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Forbes vs Parkes

Council (LGA) comparison ≈ 61 km apart · Forbes profile · Parkes profile

Forbes Parkes

Parkes and Forbes are two regional centres in New South Wales located about 61 km apart. Parkes has a more walkable layout, with 52.6% of homes in a 15-minute-city walkshed and far more residents within walking distance of schools (66.9%) and groceries (47.2%). In contrast, Forbes has a far higher standing in measures of overall advantage, education, and access to resources. These differences are also seen in their schools; Parkes has 12 schools compared to 6 in Forbes, though the average school size is far higher in Forbes at 343 students.

The gap in the typical age of residents has narrowed since 2011, with Parkes now at 41 and Forbes slightly older at 42. Both areas share very similar profiles in terms of their First Nations populations, children under 15, and typical weekly household incomes, which sit around $1,300. While Parkes has a well higher First Nations unemployment rate of 13.2% compared to 8.2% in Forbes, both areas show a similar level of adults with a bachelor degree or higher.

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Where they differ most

Population: 5,042 larger in Parkes Unemployment: 1.3 pts higher in Parkes Needs assistance: 1.2 pts higher in Parkes Other language: 1.3 pts higher in Parkes Limited English: 0.2 pts higher in Parkes

Demographics & Identity

Population in Forbesin Parkes +5,042 larger in Parkes gap steady
9,319 45th pct 14,361 53rd pct
Median age in Forbesin Parkes +1 yrs older in Forbes gap narrowing
42 yrs 50th pct 41 yrs 43rd pct
First Nations in Forbesin Parkes +0.1 pts higher in Forbes gap narrowing
13.3% 83rd pct 13.1% 83rd pct
Aged 65+ in Forbesin Parkes +2.4 pts higher in Forbes gap widening
23.1% 69th pct 20.7% 56th pct
Under 15 in Forbesin Parkes +0.6 pts higher in Parkes gap steady
19.9% 73rd pct 20.4% 77th pct
De facto in Forbesin Parkes +0.5 pts higher in Parkes gap steady
11.7% 31st pct 12.2% 40th pct

Age structure

24.5% Older adults (45–64) +0.5 pts ▸ 25.0%
23.1% Seniors (65+) ◂ +2.4 pts 20.7%
21.5% Young adults (25–44) +0.7 pts ▸ 22.2%
19.9% Children (0–14) +0.6 pts ▸ 20.4%
11.0% Youth (15–24) +0.6 pts ▸ 11.6%

Marital status

46.6% Married ◂ +2.3 pts 44.3%
33.5% Never married +1.8 pts ▸ 35.3%
8.7% Divorced +0.5 pts ▸ 9.2%
7.3% Widowed +0.1 pts ▸ 7.3%
4.0% Separated ◂ +0.1 pts 3.9%

Age & sex structure

Forbes Parkes

Bars show the share of each area's own population, so differently sized areas stay comparable.

Ancestry & Birthplace

Born overseas in Forbesin Parkes +1.3 pts higher in Parkes gap steady
4.3% 8th pct 5.6% 12th pct

Country of birth

86.6% Australia ◂ +0.3 pts 86.3%
0.9% England +0.1 pts ▸ 1.0%
0.3% Philippines +0.3 pts ▸ 0.7%
0.5% New Zealand +0.1 pts ▸ 0.6%
0.2% South Africa +0.2 pts ▸ 0.4%
0.4% India ◂ +0.1 pts 0.2%
0.2% China +0.1 pts ▸ 0.3%
0.1% Nepal +0.1 pts ▸ 0.2%
0.2% Italy ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%
0.0% Vietnam even 0.0%

Ancestry

44.9% Australian ◂ +0.2 pts 44.7%
39.9% English +0.8 pts ▸ 40.7%
12.2% Irish ◂ +1.6 pts 10.7%
8.7% Scottish even 8.7%
4.1% German ◂ +0.3 pts 3.8%
1.5% Italian ◂ +0.2 pts 1.2%
0.7% Dutch +0.5 pts ▸ 1.2%
0.5% Filipino +0.3 pts ▸ 0.8%
0.4% Chinese +0.3 pts ▸ 0.7%
0.5% Indian ◂ +0.2 pts 0.2%
0.2% Greek even 0.2%
0.0% Vietnamese even 0.1%

Language

Other language in Forbesin Parkes +1.3 pts higher in Parkes gap steady
2.1% 11th pct 3.5% 27th pct
Limited English in Forbesin Parkes +0.2 pts higher in Parkes gap steady
0.2% 22nd pct 0.4% 37th pct

Language used at home

89.7% English only ◂ +0.6 pts 89.1%
0.2% Mandarin even 0.2%
0.2% Cantonese even 0.2%
0.1% Tagalog even 0.2%
0.2% Italian even 0.1%
0.0% Vietnamese +0.1 pts ▸ 0.1%
0.0% Hindi +0.1 pts ▸ 0.1%
0.1% Punjabi even 0.0%
0.0% Greek even 0.0%
0.0% Arabic even 0.0%

Religion

No religion in Forbesin Parkes +1.6 pts higher in Parkes gap steady
25.5% 12th pct 27.1% 13th pct

Religious affiliation

64.5% Christianity ◂ +1.6 pts 62.9%
25.5% No religion +1.6 pts ▸ 27.1%
9.2% Not stated ◂ +0.6 pts 8.6%
0.4% Buddhism +0.1 pts ▸ 0.5%
0.3% Hinduism +0.1 pts ▸ 0.4%
0.1% Other religions +0.2 pts ▸ 0.3%
0.1% Islam +0.2 pts ▸ 0.2%
0.1% Judaism ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Forbesin Parkes +0.6 pts higher in Forbes gap steady
37.5% 33rd pct 36.9% 31st pct
Bachelor+ in Forbesin Parkes +0.9 pts higher in Forbes gap steady
12.4% 47th pct 11.6% 40th pct
Schools in Forbesin Parkes +6 more in Parkes
6 36th pct 12 57th pct
Schools/1k kids in Forbesin Parkes +0.85 more in Parkes
3.24 44th pct 4.09 53rd pct
Students in Forbesin Parkes +137 more in Parkes
2,055 50th pct 2,192 51st pct
Avg size in Forbesin Parkes +160 larger in Forbes
343 66th pct 183 43rd pct
ICSEA in Forbesin Parkes +17 higher in Forbes
944 33rd pct 926 26th pct

Highest year of school

37.5% Year 12 ◂ +0.6 pts 36.9%
30.9% Year 10 +2.0 pts ▸ 32.9%
14.2% Year 9 or below ◂ +0.2 pts 14.0%
7.0% Year 11 ◂ +0.3 pts 6.7%

Highest qualification level

36.1% Certificate III / IV +3.3 pts ▸ 39.4%
16.7% Bachelor degree ◂ +0.8 pts 15.9%
11.8% Advanced diploma / diploma +0.2 pts ▸ 12.0%
3.3% Postgraduate degree ◂ +0.1 pts 3.2%
2.8% Certificate I / II ◂ +0.1 pts 2.7%
2.2% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +0.1 pts 2.1%

Field of qualification

14.3% Engineering & related +3.3 pts ▸ 17.6%
13.3% Management & commerce +2.3 pts ▸ 15.6%
10.0% Education ◂ +0.6 pts 9.4%
9.6% Health +0.1 pts ▸ 9.7%
9.2% Society & culture +0.3 pts ▸ 9.5%
7.6% Agriculture & environment ◂ +3.3 pts 4.4%
5.0% Food, hospitality & personal services +0.3 pts ▸ 5.3%
5.2% Architecture & building ◂ +0.7 pts 4.6%
1.3% Creative arts +0.1 pts ▸ 1.4%
1.0% Natural & physical sciences +0.2 pts ▸ 1.1%
1.0% Information technology +0.1 pts ▸ 1.1%

Income

Personal income in Forbesin Parkes +$18 higher in Forbes gap widening
$718 43rd pct $700 39th pct
Household income in Forbesin Parkes +$77 higher in Parkes gap widening
$1,259 33rd pct $1,336 44th pct
Family income in Forbesin Parkes +$99 higher in Parkes gap narrowing
$1,691 41st pct $1,790 50th pct
High earners in Forbesin Parkes +0.4 pts higher in Parkes gap steady
8.2% 47th pct 8.5% 50th pct
High-income homes in Forbesin Parkes +0.2 pts higher in Parkes gap narrowing
13.8% 48th pct 14.0% 49th pct

Household income distribution

32.0% $650–$1,499 ◂ +1.9 pts 30.1%
24.3% $1,500–$2,999 +2.9 pts ▸ 27.2%
20.4% Under $650 +0.6 pts ▸ 21.0%
7.3% $3,000–$3,999 +0.7 pts ▸ 8.0%
6.6% $4,000 or more ◂ +0.5 pts 6.1%

Personal income distribution

41.0% Under $650 +1.7 pts ▸ 42.8%
32.2% $650–$1,499 ◂ +2.2 pts 30.0%
13.4% $1,500–$2,999 +1.9 pts ▸ 15.4%
2.8% $3,000 or more ◂ +0.4 pts 2.4%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Forbesin Parkes +1.3 pts higher in Parkes
32.0% 67th pct 33.3% 76th pct
Mental health in Forbesin Parkes +0.9 pts higher in Parkes
9.3% 62nd pct 10.2% 75th pct
Needs assistance in Forbesin Parkes +1.2 pts higher in Parkes gap steady
6.1% 61st pct 7.3% 83rd pct

Long-term health conditions reported

11.9% Arthritis ◂ +0.5 pts 11.4%
9.1% Asthma +1.7 pts ▸ 10.9%
9.3% Mental health +0.9 pts ▸ 10.2%
6.7% Other condition +0.8 pts ▸ 7.4%
6.3% Diabetes ◂ +0.3 pts 6.0%
5.3% Heart disease ◂ +0.3 pts 5.0%
3.9% Cancer ◂ +0.8 pts 3.1%
2.7% Lung condition ◂ +0.2 pts 2.5%
1.0% Stroke +0.2 pts ▸ 1.2%
0.9% Dementia +0.2 pts ▸ 1.1%

Number of long-term health conditions

57.0% None ◂ +0.9 pts 56.1%
19.4% One condition +1.7 pts ▸ 21.1%
7.7% Two conditions +0.1 pts ▸ 7.7%
4.9% Three or more ◂ +0.4 pts 4.5%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Forbesin Parkes +0.4 pts higher in Forbes gap narrowing
18.5% 56th pct 18.1% 53rd pct
Unpaid carers in Forbesin Parkes +0.4 pts higher in Parkes gap steady
12.6% 56th pct 13.0% 64th pct
Unpaid child care in Forbesin Parkes +1.5 pts higher in Parkes gap steady
25.5% 56th pct 26.9% 67th pct
Defence service in Forbesin Parkes +0.4 pts higher in Parkes
2.3% 29th pct 2.7% 40th pct
Housework 15h+ in Forbesin Parkes +0.6 pts higher in Forbes gap steady
22.7% 57th pct 22.2% 51st pct

First Nations

First Nations people in Forbesin Parkes +651 larger in Parkes
1,236 68th pct 1,887 77th pct
Median age in Forbesin Parkes +1 yrs older in Forbes
23 yrs 29th pct 22 yrs 21st pct
Year 12 in Forbesin Parkes +2.3 pts higher in Parkes
28.2% 32nd pct 30.4% 41st pct
Unemployment in Forbesin Parkes +5.0 pts higher in Parkes
8.2% 27th pct 13.2% 61st pct
Median income in Forbesin Parkes +$82 higher in Forbes
$640 72nd pct $558 51st pct
Household income in Forbesin Parkes +$67 higher in Parkes
$1,257 36th pct $1,324 44th pct
Indigenous language in Forbesin Parkes +2.4 pts higher in Parkes
1.1% 11th pct 3.6% 36th pct

Family & Households

Household size in Forbesin Parkes even gap narrowing
2.4 43rd pct 2.4 43rd pct
One-parent in Forbesin Parkes +1.7 pts higher in Parkes gap steady
16.9% 75th pct 18.6% 85th pct
Living alone in Forbesin Parkes +0.1 pts higher in Forbes gap narrowing
31.3% 68th pct 31.2% 67th pct

Family composition

50.4% Couples with children +1.3 pts ▸ 51.7%
31.8% Couples without children ◂ +3.0 pts 28.8%
16.9% One-parent families +1.7 pts ▸ 18.6%
1.0% Other families ◂ +0.1 pts 0.9%

Household size

36.7% 2 people ◂ +2.8 pts 33.9%
31.3% 1 person ◂ +0.1 pts 31.2%
11.6% 3 people +1.7 pts ▸ 13.3%
10.9% 4 people +0.6 pts ▸ 11.5%
6.4% 5 people +0.4 pts ▸ 6.8%
3.2% 6 or more +0.1 pts ▸ 3.3%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Forbesin Parkes +$20 higher in Parkes gap widening
$230 39th pct $250 46th pct
Mortgage in Forbesin Parkes +$17 higher in Parkes gap narrowing
$1,283 42nd pct $1,300 43rd pct
People / bedroom in Forbesin Parkes even gap steady
0.70 0th pct 0.70 0th pct
Renting in Forbesin Parkes +0.7 pts higher in Parkes gap steady
26.9% 56th pct 27.6% 58th pct
Owned outright in Forbesin Parkes +1.1 pts higher in Forbes gap widening
37.9% 51st pct 36.8% 47th pct
Separate houses in Forbesin Parkes even gap narrowing
89.6% 51st pct 89.7% 51st pct
3+ bedrooms in Forbesin Parkes +1.4 pts higher in Parkes gap steady
77.7% 53rd pct 79.1% 62nd pct

How homes are owned or rented

37.9% Owned outright ◂ +1.1 pts 36.8%
29.7% Owned with a mortgage +1.0 pts ▸ 30.8%
26.9% Rented +0.7 pts ▸ 27.6%
3.4% Other tenure ◂ +0.5 pts 2.9%
2.5% Not stated ◂ +0.6 pts 1.9%

Types of homes

89.6% Separate house +0.1 pts ▸ 89.7%
4.5% Flat or apartment +0.9 pts ▸ 5.4%
4.4% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +0.8 pts 3.5%
1.2% Other dwelling ◂ +0.5 pts 0.7%

Bedrooms per home

43.2% 3 bedrooms ◂ +0.5 pts 42.7%
27.8% 4 bedrooms +1.6 pts ▸ 29.4%
16.9% 2 bedrooms ◂ +1.4 pts 15.5%
6.7% 5 or more +0.3 pts ▸ 6.9%
2.6% 1 bedroom +0.3 pts ▸ 2.9%
0.3% Studio / none +0.4 pts ▸ 0.7%

Weekly rent distribution

49.9% $200–$349 ◂ +0.4 pts 49.6%
31.9% Under $200 ◂ +2.3 pts 29.6%
10.0% $350–$549 +5.4 pts ▸ 15.4%
0.3% $750 or more +0.2 pts ▸ 0.5%
0.0% $550–$749 +0.5 pts ▸ 0.5%

Monthly mortgage distribution

40.9% $1,000–$1,799 +1.2 pts ▸ 42.1%
32.8% Under $1,000 ◂ +2.9 pts 29.8%
16.3% $1,800–$2,999 +0.9 pts ▸ 17.3%
5.5% $3,000 or more ◂ +0.1 pts 5.4%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Forbesin Parkes +1.2 pts higher in Parkes gap steady
5.3% 53rd pct 6.5% 68th pct
Work from home in Forbesin Parkes +0.3 pts higher in Forbes gap narrowing
10.9% 42nd pct 10.7% 40th pct
PT commute in Forbesin Parkes +0.0 pts higher in Forbes gap steady
0.5% 34th pct 0.4% 32nd pct
PT stops in Forbesin Parkes +10 more in Parkes
51 54th pct 61 57th pct
Stops/1k in Forbesin Parkes +1.23 more in Forbes
5.47 77th pct 4.25 62nd pct
Departures/1k in Forbesin Parkes +22.7 more in Forbes
119.8 57th pct 97.1 54th pct
PT routes in Forbesin Parkes +6 more in Parkes
11 58th pct 17 66th pct

How people get to work

66.7% Car (driver) ◂ +0.2 pts 66.4%
10.9% Worked at home ◂ +0.3 pts 10.7%
4.8% Car (passenger) +0.5 pts ▸ 5.3%
4.3% Walked +0.2 pts ▸ 4.5%
0.5% Bus ◂ +0.1 pts 0.4%
0.3% Bicycle ◂ +0.1 pts 0.3%
0.0% Train even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

37.0% 2 vehicles ◂ +1.2 pts 35.9%
35.3% 1 vehicle +0.2 pts ▸ 35.5%
14.4% 3 vehicles ◂ +1.4 pts 12.9%
7.9% 4 or more +1.2 pts ▸ 9.2%
5.3% No vehicle +1.2 pts ▸ 6.5%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Forbesin Parkes +1.8 pts higher in Parkes gap widening
32.2% 37th pct 34.0% 47th pct
Recent arrivals in Forbesin Parkes +0.4 pts higher in Parkes gap narrowing
13.8% 59th pct 14.3% 61st pct

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Forbesin Parkes +1.3 pts higher in Parkes gap steady
3.8% 34th pct 5.1% 67th pct
Participation in Forbesin Parkes +0.6 pts higher in Forbes gap steady
57.7% 48th pct 57.1% 45th pct
Full-time in Forbesin Parkes +0.3 pts higher in Parkes gap steady
63.4% 72nd pct 63.7% 73rd pct

Industries people work in

17.6% Agriculture, forestry & fishing ◂ +7.4 pts 10.2%
12.2% Health care & social assistance +0.7 pts ▸ 13.0%
10.8% Education & training ◂ +2.4 pts 8.4%
9.4% Retail trade +0.1 pts ▸ 9.6%
3.5% Mining +5.0 pts ▸ 8.5%
5.1% Public administration & safety +3.4 pts ▸ 8.5%
5.4% Accommodation & food +1.7 pts ▸ 7.1%
7.1% Construction ◂ +0.6 pts 6.5%
4.0% Transport & warehousing +2.1 pts ▸ 6.2%
4.2% Other services ◂ +0.1 pts 4.1%
4.0% Manufacturing ◂ +0.3 pts 3.7%
3.2% Wholesale trade ◂ +1.4 pts 1.8%

Occupations people work in

19.9% Managers ◂ +3.8 pts 16.1%
15.1% Professionals +0.1 pts ▸ 15.3%
13.3% Technicians & trades +0.7 pts ▸ 14.0%
12.7% Labourers ◂ +1.9 pts 10.8%
11.1% Community & personal service +0.6 pts ▸ 11.7%
7.8% Machinery operators & drivers +3.6 pts ▸ 11.3%
9.7% Clerical & administrative +1.3 pts ▸ 11.0%
8.7% Sales workers ◂ +0.5 pts 8.2%

Economy & Advantage

IRSAD decile in Forbesin Parkes +2 higher in Forbes
5 43rd pct 3 29th pct
IRSD decile in Forbesin Parkes +2 higher in Forbes
5 43rd pct 3 29th pct
IER decile in Forbesin Parkes +2 higher in Forbes
5 43rd pct 3 29th pct
IEO decile in Forbesin Parkes +2 higher in Forbes
5 43rd pct 3 29th pct
IRSAD score in Forbesin Parkes +19 higher in Forbes
941 40th pct 922 27th pct
ERP in Forbesin Parkes +4,874 higher in Parkes
9,301 43rd pct 14,175 50th pct
Growth in Forbesin Parkes +1.0 pts higher in Forbes
-0.9% 10th pct -1.9% 5th pct
Businesses in Forbesin Parkes +210 higher in Parkes
1,201 47th pct 1,411 50th pct
Approvals in Forbesin Parkes +2 higher in Parkes
35 44th pct 37 45th pct

Environment & Climate

Rainfall in Forbesin Parkes +31 higher in Parkes
620 46th pct 651 50th pct
Max temp in Forbesin Parkes +0.1 higher in Parkes
24.6 55th pct 24.7 56th pct
Min temp in Forbesin Parkes +0.7 higher in Parkes
9.0 18th pct 9.7 27th pct

Crime & Safety

Crime rate in Forbesin Parkes +421 higher in Forbes
13,993 78th pct 13,571 77th pct
Assault/100k in Forbesin Parkes +265 higher in Parkes
1,567 75th pct 1,831 80th pct
Sexual/100k in Forbesin Parkes +15 higher in Parkes
354 73rd pct 369 76th pct
Robbery/100k in Forbesin Parkes +14 higher in Forbes
21 45th pct 7 9th pct
Burglary/100k in Forbesin Parkes +227 higher in Forbes
923 80th pct 696 71st pct
Theft/100k in Forbesin Parkes +270 higher in Forbes
1,642 65th pct 1,372 56th pct
Vehicle theft/100k in Forbesin Parkes +536 higher in Forbes
1,449 99th pct 912 89th pct
Property damage/100k in Forbesin Parkes +284 higher in Forbes
1,502 85th pct 1,219 77th pct
Drugs/100k in Forbesin Parkes +371 higher in Forbes
1,513 83rd pct 1,142 77th pct
5-yr change in Forbesin Parkes +29.9 pts higher in Parkes
-5.2% 27th pct 24.7% 72nd pct

Walkability

Walk score in Forbesin Parkes +0.7 higher in Parkes
3.9 56th pct 4.6 69th pct
Types ≤15 min in Forbesin Parkes +0.9 more in Parkes
3.8 44th pct 4.7 68th pct
15-min city in Forbesin Parkes +18.0 pts higher in Parkes
34.6% 26th pct 52.6% 58th pct
Walk to shops in Forbesin Parkes +12.2 pts higher in Parkes
35.0% 27th pct 47.2% 49th pct
Walk to transit in Forbesin Parkes +3.8 pts higher in Parkes
64.9% 65th pct 68.8% 68th pct
Walk to school in Forbesin Parkes +13.6 pts higher in Parkes
53.3% 48th pct 66.9% 70th pct
Walk to a park in Forbesin Parkes +11.2 pts higher in Parkes
66.0% 44th pct 77.2% 60th pct
Walk to health in Forbesin Parkes +5.4 pts higher in Parkes
40.0% 54th pct 45.4% 63rd pct
Amenities/1k in Forbesin Parkes +0.4 more in Parkes
17.5 45th pct 17.9 47th pct
Intersections/km² in Forbesin Parkes even
0 33rd pct 0 40th pct
Mean slope in Forbesin Parkes +1.1 pts higher in Parkes
3.1% 19th pct 4.2% 43rd pct

Compare Forbes with nearby areas

Weddin Parkes Cowra Cabonne Bland Temora Lachlan Hilltops

Compare Parkes with nearby areas

Forbes Narromine Lachlan Cabonne Weddin Dubbo Regional Cowra Orange

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Forbes vs Parkes [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/lga/LGA12900/forbes/vs/LGA16200/parkes