Merimbula

Seniors are a dominant group here, with the typical age rising 15 years since 2011 to reach 56. While the total population grew to 8,220, the number of children has dropped significantly, leaving the area far older than most of Australia.

English and Australian ancestries are most common, and the proportion of people born overseas has risen slightly to 16.1%. However, this figure remains far below the New South Wales and national averages.

English is the primary language for 90.4% of residents. While 4.4% of people use another language at home—which is higher than in many similar areas—this is still far below the state and national figures.

A growing number of residents identify as having no religion, which rose 28 points since 2011 to 45.4%. This is well above the national figure of 38.9%.

The community is well-qualified for its size, with 21.0% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. This is a significant increase from 13.0% in 2011, though it remains well below the state average.

Typical weekly household income is $1,224, which is well below the national figure of $1,746. While incomes have risen since 2011, the area has far fewer high-earners than the state average.

Long-term health conditions are much more common here than in most areas, affecting 38.1% of residents. Arthritis is the most reported condition at 15.3%, which is consistent with the town's older population.

Volunteerism is a strong feature of the town, with 20.8% of people volunteering—well above the national figure of 14.1%. There is also a higher rate of former Defence Force members compared to the rest of the state.

Homes are typically small, with only 2.1 people per dwelling. This is linked to a high proportion of people living alone (33.9%) and a large number of couples without children.

Home ownership is very high, with 48.6% of homes owned outright, far above the national average. Detached houses remain the most common type of home at 69.4%, though this has fallen since 2011.

The town is heavily reliant on cars, with 63.8% of workers driving to work and very few using public transport. Working from home has become more common, rising to 12.6% since 2011.

Merimbula is a popular destination for movers, as 44.2% of residents moved here in the last five years. This is well above the national average of 40.7%.

Far fewer adults are working or looking for work compared to the state average, at 48.5%. Those who are employed are most often found in health care, social assistance, and the hospitality sector.

The area is only somewhat walkable, with a score of 4.2, well below the state average. While many homes are near parks, far fewer are within a 15-minute walk of schools or groceries compared to other NSW areas.