Kiama

The typical resident is 43, which is noticeably older than the national figure of 38. This aging trend is clear, as the proportion of seniors rose 8.6 points since 2011 to reach 22.9%. Additionally, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population has risen to 4.8%.

Most residents were born in Australia, and the area has a far lower percentage of overseas-born people (13.8%) compared to the national figure of 27.7%. English and Australian are the most common ancestries, accounting for 43.7% and 40.6% respectively.

English is the dominant language, with 89.4% of people using it exclusively at home. This is reflected in the very low number of people who speak little or no English, which is just 0.5%—much lower than most other areas.

About half of the community identifies as Christian, while 40.8% report no religion. This last figure has risen significantly since 2011 and is well above the New South Wales average of 33.2%.

School completion rates are far below the national figure, with 47.1% having finished Year 12. Qualifications are varied, with Certificate III or IV being the most common highest level at 33.2%.

Typical weekly family incomes are about $2,020, which is around the middle for similar areas. While personal incomes have risen by $222 since 2011, the share of people earning $2,000 or more a week remains a little below the national figure.

Health needs are higher here than in most areas, with 32.4% of people living with a long-term health condition. Arthritis is the most common issue, affecting 11.6% of the population.

Community spirit is evident in the high number of volunteers (16.1%) and those who have served in the Defence Force (4.6%). Unpaid housework is also more common here than in most other areas.

Families tend to be larger than average, with 54.8% of households consisting of couples with children. People living alone make up 22.8% of the community, which is slightly lower than the national figure.

Housing is dominated by large, detached homes, with 83.6% having three or more bedrooms. Home ownership is very high; 40.8% of homes are owned outright, and renting is far less common here than across the state.

Cars are essential for getting around, as only 0.4% of people commute by public transport. This reliance on vehicles is reflected in the fact that 41.1% of homes have two cars.

The area is relatively stable, with 37.5% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas are very few, sitting among the lowest levels for similar areas.

The local jobless rate is a low 3.6%, which is lower than the national figure. However, the percentage of adults working or looking for work is also much lower than in most other areas.

Walking to amenities is difficult for many, as only 43% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries. The overall walkability score is 4.4, which is well below the New South Wales average.