Urban Centre · Area profile
Tenterfield
7 km²
A high proportion of seniors and a shrinking population define the town of Tenterfield. The community is far older than the national average, with 37.3% of people aged 65 and over. This aging trend is reflected in the high need for health services and a lower number of children. While the town has lost about 27% of its people since 2011, it remains a place where many homeowners own their properties outright.
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Tenterfield is an aging community where the typical resident is 56, making it far older than the national figure. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population has risen to 7.5%, which is well above the state and national averages.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the area has a far lower proportion of overseas-born people than the state average. English is the most common ancestry at 43.3%, followed by Australian and Irish.
English is the primary language for 89% of the community, and the proportion of people using another language at home is far below the national figure. Very few residents speak little or no English.
The community is predominantly Christian, with 55.6% identifying as such. Those with no religion make up 33.5% of the population, a figure that has risen significantly since 2011.
Education levels are far below state and national figures, with only 10.7% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher. However, the number of people who completed Year 12 has risen since 2011.
Typical incomes are much lower than the national average, with the typical household earning $807 a week. Only 4.2% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly, which is far below the state figure.
Health needs are high, with 42.3% of people living with a long-term health condition. This is far above the national average, and 10% of residents need help with daily activities.
Volunteering is common here, with 20.3% of people volunteering, which is well above the national figure. Unpaid care for others is also more frequent than in most areas, though child care has fallen since 2011.
Homes are smaller than usual, with just 2.0 people per home. This is consistent with a high number of people living alone, who make up 40.6% of households.
A vast majority of homes are separate houses, and 49.4% are owned outright, which is far above the national average. Typical weekly rents are $245, well below the national figure.
Cars are the primary way to get around, as no one commutes by public transport. About 8.8% of homes do not have a motor vehicle.
Around 34.4% of the population moved in the last five years, which is well below the national figure. Recent arrivals from overseas have fallen since 2011 to 4.7%.
Far fewer people are working or looking for work compared to most areas, at 41%. The unemployment rate is 7.5%, which is a little above the national figure.
Tenterfield is somewhat walkable, with a high number of health services and parks within a 15-minute walk. However, very few homes are within a 10-minute walk of public transport.