# Demographics & Identity — Rural Balance

Who lives here — how many people, how old they are, and how communities identify.

Area: Rural Balance (Section of State)

A typical resident in Rural Balance is now 43, making the area noticeably older than the national figure. The population has grown by 5.1% to 976 people since 2011, with a significant shift towards an older age profile over the last decade.

The typical age has climbed 15 years since 2011 to reach 43, which is higher than most similar areas. The total population reached 976 people in 2021, adding about 47 people over the last decade.

Indigenous people make up 16.3% of the population, which is far above the national figure of 3.2%. Regarding relationships, 41.4% of residents are married, while 12.6% are in a de facto relationship.

Seniors aged 65 and over make up 21.1% of the population, a figure well above the Australian average. This rise in older residents is mirrored by a much lower proportion of children under 15 compared to most areas, at 12.4%.

## Statistics

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total population | 976 | +5.1% since 2011 |
| Median age | 43 yrs | +53.6% since 2011 |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander population | 16.3% | -18.5% since 2011 |
| People aged 65 and over | 21.1% | +840.7% since 2011 |
| Children under 15 | 12.4% | +90.2% since 2011 |
| People in a de facto relationship | 12.6% | +31.7% since 2011 |

**Age structure** — Young adults (25–44) 30.1%, Older adults (45–64) 29.0%, Seniors (65+) 21.1%, Children (0–14) 12.4%, Youth (15–24) 8.5%

**Marital status** — Married 41.4%, Never married 39.8%, Divorced 7.8%, Widowed 6.2%, Separated 4.9%

Interactive: https://censusatlas.au/region/sos/SOS93/rural-balance/topic/demographics-identity