Urban Centre · Area profile
Port Macquarie
44 km²
Set in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, Port Macquarie is a large coastal hub that attracts a significantly older population. The typical resident is 48, and nearly 29% of the community are seniors, which is far above the national figure. This age profile helps explain why the area has a higher need for daily health support than most other places. It is a welcoming spot for newcomers, with a high proportion of people moving in over the last five years.
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The community is far older than the state and national average, with the typical resident aged 48. Seniors make up 28.8% of the population, while children under 15 are a little below the national figure at 15.6%.
Most residents were born in Australia, though 14.3% were born overseas. English is the most common ancestry at 45.0%, followed by Australian at 40.1%.
English is the dominant language, spoken by 90.2% of people at home. While the number of people using another language is higher than in most similar areas, it remains far below the New South Wales average.
Over half the population identifies as Christian at 53.4%. Those with no religion make up 37.9% of the community, which is about the same as the national figure.
A high number of residents have completed Year 12 or hold a bachelor degree compared to similar areas. However, these figures are still well below the state and national averages.
Typical weekly household income is $1,283, which is well below the national figure of $1,746. While 14.1% of households earn $3,000 or more a week, this is still far below the state average.
Health needs are high here, with 37.1% of people living with a long-term health condition. This is far above the state average and is consistent with the area's older population.
Volunteering is common, with 16.1% of people pitching in, which is well above the state figure. About 13.4% of residents provide unpaid care.
Living alone is common, with 31.6% of people in single-person households, well above the national average. The typical home contains 2.3 people.
Home ownership is strong, with 39.2% of homes owned outright. While 31.1% of households rent, the typical weekly rent of $380 is about the same as the national figure.
Cars are the primary way to get around, with 64.4% of workers driving to work. Only 0.5% of people commute using public transport.
The area is seeing significant movement, as 43.8% of residents have moved house in the last five years. This is well above the national average.
Health care and social assistance is the largest employer at 22.4%. Only 52.4% of adults are working or looking for work, which is well below the national figure.
Most homes are within a short walk of a park or public transport. However, the area is far below the state average for walkability to schools and groceries.