Nelson Bay

The area is far older than the typical Australian community, with 33.9% of people aged 65 or over. This senior population has grown by 17 percentage points since 2011, while children under 15 have fallen to 13.4%, which is well below the national figure.

English and Australian ancestries are most common, with 46.0% and 37.1% respectively. While 16.8% of residents were born overseas—a figure that has risen since 2011—this is still far below the New South Wales and national averages.

English is the dominant language, used by 89.6% of the community. Only 5.1% of people use another language at home, which is far below the national average of 22.3%.

Christianity remains the most common faith at 54.3%, though the number of people reporting no religion has risen by 19 percentage points since 2011 to reach 37.7%.

Education levels are lower than the state and national figures, with 43.3% of adults completing Year 12. However, there has been an increase in qualifications since 2011, including a 6.7 percentage point rise in bachelor degrees or higher.

Typical incomes are much lower than the national average, with a typical household earning $1,271 a week. High-income households earning over $3,000 a week make up only 13.5% of the community, far below the state figure.

Health challenges are more common here than in most areas, with 37.6% of people reporting a long-term health condition. This is well above the national average, and 7.1% of residents need help with daily activities.

The community has a strong connection to the Defence Force, with 5.8% of people having served, which is well above the national figure. Unpaid housework is also more common here than in most areas.

Homes tend to be smaller than average with 2.3 people per dwelling. There is a high proportion of people living alone (29.0%) and couples without children (41.3%), consistent with the area's older age profile.

Home ownership is very high, with 47.8% of homes owned outright, far above the national average. Renting is much less common than in other areas, though typical weekly rents have risen to $390.

Reliance on cars is very high, with 95.6% of homes owning at least one vehicle. Working from home has become more common, rising by 16 percentage points since 2011 to reach 19.5%.

The area is quite mobile, with 42.4% of residents moving in the last five years. This is slightly higher than the national average, though recent arrivals from overseas remain well below the national figure.

Fewer adults here are working or looking for work compared to most areas, at 46.9%. Full-time employment is also well below the national average, with many residents working in health care, food services, or construction.

Most homes are within a short walk of public transport and parks, but far fewer are near schools or groceries compared to the state average. The overall walkability is considered somewhat walkable.