Council (LGA) · Area profile
Lismore
1,288 km²
Defined by its high rainfall and warmer temperatures, Lismore is a regional hub in New South Wales with a population of 44,334. It is a noticeably older community where the typical resident is 44, and there has been a significant shift toward people identifying as having no religion. While the area is largely dominated by separate houses and a strong Australian heritage, it has a growing number of university-qualified professionals. This mix of rural setting and professional skill sets a distinct tone for the region.
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The typical resident is 44, making the area noticeably older than the national figure. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 20.8% of the population, a figure that has risen by 6.2 points since 2011.
Most people were born in Australia, with only 10.4% born overseas, which is far below the state and national figures. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries.
English is the primary language for 87.4% of the community. Only 5.2% of residents use another language at home, which is far below the national figure.
A large portion of the population identifies as having no religion at 43.9%. This is well above the national figure and represents a 19 point increase since 2011.
Lismore has a strong educational profile, with 20.9% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. This is much higher than most similar areas, though still well below the state average.
Weekly household incomes are typically $1,319, which is well below the national figure. Only 12.2% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, a figure that is lower than most areas.
Health challenges are more common here than in most areas, with 33.4% of people living with a long-term health condition. Mental health conditions are particularly high at 12.4%.
The area has a strong culture of helping others, with 14.0% of people providing unpaid care, which is much higher than most areas. Volunteering is also well above the national figure at 17.7%.
First Nations people make up 5.9% of the population, which is a little above the national average. Year 12 completion among this group is 38.3%, higher than most areas.
The area has a high proportion of one-parent families at 19.7%, well above the national average. Additionally, 30.4% of people live alone, which is higher than most areas.
Separate houses are very common, making up 83.5% of all homes. Outright home ownership is also high at 37.6%, well above the national figure.
The community is heavily reliant on cars, with only 0.3% of people commuting by public transport. However, 14.3% of the workforce now works from home, a rise of 8.4 points since 2011.
The area is relatively mobile, with 36.6% of people moving house in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 9.6% of the population.
Full-time employment is much lower than most areas at 53.1%. The local workforce is concentrated in health care, social assistance, and retail.
Lismore has a moderate overall advantage score of 5, placing it in the middle of similar areas. While it ranks well for job skills, it is among the lowest for recent population growth.
Lismore is one of the wettest areas at this level, with an average annual rainfall of 1,624mm. Temperatures are also higher than the state average.
The recorded offence rate is higher than most areas, with particularly high rates of motor vehicle theft and sexual offences.
The area is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score of 3.9. Many residents live far from essential services, as only 38.8% can walk to groceries within 15 minutes.