Bowral

Bowral is much older than most areas, with 37.9% of residents aged 65 or over, a figure far above the national average of 17.2%. This shift toward seniors is reflected in the low proportion of children under 15, who make up only 14.2% of the population.

People born overseas make up 21.7% of the community, which is much higher than in similar areas, though still well below the state average. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries reported.

Most residents speak only English at home, though 7.8% use another language, which is higher than in most similar areas. Very few people, just 0.6%, speak little or no English.

Christianity is the most common religion at 56.9%. Those reporting no religion make up 34.2% of the population, which is lower than the national figure of 38.9%.

The community is well-qualified, with 31% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, well above the national average. This is consistent with a high school completion rate of 62.1%.

Bowral is a high-earning area where 14.8% of people earn $2,000 or more a week, much higher than most areas. Typical family weekly incomes are about the same as the state and national figures.

Long-term health conditions are much more common here than elsewhere, affecting 35.2% of people. Around 6.8% of residents need help with daily activities, which is a little above the national average.

Volunteering is strong here, with 19.9% of people volunteering, well above the national figure. There is also a notably high number of former Defence Force members compared to other similar areas.

First Nations residents have a much higher Year 12 completion rate (59.7%) than the national figure. However, the unemployment rate for this group is 13.8%, which is higher than most areas.

Homes are smaller on average with 2.2 people per household, and 31.2% of people live alone, which is well above the national average. Couples without children make up a large share of families.

Home ownership is very high, with 51% of homes owned outright, far above the national figure. While most homes are separate houses, typical weekly rents are among the highest for this level at $500.

While most people drive, 29.3% of the workforce works from home, which is well above the national average. The area has a high number of public transport stops, though very few people use them to commute.

The area has seen significant movement, with 41.4% of residents moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 7.4% of the population.

Fewer adults are working or looking for work compared to other areas, with a rate of 48.6%. Those who are employed often work in health care, education, or professional roles.

The area is somewhat walkable, and 91.5% of homes are within a 10-minute walk of public transport. However, far fewer homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries compared to the state average.