Urban Centre · Area profile
Parkes
17 km²
Set within the heart of the region, Parkes is a growing hub that has seen its population nearly double since 2011 to reach 9,832 people. It is a community with a strong Indigenous presence, where 13.4% of residents are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. The area is notably younger than it used to be, with a typical resident now aged 39. This mix of young families and a significant senior population creates a diverse regional centre in New South Wales.
Explore Parkes by topic
The area has a much higher proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people than most similar areas. It is also seeing more children under 15, who now make up 20.5% of the population.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the area has far fewer overseas-born people than the state and national figures. English, Irish and Scottish ancestries are the most common after Australian.
English is the main language for 89.3% of the community, which is far above the national average. Only 4.3% of people use another language at home.
Christianity remains the most common faith at 62.1%. While those with no religion have risen to 28.8% since 2011, this is still far below the national figure.
A typical resident is more likely to hold a certificate III or IV than a university degree. Only 11.1% of adults have a bachelor degree or higher, which is far below the state average.
Typical weekly household income is $1,342, which is well below the national figure. However, the number of households earning over $3,000 a week has risen since 2011.
Health challenges are more common here than in most areas, with 34.4% of people reporting a long-term health condition. This includes 11.1% with a mental health condition.
Unpaid childcare is a common activity for 27.1% of the population, which is higher than most areas. About 15.4% of residents also spend time volunteering.
Family structures vary, with one-parent families being much more common than in most other areas at 20.4%. A significant 32.6% of people live alone.
Most people live in separate houses, which make up 87.3% of dwellings. While 31.9% of households rent, typical weekly rents of $260 are well below the national figure.
Cars are the primary way to get around, with 69.5% of people driving to work. Very few people, just 0.3%, use public transport for their commute.
The area is quite mobile, with 37.9% of people moving house in the last five years. There has also been a rise in recent arrivals from overseas since 2011.
Full-time employment is much higher than most areas at 63.8%. Common industries for local workers include health care, retail and mining.
Most homes are within a short walk of a park or school, though half of the area is too far to walk to groceries or health services. Its overall walkability is slightly below the state average.