State Electorate · Area profile
Upper Hunter
27,649 km²
A strong Indigenous presence sets Upper Hunter apart, with 8.9% of the population identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. This is a largely rural community where most people live in detached houses and rely on cars to get around. The area is older than the national average, with a growing number of seniors and a population that has increased by nearly 9% since 2011. It is a place defined by its connection to the land, mining, and agriculture.
58 schools within reach make Upper Hunter convenient for families.
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The community is noticeably older than the national figure, with a typical resident aged 41. It is also a diverse age mix, where 18.9% are seniors and 19.4% are children, both of which are higher than most similar areas.
This is a very traditional Australian community; only 7.9% of residents were born overseas, which is far below the state and national figures. Most people identify as Australian or English.
English is the dominant language, with 89.8% of people using it only at home. Very few people speak another language (3.1%) or have little to no English, placing the area among the lowest for linguistic diversity.
Christianity remains the most common faith at 56.9%. While those with no religion now make up 33.4% of the population, this figure is still well below the national average.
Education levels are lower than in most areas, with only 36.3% of people completing Year 12 and 11.4% holding a bachelor's degree. Despite this, the region has a high number of schools per 1,000 children.
Typical weekly household incomes are slightly below the state and national figures at $1,550. However, the number of households earning over $3,000 a week has risen significantly since 2011.
Long-term health conditions are more common here than in most areas, affecting 31.2% of residents. Arthritis and asthma are the most reported conditions.
Local residents are more likely to volunteer than those in other areas. There is also a higher rate of people doing significant unpaid housework and a strong history of Defence Force service.
Family life is typical for the region, with 55.5% of households consisting of couples with children. About 26.4% of people live alone, which is slightly above the state average.
Housing is dominated by separate houses (91.2%), and 81.9% of homes have three or more bedrooms. Many residents own their homes outright, with a rate well above the national figure.
The area is heavily car-dependent, with 61.7% of people driving to work and only 0.2% using public transport. Most homes own at least one vehicle, and very few people work from home compared to the state average.
The population is relatively stable, with 37.1% of people moving in the last five years, which is slightly lower than the national trend. Recent overseas arrivals make up 13.4% of the community.
Mining and agriculture are major employers, and the area has a higher rate of full-time employment (61.7%) than most other regions. The unemployment rate is 4.1%, which is lower than the national average.
The area is mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score far below the state average. Only 34.5% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of basic amenities like groceries or health services.