Council (LGA) · Area profile
Port Macquarie-Hastings
3,682 km²
A far older population than the national average defines Port Macquarie-Hastings, where the typical resident is 49. This region has grown significantly, adding about 14,000 people since 2011 to reach a population of over 86,000. It is a place with a strong leaning towards retirement, as nearly 30% of residents are aged 65 or over. This demographic shift helps explain why there is a high need for health services and a large number of people requiring daily assistance.
Port Macquarie-Hastings's schools draw a more advantaged community than local incomes would suggest.
Explore Port Macquarie-Hastings by topic
The area is much older than most, with a typical age of 49 and a senior population that is far above the national figure. Meanwhile, children under 15 make up 16.0% of the community, which is a little below the state average.
Australia and England are the most common birthplaces, and 82.7% of residents were born here. The proportion of people born overseas is far below the national figure at 12.3%.
English is the dominant language, used by 91.3% of the community. The proportion of people using another language at home is far below the national figure, though it has risen slightly since 2011.
About 38.2% of residents report having no religion, which is about the same as the national figure. This represents a significant increase of 20 percentage points since 2011.
Education levels are rising, with 17.0% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. While this is higher than most similar areas, it remains well below the national average.
Typical weekly incomes are well below those in the state and nation, with the usual household earning $1,263. However, the number of households earning $3,000 or more per week has risen since 2011.
Long-term health conditions are far more common here than in the state, affecting 37.2% of people. This is consistent with the older population, and 8.3% of residents need help with daily activities.
Unpaid care is a common feature of life here, with 14.0% of people providing such support, which is much higher than most areas. The region also has a higher rate of former Defence Force members than the national average.
First Nations people make up 5.5% of the population, which is a little above the national figure. This community is notably young, with a typical age of 22.
About 28.8% of people live alone, and one-parent families are a little more common here than in the state. Typical homes are small, with 2.3 people per dwelling.
Home ownership is very high, with 42.5% of homes owned outright, far above the national figure. Most people live in separate houses, and typical weekly rents are about the same as the national figure at $375.
Cars are the primary way to get around, with 65.3% of people driving to work. Very few people use public transport for commuting, at just 0.4%.
The area is quite dynamic, as 42.5% of residents have moved in the last five years. This is a little above the national average.
Working or looking for work is much less common here than in other areas, with only 51.3% of adults in the workforce. Health care and social assistance are the biggest employers.
The region has seen a population growth of 6.7% since 2021, which is much higher than most areas. It is home to over 7,600 businesses.
The area is much wetter than the state average, with annual rainfall of 1,393mm. Temperatures are typical for the region.
Overall crime rates are around the middle for similar areas, though the crime rate has risen by 18.3% over the last five years.
The area is only somewhat walkable, with a score of 4.6. Access to groceries, schools, and health services within a 15-minute walk is far below state levels.