Urban Centre · Area profile
Forbes
23 km²
A much higher proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live in Forbes compared to the rest of the state. This community is noticeably older than the national average, with a typical resident aged 42. While the population shrank by 13% since 2011, the area remains a significant regional hub. It is a place where traditional housing and family structures prevail, though it faces lower typical incomes than the state average.
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The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population is 15.2%, which is far above the national figure of 3.2%. Seniors make up 23.9% of the community, a figure well above the state average.
People born overseas make up only 4.6% of the population, which is far below the New South Wales average of 29.3%. Most residents claim Australian or English ancestry.
English is the primary language for 88.8% of residents, and the 2.5% who use another language at home is far below the national figure.
Christianity is the most common faith at 62.4%. While those with no religion now make up 26.8% of the area, this is still well below the state average.
Education levels are far below the state average, with only 11.5% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. However, the share of people completing Year 12 rose 8.1 points since 2011.
Typical weekly household income is $1,172, which is well below the national figure of $1,746. Those earning $3,000 or more a week make up 11.5% of households, though this rose since 2011.
Long-term health conditions are more common here than elsewhere, affecting 32.9% of people. Arthritis is the most reported condition at 12.4%.
Volunteering is more common here than in the rest of the state, with 16.9% of people pitching in. This is despite a slight fall in volunteers since 2011.
One-parent families are much more common here than in most areas, at 21.1%. This is alongside a high rate of people living alone, which is well above the national average.
Separate houses dominate the landscape at 86.9%, far above the state average. Rent is much lower than the national figure, with a typical weekly cost of $230.
The car is the primary way to get to work for 70.8% of residents. Working from home is far less common here than across Australia, at just 6.2%.
Recent arrivals from overseas make up 15.9% of the population, which is a little above the national figure. However, the share of people who moved in the last five years fell since 2011.
Full-time employment is well above the national average at 62.5%. Most people work in health care, education, or retail trade.
The area is somewhat walkable, though only 46.7% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of a wide range of amenities. Public transport and parks are the most accessible services.