Urban Centre · Area profile
Coffs Harbour
78 km²
An ageing population defines Coffs Harbour, where the typical resident is now 44. This community has grown significantly older since 2011, with seniors aged 65 and over making up 24.1% of the population. While the total population shrank by 24% over the last decade, the area has seen a rise in overseas arrivals and a growing number of people identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. It is a place where older adults and retirees now form a major part of the local character.
Explore Coffs Harbour by topic
The community is noticeably older than the national figure, with seniors now making up 24.1% of residents. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people represent 6.2% of the population, which is well above the Australian average and has risen since 2011.
Overseas born residents make up 15.4% of the population, a figure that has nearly doubled since 2011. While this is much higher than similar areas, it remains far below the state and national averages.
English is the main language for 84.9% of people, but those using another language at home rose to 8.7% by 2021. This is much higher than most similar areas, though still far below the national figure.
People with no religion now account for 40.6% of the population, a sharp increase of 25 percentage points since 2011. This is well above the New South Wales average.
A higher number of adults have a bachelor degree or higher (17.9%) and completed Year 12 (44.4%) compared to most similar areas. Most qualifications are in management, commerce, and health.
Typical weekly household income is $1,309, which is well below the national figure of $1,746. While incomes have risen since 2011, the number of households earning over $3,000 a week is far below the state average.
Health needs are higher here than in most similar areas, with 34.3% of people living with a long-term health condition. About 11.4% of residents have a mental health condition, which is well above the state average.
Participation in unpaid care is around the middle for its level, with 12.9% of people providing support. Volunteer rates are about the same as the national figure at 14.6%.
Single-person households are common, with 30.3% of people living alone. One-parent families make up 19.1% of the community, which is well above the national figure.
Renting is common here, with 33.4% of households renting and typical weekly rents rising to $370. While 35.1% of homes are owned outright, the number of separate houses fell by 20 percentage points since 2011.
Car travel is dominant, with 66.3% of people driving to work. Public transport use for commuting is very low at 0.6%, although 9.9% of the workforce now works from home.
The area is quite mobile, with 41.0% of residents moving in the last five years. Recent overseas arrivals make up 18.6% of the population, which is well above the national average.
Adults working or looking for work make up 54.2% of the population, well below the national figure. Many residents work in health care and social assistance, though full-time employment fell by 10 percentage points since 2011.
The area is somewhat walkable with a score of 5.5, and most homes are near a park. However, many residents live further than 15 minutes from schools, health services, and groceries compared to the state average.