Urban Area · Area profile
Coffs Harbour
506 km²
A car-dependent lifestyle defines Coffs Harbour, where 66% of workers drive to their jobs and very few use public transport. This coastal community has grown by 15% since 2011 and is now noticeably older than the national average. With a high proportion of retirees and a growing number of overseas arrivals, it is a place where traditional Australian roots meet an increasing international influence. The area's character is shaped by a mix of lifelong homeowners and a shifting, diverse population.
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The population is noticeably older than the national figure, with the typical resident aged 44 and 23.5% being seniors. This senior population has grown by 5.0 points since 2011, while the proportion of children has slightly fallen.
People born overseas make up 15.8% of the community, which is higher than in most similar areas but far below the New South Wales average. English and Australian are the most common ancestries, though overseas births have risen by 2.8 points since 2011.
About 9.5% of residents use a language other than English at home, a figure that has risen by 3.6 points since 2011. While this is higher than in many similar areas, it remains far below the state and national averages.
A shift away from organised religion is evident, with the number of people reporting no religion rising 19 points since 2011 to 41.8%. This is well above the New South Wales figure.
More people here hold a bachelor degree or higher than in most similar areas, and 45.6% have finished Year 12. Both figures have risen since 2011, though they remain well below state and national levels.
Typical incomes are well below the national figure, with the typical weekly household earning $1,356. However, there has been a trend toward higher pay, with the share of households earning $3,000 or more a week rising 9.7 points since 2011.
Long-term health conditions are more common here than nationally, affecting 33.3% of people. Mental health conditions are also a little above the national figure, with 10.8% of residents reporting one.
Unpaid care and volunteering are common, with 13% of people providing unpaid care. While 15% of the community volunteers, this is 4.1 points lower than it was in 2011.
One-parent families make up 17.6% of the community, which is well above the national figure. About 27.9% of people live alone, and the typical home contains 2.4 people.
Homes are more likely to be owned outright here than in most areas, at 37.2%. Separate houses are very common, though typical weekly rents have risen by $105 since 2016 to reach $375.
Reliance on cars is high, with only 0.7% of people commuting by public transport. Working from home has become more common, rising to 10.5% since 2011.
The area is a significant draw for migrants, as recent arrivals from overseas make up 18.9% of the population. This is well above both the state and national figures.
Fewer adults are working or looking for work compared to the national average, at 55.3%. Health care and social assistance is the largest industry, employing 19.4% of the workforce.
Daily life is less walkable than in most of New South Wales, with only 51.7% of homes within a 15-minute walk of key amenities. Access to schools and health services is particularly low compared to the state average.