Federal Electorate · Area profile
Parkes
393,066 km²
High full-time employment rates define Parkes, where 65% of the workforce holds full-time roles. This is a growing community that has added about 22,000 people since 2011, though typical incomes remain lower than the national figure. The area is distinctive for its large population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and a high number of detached houses. It serves as a regional hub with a mix of agricultural and healthcare workers, balancing a significant senior population with a growing number of children.
156 schools within reach make Parkes convenient for families.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 16.4% of the population, a figure that rose 11 points since 2011 and is far above the national average. The community is also quite young, with 20.2% of residents being children under 15.
The area has a very low proportion of overseas-born residents at 6.6%, which is far below the national figure of 27.7%. Most residents claim Australian or English ancestry.
English is the dominant language, with only 4.7% of people using another tongue at home. This is far below the national average, and very few residents speak little or no English.
Over half the population identifies as Christian, while 29.3% of people report no religion. This lack of religious affiliation is much lower than in most other Australian areas.
Education levels are much lower than most areas, with only 37% of residents completing Year 12 and 13.1% holding a bachelor degree or higher. However, there are a high number of schools relative to the number of children.
Typical weekly household income is $1,410, which is well below the national figure. While this has risen since 2011, the proportion of high-earning households remains much lower than the state average.
Long-term health conditions are more common here than in most areas, affecting 30.6% of residents. Arthritis and asthma are the most reported conditions.
Volunteering is more common here than in most areas, with 16.4% of people pitching in. This is well above the state figure, though it has fallen since 2011.
Single-person households are very common, making up 30.3% of the community. There is also a high rate of one-parent families at 18.1%, which is well above the national average.
Detached houses are the norm, making up 88.9% of homes. Housing is relatively affordable, with typical weekly rents at $250 and monthly mortgage payments much lower than most other areas.
Car travel is essential, as only 0.8% of people commute via public transport. Very few residents work from home compared to the state average, and public transport departures are far below the national figure.
While the area has one of the lowest rates of people moving house in the last five years, it has seen a significant rise in recent arrivals from overseas, now at 21.4%.
Full-time work is common, with 65% of the population employed full-time. The most common industries are healthcare, social assistance, and agriculture.
The area is only somewhat walkable, with far fewer homes within a 15-minute walk of groceries, schools, or health services compared to the state average.