Bathurst

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 7.0% of the population, which is much higher than most areas and has risen since 2011. Seniors aged 65 and over also make up a larger share of the community at 19.2%.

The area is predominantly Australian born, with only 10.0% of residents born overseas, a figure far below the national average of 27.7%. Most people identify with Australian, English, Irish or Scottish ancestry.

English is the main language here, with only 5.4% of people using another language at home. This is far below the New South Wales average of 26.6%.

While 32.1% of residents now report having no religion, this is still lower than the national figure of 38.9%. Christianity remains the most common affiliation at 55.8%.

About 18.3% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher, which is well below the national average. Year 12 completion is also far lower than most areas at 46.7%.

Typical weekly household income is $1,568, which is a little below the national figure. While most incomes are around the middle for this level, the proportion of households earning over $3,000 a week is lower than in most areas.

Long-term health conditions are much more common here than in most areas, affecting 32.6% of people. Mental health conditions are also more frequent, impacting 10.6% of the population.

Participation in unpaid work is typical for the region, with 12.4% of people providing unpaid care. Volunteering has fallen since 2011 and now stands at 14.8%.

The community includes 3,417 First Nations people. While personal incomes are a little above the national average, Year 12 completion is well below at 30.4%.

Homes here are often larger, with 2.5 people per home. One-parent families are much more common than in most areas, making up 16.6% of households.

Most people live in separate houses, with 85.9% of dwellings being detached. Outright home ownership is high at 34.9%, and typical weekly rents are $315, which is lower than most areas.

Public transport use for commuting is very low at 0.3%, despite the area having a high number of bus stops. Most households rely on cars, with 37.5% owning two vehicles.

The community is moderately mobile, with 40.2% of residents moving in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals make up 13.7% of the population.

Full-time employment is higher than most areas at 61.1%, and the unemployment rate is lower than the national figure at 4.0%. Many residents work in health care, social assistance, or education.

The population has grown by 3.5% since 2021, though this is a little below the New South Wales rate of 6.1%.

Bathurst experiences a cooler climate than much of the state, with average minimum and maximum temperatures among the lowest in its level.

The area is only somewhat walkable, with a score of 4.7. Many residents live more than 15 minutes away from health services, groceries, or parks compared to the state average.