AVERAGE incomes for Swan Hill residents have risen, but some nearby areas remain
among the lowest earners in the state.
According to figures released on
Wednesday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average Swan Hill city
resident had an income of $41,027 in 2010-11 — a rise of 10.2 per cent on the
previous 12 months.
For Swan Hill’s surrounds, the average individual income
was $37,966, an increase of 15.3 per cent, from an average $32,934.
Robinvale
wages dropped slightly (1.4 per cent), from an average $37,953 to
$37,427.
Kerang is second lowest in the state at $31,997, but recorded a
positive 15.2 per cent jump from $27,787 the previous year.
The Gannawarra
region (surrounding areas of Kerang), fared better, with an average income of
$35,136, compared to $29,094 last financial year — a 17.2 per cent jump.
But
Buloke — an area where almost one third of people are directly employed in
farming — recorded the largest movement in incomes, with last year’s average
$27,867 now $38,905, an increase of 39.6 per cent. The average income for
Victoria was $51,398, up eight per cent on 2009-10 ($47,623).
Australia’s
average earner made $52,240 in 2010-11, up 7.6 per cent on the previous year.
The top-earning region in Australia was Toorak, Melbourne, with an average total
income of $150,548.
The lowest earning area for Victoria was French Island
with $29,085.
