Urban Centre · Area profile
Urunga
5 km²
Much older than most similar areas, Urunga is a growing community where over a third of residents are seniors. The population has more than doubled since 2011, reaching 2,731 people. It is a place where many people own their homes outright and live a slower pace of life, though a significant number of single-parent families also reside here. This mix of retirees and small families creates a distinct local character in the Bellingen region.
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The typical resident is 56, which is far older than the national figure of 38. While children under 15 make up only 14.2% of the population, the 65 and over group has grown to 35.2% since 2011.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the area has a much lower proportion of overseas-born people than the state average. English and Australian are the most common ancestries.
English is the primary language here, with only 2.6% of people using another language at home, which is far below the national figure.
About 41% of residents have no religion, a figure that rose 15 points since 2011 and is now well above the national average.
A higher number of adults here hold a bachelor degree or higher compared to similar areas, although this is still far below the state average at 14.3%.
Typical weekly household income is $1,008, which is much lower than the national figure of $1,746. Only 7.3% of households earn $3,000 or more per week.
Long-term health conditions are much more common here than in most areas, affecting 39.5% of people, with arthritis being the most frequent report.
Volunteer rates are well above the national average at 16.5%, and more people provide unpaid care than in most other similar areas.
People are more likely to live alone here than in the rest of the state, and one-parent families are much more common than in most areas.
Home ownership is very high, with 47.7% of homes owned outright. While separate houses are common, the proportion of three-plus bedroom homes is much lower than in most areas.
Cars are the primary way to get around, as no one commutes by public transport. About 9.3% of the workforce works from home.
Around 36.4% of residents moved here in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas have increased to 7.2% since 2011.
Working or looking for work is much less common here than in most areas, and the unemployment rate of 6.1% is a little above the national figure.
The area is somewhat walkable, with most homes within a short walk of groceries and health services, though far fewer are near schools compared to the state average.