Average Joes: The Carter family - Jessica, Kylie, Lachlan and Darren, with their dog Cooper - represent the typical Knox family. Picture: Rob Carew
IF you want to show an out-of-towner a 'typical Aussie', Knox is the place to be - well, that's according to the 2011 census data released late last week.
Much of the data reflected nationwide results, with Knox on par with the rest of the country for age, religion, income, dwellings and rent.
However, the city is ageing, with the average Knox resident's age rising from 36 to 38, and over 65s make up more than 12.7 per cent of the population - up more than 2 per cent.
On census night there were 149,300 people living in Knox, a minor increase of 3000 more than in 2006.
There were still more women than men, with 75,894 women counted and 73,406 men.
The median weekly income increased by $100 to $598, however rental prices had also risen by the same amount, now sitting at $300 a week.
Almost half of Knox's population were paying off a home loan, while about 6 per cent spent more than 30 per cent of their income on rent.
And despite 25.4 per cent of Knox residents identifying as Catholic, it is no longer the sole frontrunner, with 25.1 per cent saying they have no religion, an increase of 3 per cent from 2006.
The average household size was 2.8 people and the average home had 3.3 bedrooms.
Rowville couple Darren and Kylie Carter represent the 'average' family with two school-aged children and a golden retriever called Cooper.
Mrs Carter, 39, works part-time at the local gym; her husband, 46, is a bricklayer. The children, Jessica and Lachlan go to schools in the Knox area.
"I definitely think Knox reflects the average Australian, particularly in Rowville with so many families here,"Mrs Carter said.
"We know so many families through play group, schools, even sporting clubs now."
She said Rowville was a great place to live with a family and they often visited the local library and attended events such as the Knox Festival.