Country
Mansfield References :
Warragul |
Gunaikurnai Country
Bairnsdale
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Traditional owners have not been formally recognised in these areas |
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MERRI HEALTH / ANNUAL REPORT 2022 |
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09 |