Urban Centre · Area profile
Hat Head
1 km²
A small, coastal community of 365 people, Hat Head is a quiet residential area in New South Wales. The area has aged significantly since 2011, with a typical resident now 60 years old. This shift has created a community where over a third of people are seniors and children under 15 are far less common than in the rest of the state. It is a place where many own their homes outright and life moves at a slower, more mature pace.
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The population is far older than the national figure, with 36.7% of residents aged 65 and over. An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population of 7.7% is well above the state average, though this is a big drop from 45.1% in 2011.
Most residents were born in Australia (81.4%), and English is the most common ancestry at 45.5%. Those born overseas make up 9.3% of the community, which is far below the national average.
English is the primary language for nearly everyone, with only 1.6% of people using another language at home. This is far below the New South Wales figure of 26.6%.
People with no religion make up 40.8% of the community, a figure that has risen 24 points since 2011. This is a little above the national figure of 38.9%.
Adults with a bachelor degree or higher make up 21.9% of the population, which is much higher than in similar areas. Since 2011, the share of people who completed Year 12 has risen 28 points to 41.9%.
Typical incomes are well below the national figure, with the usual household earning $990 a week. Only 7.3% of households earn $3,000 or more weekly, which is far below the state average.
Health needs are higher here than in most areas, with 37% of people having a long-term health condition. About 9.9% of residents need help with daily activities, which is well above the national figure.
Volunteering is more common here than in most areas, at 18.9%. This is a community with a high rate of unpaid care, though the share of people caring for children is far below the state average.
Homes are smaller than usual, with only 2.0 people per home. About 33.9% of people live alone, which is well above the national figure of 25.6%.
Home ownership is very high, with 60.6% of homes owned outright—far above the national average of 31%. Most people live in separate houses (85.5%), and rent is well below the state average at $275 a week.
The area is almost entirely car-dependent, with no one commuting by public transport. Only 3.1% of homes have no motor vehicle, a big drop from 28.1% in 2011.
The population is relatively stable, as the 31.7% who moved in the last five years is well below the national average. Recent overseas arrivals make up 8.8% of the community.
Fewer adults are working or looking for work here (42.9%) compared to the national figure of 61.1%. However, the unemployment rate is very low at 2.8%.
The area is mostly car-dependent, with no homes within a short walk of public transport, schools, or health services. On the plus side, 95.5% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of a park.