Dubbo

Dubbo is much younger than the national average, with 21.5% of people under 15. It also has a very strong First Nations identity, with 15.6% of the population identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, which is far above the state figure.

Most residents were born in Australia, but there is a growing international influence with 10.4% born overseas. This is far below the New South Wales average, though India and Nepal are the most common birthplaces outside Australia.

English is the main language for 82.7% of the community. While 8.9% use another language at home—a figure much higher than most similar areas—this is still far below the state and national averages.

The community is more religious than the national average, with 57.4% identifying as Christian. Only 27.4% of people report having no religion, which is far below the Australian figure of 38.9%.

Around 18.9% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher, which is higher than in most similar areas but well below the state average. Many residents hold a Certificate III or IV, the most common qualification at 32.5%.

Typical personal weekly incomes are $876, which is a little above the national figure. While typical family incomes are higher than most similar areas, the proportion of households earning $3,000 or more a week is well below the state average.

Health challenges are more common here than in most areas, with 30.7% of people living with a long-term health condition. This includes higher-than-average rates of mental health conditions and asthma.

Family life is a focus here, with 29.0% of people providing unpaid child care, which is well above the national average. However, the rate of people doing significant unpaid housework is much lower than most areas.

The First Nations community is one of the largest at this level, with a typical age of 22. Unemployment for First Nations people is 8.9%, which is well below the national rate of 12.3%.

One-parent families make up 17.4% of the community, a figure well above the state and national averages. People living alone are also more common here than in most other areas.

Large homes are the norm, with 83.2% being separate houses and 79.3% having three or more bedrooms. Renting is much more common here than in most similar areas, with a typical weekly rent of $310.

The area is heavily reliant on cars, with 70.4% of workers driving to work. Very few people work from home (7.8%), a figure far below the national average, though public transport stops are more frequent than in many other areas.

Dubbo is a dynamic place with 41.5% of people moving in the last five years. This is driven partly by recent overseas arrivals, who make up 24.4% of the population—well above the national average.

Employment is strong, with 65.0% of people working full-time, which is well above the national figure. The biggest employer is the health care and social assistance sector, accounting for 20.0% of jobs.

The area is somewhat walkable, with 87.3% of homes within a short walk of public transport. However, many residents lack easy access to essentials, as far fewer homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries or health services compared to the state average.