Urban Centre · Area profile
Bellingen
4 km²
Weekly household incomes in Bellingen are well below the national figure, though the community is notably well-qualified. It is an older area where the typical resident is 44, and many people have a strong connection to the place through home ownership. This is a highly educated town with a significant number of people who do not follow any religion. While the population shrank by 23% since 2011, it remains a welcoming place for families and retirees alike.
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Residents here are noticeably older than the national average, with 22.4% aged 65 and over. The area also has a higher share of children under 15 than most similar places, and a high proportion of people in de facto relationships.
While 76.9% were born in Australia, the share of people born overseas has risen to 15.8% since 2011. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries reported.
English is the primary language for 87.2% of residents, though the use of other languages at home has risen slightly to 5.0%. Very few people here speak little or no English.
A striking 61.4% of the community reports no religion, a figure far above the national average. This trend has grown significantly, rising 38 points since 2011.
The town is highly qualified, with 28.0% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. Since 2011, there has been a significant jump in both university degrees and Year 12 completions.
Typical weekly household incomes are well below the state and national figures. While incomes have risen since 2011, only 9.8% of households earn $3,000 or more per week.
Mental health conditions are much more common here than in most similar areas, affecting 12.0% of residents. Around 30.0% of the population lives with a long-term health condition.
Bellingen has a very high rate of volunteering at 22.4%, which is well above the national figure. Many residents also provide unpaid care for children or other people.
One-parent families are far more common here than in most other areas. About 30.8% of people live alone, and the typical home holds 2.4 people.
Most people live in separate houses, with 37.3% owning their home outright. While rent is much higher than in similar areas, typical mortgage payments are well below the national figure.
Cars are the primary way to get around, as almost no one uses public transport to commute. However, working from home has become much more common since 2011.
The community is relatively mobile, with 39.7% of people moving house in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 4.5% of the population.
Full-time employment is among the lowest for its level, and the unemployment rate is a little above the national figure. Many residents work in health, education, or retail.
The area is very walkable, with 88.2% of homes within a 15-minute walk of groceries. Most residents can also easily reach parks and schools on foot.