Statistical Area 2 (SA2) · Area profile
Port Macquarie - South
35 km²
A far older population than the national average defines Port Macquarie - South, where the typical resident is 49. This community is largely made up of Australian-born residents who own their homes and enjoy a quiet lifestyle. With nearly 30% of people aged 65 and over, it is an area where retirees are common and the pace of life is reflected in the high number of people volunteering. This creates a residential character that is much more settled than in other parts of New South Wales.
Port Macquarie - South's schools draw a more advantaged community than local incomes would suggest.
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The area is far older than the state or national average, with 29.5% of residents aged 65 and over. It also has a higher proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people than most similar areas, at 4.3%.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the area has a far lower percentage of overseas-born people (13.8%) compared to New South Wales. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries.
English is the primary language for 92.7% of the community. This means the proportion of people using another language at home is far below the national figure.
Christianity is the most common religion at 56.9%, though 36.6% of residents report having no religion, which is a little below the national figure.
About 20.8% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher, which is well below the state and national figures. Year 12 completion is also lower than most similar areas at 49.1%.
Incomes are lower than the national average, with the typical household earning $1,385 a week. Only 16.8% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly, which is well below the state average.
Health needs are high here; 36.6% of people have a long-term health condition, among the highest at this level. This is consistent with the older population, as 8.5% of residents need help with daily activities.
Community spirit is strong, with a higher-than-average 16.8% of people volunteering. There is also a much higher rate of people providing unpaid care (14.0%) and those who served in the Defence Force compared to other areas.
The area has a large First Nations population, with 740 people. The unemployment rate for this group is 6.6%, which is well below the national figure.
Most homes are occupied by couples, with 51.1% having children and 34.6% without. About 26.3% of residents live alone.
Housing is dominated by separate houses, 80% of which are detached. A striking 45.1% of homes are owned outright, far above the national figure of 31%.
Cars are essential, as only 0.4% of people commute by public transport. While most homes are within a 10 minute walk of a stop, very few people actually use these services to get to work.
The area is quite dynamic, with 41.2% of people moving in the last five years. However, recent arrivals from overseas are far fewer than in most other areas.
Fewer adults are working or looking for work (52.8%) compared to the national average. The most common industries for those employed are health care, social assistance, and education.
The area's overall advantage score is 994, which is just below the national average. Population growth since 2021 has been very slow at 1.4%, well below the state average.
The area receives a high amount of rain, averaging 1,429mm annually, which is far above the New South Wales average.
While almost everyone lives within a short walk of public transport, the area is generally not very walkable. Only 30.5% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries, far below the state average.
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