Suburb / Locality · Area profile
Bombala
120 km²
A far older population than most similar areas defines Bombala, where the typical resident is 47. This community is largely residential and leans heavily toward seniors, with over a quarter of people aged 65 or over. Life here is slower and more traditional, with a strong emphasis on home ownership and a workforce rooted in agriculture and manufacturing. It is a place where many residents live alone or in older, established households.
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The community is far older than the state or national average, with 27.6% of people aged 65 and over. Interestingly, de facto relationships are much more common here than in most areas, at 16.4%.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the area has far fewer overseas-born people than the national figure. The most common ancestries are Australian, English, Irish, and Scottish.
English is the primary language for nearly 89% of the population. The proportion of people using another language at home is 3.0%, which is far below the New South Wales and Australian averages.
Religious affiliation is more common here than in most areas, with 59.7% of people identifying as Christians. Those with no religion make up 28.3%, which is far below the national figure.
Educational qualifications are much lower than the state average, with only 10.4% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Far fewer people have completed Year 12 compared to most other areas.
Typical weekly household income is $1,277, which is well below the national figure of $1,746. Only 12.3% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, a rate much lower than most areas.
Long-term health conditions are more prevalent here, affecting 32.1% of residents. This is well above the state average, and 6.9% of people need help with daily activities.
Volunteering is very high in Bombala, with 20.4% of people pitching in, which is well above the national figure. There is also a higher rate of former Defence Force members compared to most areas.
The First Nations community here is noticeably younger than the national average, with a typical age of 18. Median personal income for First Nations people is $774, which is well above the national figure.
Living arrangements are quite distinct, as 35.3% of people live alone—far above the national average. Because of this, the typical home has only 2.1 people, much lower than most areas.
Housing is very affordable, with a typical weekly rent of $215, far below the national figure. Home ownership is strong, and 45% of homes are owned outright, which is far above the state average.
Cars are essential for travel, as 71.1% of people drive to work and almost no one uses public transport to commute. Only 6.8% of people work from home, which is far below the national average.
The area has seen some movement, with 33.7% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 12.4% of the population, which is higher than most similar areas.
Full-time employment is more common here than in the state, with 61.9% of the workforce in full-time roles. Many residents work in agriculture, forestry and fishing, or retail trade.
The area is only somewhat walkable, with a score of 4.2, which is well below the state average. Only 35.9% of homes are within a 10-minute walk of public transport.