The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ most recent socioeconomic indexes, derived from the 2016 Census, show the California Gully-Eaglehawk area is also the 14^th most disadvantaged area in Victoria.

The area of Bendigo, Ironbark and Long Gully falls among the top 20 per cent of most disadvantaged areas in Australia, as does the area encompassing Golden Square and Kangaroo Flat and that of Heathcote, Axedale and Knowsley.

Read more: How socioeconomic advantage and disadvantage differs across the region

The area of White Hills, Huntly, Epsom and Ascot is ranked among the most disadvantaged 40 per cent of areas in Australia.

There has been little change in this regard since the 2011 Census.

Conversely, the zone covering Strathfieldsaye and Junortoun is the most advantaged area within Bendigo’s urban area and immediate surrounds.

It is also among the top 30 per cent of socioeconomically advantaged areas in both the state and the country.

Maiden Gully and the area that includes Sedgwick, Mandurang, Eppalock, Lockwood, Marong and Leichardt also experience higher relative socioeconomic advantage, numbered among the most advantaged 40 per cent of areas in the country.

The areas encompassing Flora Hill, Spring Gully, Quarry Hill, Kennington and East Bendigo fall within the mid-range.

Overall, the ABS reports that levels of socioeconomic advantage have fallen very slightly across the Bendigo urban area and immediate surrounds since the 2011 Census.