Byron Bay

Demographics & education

In the 2006 Census, 4,981 people were usually resident in Byron Bay: of these 50.2% were male and 49.8% were female. Of the total population 1.5% were Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

In the 2006 Census, 13.9% of people usually resident in Byron Bay were children aged 0-14 years, and 23.4% were people aged 55 years and over. The median age was 39 years.

In the 2006 Census, 78.7% of people usually resident in Byron Bay were Australian citizens, 17.6% were born overseas and 14.0% people were overseas visitors.

In the 2006 Census, 29.1% of people aged 15 years and over usually resident in Byron Bay were married, 18.1% were either separated or divorced, 6.3% were widowed and 46.5% were never married.

Cultural & language diversity

In the 2006 Census, 69.4% of people usually resident in Byron Bay, stated they were born in Australia. Other common responses for country of birth were England 5.1%, New Zealand 2.4%, United States of America 1.4%, Germany 0.9% and South Africa 0.6%.

In the 2006 Census, the most common responses for religious affiliation for people usually resident in Byron Bay were No Religion 30.5%, Catholic 15.5%, Anglican 15.0%, Uniting Church 3.9% and Buddhism 3.3%.

In the 2006 Census, the most common responses for language other than English spoken at home by people usually resident in Byron Bay were German 0.9%, Japanese 0.7%, French 0.5%, Italian 0.4% and Spanish 0.4%. English was stated as the only language spoken at home by 81.7%.

Employment

During the week prior to the 2006 Census, 2,327 people aged 15 years and over in Byron Bay were in the labour force. Of these 41.9% worked full-time, 42.2% worked part-time, 3.7% were away from work, 2.5% were employed but did not state their hours worked and 9.8% were unemployed. 1,395 people were not in the labour force.

In the 2006 Census, the most common responses for occupation for Byron Bay were Professionals 20.8%, Managers 14.7%, Technicians and Trades Workers 13.2%, Community and Personal Service Workers 13.0%, Labourers 12.4%, Sales Workers 11.1%, Clerical and Administrative Workers 9.2% and Machinery Operators And Drivers 4.0%.

In the 2006 Census, of the employed people aged 15 years and over in Byron Bay, the most common responses for industry of employment included Cafes, Restaurants and Takeaway Food Services 9.1%, Accommodation 8.6%, School Education 4.0%, Supermarket and Grocery Stores 2.7% and Pubs, Taverns and Bars 2.5%.

In the 2006 Census in Byron Bay, the median weekly personal income for people aged 15 years and over who were usual residents was $393, the median family income was $952 and the median household income was $709.

Family composition

In the 2006 Census, there were 1,028 families in Byron Bay: of these 36.9% were couple families without children, 34.9% were couple families with children, 26.8% were one parent families and 1.4% were other families.

Dwelling structure

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

In the 2006 Census 2,250 occupied private dwellings were counted in Byron Bay.

In the 2006 Census, of the occupied private dwellings in Byron Bay, 58.1% were separate houses, 19.6% were semi-detached, row or terrace houses, townhouses etc, 12.3% were flats, units or apartments and 10.0% were other dwellings.

In the 2006 Census in Byron Bay, 27.5% of occupied private dwellings were owned outright, 17.9% were owned with a mortgage and 36.4% were rented.

In the 2006 Census in Byron Bay, of the occupied private dwellings being rented, 45.9% were rented from a real estate agent, 12.3% were rented from a State or Territory housing authority and 39.7% were rented from other landlord type.

Dwelling characteristics

In the 2006 Census in Byron Bay, the median weekly rent was $280. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $1,300. The average people per household was 2.2 and the average number of people per bedroom was 1.1.

Household composition

In the 2006 Census in Byron Bay, 44.6% of occupied private dwellings were family households, 27.9% were single (or lone) person households and 11.1% were group households.