Who actually lives in your neighbourhood? AI reveals Logan’s true diverse and hardworking population
Artificial intelligence has revealed 10 “typical’’ Logan residents who personify their suburb. The exercise has turned common perceptions about life in the city on their head.
Logan
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Logan has often had a bad rap for its historic high youth unemployment rate, which has recently been linked to crime.
This year the city even made the top four list on the Sh*t Towns of Australia after a number of violent crimes involving teens and residents taking matters into their own hands to patrol their streets.
But those incidents were not typical of the city of 345,098.
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed a vibrant fusion of 234 cultures dominated by a hardworking, blue collar, sport-loving population.
Demographer and data scientist Hari Hara Priya Kannan said families made up more than 76 per cent of Logan households, but the elderly was a sector that needed attention and funding.
“The 70-plus population in Logan has increased by a substantial 39 per cent over the five years leading up to 2021, indicating a growing demand for aged care and related services,” she said.
“But families make up the greatest number of households.
“The figure, at 76 per cent of households, is notably higher than the Australian average, exceeding it by six per cent and the Queensland average by five per cent.
“The workforce in Logan is primarily engaged in middle-skilled occupations, including technicians, trades, clerical, and administrative roles.
“The proportion of renters in Logan is relatively high at 34.6 per cent, surpassing the national average of 30.6 per cent.
“Businesses and services that cater to families and middle-income earners are well positioned to thrive in this region.”
To prove this, we used the latest in artificial intelligence and population data to capture “typical faces” of people from 10 Logan suburbs.
Shailer Park can no longer be referred to as “Failure Park” or Beenleigh as Has-Been-leigh.
AI-software generated 10 images of what a typical Logan person might look like from each suburb and used the ABS data to profile a “backstory biography”.
ChatGPT said each description offered a generalised view based on typical attributes, with the individual stories and experiences often diverse.
Meet the 10 typical residents who live in your neighbourhood in Logan and find out what they do for a living, how much they earn and what they value in life.
BAHRS SCRUB
Name: Giovanni Ricci
Age: 68
Place of Residence: Bahrs Scrub
Heritage: Italian
Occupation: Retired small business owner
Family Status: Married with grown children
Giovanni Ricci is married to Maria and they have two grown children, Luca and Sofia. His children have left home to pursue their careers and education, but they often return for Italian-style dinners which both Maria and Giovanni love to cook. He is proud of his Italian heritage and one of the 11 per cent of residents in the suburb to speak a language other than English at home. He has deep roots in the suburb, buying his acreage property before he married. He has seen the suburb change with many acreage lots subdivided into small new housing sites.
Before retiring recently, he was a small-business owner operating a local bakery, which specialised in traditional Italian bread and pastries and high-quality, authentic Italian baked goods.
BETHANIA
Name: Robyn Morrison
Age: 38
Place of Residence: Bethania
Heritage: Australian
Occupation: Nurse
Family Status: Married with young children
Robyn is a 38-year-old resident of Bethania, a suburb that reflects a diverse mix of backgrounds and lifestyles. She works as a nurse and has two children aged 9 and 12, placing her in the “Parents and home builders” category. She is married and part of Bethania’s hardworking middle-class population, with a household income falling in the “lower middle” bracket, earning between $800 to $1749 per week. Alongside her husband, she manages the family’s finances and strives to provide her children with the best education. The couple make up the 17.6 per cent of couples with children in the suburb. She speaks English at home, like the majority in the suburb, but she values the multicultural fabric of her neighbourhood, where 9.6 per cent of residents speak languages other than English. She volunteers at her children’s school and loves to go swimming at the local pool. She is among the 91.5 per cent of the employed population in Bethania. Her long-term health condition puts her among the 46 per cent of residents who face health challenges. As a homeowner, Robyn takes pride in her comfortable “separate house” contributing to the 72.9 per cent of residents who reside in such dwellings.
BROWNS PLAINS
Name: Emily Turner
Age: 32
Place of Residence: Browns Plains
Heritage: Australian
Occupation: Unemployed but has worked in customer service
Family Status: Single mother with young children
Emily Turner, 32, of Browns Plains, is a single mother, with two children, aged 5 and 7. She has worked part-time as a customer service representative at a large local shopping centre but is currently unemployed. She rents a unit. She falls into the “one parent families” category, which makes up a significant portion of Browns Plains. She is part of the “lower middle” income bracket, earning between $800 to $1749 per week. She carefully manages her finances and has juggled her job as a customer service representative with the responsibilities of parenthood. More than 90.8 per cent of residents in Browns Plains are employed but she is among the 9.2 per cent of residents currently unemployed but actively seeking work. Emily speaks English at home, like most residents, but her ability to communicate in other languages reflects the 24.6 per cent of people in Browns Plains who speak languages other than English.
Emily hopes her children will have access to higher education in the future, as reflected by the 5 per cent of Browns Plains residents attending university or TAFE institutions. She believes that hard work and perseverance will lead to better opportunities for her family.
Despite her challenges, Emily is proud to call Browns Plains home. Her story reflects the resilience and diversity of this vibrant community, where individuals like her work tirelessly to create a better future for their families.
CARBROOK
Name: Olivia Mitchell
Age: 42
Place of Residence: Carbrook
Heritage: Australian
Occupation: Primary schoolteacher
Family Status: Single mother with a son
Olivia Mitchell, 42, is a primary school teacher and long-time resident of Carbrook, known for its acreage blocks and river settings. She is a single mum to Daniel, 10. She loves exploring the local parks along the Logan River after she was diagnosed with a long-term illness.
As one of the 74.9 per cent of residents living in a house, Olivia falls into the “lower end of the upper middle” income bracket, earning between $1750 to $2999 per week. Olivia works as a primary school teacher, educating the next generation of Carbrook’s youth. One of the distinguishing features of Olivia’s household is her role as a single mother to her 10-year-old son, Daniel. She is part of the 8.7 per cent of one-parent families in Carbrook. Despite her busy life as a teacher and mother, Olivia still finds time to enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds Carbrook. She often takes leisurely walks along the tranquil riverbanks and explores the nearby parks, which provide a serene escape from the demands of daily life.
She is part of the 37.1 per cent of residents who face health challenges.
GREENBANK
Name: Dwaine Reynolds
Age: 40
Place of Residence: Greenbank
Heritage: Australian
Occupation: IT specialist
Family Status: Married with two children
Dwaine Reynolds, 40, is a full-time IT specialist who just bought a new house at Greenbank, Logan with his wife and two children. He loves gardening and makes sure his family walks every weekend to the local park, where he often umpires junior AFL games.
Dwaine lives in a spacious new house and is one of the suburb’s “couples with children” group which makes up a significant portion of Greenbank’s households. His steady job in IT, like the employment status of 95.5 per cent of Greenbank residents, enables him to support his family comfortably. The Reynolds family falls into the “upper middle” income bracket, earning between $1750 to $2999 per week. This financial stability has allowed them to build and own their home, reflecting the 26.8 per cent of Greenbank residents who own their properties.
Dwaine, was born in Australia like most residents, but embraces the multiculturalism of Greenbank, where 12.8 per cent speak languages other than English at home.
As an active member of the community, Dwaine volunteers his time at the local school, helping with technology-related initiatives. Greenbank’s emerging housing estates have allowed Dwaine to explore his passion for gardening. His lush backyard is a testament to his green thumb. Health-conscious and mindful of the future, Dwaine ensures his family maintains an active lifestyle. They frequently enjoy the nearby parks and nature trails, contributing to the overall wellbeing of the community.
LOGAN CENTRAL
Character Profile:
Name: Ahmed Khan
Age: 53
Place of Residence: Logan Central
Heritage: Pakistan
Occupation: Retail Store Owner
Ahmed Khan is a 53-year-old man of Pakistani heritage who has made Logan Central his home for many years. He is a respected member of the community and is known as the owner of a unique retail store in the heart of Logan Central. Ahmed’s store is a beloved fixture in the community, offering a diverse range of products that cater to the tastes and needs of the local population. Ahmed is one of the 3172 males in Logan Central and is fluent in both English and his native Urdu language. About 36 per cent of Logan Central residents speak a language other than English at home. He falls into the category of “Older workers and pre-retirees” who represent 10.1 per cent of the suburb’s population. Ahmed lives in a lone person household, which accounts for 26.2 per cent of households in Logan Central. He is the owner and operator of his retail store and is part of the 84.3 per cent of Logan Central residents who are employed. The unemployment rate in Logan Central is 15.7 per cent, but Ahmed Khan runs his own business. He falls into the income category of “$3000 or more (high)” reflecting the success of his retail business. He does not have any long-term health conditions, aligning with the 55 per cent of the population in the suburb.
He rents his unit, in line with 55.3 per cent of the suburb.
BEENLEIGH
Name: Jack Anderson
Age: 25
Occupation: Builder’s Apprentice
Place of Residence: Beenleigh, Logan
Marital Status: Single
Living Arrangements: Jack shares a modest two-bedroom apartment with his childhood friend, Mike, who also works in the construction industry. They split the rent and utilities, making it affordable for both. Their unit is in a medium-density housing complex, providing convenient access to work and amenities. As a builder’s apprentice, Jack earns a steady income that falls within the “lower middle” household income category. While it’s not extravagant, it covers his share of the rent, utilities, groceries, and leaves a bit for savings and occasional leisure activities. He’s motivated to advance in his career and increase his earning potential in the construction industry. Jack completed his high school education and immediately pursued vocational training in construction and carpentry choosing hands-on learning over formal university education, attending TAFE (Technical and Further Education) for his apprenticeship.
He falls into the “Young Workforce (25 to 34)” demographic, contributing to the labour force and playing a role in shaping the suburb’s future. He aspires to become a skilled tradesman.
DAISY HILL
Name: Emily Foster
Age: 23
Occupation: University Student
Place of Residence: Daisy Hill, Logan
Marital Status: Single
Emily Foster is the AI-generated characterisation of a typical resident of Daisy Hill in her early 20s. She’s part of the young workforce, with a diverse background. She rents a unit with a roommate she met during her first year at university. She enjoys the convenience of living near her university campus where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She is an ambitious student, maintaining an impressive academic record while actively participating in campus life. Her educational journey represents the “Tertiary education/independence 18 to 24” category of people living in Daisy Hill. She enjoys good health and is committed to staying active and maintaining her health and often walks in local parks and is part of a local yoga group.
WOODRIDGE
Name: Mateo Rodriguez
Age: 49
Occupation: Unemployed
Place of Residence: Woodridge, Logan
Marital Status: Divorced
Mateo Rodriguez is an AI-characterisation of a man who lives in a unit in Woodridge, Logan.
He lives with his 12-year-old son, Javier and their unit is modestly furnished, filled with photographs of family memories and artwork created by Javier. The challenges of unemployment have taught them both the value of simplicity. Mateo primarily speaks Tagalog, his native language, at home. He encourages Javier to embrace their Filipino heritage and helps him maintain fluency in Tagalog. Mateo’s strong connection to his cultural roots is an essential part of their identity. Despite the challenges of unemployment, Mateo actively participates in community programs that offer support to those job hunting. As a single father, Mateo’s current unemployment status places financial strain on the household, which falls into the “One parent families” category in the Woodridge summary profile. Mateo is fortunate to have good health. They both enjoy staying active playing sports at the local park.
YARRABILBA
Name: Helena Nowak
Age: 82
Place of Residence: Yarrabilba, Logan
Heritage: Polish
Marital status: Widowed
Helena Nowak is an AI-generated characterisation of a senior resident of the suburb of Yarrabilba. She is an 82-year-old woman with a rich Polish heritage. She immigrated to Australia several decades ago but has always cherished her Polish roots. Helena chose Yarrabilba as her home because it is near to her daughter and she could rent a new unit and live independently. Her unit is her haven, a place where she finds solace and a connection to her cultural heritage. Helena speaks fluent Polish and often participates in local cultural events that celebrate her heritage. She enjoys cooking traditional Polish dishes, inviting friends and neighbours to savour homemade pierogi, kielbasa, and babka. Despite her age, Helena actively participates in community activities and likes to play mahjong. She often attends the seniors’ club, where she teaches traditional Polish dancing.
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