Council (LGA) · Area profile
Bega Valley
6,279 km²
Far older than the national average, Bega Valley is a community where the typical resident is 52. It is a predominantly Australian-born area with a high proportion of seniors and a strong trend toward non-religious identities. While the population has grown by 12% since 2011, it remains a region of modest incomes and detached houses. This is a quiet, predominantly car-dependent landscape where nearly half of all homes are owned outright.
Modest local incomes, but the area's schools serve a more advantaged intake.
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The area has a notably older population, with 29% of residents aged 65 and over, which is far above the national figure. In contrast, children under 15 make up only 15.1% of the community, a figure that has fallen since 2011.
Most of the community was born in Australia, and those born overseas make up just 12.2% of the population. This is far below the national figure of 27.7% and has barely changed over the last decade.
English is the primary language for 90% of residents. Only 3.3% use another language at home, which is far below the national average of 22.3%.
A striking 47.5% of people report having no religion, a figure that has risen by 21 points since 2011 and sits well above the national average.
While the number of adults with a bachelor degree or higher has risen to 18.7%, this remains well below the national figure. Year 12 completion is also far below the national average at 44.3%.
Typical weekly incomes are much lower than in most areas, with the typical household earning $1,200. Only 10.5% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, which is far below the state average.
Long-term health conditions are much more common here than in most areas, affecting 35.5% of people. Mental health conditions are also slightly more frequent than the national figure.
Volunteering is more common here than in most areas, with 21.9% of residents pitching in. Unpaid housework is also high, and 3.9% of the population have served in the Defence Force.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 3.9% of the population. The First Nations community is much younger than the wider area, with a typical age of 22.
Homes tend to be smaller than average with 2.2 people per dwelling. About 30.8% of people live alone, which is well above the national figure.
Home ownership is very high, with 49% of houses owned outright—far above the national figure. Detached houses are the dominant style, making up 84.3% of all homes.
Car dependence is high, with 63% of people driving to work and only 0.3% using public transport. Very few homes have no motor vehicle, at just 4.1%.
Migration patterns are stable, with 36.4% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up only 5.6% of the population, which is well below the national average.
The local workforce is smaller than in most areas, with only 50.9% of adults working or looking for work. Health care and retail are the largest employers.
The region has a moderate level of overall advantage compared to other areas. It has seen steady growth with 3,406 businesses and a population increase of 3.2% since 2021.
The area is wetter and cooler than the state average, with annual rainfall far above the New South Wales figure and lower typical maximum and minimum temperatures.
Crime rates are much lower than in most areas. Recorded offences are well below the average, and the robbery rate is among the lowest in the region.
The area is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score far below the state average. Only 40.1% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of basic amenities.