Blyth

The community is a little older than the state average, with 19.5% of people aged 65 and over. However, children under 15 make up 19.5% of the population, which is higher than in most similar areas.

Blyth is very homogenous, with 86.5% of residents born in Australia. This is far below the national figure of 27.7% for those born overseas.

English is the primary language for nearly everyone, with only 1.2% using another language at home. This is far below both the state and national figures.

Nearly half the population, 45.8%, report having no religion, which is well above the national figure of 38.9%.

Education levels are lower than in most areas, with only 8.8% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher and 38.6% completing Year 12, both far below state and national levels.

Incomes are generally lower than the national average, with the typical household earning $1,269 a week. Only 6.1% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly, which is much lower than most similar areas.

Health challenges are more common here than in other areas; 33.4% of people have a long-term health condition and 12.7% have a mental health condition, which is well above the national figure.

Blyth has a very high rate of community spirit, with 29.6% of people volunteering, far above the national figure of 14.1%. Additionally, 5% of residents have served in the Defence Force, which is much higher than most areas.

There are 14 First Nations people in the area. Their typical personal income of $575 is about the same as the national figure, though household income is well below the state average.

Families with children are common, making up 54.7% of households. About 25.5% of people live alone, which is about the same as the national figure.

Most people live in separate houses, and 83.2% of homes have three or more bedrooms. Rental prices are well below the national figure, with a typical weekly rent of $230.

The area is almost entirely car-dependent, with no one commuting by public transport. Most homes have at least one vehicle, and the drive time to the city is 87 minutes.

The population is relatively stable, with 28.6% of people moving in the last five years, which is far below the national figure. No recent arrivals from overseas were recorded.

Working or looking for work is more common here than in most areas. Agriculture, forestry and fishing is the largest industry, employing 18.8% of the workforce.

Blyth is a very safe area, with recorded offences per 100,000 people being among the lowest at this level. The crime rate has fallen by 20% over the last five years.

The area is mostly car-dependent with a walkability score of 2.5, far below the state average. While many homes are near a school or park, there are no grocery stores or health services within a 15-minute walk.