Sawtell

The community is significantly older than the national figure, with 24.8% of people aged 65 and over. This is well above the 17.2% seen across Australia. While children under 15 make up 16.3% of the population, this is slightly lower than the national average.

Most residents were born in Australia, and those with overseas roots most commonly cite English, Australian, and Irish ancestry. Only 11.1% of people were born overseas, which is far below the New South Wales figure of 29.3%.

English is the primary language for the vast majority, with 90.9% using it only. Only 3.5% of residents use another language at home, a figure far below both the state and national averages.

A large portion of the community identifies as having no religion, at 45.7%. This is well above the national figure of 38.9%, though Christianity remains common at 45.4%.

The area has a highly qualified workforce, with 26.6% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This is much higher than most similar areas and sits about the same as the national average.

Typical household income is $1,405 a week, which is well below the New South Wales figure of $1,829. However, 10.9% of people earn $2,000 or more weekly, a rate higher than most similar areas.

Long-term health conditions are more common here than elsewhere, affecting 32.6% of people. This is well above the national figure of 27.7%, with arthritis being the most reported condition.

Local spirit is high, with 20.4% of people volunteering, which is well above the national figure of 14.1%. There is also a higher than average number of people who have served in the Defence Force.

There are 141 First Nations people living here, and they tend to be noticeably older than those in the rest of the state. The unemployment rate for this group is 15.9%, which is much higher than most similar areas.

Homes tend to be smaller than usual, with 2.3 people per dwelling. A high number of people live alone (31.7%), and there is a much higher proportion of one-parent families compared to most areas.

Home ownership is strong, with 42.1% of homes owned outright, far above the national figure of 31%. Renting is also common, with 32.5% of households renting, and typical weekly rents are $380.

Most people rely on cars, with 62% driving to work. While very few use public transport to commute, nearly all homes are within a 10-minute walk of a stop.

The area is quite dynamic, with 38.5% of residents having moved house in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 10.9% of the population, which is higher than in most similar areas.

Working life is less common here than elsewhere, with 56% of adults working or looking for work. Many residents work in health care and social assistance, which is the most common industry.

Sawtell is very walkable, with a score of 6.4. Most residents can easily walk to health services and groceries, and 99.3% of homes are within a 10-minute walk of public transport.