Urban Centre · Area profile
Pingelly
11 km²
A typical resident in Pingelly is far older than the national average at 54 years. This shrinking community of 722 people is marked by a significant senior population and a strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander presence. It is a place of low typical incomes and modest housing, where many people live alone and a high proportion of residents are retirees or volunteers. The town's character is shaped by a slower pace of life and a strong connection to the land.
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The area is far older than most, with 31.6% of residents aged 65 and over and a typical age of 54. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 13.9% of the population, which is far above the national figure of 3.2%.
English and Australian ancestries are the most common. While 19.5% of people were born overseas—a figure that has risen since 2011—this is still well below the national average of 27.7%.
English is the main language for 87.7% of the community. Those using another language at home rose to 5.1% by 2021, though this remains far below the national figure of 22.3%.
Nearly half the population (47.2%) now report having no religion, a figure that has risen sharply since 2011 and is well above the national average of 38.9%.
Educational qualifications are much lower than most areas, with only 6.5% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher and 29.9% having completed Year 12.
Typical weekly incomes are far below the national figures, with the usual household earning $845 and the typical family earning $1,093. Only 9.2% of households earn $3,000 or more per week.
Health needs are high here, as 42% of people have a long-term health condition and 10.1% need help with daily activities, which is well above the national average of 5.8%.
Volunteering is very common, with 24.4% of residents pitching in, far above the national figure of 14.1%. About 5.2% of the community have served in the Defence Force.
Homes are smaller than usual, with just 2.0 people per home. This is consistent with the fact that 40.3% of people live alone, far above the national figure of 25.6%.
Most people live in separate houses, and 41.6% own their home outright. Rents and mortgage payments are far below the national average, with typical weekly rent at just $200.
Cars are the primary way to get around, though 6.8% of homes have no motor vehicle. Working from home is uncommon, with only 5.7% of the workforce doing so.
The community is very stable, as only 29.6% of people moved in the last five years. There were no recent arrivals from overseas in the latest census.
Only 39.6% of adults are working or looking for work, and the unemployment rate is 12.8%, which is well above the national figure of 5.1%. Many residents work in agriculture, forestry, and fishing.
The town is quite walkable, with 84.6% of homes within a 15-minute walk of the town's amenities. Most residents can easily reach groceries, health services, and schools on foot.