Federal Electorate · Area profile
Paterson
1,053 km²
Spanning over 1,000 square kilometres of the Port Stephens region, Paterson is a sprawling area with a growing population of 175,578. It is a place where the typical resident is now 40, and the community has aged noticeably since 2011. A strong presence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people sets it apart, making up 7.7% of the population. The area is largely residential, with a high proportion of large family homes and a workforce often employed in healthcare and trades.
69 schools within reach make Paterson convenient for families.
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The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population has risen sharply to 7.7%, which is well above the national figure. Residents are generally older than those in most other areas, with 20% aged 65 and over.
Born in Australia, 85.4% of residents have English, Australian, or Scottish ancestry. The proportion of people born overseas has fallen steeply since 2011 and is now far below the state average at 10.1%.
English is the dominant language, spoken by 90.7% of the community. Only 4.8% of people use another language at home, a figure that is far below the New South Wales average.
About 39.8% of people report having no religion, which is about the same as the national figure. This represents a significant increase of 25 points since 2011.
Education levels are much lower than in most areas, with only 13.2% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Only 40.3% of residents completed Year 12, which is far below the state average.
Typical weekly household incomes are much lower than most areas at $1,494. This is reflected in the personal income, where the typical weekly pay of $722 is below the national figure.
Health challenges are common here, with 36% of people living with a long-term health condition. This is well above the national average, and 12.9% of the population lives with a mental health condition.
Unpaid care is a significant part of local life, with 13.4% of people providing unpaid care. Additionally, 5.2% of residents have served in the Defence Force, among the highest proportions for its level.
Family structures vary, but one-parent families are much more common here than in most areas at 17.5%. About 24.9% of people live alone, which is typical for the state.
The area is dominated by separate houses, making up 84.4% of dwellings. Homes tend to be large, with 81.1% having three or more bedrooms, and 33.4% are owned outright.
Cars are essential for most, as only 0.6% of people commute using public transport. While the area has a high number of public transport stops, the drive time to the city is among the highest at 116 minutes.
The population is quite mobile, with 42.4% of people moving in the last five years. However, recent arrivals from overseas are much less common here than in other areas.
About 58% of adults are working or looking for work, which is well below the national average. The most common industries are healthcare and social assistance, retail, and construction.
While many homes are near a park or public transport, the area is less walkable than the state average. Many residents live more than 15 minutes away from groceries and health services.