Council (LGA) · Area profile
Tweed
1,308 km²
Tweed sits in a lush, high-rainfall part of New South Wales where a maturing population is becoming its defining feature. The typical resident is 47, far older than the national figure, and over a quarter of the community are seniors. This shift toward an older demographic is reflected in the high number of people who own their homes outright and those requiring help with daily activities. It is a growing area that remains largely English-speaking and traditionally Australian in its ancestry.
Tweed's schools draw a more advantaged community than local incomes would suggest.
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The population grew by 14% to reach 97,392 people. It is a notably older community, with 26.6% of residents aged 65 and over, which is well above the national figure.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the community has strong English, Australian, and Irish roots. Only 15.4% were born overseas, which is far below the state and national averages.
English is the dominant language, spoken by 88.1% of people. Very few residents speak little or no English, and only 5% use a language other than English at home.
A large portion of the community reports no religion, a figure that rose by 20 points since 2011 to reach 42%. This is well above the national average.
More people here have completed Year 12 than in most similar areas. While 17.7% hold a bachelor degree or higher, this is well below the national figure.
Typical weekly family incomes are $1,663, which is well below the national figure of $2,120. However, the number of households earning over $3,000 a week rose by 10 points since 2011.
Health challenges are more common here than in most areas, with 32.4% of people living with a long-term condition. This includes a higher than usual rate of people needing help with daily activities.
More people provide unpaid care here than in most areas, which is consistent with the high number of seniors. A higher than average 3.6% of residents served in the Defence Force.
First Nations people make up 4.4% of the population. This group has a higher Year 12 completion rate than the national average, and the unemployment rate is well below the national figure.
About 28.8% of people live alone, and 16.3% of families are one-parent households, which is higher than in most areas.
Home ownership is strong, with 41.5% of homes owned outright, far above the national figure. Rent is typically $400 a week, which is slightly above the national average.
Most people rely on cars, with 62.2% driving to work. While the area has many public transport stops, only 0.5% of people use them for commuting.
The area is quite mobile, with 39% of people moving in the last five years. However, recent arrivals from overseas have fallen by 3 points since 2011.
Working or looking for work is less common here than in most areas, at 52.7%. Full-time employment is among the lowest for similar areas, at 50%.
The area is generally well-off, with an overall advantage score that is higher than about 62% of all areas. It is home to over 9,000 businesses.
Tweed is a wet and warm region, with average annual rainfall far above the state average and minimum temperatures well above the state figure.
Theft and motor vehicle theft are common, though the rates of robbery and burglary are much lower than in most areas.
The area is only somewhat walkable, with a score of 4.9. Many homes are far from essential services, particularly health services and schools, compared to the state average.