Urunga

Urunga is far older than the national figure, with 30.5% of people aged 65 and over. In contrast, children under 15 make up only 14.2% of the population, a figure that has fallen since 2011.

The area is overwhelmingly Australian-born, with only 9.7% of residents born overseas, which is far below the national average. English and Australian are the most common ancestries, accounting for 44.2% and 41.4% respectively.

English is the primary language for 90.7% of the community. Only 2.7% of people use another language at home, among the lowest figures for any similar area.

A large number of residents identify as having no religion, at 44.4%, which is well above the national figure. This represents a significant shift, as this group rose by 22 percentage points since 2011.

Educational attainment is lower than in most areas, with 41.4% of residents having completed Year 12. Only 17.7% hold a bachelor degree or higher, though this has risen since 2011.

Typical incomes are much lower than the national figures, with a typical household earning $1,178 a week. Only 10.7% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, which is far below the state average.

Health needs are high here, as 35.6% of people have a long-term health condition and 7.7% need help with daily activities, both of which are much higher than in most other areas.

Volunteering is common, with 17.8% of people helping out, well above the national figure. Similarly, 14.7% provide unpaid care, though the number of people caring for children is well below the national average.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 4.4% of the population. The community is noticeably older than other First Nations groups, with a typical age of 27.

Homes are generally small, with 2.3 people per household. Many residents live alone (29.4%) or as couples without children (39.1%), while one-parent families are much more common than in most areas.

Home ownership is very strong, with 48.1% of homes owned outright, far above the national average. Most residents live in separate houses, and typical weekly rent is $350.

The area is heavily reliant on cars, as only 0.2% of people commute by public transport. While there are many bus routes, the walk to the nearest stop is much longer than in most areas.

Migration is steady, with 36.2% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas are rare, at just 4.8%, which is far below the state and national figures.

Only 48% of adults are working or looking for work, far below the national average. The local workforce is concentrated in health care, social assistance, and education.

The area is ranked as having low overall advantage compared to other regions, with an advantage score of 939. Population growth has also been much slower than the state average since 2021.

Urunga is a high-rainfall area, receiving 1,806mm annually, which is far above the New South Wales average. Minimum temperatures are also well above the state figure.

The area is only somewhat walkable, with a score of 4.0. Many homes are far from basic services, with only 33.1% within a 15-minute walk of a school, far below the state average.