Tenterfield

Tenterfield is far older than most areas, with 32.8% of people aged 65 and over and a typical age of 55. This shift is clear since 2011, as the typical age rose by 8 years and the senior population grew by 12 points.

Most residents were born in Australia, and those born overseas make up only 8.7%, which is far below the national figure of 27.7%. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries.

English is the primary language here, with only 2.9% of people using another language at home, far below the national average of 22.3%. Very few people, just 0.3%, speak little or no English.

Over half of the population identify as Christian, while 33.8% have no religion. This last group has grown significantly, rising 16 points since 2011.

Educational qualifications are much lower than in most areas; only 11.7% of adults have a bachelor degree or higher. Year 12 completion is also far below the state average at 34.9%.

Typical incomes are among the lowest at this level, with the typical household earning $885 a week, far below the national figure of $1,746. Only 6.4% of households earn $3,000 or more per week.

Health challenges are more common here, with 36.9% of people reporting a long-term health condition. About 8.1% of residents need help with daily activities, which is higher than most areas.

Volunteering is much more common here than elsewhere, with 22.2% of people volunteering. There is also a higher rate of unpaid care and a stronger presence of former Defence Force members.

First Nations people make up 7.5% of the population, well above the national figure. This group faces significant challenges, with a 28.3% unemployment rate and typical personal incomes far below the national average.

Homes tend to be smaller, with only 2.1 people per home. A high proportion of residents live alone—35.6%—which is far above the national average of 25.6%.

The area is dominated by separate houses, which make up 94.7% of dwellings. Home ownership is very high, with 53.6% of homes owned outright, far above the national figure of 31%.

Tenterfield is almost entirely car-dependent; only 0.7% of people use public transport to get to work. This is consistent with the very low number of public transport stops available.

The population is very stable, with only 31% of people moving in the last five years, well below the national figure of 40.7%. Recent arrivals from overseas are also very few at 4.6%.

Workforce participation is among the lowest at this level, with only 44.6% of adults working or looking for work. Agriculture, forestry and fishing is the largest industry, employing 20.9% of the workforce.

Tenterfield ranks low for overall advantage and access to resources compared to other areas. However, the population has grown by 5.7% since 2021, which is about the same as the state average.

The area receives 950mm of annual rainfall, far above the New South Wales average of 515mm. Minimum temperatures are slightly lower than the state average.

The area is mostly car-dependent with a low walkability score of 2.3. Many homes are far from basic services, with only 28% within a 15-minute walk of groceries.