Nambucca Heads

Nambucca Heads is far older than the national figure, with 36.6% of people aged 65 and over. This trend has grown since 2011, while the proportion of children under 15 has fallen to 13.5%, which is much lower than most areas.

The community is overwhelmingly Australian-born, and only 11.4% of people were born overseas, a figure far below the national average. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries.

English is the primary language for 88.3% of residents. Very few people use another language at home (3.3%) or speak little to no English, both of which are far below the New South Wales figures.

About 40.1% of residents report no religion, a figure that has risen by 20 points since 2011. Christianity remains the most common religious affiliation at 47.7%.

Educational attainment is much lower than in most areas, with only 10.6% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Just 33.5% of residents completed Year 12, which is far below the state average.

Incomes are among the lowest in the region, with a typical weekly household income of $850. Only 5.1% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, far below the New South Wales figure of 25.2%.

Health challenges are common here, as 43% of people have a long-term health condition, far above the national figure. This includes high rates of arthritis and mental health conditions.

The area has a higher rate of unpaid caregivers (14.3%) and former Defence Force members (5.1%) than most areas. Volunteers make up 15.5% of the community, though this is down from 2011.

First Nations people make up a significant part of the town, with 701 residents. This group faces tough conditions, with an unemployment rate of 15.1% and a typical personal income of $486, both much lower than other areas.

Homes here are small and often occupied by a single person, who make up 41.6% of all households. One-parent families are also much more common here than in most other areas at 23%.

Home ownership is high, with 45.9% of homes owned outright. While typical weekly rents are much lower than the national figure at $285, the area has a higher rate of renters than most places.

Cars are the primary way to get around, with 67% of people driving to work. Public transport is rarely used, and the walk to the nearest stop is much longer than in most other areas.

Movement into the area is steady, with 36.1% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas are rare, at 4.4%, which is far below the national average.

Working or looking for work is much less common here than in the rest of the state, at 37.4%. The unemployment rate of 8% is well above the national figure, though it has fallen since 2011.

Nambucca Heads ranks among the most disadvantaged areas for access to money, resources, and job skills. The overall advantage score is 863, which is among the smallest for its level.

The area is very wet, with an average annual rainfall of 1,759mm, far above the state average. Minimum temperatures are also generally higher than the New South Wales figure.

The town is somewhat walkable, especially for health services and groceries, which are within a 15-minute walk for many. However, schools and parks are far less accessible than in most other parts of the state.