Upper Hunter

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 9.5% of the population, which is well above the national figure of 3.2%. Families are often large, and children under 15 are more common here than in most other areas.

The community is overwhelmingly Australian-born, with only 8.8% born overseas—far below the New South Wales average of 29.3%. The most common ancestries are Australian, English, Irish, and Scottish.

English is the primary language for the vast majority of residents. Only 4.1% use another language at home, which is far below the national figure of 22.3%.

Most residents identify as Christian, and 31.6% of the community reports no religion. This last group has grown significantly, rising 18 points since 2011.

Qualifications are generally lower than the state average, with only 10.3% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Many residents hold a Certificate III or IV, and Year 12 completion is far below the national figure.

Typical weekly household income is $1,521, which is a little below the national figure. However, there is a strong presence of high earners, with 12.5% of people earning $2,000 or more per week.

Long-term health conditions are more common here than in most areas, affecting 31.1% of the population. Asthma and arthritis are the most frequently reported conditions.

Volunteering is common, though the rate fell to 14.2% in 2021. Many residents spend significant time on unpaid housework and caring for children.

The First Nations community is larger than in 75% of similar areas. This group is notably young, with a typical age of 22, though Year 12 completion is well below the national average.

Homes are often occupied by couples with children, though there is a higher than usual proportion of people living alone at 28.6%.

The area is dominated by large homes, with 89.4% being separate houses and 81.8% having three or more bedrooms. Rents and mortgage payments are typically much lower than in the rest of the state.

Public transport is rarely used for commuting, with only 0.2% of people using it. Most households own multiple vehicles, and only 10.7% of people work from home.

The population is relatively stable, though 20.9% of residents are recent arrivals from overseas, which is well above the national average.

The economy is driven by mining (16.8%) and agriculture, forestry, and fishing (12.0%). Full-time employment is much more common here than in most other areas.

The population grew by 1.8% since 2021, a rate that is well below the New South Wales growth of 6.1%.

The region receives more rain than the state average, with 807mm annually. Night-time temperatures are typically lower than in most other parts of the state.

The area is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score of 3.6. Many residents live far from basic amenities, and only 43.1% can walk to groceries within 15 minutes.