Grafton

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 11.1% of the population, which is well above the national figure. The community is older than average, with the typical resident aged 42 and a significant 24.1% of people aged 65 or over.

The area is overwhelmingly Australian-born, with only 6% born overseas, a figure far below the state and national averages. English, Irish, and Scottish ancestries are the most common heritage groups reported.

English is the primary language for 90.2% of the community. Only 3.2% of residents use another language at home, which is far below the national figure.

About 39% of residents report having no religion, which is about the same as the national figure. This represents a significant increase from 2011, when the figure was 26.6%.

Higher education levels are far below the state average, with only 10.2% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. However, more people have completed Year 12 since 2011, rising from 21.8% to 34.5%.

Typical weekly family incomes are $1,400, which is well below the national figure of $2,120. Only 8.1% of households earn $3,000 or more per week, a standing that is lower than most similar areas.

Health challenges are much more common here than in most areas, with 38.6% of people living with a long-term health condition. This is reflected in the 10% of residents who need help with daily activities, well above the national figure.

Local residents are more likely to provide unpaid care than those in most areas, at 14.2%. While volunteering is slightly above the state average, the rate of volunteers has fallen since 2011.

Single-person households are common, with 34.2% of people living alone. One-parent families are also much more frequent here than in most areas, making up 25.2% of households.

Detached houses are very common, though their share fell to 80.9% since 2011. Renting is much more common than in most areas, with 34.5% of households renting at a typical weekly cost of $300.

Most people rely on cars for work, with 67.3% driving to their jobs. Only 6.7% work from home, which is far below the national figure of 21%.

The community has seen increased movement, with 37.2% of people having moved in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 12.8% of the population, which is much higher than in most similar areas.

The unemployment rate is 7.3%, which is a little above the national figure. Many residents work in health care, social assistance, or retail, though the overall number of adults working or looking for work is far below the national average.

The area is somewhat walkable with a score of 5.7, and 94% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of a park. However, fewer homes are within walking distance of groceries and schools compared to the state average.