Rochester figures show the town has 480 people suffering from arthritis.
That represents 15.2 per cent, almost double the state average.
With an ageing population and low socio-economic health officials are not surprised by the result.
Rochester Elmore District Health Service (REDHS) offers strong support to residents in the three areas identified by the census report, with residents also accessing facilities at Echuca and Bendigo.
Of further concern is the fact the Census reported seven per cent of Rochester residents reported a long-term heart condition, again almost double the state average.
While not as prevalent, the amount of Rochester people suffering long term from asthma and diabetes was greater than the national average.
There were 222 people suffering from heart problems when the Census was taken, a significant proportion of a population of just 3154 people.
Figures from the 2021 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census were released late last month and the number of Campaspe people suffering from several long-term diseases immediately jumped off the page.
There are almost 5000 people (4932) in the Campaspe shire suffering from long-term arthritis issues. That represents 12.7 per cent of the 38,735 residents that were surveyed on Census night.
The National average, in relation to arthritis is 8.5 per cent and in Victoria it is even lower.
Mental health conditions were uncovered in 10.1 per cent of the population (3930 people), almost two per cent more than the national average.
The 376 people suffering from mental health conditions in Rochester meant the percentage of the population was three per cent more than the national average.
Campaspe-wide, heart disease, diabetes and cancer statistics also showed the averages were in excess of the national figures.
Inside next week’s Campaspe News there will be a closer look at some of the numbers uncovered by the 2021 poll, which was conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on August 10 last year.
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