Council (LGA) · Area profile
Yass Valley
3,995 km²
Daily life in Yass Valley centres on a car-dependent lifestyle where most people live in large, detached family homes. The community has grown by 15% since 2011, becoming a notably wealthy area with typical incomes well above the national figure. It is a place for families and older adults, with a high number of children and a typical age of 43. This combination of high academic qualifications and strong earnings suggests a professional, established population in a rural setting.
Yass Valley's schools draw a community as advantaged as its high household incomes suggest.
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The population is older than the state average, and the number of seniors has risen by 5.0 percentage points since 2011. Children under 15 make up 19.8% of the community, which is a little above the national figure.
The area is overwhelmingly Australian or European in heritage, with 84.1% of people born in Australia. This is far below the state and national figures for overseas-born residents, who make up only 10.9% of the population.
English is the primary language for 91.1% of residents. Only 4.1% of people use another language at home, a figure far below both the New South Wales and national averages.
People with no religion now make up 40.9% of the community, a figure that has risen by 18 percentage points since 2011 and is well above the national average.
The community is highly qualified, with 27.2% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Those who completed Year 12 are much more common here than in most other similar areas.
Wealth is a standout feature, with 35% of households earning $3,000 or more a week, which is far above the national average. Typical weekly family incomes are much higher than in most other areas at $2,701.
Long-term health conditions are more common here than in most areas, affecting 32.2% of people. Mental health conditions are also a little above the state and national figures.
Residents are very active in their community, with a volunteering rate of 22.2% that is well above the national figure. There is also a notably high number of former Defence Force members.
First Nations people make up 3.2% of the population. This group has a typical personal income and Year 12 completion rate that are well above the national figures.
Homes here tend to be larger, with an average of 2.7 people per household. This is consistent with the high number of couples with children, who make up 62% of families.
The landscape is dominated by separate houses, which make up 94.3% of all dwellings. Large homes are the norm, with 85.9% of houses having three or more bedrooms, far above the state average.
Car dependence is very high, as 97.7% of homes own at least one motor vehicle. Only 0.6% of people commute using public transport, and most people drive themselves to work.
The population is relatively stable, with fewer people moving in the last five years compared to the state average. Recent arrivals from overseas are also much less common than in most areas.
The local workforce is strong, with an unemployment rate of 2.7% that is a little below the national figure. Many residents work in public administration and safety or construction.
The area is among the most advantaged in the country, scoring a 10 out of 10 for overall advantage. This is supported by high levels of education and access to resources.
The climate is wetter and cooler than the state average, with annual rainfall far above the New South Wales figure and minimum temperatures that are well below the state average.
Overall crime is much lower than in most areas, particularly for theft and burglary. However, drug offences are much higher than the norm for similar areas.
The area is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score of 2.6, which is far below the state average. Most homes are far from essential services like health clinics and groceries.