Urban Centre · Area profile
Moss Vale
14 km²
Moss Vale is one of the largest communities of its kind in the region, marked by a growing and increasingly qualified population. The typical resident is 44, which is noticeably older than the national figure. It is a place of significant transition, where a rise in overseas arrivals and higher incomes have shaped a distinctive local character. Large, detached family homes dominate the landscape, reflecting a community that values space and stability.
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The area is noticeably older than the state and national averages, with nearly a quarter of residents aged 65 and over. While the population grew by 2.9% since 2011, the proportion of children under 15 has fallen by 2.1 percentage points.
People born overseas make up 17.6% of the population, a figure that rose 7.3 percentage points since 2011. However, this is still far below the national and state figures, with English and Australian ancestry remaining the most common.
English is the main language for 87.1% of residents, though those using another language at home rose to 8.7% since 2011. Despite this increase, the proportion of people who speak little or no English is well below the national average.
Over half the population identifies as Christian, but the number of people with no religion has risen by 16 percentage points since 2011. This figure is now well above the New South Wales average.
Education levels have climbed sharply since 2011, with the share of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher rising by 13 percentage points to 22.4%. Those who completed Year 12 also rose by 21 percentage points.
Household incomes are higher than in most similar areas, with the typical family now earning $1,981 a week. The share of households earning $3,000 or more per week rose by 16 percentage points since 2011.
Long-term health conditions are more common here than in the state or nationally, particularly arthritis and mental health issues. However, the share of people needing help with daily activities fell 2.5 percentage points since 2011.
Volunteering is more common here than in the state, although the rate fell by 5.1 percentage points since 2011. Unpaid housework is also more frequent than the national figure.
About 29.3% of people live alone, which is well above the state and national averages. Most families are couples with children, and homes typically house 2.4 people.
The area is dominated by separate houses, with 86.1% of homes being detached. Large homes are the norm, as 82% have three or more bedrooms, and 38.6% of these are owned outright.
Most people rely on cars, with 61.2% driving to work. While 15.6% of the workforce now works from home—a rise of 12 percentage points since 2011—public transport use remains very low at 1.1%.
The community is quite mobile, with 44.7% of people having moved in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas also rose 6.6 percentage points since 2011 to reach 13%.
The unemployment rate is 3.6%, which is lower than the state and national figures. More adults are working or looking for work than in 2011, with health care and hospitality as the top industries.
The area is somewhat walkable, and most homes are within a 15-minute walk of a park or public transport. However, access to health services and schools on foot is far below the state average.