Census figures show increased skew to older age
Recently-released figures for the Peninsula from the 2021 Census show a relatively modest population growth rate of around four per cent in the last five years, compared to a national rate of 8.6 per cent.
Both population and dwelling numbers on the Peninsula have grown in the same proportion.
There continues to be a significantly higher number of older people than for NSW and nationally, with the numbers of 70-80 year olds increasing significantly.
The figures are for the Level 2 statistical areas for Woy Woy and Umina, which together comprise the Peninsula to its road boundaries at The Rip Bridge, Spike Milligan Bridge and Staples Lookout on Woy Woy Rd.
The figures show a lower number of married people and higher numbers of separated, divorced and widowed compared to 2016.
The Peninsula continues to be significantly under-represented in university student numbers, but have above-average participation in government primary and secondary schools and at TAFE.
We report a much higher level of Anglo-Celtic and Australian heritage than at a state or national level. Our aboriginal heritage is also higher than average.
More than three-quarters of us were born in Australia, 10 per cent more than at a state or national level.
England is the next most common birth country, with five per cent of our population being born there - around twice the state and national averages.
Around 40 per cent of us say we have no religion, one third more than five years ago, and 10 per cent more than the national average.
About 21 per cent are Catholic on a par with state and national figures, but down by four per cent over five years.
Anglicans are the next most frequent at about 17 per cent, also down four per cent over five years, but much higher than the national figure of 10 per cent.
Most common languages spoken at home other than English include Spanish, Italian, Thai, Russian and Mandarin.
While incomes have increased by at least 20 per cent over five years, the averages remain at 83 per cent or less than the state and national averages.
Unpaid domestic work, child care and health, disability and aged care remain at around the national average, but involvement in voluntary groups has dropped four per cent to around 12 per cent.
Nationally, the figure is higher at 14.1 per cent, but down to three quarters of the level five years ago when voluntary involvement stood at 19 per cent.
The Peninsula has a high rate of chronic health issues, with around 50 per cent of the population affected.
Nationally, only 40 per cent of the population is affected by chronic health issues.
Rates of lung disease are 88 per cent higher than average.
Stroke and dementia are around two-thirds higher, and arthritis is 50 per cent higher than average.
Figures for six other conditions are 20 per cent or more higher than average.
Two thirds of us live in separate houses, close to the state average.
However, at 20 per cent, more of us live in semi-detached units and townhouses, almost twice state average of 11.7 per cent.
Around seven per cent of us live in flats and apartments, about half the national average and one third the state figure.
There are around 30 per cent more three bedroom homes than average, and around 30 per cent less homes with four or more bedrooms.
About 20 per cent more of us than average own our own home outright, and correspondingly fewer own a home with a mortgage.
The rental rate of around 33 per cent is close to the state average.
However, close to one half of renters are paying more than the affordability benchmark of 30 per cent of their income on rent, where around one third of people pay more than 30 per cent nationally.
SOURCE:
Website, 28 Jun 2022
QuickStats, Bureau of Statistics