# Tweed Valley

Sub-region (SA3) · Area profile

Located in: New South Wales › Rest of NSW

Area: 1,308 km²

Most residents in Tweed Valley rely on their cars to get around, with 62.2% driving to work and very few using public transport. This is an older community where the typical resident is 47, and over a quarter of the population are seniors. It is a place of high home ownership and relative quiet, with a population that has grown by 14% since 2011. The area is marked by a strong English and Australian heritage and a notable shift towards people identifying as having no religion.

## Demographics & Identity

Tweed Valley is far older than the national figure, with 26.6% of people aged 65 and over. This senior presence is a standout feature, as the proportion of retirees is among the highest for similar areas.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total population | 97,392 | +14.4% since 2011 |
| Median age | 47 yrs | +4.4% since 2011 |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander population | 4.4% | +28.7% since 2011 |
| People aged 65 and over | 26.6% | +16.4% since 2011 |
| Children under 15 | 16.5% | -7.3% since 2011 |
| People in a de facto relationship | 12.2% | +24.4% since 2011 |

**Age structure** — Older adults (45–64) 26.8%, Seniors (65+) 26.6%, Young adults (25–44) 20.6%, Children (0–14) 16.5%, Youth (15–24) 9.5%

**Marital status** — Married 44.8%, Never married 31.9%, Divorced 12.4%, Widowed 7.3%, Separated 3.6%

## Ancestry & Birthplace

The area is predominantly Australian and English in ancestry, and only 15.4% of residents were born overseas, which is far below the New South Wales figure of 29.3%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People born overseas | 15.4% | +2.7% since 2011 |

**Country of birth** — Australia 77.7%, England 4.6%, New Zealand 2.8%, Philippines 0.6%, India 0.5%, South Africa 0.5%, Italy 0.2%, China 0.2%, Vietnam 0.1%, Nepal 0.1%

**Ancestry** — English 44.0%, Australian 36.8%, Irish 13.9%, Scottish 11.8%, German 4.4%, Italian 2.7%, Dutch 1.5%, Filipino 0.8%, Chinese 0.8%, Indian 0.7%, Greek 0.5%, Vietnamese 0.1%

## Language

English is the primary language for 88.1% of the community. Only 5.0% of people use another language at home, a figure far below the state and national averages.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People using another language at home | 5.0% | +36.0% since 2011 |
| People who speak little or no English | 0.5% | +2.0% since 2016 |

**Language used at home** — English only 88.1%, Punjabi 0.3%, Italian 0.2%, Mandarin 0.2%, Tagalog 0.2%, Cantonese 0.1%, Vietnamese 0.1%, Hindi 0.1%, Greek 0.1%, Arabic 0.0%

## Religion

A large shift in belief is evident here, with those reporting no religion rising by 20 points since 2011 to reach 42.0%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with no religion | 42.0% | +94.5% since 2011 |

**Religious affiliation** — Christianity 46.3%, No religion 42.0%, Not stated 9.0%, Buddhism 1.0%, Hinduism 0.7%, Other religions 0.7%, Judaism 0.1%, Islam 0.1%

## Education & Qualifications

While 45.9% of residents completed Year 12, this is far below the national figure. However, the proportion of adults with a bachelor degree or higher has risen to 17.7% since 2011.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Completed Year 12 | 45.9% | +29.3% since 2011 |
| Adults with a bachelor degree or higher | 17.7% | +60.7% since 2011 |
| Schools | 47 | — |
| Schools per 1,000 children | 2.92 | — |
| School enrolments | 14,494 | — |
| Average school size | 308 | — |
| Average school ICSEA | 1,030 | — |

**Highest year of school** — Year 12 45.9%, Year 10 27.8%, Year 9 or below 10.7%, Year 11 7.1%

**Highest qualification level** — Certificate III / IV 32.3%, Bachelor degree 20.3%, Advanced diploma / diploma 15.6%, Postgraduate degree 5.1%, Graduate diploma / certificate 3.1%, Certificate I / II 2.0%

**Field of qualification** — Management & commerce 15.3%, Engineering & related 12.3%, Health 11.8%, Society & culture 10.9%, Education 9.2%, Architecture & building 7.9%, Food, hospitality & personal services 6.1%, Creative arts 3.7%, Agriculture & environment 2.3%, Natural & physical sciences 1.7%, Information technology 1.4%

## Income

Incomes are much lower than in most similar areas, with a typical weekly household income of $1,296, which is well below the national figure of $1,746.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median personal income (weekly) | $658 | +48.9% since 2011 |
| Median household income (weekly) | $1,296 | +53.4% since 2011 |
| Median family income (weekly) | $1,663 | +59.1% since 2011 |
| People earning $2,000+ a week | 7.0% | — |
| Households earning $3,000+ a week | 13.7% | — |

**Household income distribution** — $650–$1,499 32.1%, $1,500–$2,999 25.9%, Under $650 20.6%, $3,000–$3,999 7.3%, $4,000 or more 6.4%

**Personal income distribution** — Under $650 45.1%, $650–$1,499 31.2%, $1,500–$2,999 12.3%, $3,000 or more 2.4%

## Health & Disability

Health needs are higher here than in most areas, with 32.4% of people living with a long-term condition and 7.4% needing help with daily activities.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with a long-term health condition | 32.4% | — |
| People with a mental health condition | 9.5% | — |
| People needing help with daily activities | 7.4% | +7.9% since 2011 |

**Long-term health conditions reported** — Arthritis 11.9%, Mental health 9.5%, Other condition 8.4%, Asthma 8.2%, Heart disease 5.4%, Diabetes 4.3%, Cancer 4.1%, Lung condition 3.0%, Stroke 1.4%, Dementia 1.3%

**Number of long-term health conditions** — None 58.1%, One condition 21.0%, Two conditions 7.2%, Three or more 4.2%

## Community Participation

Unpaid care is common, as 13.3% of residents provide unpaid care, which is a little above the national figure. Local volunteering has fallen slightly since 2011 to 14.3%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Volunteers | 14.3% | -20.8% since 2011 |
| People providing unpaid care | 13.3% | +8.9% since 2011 |
| People caring for children unpaid | 24.3% | -5.7% since 2011 |
| People who served in the Defence Force | 3.6% | — |
| People doing 15+ hours of unpaid housework | 22.3% | -11.8% since 2011 |

## First Nations

First Nations people make up 4.4% of the population, which is a little above the state average. The community is relatively young, with a typical age of 25.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people | 4,329 | — |
| First Nations median age | 25 yrs | — |
| First Nations Year 12 completion | 39.7% | — |
| First Nations unemployment rate | 8.8% | — |
| First Nations median personal income | $582 | — |
| First Nations household income | $1,543 | — |
| Speaks a First Nations language | 5.4% | — |

## Family & Households

One-parent families are much more common here than in most areas at 16.3%. Additionally, 28.8% of people live alone, which is well above the state average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Average household size | 2.4 | +0.0% since 2011 |
| One-parent families | 16.3% | -6.6% since 2011 |
| People living alone | 28.8% | +1.1% since 2011 |

**Family composition** — Couples with children 50.4%, Couples without children 32.3%, One-parent families 16.3%, Other families 1.0%

**Household size** — 2 people 37.1%, 1 person 28.8%, 3 people 13.5%, 4 people 12.8%, 5 people 5.4%, 6 or more 2.6%

## Housing & Dwellings

Home ownership is very high, with 41.5% of homes owned outright, far above the national figure. Renting is less common here, and typical weekly rents are $400.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median rent (weekly) | $400 | +35.6% since 2011 |
| Median mortgage repayment (monthly) | $1,872 | +8.0% since 2011 |
| Average people per bedroom | 0.80 | -27.3% since 2011 |
| Households renting | 24.2% | -14.2% since 2011 |
| Homes owned outright | 41.5% | +4.2% since 2011 |
| Separate (detached) houses | 66.0% | +1.5% since 2011 |
| Homes with three or more bedrooms | 69.2% | +1.2% since 2011 |

**How homes are owned or rented** — Owned outright 41.5%, Owned with a mortgage 30.2%, Rented 24.2%, Other tenure 2.3%, Not stated 1.7%

**Types of homes** — Separate house 66.0%, Townhouse / semi-detached 18.9%, Flat or apartment 12.8%, Other dwelling 1.9%

**Bedrooms per home** — 3 bedrooms 39.5%, 4 bedrooms 23.5%, 2 bedrooms 23.1%, 5 or more 6.1%, 1 bedroom 5.3%, Studio / none 0.7%

**Weekly rent distribution** — $350–$549 44.3%, $200–$349 20.9%, $550–$749 16.0%, Under $200 10.6%, $750 or more 4.8%

**Monthly mortgage distribution** — $1,800–$2,999 35.2%, $1,000–$1,799 27.7%, Under $1,000 16.6%, $3,000 or more 14.2%

## Transport & Vehicles

Car dependence is high and public transport use is very low at 0.5%. While 14.5% of people work from home, most residents drive to their jobs.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Homes with no motor vehicle | 5.9% | -27.7% since 2011 |
| People working from home | 14.5% | +151.8% since 2011 |
| Commuting by public transport | 0.5% | -57.8% since 2011 |
| Public transport stops | 467 | — |
| PT stops per 1,000 people | 4.80 | — |
| Weekly PT departures per 1,000 people | 507.6 | — |
| Public transport routes | 34 | — |
| Walk to nearest stop (min) | 86 | — |

**How people get to work** — Car (driver) 62.2%, Worked at home 14.5%, Car (passenger) 4.0%, Walked 2.6%, Bicycle 0.8%, Bus 0.5%, Train 0.0%

**Motor vehicles per home** — 1 vehicle 39.3%, 2 vehicles 37.2%, 3 vehicles 11.4%, 4 or more 6.2%, No vehicle 5.9%

## Migration & Movement

Movement into the area is steady, with 39.0% of people having moved in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals are much lower than in most areas at 7.4%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People who moved in the last 5 years | 39.0% | -0.8% since 2011 |
| Recent arrivals from overseas | 7.4% | -28.9% since 2011 |

## Jobs & Industry

Fewer adults are working or looking for work compared to the national figure, at 52.7%. Many of those employed work in health care, social assistance, or construction.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unemployment rate | 5.0% | -39.3% since 2011 |
| Labour-force participation | 52.7% | +3.5% since 2011 |
| Employed full-time | 50.0% | -6.6% since 2011 |

**Industries people work in** — Health care & social assistance 17.4%, Construction 11.8%, Retail trade 10.3%, Accommodation & food 9.5%, Education & training 9.3%, Professional & technical 5.4%, Public administration & safety 4.9%, Manufacturing 4.3%, Other services 3.9%, Administrative & support 3.4%, Transport & warehousing 3.3%, Agriculture, forestry & fishing 2.4%, Wholesale trade 1.8%, Finance & insurance 1.7%, Rental & real estate 1.7%, Arts & recreation 1.7%, Electricity, gas & water 1.1%, Media & telecommunications 0.9%, Mining 0.7%

**Occupations people work in** — Professionals 19.4%, Technicians & trades 15.4%, Community & personal service 14.1%, Managers 12.2%, Clerical & administrative 11.5%, Labourers 11.0%, Sales workers 9.4%, Machinery operators & drivers 5.0%

## Economy & Advantage

The population has grown slightly by 3.9% since 2021, though this is a little below the New South Wales average growth rate.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Population estimate | 101,044 | — |
| Population growth since 2021 | 3.9% | — |

## Environment & Climate

Tweed Valley is a high-rainfall area, with an annual average of 1,793mm, which is far above the state average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Average annual rainfall | 1,793 | — |
| Average maximum temperature | 26.0 | — |
| Average minimum temperature | 14.4 | — |

## Walkability

The area is only somewhat walkable, and many homes are far from essential services. For example, only 35.2% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of health services, far below the state average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Walkability score | 4.9 | — |
| Amenity types within a 15-minute walk | 4.5 | — |
| Homes with a 15-minute-city walkshed | 54.4% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of groceries | 58.2% | — |
| Homes within 10 min walk of public transport | 79.9% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a school | 49.4% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a park | 79.9% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of health services | 35.2% | — |
| Walkable amenities per 1,000 residents | 13.1 | — |
| Street connectivity (intersections/km²) | 7 | — |
| Mean terrain slope | 7.2% | — |

## Schools serving Tweed Valley

47 schools, 14,494 students, average ICSEA 1,030.

By sector: Government 30, Independent 9, Catholic 8

By type: Primary 32, Secondary 8, Combined 7

Nearest 10 shown:

| School | Sector | Type | Distance | Students |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School | Independent | Combined | — | 2,008 |
| Pacific Coast Christian School | Independent | Combined | — | 999 |
| Kingscliff High School | Government | Secondary | — | 910 |
| St Joseph's College | Catholic | Secondary | — | 838 |
| Mount St Patrick College | Catholic | Secondary | — | 823 |
| Tweed River High School | Government | Secondary | — | 590 |
| Pottsville Beach Public School | Government | Primary | — | 556 |
| Banora Point High School | Government | Secondary | — | 503 |
| Kingscliff Public School | Government | Primary | — | 455 |
| Centaur Public School | Government | Primary | — | 424 |

## Areas within Tweed Valley

[Banora Point](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/112031550/banora-point) · [Kingscliff - Fingal Head](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/112031250/kingscliff-fingal-head) · [Murwillumbah](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/112031251/murwillumbah) · [Murwillumbah Surrounds](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/112031252/murwillumbah-surrounds) · [Pottsville](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/112031253/pottsville) · [Terranora - North Tumbulgum](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/112031551/terranora-north-tumbulgum) · [Tweed Heads](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/112031254/tweed-heads) · [Tweed Heads South](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa2/112031552/tweed-heads-south)

## Nearby areas

[Mudgeeraba - Tallebudgera](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/30905/mudgeeraba-tallebudgera) · [Coolangatta](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/30902/coolangatta) · [Gold Coast Hinterland](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/30904/gold-coast-hinterland) · [Robina](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/30908/robina) · [Broadbeach - Burleigh](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/30901/broadbeach-burleigh) · [Surfers Paradise](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/30910/surfers-paradise) · [Richmond Valley - Coastal](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/11201/richmond-valley-coastal) · [Nerang](https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/30906/nerang)

Interactive profile: https://censusatlas.au/region/sa3/11203/tweed-valley