Raymond Terrace

The population is mostly middle-aged, with a typical resident aged 38. There are more children under 15 here than in most areas, and a much higher proportion of people in de facto relationships than the state average.

This is a community with deep local roots, as only 8.1% of residents were born overseas—a figure far below the national average. Most people identify as Australian or English.

English is the dominant language, with only 3.8% of people using another tongue at home. This is far below the national figure, and very few residents speak little or no English.

Religious views are shifting, with the share of people reporting no religion rising 23 points since 2011 to reach 41.0%, which is well above the New South Wales average.

Educational attainment is among the lowest for similar areas, with only 7.9% of adults holding a bachelor degree. Just 33.5% of residents completed Year 12, which is far below the national figure.

Typical incomes are much lower than the state and national averages, with a typical household earning $1,272 a week. Only 9.9% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly.

Health challenges are common here, with 38% of people living with a long-term health condition. Mental health issues are particularly high, affecting 15.6% of the community.

The area has a strong connection to the Defence Force, with 5.6% of people having served, which is well above the state average. However, volunteering rates are much lower than most areas.

First Nations people make up a large part of the community, though they face significant hurdles with a 12.5% unemployment rate and a typical personal income of $514, which is below the national figure.

Family structures are distinctive, with a very high rate of one-parent families at 25.6%, far above the national average. Nearly 30% of people live alone.

Most people live in separate houses, and 77.1% of homes have three or more bedrooms. Renting is much more common here than in most areas, though the typical weekly rent of $320 is below the state average.

The community relies heavily on cars, as only 0.5% of people commute by public transport. While there are many bus stops, the typical walk to the nearest one takes 20 minutes.

Movement into the area is steady, with 38.5% of residents having moved in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas are few, at 8.7%.

The job market is tougher than in most areas, with a 7.3% unemployment rate and a lower proportion of people working or looking for work. Many residents work in health, retail, or construction.

The area is ranked among the most disadvantaged for its level, scoring very low for overall advantage, education, and job skills.

The region is much wetter than the state average, with annual rainfall reaching 1,096mm. Minimum temperatures are also generally higher than the state average.

While most homes are within a short walk of a park or public transport, the area is far below the state average for access to health services within 15 minutes.