Urban Area · Area profile
Byron Bay
40 km²
A far higher proportion of people here identify as having no religion compared to the rest of Australia. Byron Bay is a highly educated and affluent community where the typical resident is now 39, marking a significant shift from a much older population in 2011. The area is defined by a cosmopolitan feel, with a surge in overseas arrivals and a high number of residents who work from home. It is a place where high incomes and professional qualifications sit alongside a strong spirit of volunteering.
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The community has become much younger, with the typical age falling by 12 years since 2011 to 39. It is also a place where de facto relationships are very common, well above the national figure.
Overseas born residents make up 27.8% of the population, a figure that has risen 18 points since 2011. While English and Australian are the most common ancestries, there is a notable Irish and Scottish heritage here.
People using another language at home have increased significantly to 13.8% since 2011, though this remains well below the New South Wales average. Almost everyone speaks English well, with only 0.8% speaking little or no English.
The area is very distinctive for its lack of religious affiliation, with 59.7% of people reporting no religion. This is far above the national figure of 38.9% and represents a 40 point increase since 2011.
Residents are highly qualified, with 33.2% holding a bachelor degree or higher, well above the national average. Since 2011, the share of adults who completed Year 12 has risen by 38 points to 66.8%.
Typical incomes are much higher than in most other areas, with the typical family earning $2,091 a week. The number of households earning $3,000 or more per week has risen 20 points since 2011.
Residents report better health than the national average, with much lower rates of long-term health conditions (21.6%). Those needing help with daily activities also fell to 3.9% since 2011.
Volunteering is much more common here than in the rest of the state, with 17.9% of people pitching in. However, fewer people provide unpaid care or do heavy housework compared to most areas.
About 29.1% of people live alone, which is well above the national figure. Family sizes are typical for the region, with 2.4 people per home.
Rent is far above the national average at a typical $620 per week, and renting is much more common here than elsewhere. Mortgage payments are also very high, with the typical monthly payment at $2,340.
Working from home is very popular at 25.8%, which is well above the national figure. Conversely, almost no one uses public transport to commute, at just 0.2%.
The population is very mobile, with 48.8% of people moving in the last five years. This is driven by a huge increase in recent overseas arrivals, which rose 26 points since 2011.
While more adults are working or looking for work than in most areas, full-time employment has fallen 14 points since 2011. Many locals work in accommodation and food services.
The area is very walkable, with a high density of amenities. Most homes are within a short walk of public transport, parks, groceries, and health services.