Federal Electorate · Area profile
Hunter
10,562 km²
Much higher Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation than most similar areas defines the Hunter, where this population has grown to 8.0%. The region is a large, growing community that has added over 35,000 people since 2011. It is a place of older homes and families, with a typical resident aged 40 and a high proportion of detached houses. While its population is rising, the area remains traditional in its roots and largely car-dependent in its daily life.
84 schools within reach make Hunter convenient for families.
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The typical resident is 40, making the area a little older than the national figure. There is a significant Indigenous community, with 8.0% of people identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, a figure that has risen 5.2 points since 2011.
The area is overwhelmingly Australian-born, with 85.5% born here and only 9.8% born overseas. This proportion of overseas-born residents is far below the New South Wales figure.
English is the primary language for almost everyone, as only 4.3% of people use another language at home. This is far below the national figure and among the lowest for similar areas.
While 51.3% of residents identify as Christians, there has been a large shift toward secularism, with those reporting no religion rising 24 points since 2011 to reach 39.5%.
Education levels are much lower than most areas, with only 13.2% of adults holding a bachelor degree. This is far below the state average, and only 38.6% of residents have completed Year 12.
Typical weekly household income is $1,593, which is a little below the national figure. However, incomes have risen since 2011, with the typical household earning $534 more per week than a decade ago.
Residents face higher health challenges than most areas, with 34.9% living with a long-term condition. Mental health issues are particularly prevalent at 12.0%, which is well above the state and national figures.
Unpaid work is common here, as 13.2% of people provide unpaid care and 28.3% care for children, both of which are higher than most areas. Conversely, volunteering has fallen 9.4 points since 2011.
Family sizes are slightly larger than usual, with 2.6 people per home. One-parent families are much more common than in most similar areas, making up 16.9% of households.
The landscape is dominated by separate houses, which make up 89.1% of homes. These are often large, with 81.0% of dwellings having three or more bedrooms, far exceeding the state average.
Car use is essential, as only 0.4% of people commute by public transport. Most homes have multiple vehicles, with 38.7% owning two and 15.0% owning three.
The area has seen steady movement, with 39.3% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas are few, at 8.5%, which is well below the national figure.
About 57.4% of adults are working or looking for work, a figure slightly lower than the state average. The local economy relies heavily on health care, construction, retail, and mining.
The area is mostly car-dependent with a walkability score of 3.7, far below the state average. Only 30.9% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries, and only 22.0% are near health services.