Council (LGA) · Area profile
Nambucca Valley
1,491 km²
A far older population than the national average defines Nambucca Valley, where the typical resident is 52. This is a predominantly Australian community with a strong First Nations presence and a high proportion of retirees, which helps explain why so many people own their homes outright. Life here is generally slower and more affordable, though the area faces significant challenges with health and low household incomes. It is a largely car-dependent region where a third of households consist of just one person.
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Seniors make up 30.1% of the population, a figure far above the national average. Children under 15 are fewer here than in most areas, and the proportion of this young group has fallen since 2011.
The community is overwhelmingly Australian born, with only 10.0% of people born overseas—far below the New South Wales figure of 29.3%. English and Australian are the most common ancestries.
English is the primary language for 89.0% of residents. Only 3.3% of people use another language at home, which is far below the national average.
About 41.0% of residents report no religion, a figure that has risen by 20 points since 2011. Christianity remains the most common affiliation at 46.7%.
Educational attainment is lower than in most areas, with only 36.0% of residents completing Year 12. This is far below the national figure of 58.8%.
Typical weekly household income is $976, among the lowest at this level and far below the national figure. Only 8.0% of households earn $3,000 or more per week.
Health challenges are common, with 37.7% of people living with a long-term condition. This is far above the state average, and 9.3% of residents need help with daily activities.
Unpaid care is a significant part of local life, as 14.8% of people provide unpaid care. This is among the highest rates for similar areas.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 8.0% of the population, well above the national average. The First Nations unemployment rate is 15.8%, which is much higher than most areas.
Single-person households are very common at 33.1%, which is well above the state average. One-parent families also make up a much higher share of the community than in most areas.
Home ownership is high, with 48.3% of homes owned outright, far above the national figure. Detached houses are the dominant dwelling type, making up 86.1% of homes.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, with only 0.2% of people commuting by public transport. Working from home is less common here than across Australia.
The population is relatively stable, with 34.9% of people having moved in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals are much less common than in most other areas.
Working or looking for work is much less common here than nationally, at 44.2%. The unemployment rate is 6.8%, which is a little above the national figure.
The region ranks low for overall advantage, with a score of 2 out of 10. This reflects limited access to money, resources, and job skills compared to most other areas.
The area is very wet, with average annual rainfall far above the New South Wales average. Temperatures are generally a little higher than the state average.
The region sees higher than average rates of assault, motor vehicle theft, and sexual offences. However, the overall crime rate fell by 10.6% over the last five years.
Most of the area is car-dependent, with a walkability score far below the state average. Only 45.3% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of basic amenities.