Statistical Area 2 (SA2) · Area profile
Lismore
63 km²
A notably older population lives in Lismore, where the typical resident is 42. This community is marked by a high proportion of people living alone and a significant First Nations presence, which is well above the national figure. While the population has shrunk slightly since 2011, the area remains a regional hub with a high number of schools and a workforce heavily focused on health and social assistance. It is a place where high rates of rental housing and lower-than-average incomes create a distinct social profile.
Lismore is well supplied with schools for its relatively small share of children.
The area's schools rate above its broader socio-economic standing.
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The area is noticeably older than the national average, with 19.3% of people aged 65 and over. In contrast, the proportion of children under 15 has fallen since 2011 and is now a little below the state figure.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the share of people born overseas is far below the state and national figures. English and Australian are the most common ancestries.
English is the dominant language, with only 5.4% of people using another language at home, which is far below the national average. Very few residents speak little or no English.
A large number of residents report no religion, a figure that is far above the state average and has risen 21 points since 2011.
Lismore has a high number of schools per child compared to most areas. While Year 12 completion is far below the national figure, it has risen by 6.8 points since 2011.
Typical incomes are much lower than in most other areas, with the usual household earning $1,176 a week, which is well below the national figure.
Mental health conditions are among the highest for its level, and 35.9% of people have a long-term health condition, which is well above the state average.
A higher-than-usual share of people provide unpaid care, though the number of volunteers has fallen since 2011.
First Nations people make up a significant part of the community, and 7.7% speak a First Nations language, which is well above the state average.
Many people live alone—far more than in most other areas—and one-parent families are also very common, making up 27.2% of households.
Renting is much more common here than in the rest of the country. However, typical weekly rents are well below the national figure.
While the area has many public transport stops, very few people actually use them to commute; 60.5% of workers drive their own car.
About 40.2% of residents have moved in the last five years, which is about the same as the national average.
The unemployment rate is a little above the national figure, and full-time employment is much lower than in most other areas.
Lismore ranks very low for overall advantage and access to resources, sitting among the bottom 20% of similar areas.
The area is much wetter than the state average, with annual rainfall far above the New South Wales figure.
The town is somewhat walkable, with a high share of homes within a short walk of a school or health service.
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