Urban Centre · Area profile
Yamba
9 km²
A far older population than the national average defines Yamba, where the typical resident is 57. This coastal community is largely composed of seniors, with nearly 38% aged 65 and over. It is a place where many people own their homes outright and live in detached houses. This retirement character is reflected in the low number of children and a workforce that is much smaller than in other parts of the state.
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Yamba is far older than the national figure, with the typical resident aged 57. This is reflected in the high proportion of seniors (37.9%) and a children's population that is well below the New South Wales average.
Most residents were born in Australia (81.1%), though the share of people born overseas is higher than in most similar areas. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries.
English is the primary language for 90.6% of the community. The proportion of people using another language at home is far below the state and national figures.
About 40% of people report having no religion, which is well above the New South Wales average. Christianity remains the most common affiliation at 49.9%.
The share of adults with a bachelor degree or higher is higher than in most similar areas, though it remains well below the national figure. Many residents hold a Certificate III or IV.
Incomes in Yamba are generally lower than the national figure, with the typical household earning $1,104 a week. Only 9.2% of households earn $3,000 or more per week.
Health needs are high here, with 39% of people having a long-term health condition—a figure far above the national average. This is consistent with the older population, as 8.2% of people need help with daily activities.
Volunteer rates are well above the national figure at 17.4%. There is also a notably higher proportion of people who served in the Defence Force compared to most other areas.
Homes here are smaller than usual, with a typical size of 2.1 people. About 31.5% of people live alone, which is well above the state average.
Home ownership is very strong, with 51.4% of homes owned outright—far above the national figure. Most people live in separate houses, and typical weekly rents are about the same as the national average at $400.
Cars are the main way to get around, with 59% of workers driving to work. Very few people use public transport for their commute, at just 0.3%.
The area has seen significant movement, with 42.6% of people moving house in the last five years. This is a little above the national figure.
Far fewer adults are working or looking for work (41.7%) compared to the national average. The most common industries for those employed are accommodation and food, and health care.
Yamba is very walkable, with 87.6% of homes within a 15-minute walk of a variety of amenities. This is especially true for health services, which are far more accessible than in the rest of the state.