Urban Centre · Area profile
Stanthorpe
15 km²
A rural hub in the Southern Downs, Stanthorpe is a growing town that has become far older than most of Australia. It is a community where a significant number of residents are now seniors, with the typical age rising by 14 years since 2011 to reach 50. This shift toward an older population is reflected in a high proportion of people needing daily help and a rise in those living alone. Despite this, the town has grown by 38% since 2011, adding over 1,300 people to its population.
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The typical resident is 50, making Stanthorpe far older than the national figure of 38. Seniors aged 65 and over make up 31.5% of the population, a figure that rose 18 points since 2011.
While 76.3% were born in Australia, the town has seen a rise in people born overseas, who now make up 15.2% of residents. English, Australian, and Irish are the most common ancestries.
English is the main language for 83.6% of people, but the use of other languages at home rose to 9.2% by 2021. This is much higher than most similar areas, though still far below the national figure.
Religious affiliation remains common here, with 55.9% identifying as Christian. Those with no religion make up 31.8%, which is well below the national figure of 38.9%.
More people are attaining higher qualifications, with those holding a bachelor degree or higher rising to 12.5% since 2011. However, the proportion of adults who completed Year 12 is far below the national figure.
Typical weekly household income is $953, which is far below the national figure of $1,746. Very few households earn $3,000 or more per week, and the typical family income fell by $46 since 2011.
Health needs are high in this older community, with 9.8% of people requiring help with daily activities. Long-term health conditions, particularly arthritis, are more common here than in most other areas.
Residents are active in their community, with 20.3% volunteering, which is well above the national figure. This high level of engagement is seen alongside a higher-than-usual rate of people doing unpaid housework.
Homes tend to be smaller, with just 2.1 people per household. This is consistent with the fact that 37.7% of people now live alone, a figure that rose 13 points since 2011.
Most people live in separate houses, and 41.8% of homes are owned outright. While rents are well below the national figure, the proportion of households renting is much higher than in most similar areas.
Cars are essential for getting around, as 0% of people commute by public transport. Around 8.9% of homes do not have a motor vehicle, which is more common than in most areas.
The community has seen a fair amount of movement, with 37.8% of people moving in the last five years. Recent arrivals from overseas make up 12.1% of the population.
Fewer adults are working or looking for work compared to the national figure, with only 46.2% active in the workforce. Major employers are in health care, agriculture, and the hospitality sector.
The town is somewhat walkable, and most residents can reach groceries and health services within a 15-minute walk. However, no homes are within a 10-minute walk of public transport.