Cessnock vs Port Stephens

Cessnock and Port Stephens are two regional areas in New South Wales located about 60 km apart. Port Stephens is generally more walkable, with a score of 4.5 (somewhat walkable) compared to Cessnock's 3.6 (mostly car-dependent). This is seen in the gaps for daily needs: Port Stephens has far more homes within a 15-minute walk of groceries (42.4% versus 24.5%) and health services (24.8% versus 11.6%). Cessnock does have a well higher share of homes within a 15-minute walk of a school, at 51.6% compared to 42.6% in Port Stephens.

Both areas share very similar profiles for First Nations residents. They have nearly identical typical personal incomes (around $580) and household incomes, and their unemployment rates are almost the same at just under 10%. While Port Stephens has a well higher rate of First Nations Year 12 completion at 32.6%, Cessnock has a well larger First Nations population with 6,487 people.