Urban Centre · Area profile
Kalaru
7 km²
A car-dependent setting defines Kalaru, where residents live in a sparsely serviced area far from schools and shops. This New South Wales community has a population of 668 and is largely made up of families and older adults. While the typical resident is 45, the area has seen a rise in children under 15 and a significant increase in people with university degrees since 2011. It is a place where most people own their homes and a high proportion of the community engage in volunteering.
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The typical resident is 45, which is noticeably older than the national figure. However, children under 15 now make up 19.8% of the population, a figure that rose 6.8 points since 2011.
People born overseas make up 9.6% of the community, which is far below the national figure of 27.7%. Most residents claim Australian or English ancestry.
English is the primary language for 91.0% of the community, and those using another language at home are far fewer than in the rest of the state.
Nearly half of the population (47.5%) report having no religion, a figure that rose 34 points since 2011 and is well above the national average.
Qualifications have risen since 2011, with 22.6% of adults now holding a bachelor degree or higher, though this remains well below the state average.
Typical weekly family income is $1,882, which is a little below the national figure. However, 13.2% of households now earn $3,000 or more a week, up 12 points since 2011.
Long-term health conditions are more common here than in most areas, affecting 36.1% of residents, with arthritis and asthma being the most frequent.
Volunteering is very common, with 25.0% of people pitching in, far above the national figure of 14.1%. Unpaid care for children and housework is also much higher than in most areas.
Families with children make up 59.2% of households, and the typical home holds 2.4 people. People living alone account for 29.1% of the community.
Separate houses make up 92.6% of all homes, and 47.7% are owned outright, which is far above the national figure. Renting is rare, occurring in only 11.2% of homes.
Cars are essential here, as 0.0% of people commute by public transport and only 1.2% of homes have no motor vehicle.
The area has seen some movement, with 37.8% of people moving in the last five years and a rise in recent arrivals from overseas to 10.9%.
Working or looking for work is more common here than in most areas, with 61.3% of adults active. Many residents work in health care, social assistance, or retail.
The area is very car-dependent, with a walkability score of 1.4. No homes are within a 15-minute walk of a school, groceries, or health services.