Suburb / Locality · Area profile
Grenfell
878 km²
Seniors outnumber other age groups in Grenfell, where the typical resident is 54—far older than the national figure of 38. This rural community is marked by a strong level of home ownership and a population that is mostly born in Australia. While the area faces challenges with lower typical incomes and higher rates of long-term health conditions, there is a notable spirit of service, with many more residents volunteering than in other parts of the state.
Grenfell is well supplied with schools for its relatively small share of children.
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The community is significantly older than most areas, with a third of residents aged 65 and over. Children under 15 make up only 14.5%, which is well below the national figure of 18.2%.
Most residents were born in Australia (85.7%), and the proportion born overseas is far below the New South Wales average. English and Australian ancestries are the most common.
English is the dominant language, with only 1.7% of people using another tongue at home—a figure far below the national average of 22.3%.
Religious affiliation is more common here than elsewhere; 64.8% of people identify as Christian, and the share of people with no religion is far below the national figure.
The area has a much lower rate of higher education, with only 10.2% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, far below the national figure of 26.3%.
Typical incomes are much lower than in most areas, with the usual household earning $991 a week, far below the national figure of $1,746.
Long-term health conditions are far more common here than in the rest of the state, affecting 38.9% of people. This is consistent with the area's older population, as 8.2% of residents need help with daily activities.
Volunteerism is a standout feature, with 22.9% of people volunteering, which is well above the national figure. A higher number of residents have also served in the Defence Force compared to most areas.
First Nations people make up 4.7% of the population, and 11.4% speak a First Nations language, which is well above the state average.
Homes are smaller and more likely to be occupied by single people; 36.2% of residents live alone, which is far above the national average.
The area is dominated by separate houses, and half of all homes are owned outright, far above the national figure of 31%. Consequently, typical weekly rents are far below the state average at $200.
Cars are essential for most, as 0.0% of the population commutes by public transport. While there are some bus routes, the walk to the nearest stop is much longer than in most areas.
The population is relatively stable, with only 28.6% of people moving in the last five years, which is far below the national figure.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing is the largest industry, employing 22.2% of the workforce. However, the share of adults working or looking for work is much lower than in most areas.
The town is somewhat walkable, and residents have better access to health services within a 15-minute walk than people in the rest of the state.