New South Wales

Demographics & education

In the 2006 Census, 6,549,177 people were usually resident in New South Wales: of these 49.3% were male and 50.7% were female. Of the total population 2.1% were Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

In the 2006 Census, 19.8% of people usually resident in New South Wales were children aged 0-14 years, and 24.8% were people aged 55 years and over. The median age was 37 years.

In the 2006 Census, 85.8% of people usually resident in New South Wales were Australian citizens, 23.8% were born overseas and 0.9% people were overseas visitors.

In the 2006 Census, 50.1% of people aged 15 years and over usually resident in New South Wales were married, 11.0% were either separated or divorced, 6.2% were widowed and 32.7% were never married.

Cultural & language diversity

In the 2006 Census, 69.0% of people usually resident in New South Wales, stated they were born in Australia. Other common responses for country of birth were England 3.3%, China 1.7%, New Zealand 1.6%, Viet Nam 1.0% and Philippines 0.9%.

In the 2006 Census, the most common responses for religious affiliation for people usually resident in New South Wales were Catholic 28.2%, Anglican 21.8%, No Religion 14.3%, Uniting Church 4.6% and Presbyterian and Reformed 3.3%.

In the 2006 Census, the most common responses for language other than English spoken at home by people usually resident in New South Wales were Arabic 2.5%, Cantonese 2.0%, Mandarin 1.5%, Italian 1.3% and Greek 1.3%. English was stated as the only language spoken at home by 74.0%.

Employment

During the week prior to the 2006 Census, 3,092,600 people aged 15 years and over in New South Wales were in the labour force. Of these 60.8% worked full-time, 27.2% worked part-time, 3.3% were away from work, 2.7% were employed but did not state their hours worked and 5.9% were unemployed. 1,801,011 people were not in the labour force.

In the 2006 Census, the most common responses for occupation for New South Wales were Professionals 21.2%, Clerical and Administrative Workers 15.4%, Technicians and Trades Workers 13.6%, Managers 13.6%, Sales Workers 9.7%, Labourers 9.5%, Community and Personal Service Workers 8.6% and Machinery Operators And Drivers 6.4%.

In the 2006 Census, of the employed people aged 15 years and over in New South Wales, the most common responses for industry of employment included School Education 4.4%, Cafes, Restaurants and Takeaway Food Services 3.6%, Hospitals 3.3%, Legal and Accounting Services 2.3% and Supermarket and Grocery Stores 2.2%.

In the 2006 Census in New South Wales, the median weekly personal income for people aged 15 years and over who were usual residents was $461, the median family income was $1,181 and the median household income was $1,036.

Family composition

In the 2006 Census, there were 1,716,220 families in New South Wales: of these 36.0% were couple families without children, 46.2% were couple families with children, 16.1% were one parent families and 1.7% were other families.

Dwelling structure

Dwellings include visitor only and other not-classifiable households unless otherwise stated

In the 2006 Census 2,470,451 occupied private dwellings were counted in New South Wales.

In the 2006 Census, of the occupied private dwellings in New South Wales, 69.7% were separate houses, 9.8% were semi-detached, row or terrace houses, townhouses etc, 19.0% were flats, units or apartments and 1.4% were other dwellings.

In the 2006 Census in New South Wales, 33.2% of occupied private dwellings were owned outright, 30.2% were owned with a mortgage and 28.4% were rented.

In the 2006 Census in New South Wales, of the occupied private dwellings being rented, 56.6% were rented from a real estate agent, 15.6% were rented from a State or Territory housing authority and 25.0% were rented from other landlord type.

Dwelling characteristics

In the 2006 Census in New South Wales, the median weekly rent was $210. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,517. The average people per household was 2.6 and the average number of people per bedroom was 1.1.

Household composition

In the 2006 Census in New South Wales, 67.9% of occupied private dwellings were family households, 22.8% were single (or lone) person households and 3.5% were group households.