Lake Illawarra

The area is older than most, with seniors aged 65 and over making up 21.1% of the population, well above the New South Wales figure. It is also a more diverse community in terms of identity, as 5.3% of residents are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, which is much higher than in most areas.

Most residents were born in Australia (73.5%), and while 18.2% were born overseas, this is far below the New South Wales average of 29.3%. English and Australian ancestries are the most common.

About 9.4% of people use a language other than English at home, which is much higher than similar areas, though still far below the state average. Very few people—just 1.5%—speak little or no English.

Religious affiliation is lower than typical, with 39.2% of people reporting no religion, a figure well above the New South Wales average of 33.2%. Christianity is the most common faith at 48.2%.

Educational attainment is much lower than most areas, with only 9.9% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher, far below the national figure of 26.3%. Only 34.7% of residents completed Year 12, which is also far below the state average.

Incomes are much lower than in most areas, with the typical household earning $1,069 a week, far below the national figure of $1,746. Only 9.5% of households earn $3,000 or more per week.

Health challenges are common here, as 36.6% of people have a long-term health condition and 13.2% have a mental health condition, both well above the national average. This is consistent with a higher need for daily assistance, reported by 8.5% of residents.

Volunteer rates are among the lowest at this level, at 7.5%, well below the national figure of 14.1%. Unpaid care for children is also well below the state average.

The area has one of the largest First Nations populations at this level, with 174 people. Typical personal income for First Nations residents is $514, which is a little below the national figure.

One-parent families are among the highest at this level, making up 23.5% of households. This contributes to a lower number of people per home (2.1) compared to the national average, as 38.5% of people live alone.

Rental properties are very common, with 48.3% of households renting, far above the national figure of 30.6%. This is reflected in a lower rate of outright home ownership (26.6%) compared to most areas.

While 10.8% of homes have no motor vehicle, the area is well-connected with 25 public transport stops, which is more than 90% of similar areas. This makes it easier for the 1.4% of commuters who use public transport to get around.

The community is relatively stable, with 35.8% of people moving in the last five years, which is well below the national figure of 40.7%. Recent overseas arrivals make up 6.5% of the population.

Fewer adults are working or looking for work (48.1%) compared to the national figure of 61.1%. The unemployment rate is 6.2%, which is a little above the national average.

The area is very walkable, with 100% of homes within a 10-minute walk of public transport and a park. It also has high access to groceries and health services, far above state averages.