State Electorate · Area profile
Nelson
1,410 km²
A typical resident of Nelson is now 37, reflecting a community that has aged significantly since 2011. This area is a high-earning hub where families are common and home ownership is strong. It is defined by a workforce with high full-time employment and incomes that sit well above the national figure. Set across a large landscape, the community is largely car-dependent with a strong presence of former Defence Force members.
Household incomes here are high, yet Nelson's schools draw a notably less advantaged community.
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The population grew by 21% since 2011 to reach 9,981 people. While the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is far above the national figure, it has fallen 32 points since 2011, and the area now has fewer children and more seniors than most similar places.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the area has far fewer overseas-born people than the national figure. English is the most common ancestry after Australian, and the proportion of people born overseas rose slightly to 12.4% since 2011.
English is the dominant language, with only 6.5% of people using another language at home, a far lower figure than the national average. This represents a huge drop from 2011, when 48.3% of the community spoke a language other than English.
Nearly half of the community (45.5%) report having no religion, which is well above both the state and national figures. This sentiment has grown significantly, rising 27 points since 2011.
The area has a lower proportion of adults with a bachelor degree than most similar areas. While 45% of residents completed Year 12, which is a rise of 11 points since 2011, this remains far below the national figure.
Nelson is a wealthy area where typical family weekly income is $2,781, well above the national figure. Thirty-five percent of households earn over $3,000 a week, a trend that has risen by 13 points since 2011.
Residents are generally healthier than average, with a long-term health condition rate that is well below the national figure. Similarly, the proportion of people needing help with daily activities is among the lowest for similar areas.
A striking 10.7% of residents have served in the Defence Force, which is well above the national figure. However, volunteer rates have fallen since 2011, and far fewer people provide unpaid care compared to most areas.
Homes here are larger than usual, with 2.9 people per household. Most are couples with children (61.6%), and there are far fewer one-parent families and people living alone than in most other areas.
Detached houses are very common here, and the proportion of renters has plummeted by 71 points since 2011. Mortgage payments are high, with a typical monthly payment of $2,386, which is well above the national figure.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, with only 0.8% of people using public transport to get to work. Almost every home has a vehicle, and very few people work from home compared to the rest of Australia.
The community is relatively stable, as the proportion of people who moved in the last five years is much lower than in most areas. Recent arrivals from overseas have also fallen significantly since 2011.
Full-time employment is very high at 69.6%, far above the national figure. The unemployment rate is among the lowest for similar areas at just 3.0%, with many residents working in public administration and safety.
The area is almost entirely car-dependent, with a walkability score of 1.0. Very few homes are within a 15-minute walk of parks, schools, or groceries compared to the state average.