Kootingal

The community is notably young and family-focused, with children under 15 and people in de facto relationships both appearing in much higher numbers than in most similar areas. First Nations people make up 11.8% of the population, which is well above the national figure of 3.2%.

The area is very traditional in its roots, with 90.6% of residents born in Australia. The proportion of people born overseas is far below the New South Wales figure.

English is the primary language here, used by 93% of the community. This means the number of people using another language at home is far below the national average.

Christianity is the most common faith at 58.8%. Those reporting no religion make up 33.9% of the population, which is well below the national figure.

Educational attainment is lower than in most areas, with only 10.9% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Year 12 completion is also far below the state and national figures.

Typical household incomes are well below the national figure, with the usual household earning $1,369 a week. About 13% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly, which is around the middle for similar areas.

Health challenges are more common here than in most areas, with 37.4% of people reporting a long-term health condition. This includes a much higher rate of mental health conditions compared to the rest of the country.

Residents are more likely to provide unpaid care and look after children than people in most other areas. This is consistent with the higher number of children living in the community.

There are 274 First Nations people in Kootingal, one of the largest groups at this level. The typical age for First Nations residents is 22, which is a little younger than the national figure.

The area has a high number of one-parent families compared to most areas. Most households consist of couples with children, making up 54.4% of the community.

Homes here are predominantly large, with 88% having three or more bedrooms and 96.1% being separate houses. Outright home ownership is well above the national figure.

Cars are essential for most, as 65.9% of workers drive to work and only 0.4% use public transport. However, there are more public transport stops here than in about 85% of similar areas.

The community has seen some movement, with 37% of residents moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas account for 7.5% of the population.

The local workforce is active, with a higher rate of full-time employment than the state average. The most common industries for workers are healthcare and social assistance.

Kootingal is somewhat walkable, though far less so than the New South Wales average. Many homes lack a 15-minute walk to basic services like groceries and health clinics.