Urban Area · Area profile
Port Macquarie
96 km²
Seniors and older adults make up a significant part of the population in Port Macquarie. The typical resident is now 47, making the area far older than the national figure. This shift is clear, as the number of people aged 65 and over has risen sharply since 2011. It is a growing community of over 50,000 people where many live alone and a large number of homes are owned outright.
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The area has aged significantly, with the typical resident now 14 years older than in 2011. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 28.0% of the people, which is far above the national figure of 17.2%.
Most residents were born in Australia, though the proportion of people born overseas has risen to 14.3% since 2011. English and Australian are the most common ancestries, making up 44.9% and 40.2% respectively.
English is the primary language for 90.1% of the community. Only 5.3% of people use another language at home, which is far below the national figure of 22.3%.
More than half the population identify as Christian (53.1%). Those with no religion make up 38.1%, a figure that has risen by 22 points since 2011.
The community is well qualified, with 48.2% of residents having completed Year 12 and 19.5% holding a bachelor degree or higher. Both figures have risen since 2011.
Typical weekly household incomes are well below the national figure, sitting at $1,306. This is consistent with a trend where typical household incomes have fallen by $405 since 2011.
Health needs are high here, with 36.7% of people living with a long-term health condition. This is much higher than most areas, and 8.3% of residents need help with daily activities.
Volunteering is more common here than in most areas, with 15.9% of people pitching in. Additionally, 13.4% provide unpaid care, which is a little above the national figure.
Many residents live alone, accounting for 31.0% of households. This is well above the national figure, and the typical home is smaller, with 2.3 people per dwelling.
Home ownership is strong, with 38.5% of homes owned outright. While 67.1% are separate houses, the typical weekly rent has risen to $385.
Most people rely on cars, and only 0.4% of residents commute by public transport. However, working from home has become more common, rising to 12.5% since 2011.
The area is seeing a lot of movement, with 45.2% of people having moved in the last five years. This is well above the national average, though recent overseas arrivals have fallen to 9.4%.
Health care and social assistance are the biggest employers, making up 22.5% of jobs. However, the number of adults working or looking for work is much lower than in most areas at 53.1%.
The area is somewhat walkable, and most people live within a short walk of a park or public transport. However, fewer people can walk to groceries or health services compared to the state average.