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Palmers Island vs The Freshwater

Suburb / Locality comparison ≈ 7.3 km apart · Palmers Island profile · The Freshwater profile

Palmers Island The Freshwater

Palmers Island and The Freshwater are neighbouring areas in New South Wales, though they differ greatly in scale. Palmers Island has 482 people, while The Freshwater is sparsely populated with only 5 residents. Palmers Island is more connected, with three public transport routes and four schools nearby, compared to none and one in The Freshwater. The two areas also differ in their residents; Palmers Island has a typical age of 49 and 11 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, while The Freshwater's typical resident is far older at 63.

Both areas have tracked similarly since 2011, remaining car-dependent in terms of walkability. They share a similar typical personal income of around $700 a week and neither has any homes within a 15-minute walk of groceries or health services. While Palmers Island has more people per home at 2.6, both areas sit well above the national figure for the typical age of residents.

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Where they differ most

Population: 477 larger in Palmers Island Median age: 14 yrs older in The Freshwater People / bedroom: 0.30 higher in Palmers Island Household size: 0.6 larger in Palmers Island Household income: $345 higher in The Freshwater

Demographics & Identity

Population in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +477 larger in Palmers Island gap steady
482 64th pct 5 4th pct
Median age in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +14 yrs older in The Freshwater gap narrowing
49 yrs 67th pct 63 yrs 97th pct
First Nations in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
2.3% 54th pct —
Aged 65+ in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
25.1% 75th pct —
Under 15 in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
18.5% 60th pct —
De facto in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
18.8% 86th pct —

Age structure

18.5% Young adults (25–44) +41.5 pts ▸ 60.0%
30.9% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +30.9 pts 0.0%
25.1% Seniors (65+) ◂ +25.1 pts 0.0%
18.5% Children (0–14) ◂ +18.5 pts 0.0%
7.9% Youth (15–24) ◂ +7.9 pts 0.0%

Marital status

27.3% Never married +32.7 pts ▸ 60.0%
52.8% Married ◂ +52.8 pts 0.0%
12.6% Divorced ◂ +12.6 pts 0.0%
4.8% Widowed ◂ +4.8 pts 0.0%
1.5% Separated ◂ +1.5 pts 0.0%

Ancestry & Birthplace

Born overseas in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
8.7% 37th pct —

Country of birth

84.9% Australia ◂ +84.9 pts 0.0%
3.9% England ◂ +3.9 pts 0.0%
0.8% New Zealand ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%
0.0% India even 0.0%
0.0% China even 0.0%
0.0% Philippines even 0.0%
0.0% Vietnam even 0.0%
0.0% Nepal even 0.0%
0.0% Italy even 0.0%
0.0% South Africa even 0.0%

Ancestry

42.7% Australian ◂ +42.7 pts 0.0%
40.0% English ◂ +40.0 pts 0.0%
16.2% Scottish ◂ +16.2 pts 0.0%
13.9% Irish ◂ +13.9 pts 0.0%
3.5% Italian ◂ +3.5 pts 0.0%
3.3% German ◂ +3.3 pts 0.0%
1.9% Dutch ◂ +1.9 pts 0.0%
1.0% Chinese ◂ +1.0 pts 0.0%
0.6% Greek ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%
0.0% Indian even 0.0%
0.0% Filipino even 0.0%
0.0% Vietnamese even 0.0%

Language

Other language in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
1.7% 38th pct —
Limited English in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
0.0% 0th pct —

Language used at home

92.7% English only ◂ +12.7 pts 80.0%
1.0% Mandarin ◂ +1.0 pts 0.0%
0.6% Italian ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%
0.0% Arabic even 0.0%
0.0% Vietnamese even 0.0%
0.0% Cantonese even 0.0%
0.0% Punjabi even 0.0%
0.0% Greek even 0.0%
0.0% Hindi even 0.0%
0.0% Tagalog even 0.0%

Religion

No religion in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
42.7% 57th pct —

Religious affiliation

42.7% No religion +17.3 pts ▸ 60.0%
48.5% Christianity ◂ +48.5 pts 0.0%
9.1% Not stated ◂ +9.1 pts 0.0%
0.0% Islam even 0.0%
0.0% Hinduism even 0.0%
0.0% Buddhism even 0.0%
0.0% Judaism even 0.0%
0.0% Other religions even 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
39.7% 36th pct —
Bachelor+ in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
10.1% 30th pct —
Schools/1k kids in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
11.24 77th pct —
Schools ≤3 km in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +3 more in Palmers Island
4 71st pct 1 43rd pct
Avg size in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +4 larger in The Freshwater
92 24th pct 96 25th pct
ICSEA in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +26 higher in Palmers Island
1,022 68th pct 996 54th pct

Highest year of school

39.7% Year 12 +20.3 pts ▸ 60.0%
29.9% Year 10 ◂ +29.9 pts 0.0%
14.3% Year 9 or below ◂ +14.3 pts 0.0%
7.5% Year 11 ◂ +7.5 pts 0.0%

Income

Personal income in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +$7 higher in Palmers Island gap narrowing
$706 41st pct $699 40th pct
Household income in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +$345 higher in The Freshwater
$1,404 41st pct $1,749 62nd pct
Family income in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +$55 higher in The Freshwater
$1,694 38th pct $1,749 41st pct
High earners in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
8.1% 50th pct —
High-income homes in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
14.9% 47th pct —

Household income distribution

33.9% $650–$1,499 ◂ +33.9 pts 0.0%
26.2% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +26.2 pts 0.0%
16.7% Under $650 ◂ +16.7 pts 0.0%
8.9% $4,000 or more ◂ +8.9 pts 0.0%
6.0% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +6.0 pts 0.0%

Personal income distribution

42.2% Under $650 ◂ +42.2 pts 0.0%
32.6% $650–$1,499 ◂ +32.6 pts 0.0%
12.1% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +12.1 pts 0.0%
3.0% $3,000 or more ◂ +3.0 pts 0.0%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
29.0% 51st pct —
Mental health in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
8.5% 54th pct —
Needs assistance in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
2.9% 30th pct —

Long-term health conditions reported

10.8% Arthritis ◂ +10.8 pts 0.0%
8.5% Mental health ◂ +8.5 pts 0.0%
6.2% Asthma ◂ +6.2 pts 0.0%
5.4% Other condition ◂ +5.4 pts 0.0%
5.2% Diabetes ◂ +5.2 pts 0.0%
5.2% Heart disease ◂ +5.2 pts 0.0%
3.7% Cancer ◂ +3.7 pts 0.0%
1.5% Stroke ◂ +1.5 pts 0.0%
1.2% Lung condition ◂ +1.2 pts 0.0%
0.8% Dementia ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%

Number of long-term health conditions

61.4% None +18.6 pts ▸ 80.0%
18.9% One condition ◂ +18.9 pts 0.0%
6.2% Two conditions ◂ +6.2 pts 0.0%
4.4% Three or more ◂ +4.4 pts 0.0%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
11.1% 16th pct —
Unpaid carers in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
14.1% 65th pct —
Unpaid child care in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
32.1% 81st pct —
Defence service in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
2.7% 51st pct —
Housework 15h+ in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
23.7% 47th pct —

First Nations

First Nations people in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +11 larger in Palmers Island
11 60th pct 0 0th pct
Median age in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
21 yrs 29th pct —
Median income in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
$1,174 86th pct —
Household income in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
$2,749 86th pct —

Family & Households

Household size in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +0.6 larger in Palmers Island
2.6 57th pct 2.0 14th pct
One-parent in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
5.9% 25th pct —
Living alone in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
23.2% 48th pct —

Family composition

35.9% Couples without children +64.1 pts ▸ 100.0%
58.3% Couples with children ◂ +58.3 pts 0.0%
5.9% One-parent families ◂ +5.9 pts 0.0%
0.0% Other families even 0.0%

Household size

41.7% 2 people +58.3 pts ▸ 100.0%
23.2% 1 person ◂ +23.2 pts 0.0%
20.2% 4 people ◂ +20.2 pts 0.0%
13.7% 3 people ◂ +13.7 pts 0.0%
5.4% 5 people ◂ +5.4 pts 0.0%
3.0% 6 or more ◂ +3.0 pts 0.0%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
$313 61st pct —
Mortgage in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +$260 higher in The Freshwater
$1,733 57th pct $1,993 71st pct
People / bedroom in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +0.30 higher in Palmers Island
0.90 86th pct 0.60 7th pct
Renting in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
11.3% 31st pct —
Owned outright in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
52.4% 80th pct —
Separate houses in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
86.9% 27th pct —
3+ bedrooms in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
79.2% 49th pct —

How homes are owned or rented

52.4% Owned outright ◂ +52.4 pts 0.0%
33.9% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +33.9 pts 0.0%
11.3% Rented ◂ +11.3 pts 0.0%
3.6% Other tenure ◂ +3.6 pts 0.0%
0.0% Not stated even 0.0%

Types of homes

86.9% Separate house +13.1 pts ▸ 100.0%
13.1% Other dwelling ◂ +13.1 pts 0.0%
2.4% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +2.4 pts 0.0%
0.0% Flat or apartment even 0.0%

Bedrooms per home

41.7% 3 bedrooms ◂ +41.7 pts 0.0%
29.2% 4 bedrooms ◂ +29.2 pts 0.0%
13.1% 2 bedrooms ◂ +13.1 pts 0.0%
8.3% 5 or more ◂ +8.3 pts 0.0%
6.5% 1 bedroom ◂ +6.5 pts 0.0%
5.4% Studio / none ◂ +5.4 pts 0.0%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
1.8% 55th pct —
Work from home in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
10.9% 30th pct —
PT commute in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
0.0% 0th pct —
PT stops in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +3 more in Palmers Island
3 72nd pct 0 0th pct
Stops/1k in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +6.22 more in Palmers Island
6.22 82nd pct 0.00 0th pct
Departures/1k in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +267.6 more in Palmers Island
267.6 74th pct 0.0 0th pct
PT routes in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +3 more in Palmers Island
3 79th pct 0 0th pct
Stop walk in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +21 longer in The Freshwater
34 70th pct 55 82nd pct

How people get to work

64.7% Car (driver) ◂ +64.7 pts 0.0%
10.9% Worked at home ◂ +10.9 pts 0.0%
5.9% Walked ◂ +5.9 pts 0.0%
3.6% Car (passenger) ◂ +3.6 pts 0.0%
0.0% Train even 0.0%
0.0% Bus even 0.0%
0.0% Bicycle even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

49.7% 2 vehicles ◂ +49.7 pts 0.0%
20.0% 1 vehicle ◂ +20.0 pts 0.0%
18.8% 3 vehicles ◂ +18.8 pts 0.0%
6.7% 4 or more ◂ +6.7 pts 0.0%
1.8% No vehicle ◂ +1.8 pts 0.0%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
28.9% 42nd pct —
Recent arrivals in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
0.0% 0th pct —

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
6.0% 77th pct —
Participation in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
59.1% 44th pct —
Full-time in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater
56.6% 41st pct —

Industries people work in

15.8% Health care & social assistance +59.2 pts ▸ 75.0%
14.5% Construction ◂ +14.5 pts 0.0%
13.6% Agriculture, forestry & fishing ◂ +13.6 pts 0.0%
11.3% Accommodation & food ◂ +11.3 pts 0.0%
10.4% Retail trade ◂ +10.4 pts 0.0%
5.4% Education & training ◂ +5.4 pts 0.0%
5.0% Other services ◂ +5.0 pts 0.0%
3.6% Manufacturing ◂ +3.6 pts 0.0%
3.6% Rental & real estate ◂ +3.6 pts 0.0%
3.2% Public administration & safety ◂ +3.2 pts 0.0%
2.7% Mining ◂ +2.7 pts 0.0%
2.3% Professional & technical ◂ +2.3 pts 0.0%

Occupations people work in

11.8% Community & personal service +63.2 pts ▸ 75.0%
21.7% Managers ◂ +21.7 pts 0.0%
14.9% Technicians & trades ◂ +14.9 pts 0.0%
12.7% Professionals ◂ +12.7 pts 0.0%
12.7% Labourers ◂ +12.7 pts 0.0%
12.2% Clerical & administrative ◂ +12.2 pts 0.0%
9.5% Sales workers ◂ +9.5 pts 0.0%
3.6% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +3.6 pts 0.0%

Walkability

Walk score in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +0.4 higher in Palmers Island
0.6 55th pct 0.3 46th pct
Types ≤15 min in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +0.4 more in Palmers Island
0.7 57th pct 0.3 47th pct
15-min city in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to shops in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to transit in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +25.5 pts higher in Palmers Island
25.5% 65th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to school in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +34.4 pts higher in Palmers Island
34.4% 70th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to a park in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +32.7 pts higher in The Freshwater
0.7% 32nd pct 33.3% 59th pct
Walk to health in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Amenities/1k in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +12.4 more in Palmers Island
12.4 47th pct 0.0 0th pct
Intersections/km² in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +1 higher in Palmers Island
2 58th pct 0 31st pct
Mean slope in Palmers Islandin The Freshwater +4.4 pts higher in The Freshwater
2.7% 7th pct 7.1% 63rd pct

Compare Palmers Island with nearby areas

Goodwood Island Freeburn Island Harwood Micalo Island Yamba Chatsworth Iluka The Freshwater

Compare The Freshwater with nearby areas

Goodwood Island Woody Head Woombah Freeburn Island Iluka Palmers Island Chatsworth Yamba

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Palmers Island vs The Freshwater [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sal/SAL13147/palmers-island/vs/SAL13836/the-freshwater