Cooma

The area is noticeably older than the national figure, with 23.0% of people aged 65 and over, a figure that has risen since 2011. First Nations people make up 4.5% of the population, which is a little above the state average.

Most residents were born in Australia, and those born overseas make up 16.3% of the population, which is far below the national figure. The most common ancestries are Australian, English, Irish and Scottish.

English is the main language for 82.7% of people, and those using another language at home make up 9.0% of the community. This is far below the state average, though the figure has risen slightly since 2011.

About half of the population identify as Christian, while 36.8% have no religion. This last group has grown significantly, rising 19 points since 2011.

The number of adults with a bachelor degree or higher is 17.1%, which is well below the national figure. While 44.5% of residents completed Year 12, this is far below the state average, despite a rise since 2011.

Typical household weekly income is $1,377, which is well below the state and national figures. However, there has been a steady increase, with typical household incomes rising by $484 since 2011.

Health challenges are much more common here than in most similar areas, with 33.9% of people having a long-term health condition. This includes 11.2% with a mental health condition and 7.6% who need help with daily activities.

Volunteering is more common here than in most areas, with 17.5% of people helping out. There is also a slightly higher rate of people providing unpaid care and those who have served in the Defence Force.

First Nations residents are noticeably older than the state average, with a typical age of 27. While unemployment is well below the national figure at 6.5%, Year 12 completion is much lower than in most areas.

Homes here are smaller than usual, with only 2.2 people per household. This is consistent with a high proportion of people living alone, who make up 34.5% of the community.

Separate houses are very common at 88.2%, and many residents own their homes outright. Typical weekly rent and monthly mortgage payments are both much lower than the national figure.

Most people drive to work, and only 0.6% use public transport. While there are many public transport stops compared to the state, very few people actually use the services to commute.

About 36.0% of residents moved in the last five years. There has been a significant increase in recent overseas arrivals, who now make up 19.9% of the population.

Full-time employment is higher than the national average at 61.2%, and the unemployment rate is lower than most areas at 3.8%. Retail and construction are the main industries for workers.

The area has a lower overall advantage score than most similar places, sitting at 4 out of 10. Recent population growth has been among the lowest in the state.

The climate is much cooler than the state average, with a typical maximum temperature of 18.8 and a minimum of 4.2. Annual rainfall is a little above the New South Wales figure.

The area is somewhat walkable, and most homes are within a short walk of a park or public transport. However, only about half of homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries.