Grafton

The population of 19,255 is noticeably older than the national figure, with a high proportion of seniors and a First Nations community that makes up 10.4% of residents.

The area is predominantly Australian or British in ancestry, and the proportion of people born overseas is far below the state and national averages.

English is the primary language for 90.5% of residents, and the share of people using another language at home is much lower than in most other areas.

Over half the community identifies as Christian, while those with no religion now make up 38.2%, a figure that has risen by 22 points since 2011.

Educational attainment is much lower than typical, with only 10.6% of adults holding a bachelor degree and 34.9% completing Year 12.

Incomes are well below the national figure, with the typical household earning $1,125 per week and very few households earning $3,000 or more.

Health challenges are common here, as the rates of long-term health conditions and mental health conditions are among the highest in the region.

The community has a higher rate of unpaid carers than most areas and a higher than average number of people who served in the Defence Force.

First Nations residents are younger than the national average, though they face higher unemployment at 15.3% and lower typical incomes.

The area has a very high proportion of one-parent families and people living alone, though homes typically house fewer people than the state average.

Detached houses are the norm and are often owned outright, while typical weekly rents of $300 are well below the national figure.

Cars are the primary way to get around, as very few people use public transport to commute and only 7.1% of the workforce works from home.

About 36.8% of the population moved in the last five years, which is lower than the state and national figures.

The unemployment rate is 7.0%, which is higher than the national average, and fewer adults are working or looking for work compared to most areas.

Grafton is ranked as having low overall advantage and limited access to money and resources compared to other similar areas.

The local climate is warmer and wetter than the state average, with annual rainfall far exceeding the New South Wales figure.

While most homes are within a short walk of a park, the area is less walkable than the state average for reaching groceries, schools, and health services.