Singleton

The area is noticeably younger than the state average, with a high proportion of children and a much larger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population at 8.7%. Since 2011, the number of seniors has fallen sharply, while the proportion of people in de facto relationships has risen.

People born overseas make up only 9.2% of the population, which is far below the national figure. Most residents were born in Australia, and those with overseas heritage most commonly cite Australian, English, Irish, or Scottish roots.

English is the primary language for 90.3% of the community, and the proportion of people using another language at home is much lower than in most other areas. Very few residents speak little or no English.

A little over half of the population identifies as Christian, while 36.7% report having no religion. This last group has grown significantly, rising 16 percentage points since 2011.

Qualifications are lower than the state average, with only 11.2% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. However, school completion rates have improved, and the most common qualifications are Certificates III and IV, often in engineering or management.

Typical weekly household incomes are higher than the national figure, and the proportion of people earning $2,000 or more a week is well above the national average. High earners have increased significantly since 2011.

The community is generally healthy, with a lower rate of people needing daily help than most areas. About 29.8% of residents have a long-term health condition, most commonly mental health issues or arthritis.

Local residents are more likely to care for children unpaid than those in most other areas. There is also a strong connection to the Defence Force, with 6.5% of people having served, which is well above the national figure.

Homes in the area are larger than average, typically housing 2.6 people. Couples with children make up the majority of households, and the number of people living alone is much lower than in similar areas.

Large separate houses dominate the landscape, with 83.8% of homes having three or more bedrooms. While outright ownership has fallen since 2011, typical mortgage payments remain much higher than in most similar areas.

Car ownership is very high, and only 0.3% of people commute by public transport. Working from home has become more common, rising to 10.2% since 2011.

The population is quite mobile, with 44.1% of people having moved in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas have also increased, rising 11 percentage points since 2011.

Employment is a standout feature, with 63.8% of the population working full-time and a low unemployment rate of 4.2%. Mining is the largest industry, employing 22.4% of the workforce.

The area is only somewhat walkable, as many homes are far from shops and health services. While most residents live near a park or transport, only 35.1% are within a 15-minute walk of groceries.