Council (LGA) · Area profile
Glen Innes Severn
5,480 km²
A growing population of seniors has shifted the character of Glen Innes Severn since 2011. The typical resident is now 50, making the area far older than the national figure. It is a largely rural community with a high proportion of First Nations people and a strong tradition of home ownership. Low typical incomes and a high number of people living alone define the local landscape, where life is centered around separate houses and a slower pace of movement.
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The area is far older than most of Australia, with seniors aged 65 and over making up 28.3% of the population. This trend has strengthened since 2011, while the proportion of children under 15 has fallen to 15.3%.
Most residents were born in Australia, and those with overseas births make up only 7.5%, which is far below the national figure. English and Australian are the most common ancestries.
English is the primary language here, with only 2.3% of people using another tongue at home. This is far lower than the state and national averages.
Christianity remains the most common faith at 55.9%, though the number of people reporting no religion has risen significantly to 29.1% since 2011.
School qualifications are much lower than in most areas, with only 33.6% of residents completing Year 12. Similarly, the 11% of adults with a bachelor degree or higher is far below the national average.
Incomes are among the lowest in the region, with a typical weekly household earning $934. This is far below the national figure of $1,746.
Health challenges are more common here than in most areas, as 35.7% of people live with a long-term condition. This is reflected in the 8% of residents who need help with daily activities.
Volunteering is high at 19.3%, well above the national average. There is also a stronger presence of former Defence Force members compared to most areas.
First Nations people make up 7.6% of the community, well above the national average. However, this group faces significant hurdles, with a 20.2% unemployment rate and typical weekly incomes far below the national figure.
Living arrangements are distinct, with 35.6% of people living alone and a high rate of one-parent families at 17.4%. This helps explain why the average home holds only 2.1 people.
The area is dominated by separate houses, and 45.9% are owned outright, which is far above the national figure. Typical weekly rents are also much lower than in the rest of the state.
Cars are essential, as 59.2% of workers drive to work and only 0.1% use public transport. This is consistent with the very low number of transit stops available.
The population is relatively stable, with 32% of people moving in the last five years, which is lower than most areas.
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing are major employers, accounting for 18.4% of jobs. The unemployment rate of 6.4% is a little above the national average.
The area ranks low for overall advantage and access to resources compared to other regions, with a general advantage score well below the national average.
The climate is cooler and wetter than the state average, with annual rainfall well above the New South Wales figure.
Rates of assault, burglary, and motor vehicle theft are higher than in most areas, though the overall crime rate has fallen over the last five years.
The area is mostly car-dependent, as 51.2% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of basic amenities, far below the state average.