# Running Stream

Suburb / Locality · Area profile

Located in: New South Wales › Rest of NSW › Mid-Western Regional › 2850, NSW

Area: 270 km²

A car-dependent lifestyle defines Running Stream, where residents live in detached houses far from city services. The community is exceptionally old, with half of the 120 residents aged 65 or over and very few children. Most people here own their homes outright and live on lower than average incomes. It is a quiet, residential area where many of the seniors spend their time volunteering or managing their own households.

## Demographics & Identity

This is an older community where the typical resident is 61, making it far older than the national figure of 38. Seniors make up 50% of the population, while children under 15 account for only 5%, which is far below the national average.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total population | 120 | — |
| Median age | 61 yrs | — |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander population | 3.3% | — |
| People aged 65 and over | 50.0% | — |
| Children under 15 | 5.0% | — |
| People in a de facto relationship | 0.0% | — |

**Age structure** — Seniors (65+) 50.0%, Older adults (45–64) 35.0%, Youth (15–24) 7.5%, Young adults (25–44) 6.7%, Children (0–14) 5.0%

**Marital status** — Married 57.0%, Never married 17.5%, Divorced 7.9%, Separated 7.9%, Widowed 6.1%

## Ancestry & Birthplace

Most residents were born in Australia, though 13.3% were born overseas, which is far below the national figure of 27.7%. The most common ancestries are English, Australian, Scottish, and Irish.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People born overseas | 13.3% | — |

**Country of birth** — Australia 76.7%, England 3.3%

**Ancestry** — English 43.3%, Australian 30.0%, Scottish 16.7%, Irish 12.5%, German 5.8%

## Language

English is the primary language here, with only 3.3% of people using another language at home. This is far below the national average of 22.3%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People using another language at home | 3.3% | — |
| People who speak little or no English | 0.0% | — |

**Language used at home** — English only 88.3%

## Religion

Christianity is the dominant faith, with 67.5% of residents identifying as such. Only 17.5% of people report having no religion, which is far below the national figure of 38.9%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with no religion | 17.5% | — |

**Religious affiliation** — Christianity 67.5%, No religion 17.5%, Not stated 16.7%

## Education & Qualifications

Educational qualifications are lower than in most areas, with only 8.8% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This is far below the national figure of 26.3%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Completed Year 12 | 39.3% | — |
| Adults with a bachelor degree or higher | 8.8% | — |
| Schools within 3 km | 0 | — |

**Highest year of school** — Year 12 39.3%, Year 10 32.7%, Year 9 or below 14.0%, Year 11 2.8%

**Highest qualification level** — Certificate III / IV 34.3%, Advanced diploma / diploma 22.9%, Bachelor degree 8.6%, Postgraduate degree 5.7%, Certificate I / II 4.3%

**Field of qualification** — Engineering & related 15.7%, Management & commerce 14.3%, Education 12.9%, Agriculture & environment 8.6%, Society & culture 8.6%, Health 5.7%, Creative arts 5.7%, Architecture & building 4.3%, Food, hospitality & personal services 4.3%

## Income

Household incomes are much lower than the national average, with a typical weekly income of $959. Only 5.3% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, which is far below the national figure of 22.6%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median personal income (weekly) | $575 | — |
| Median household income (weekly) | $959 | — |
| Median family income (weekly) | $1,292 | — |
| People earning $2,000+ a week | 0.0% | — |
| Households earning $3,000+ a week | 5.3% | — |

**Household income distribution** — Under $650 35.1%, $650–$1,499 31.6%, $1,500–$2,999 17.5%, $3,000–$3,999 5.3%

**Personal income distribution** — Under $650 47.4%, $650–$1,499 21.9%, $1,500–$2,999 2.6%

## Health & Disability

Health challenges are common here, with 50% of people living with a long-term health condition. This is far above the national figure of 27.7%, and 10% of residents need help with daily activities.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People with a long-term health condition | 50.0% | — |
| People with a mental health condition | 12.5% | — |
| People needing help with daily activities | 10.0% | — |

**Long-term health conditions reported** — Arthritis 19.2%, Asthma 13.3%, Mental health 12.5%, Other condition 11.7%, Cancer 10.8%, Heart disease 10.0%, Lung condition 6.7%, Diabetes 5.8%

**Number of long-term health conditions** — None 39.2%, One condition 25.8%, Two conditions 10.8%, Three or more 6.7%

## Community Participation

Volunteering is very common, with 27.2% of people helping out, far above the national average of 14.1%. Many residents also spend significant time on unpaid housework and care.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Volunteers | 27.2% | — |
| People providing unpaid care | 14.9% | — |
| People caring for children unpaid | 7.9% | — |
| People who served in the Defence Force | 2.7% | — |
| People doing 15+ hours of unpaid housework | 28.1% | — |

## First Nations

There are 4 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the area. The typical First Nations resident is 48, which is far older than the national figure of 24.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people | 4 | — |
| First Nations median age | 48 yrs | — |
| First Nations median personal income | $150 | — |

## Family & Households

Homes are typically small, with only 1.9 people per household. This is well below the national figure of 2.5, and it is common for people to live alone here.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Average household size | 1.9 | — |
| One-parent families | 11.7% | — |
| People living alone | 31.6% | — |

**Family composition** — Couples without children 64.9%, Couples with children 28.6%, One-parent families 11.7%

**Household size** — 2 people 45.6%, 1 person 31.6%, 3 people 8.8%, 4 people 5.3%

## Housing & Dwellings

Every home in the area is a separate house, and 56.1% are owned outright, which is far above the national figure of 31%. Renting is rare, with only 7% of households paying rent.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Median rent (weekly) | $215 | — |
| Median mortgage repayment (monthly) | $1,300 | — |
| Average people per bedroom | 0.70 | — |
| Households renting | 7.0% | — |
| Homes owned outright | 56.1% | — |
| Separate (detached) houses | 100.0% | — |
| Homes with three or more bedrooms | 82.5% | — |

**How homes are owned or rented** — Owned outright 56.1%, Owned with a mortgage 8.8%, Other tenure 8.8%, Rented 7.0%

**Types of homes** — Separate house 100.0%

**Bedrooms per home** — 3 bedrooms 50.9%, 4 bedrooms 15.8%, 5 or more 15.8%, 2 bedrooms 14.0%

**Monthly mortgage distribution** — Under $1,000 100.0%, $1,000–$1,799 80.0%

## Transport & Vehicles

Residents rely almost entirely on cars, as no one uses public transport to commute and every home has at least one vehicle. Working from home is common, at 34% of the workforce.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Homes with no motor vehicle | 0.0% | — |
| People working from home | 34.0% | — |
| Commuting by public transport | 0.0% | — |
| Public transport stops | 2 | — |
| PT stops per 1,000 people | 16.67 | — |
| Weekly PT departures per 1,000 people | 216.7 | — |
| Public transport routes | 13 | — |
| Walk to nearest stop (min) | 77 | — |
| Drive time to the city (min) | 184 | — |

**How people get to work** — Car (driver) 47.2%, Worked at home 34.0%, Walked 5.7%

**Motor vehicles per home** — 2 vehicles 39.6%, 1 vehicle 37.7%, 3 vehicles 18.9%, 4 or more 17.0%

## Migration & Movement

The population is relatively stable, with only 25.8% of people moving in the last five years, which is far below the national average of 40.7%.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| People who moved in the last 5 years | 25.8% | — |

## Jobs & Industry

Fewer people are working or looking for work here than in most areas, at 45.6%. Those who are employed often work in agriculture, forestry, and fishing.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unemployment rate | 0.0% | — |
| Labour-force participation | 45.6% | — |
| Employed full-time | 54.7% | — |

**Industries people work in** — Agriculture, forestry & fishing 32.1%, Professional & technical 9.4%, Public administration & safety 9.4%, Health care & social assistance 9.4%, Manufacturing 7.5%, Construction 7.5%, Education & training 5.7%

**Occupations people work in** — Managers 28.3%, Community & personal service 15.1%, Technicians & trades 13.2%, Professionals 11.3%, Machinery operators & drivers 7.5%, Labourers 5.7%

## Walkability

The area is completely car-dependent, with a walkability score of 0.1. There are no schools, parks, or grocery stores within a 15-minute walk for any resident.

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Walkability score | 0.1 | — |
| Amenity types within a 15-minute walk | 0.1 | — |
| Homes with a 15-minute-city walkshed | 0.0% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of groceries | 0.0% | — |
| Homes within 10 min walk of public transport | 4.9% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a school | 0.0% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of a park | 0.0% | — |
| Homes within 15 min walk of health services | 0.0% | — |
| Walkable amenities per 1,000 residents | 25.0 | — |
| Street connectivity (intersections/km²) | 0 | — |
| Mean terrain slope | 11.8% | — |

## Nearby areas

[Round Swamp](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL13441/round-swamp) · [Ilford](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL11979/ilford) · [Palmers Oaky](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL13148/palmers-oaky) · [Upper Turon](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL14065/upper-turon) · [Brogans Creek](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL10584/brogans-creek) · [Capertee](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL10801/capertee) · [Clandulla](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL10915/clandulla) · [Paling Yards](https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL13139/paling-yards)

Interactive profile: https://censusatlas.au/region/sal/SAL13456/running-stream