Urban Centre · Area profile
Cumbalum
2 km²
High typical incomes and expensive housing set the scene for Cumbalum, where the usual weekly household income of $2,177 is among the highest for its level. This is a young, family-oriented community where the typical resident is 37 and children under 15 make up nearly a quarter of the population. Most people live in large, four-bedroom detached houses, creating a residential character that is far more child-centric than the state average. While the population shrank by 39% since 2011, it has become more affluent and highly qualified.
Explore Cumbalum by topic
The area is much younger than most, with the typical age falling from 51 in 2011 to 37 today. This shift is seen in the high proportion of children under 15, who now make up 23.9% of the population.
Most residents were born in Australia, and 81.3% of the community shares this birthplace. However, the proportion of people born overseas has risen slightly to 14.3%, which remains far below the national figure.
English is the main language for nearly 90% of households. A small but growing number of residents use other languages at home, though the 6.6% figure is still far below the New South Wales average.
A large number of residents report no religion, at 44.2%, which is well above the national figure. This is a significant increase from 2011, when only 18% felt this way.
The community is highly qualified, with 57.8% of adults finishing Year 12 and 26.1% holding a bachelor degree or higher. Both figures have risen sharply since 2011.
Earnings are very high here, with the typical weekly family income reaching $2,236. Around 28.3% of households earn $3,000 or more each week, a massive increase from just 3.1% in 2011.
Physical health is generally good, with only 3.4% of people needing help with daily activities. However, 11.1% of residents report a mental health condition, which is well above the national average.
Caregiving is a major part of local life, with 36.1% of people providing unpaid childcare, a figure far above the state average. Volunteering is also common, with 17.5% of residents helping out.
Homes are large and mostly filled with families, with 65.2% of households consisting of couples with children. Consequently, the typical home holds 3.0 people, which is much higher than in most areas.
Detached houses dominate the landscape, and 95.8% of homes have three or more bedrooms. Rent is very high here, with a typical weekly cost of $610, far exceeding the national figure.
The area is heavily reliant on cars, as every single home owns at least one motor vehicle. While 15.2% of the workforce now works from home, public transport is rarely used for commuting.
The community is quite transient, with 53.3% of residents moving in the last five years. This is far above the national average and represents a 22 point rise since 2011.
The local workforce is very active, with 69.9% of adults working or looking for work. Unemployment is exceptionally low at 2.0%, and many residents work in health, retail, or education.
Residents are mostly car-dependent, with a walkability score of 2.2, far below the state average. While almost everyone can walk to a park, no one is within a 15-minute walk of a school, grocery store, or health service.