State Electorate · Area profile
Monaro
20,484 km²
A growing population of 84,972 people defines Monaro, where the number of residents rose by 31% since 2011. The community is slightly older than the national average, with a typical resident aged 39. It is a relatively affluent area with high employment rates and typical family incomes that sit above the national figure. This combination of steady growth and financial stability suggests a settled, working community in regional New South Wales.
36 schools within reach make Monaro convenient for families.
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The typical resident is 39, and the area has seen its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population rise to 3.4%. Families are common, with 18.7% of the population being children under 15, while those aged 65 and over make up 15.1%.
Most residents were born in Australia (77.2%), and those born overseas make up 17.2%, which is far below the national figure. Common ancestries include Australian (38.5%) and English (36.8%).
English is the dominant language for 82.5% of the community. Only 11.6% of people use another language at home, and just 1.1% speak little or no English, both of which are far below the national figures.
Religious affiliation is shifting, with the proportion of people reporting no religion rising 23 points since 2011 to reach 39.7%. Christianity remains the most common faith at 47.9%.
The area is well-qualified, with 25.8% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This reflects a general trend toward higher education, as the number of people completing Year 12 rose 7 points since 2011.
Incomes in Monaro are much higher than in most similar areas, with typical weekly family income reaching $2,600. About 30.7% of households earn $3,000 or more a week, a figure that rose 13 points since 2011.
The community is generally healthy, with only 4.5% of people needing help with daily activities, which is much lower than most areas. However, 9.5% of residents live with a mental health condition.
Volunteerism is very high here, with 17.6% of people volunteering, well above the national figure. There is also a strong connection to the Defence Force, with 7% of residents having served.
Couples with children make up the largest group at 59.8%, though the number of people living alone rose 5.1 points since 2011 to 26.4%. One-parent families are much less common here than in most areas.
Separate houses are the standard for 77.3% of homes. While 31.1% of homes are owned outright, the proportion of households renting rose 5.5 points since 2011 to 25.8%.
Car reliance is very high, as 66.3% of people drive to work and only 0.7% use public transport. Very few homes lack a motor vehicle, at just 3.6%.
The area is quite mobile, with 40.8% of people moving house in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 13.1% of the population.
Job prospects are strong, with an unemployment rate of 3.0%, among the lowest for its level. A high number of residents are in full-time work (65.7%), often in public administration and safety.
The area is only somewhat walkable, with a score of 4.3. Many residents live far from essential services, as fewer than half of homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries or health services.