The cost of renting has risen, household incomes have gone up and mortgages have remained steady, according to the 2016 Census data.
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The census, completed last year, provides a snapshot of the 2830 population.
Dubbo’s population has risen 6.8 per cent since the last census from 37,735 to 40,291. But while the population has grown, the demographic breakdown has remained greatly unchanged.
Around 32 per cent Dubbo’s residents rent, the data shows. The number of renters has remained on par with the last census in 2011, but the cost has not.
In 2011 the median weekly rent was $200. It’s since risen to $265.
However, while the cost of renting has risen, mortgages have only slightly budged.
In 2011 the median monthly mortgage repayments in Dubbo were $1512. Five years later they were only $5 higher.
About 30 per cent of people own their own home outright in Dubbo, while another 35 per cent are still paying off a mortgage.
Homes with four or more bedrooms are the most common in the city at 42 per cent, followed by three bedrooms at 37 per cent. The average number of bedrooms is slightly higher than the national average.
We’re also making more money. The median weekly income for people in Dubbo aged 15-years-and-over in Dubbo was $689, an increase from $579 in the previous census.
While Australia-wide religion took a downturn, in Dubbo the figures didn’t show much change. 30.2 per cent of Dubbonians said they were Catholic, 23.2 per cent said Anglican and 17.9 per cent said they had no religion.
Dubbo’s high level of volunteerism also continued. Almost 20 per cent of people said they had done voluntary work. Additionally, 70 per cent said they had done unpaid domestic work in the week before the census. The majority – 27 per cent – had done five to 14 hours per week.
Statistician David Kalisch said the data would be used to inform policy and planning decisions.
Despite the website crashing on the night of the census it was still completed by 95.1 per cent of Australians.
Mr Kalisch said it was a quality result, comparable to previous Australian censuses, as well as those in countries such as New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Dubbo’s average person
The average resident in Dubbo is female, 38-years-old and married, according the the 2016 Census data.
The 2016 Census provides a snapshot of the people living in the 2830 postcode.
As well as making $689 per week before tax, the average Dubbonian owns their own home but pays $1517 per month on their mortgage.
The average resident has a house with four or more bedrooms and typically has two vehicles parked at their address.
They also have access to the internet at home.
Dubbo’s average resident has volunteered recently for between five to 14 hours per week.
They’re Catholic.
They were born in Australia, have Australian ancestry and speak English at home.
Meanwhile, the typical Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islander in Dubbo is a 21-year-old female.
The live in a house with three people and have a household income of $1210.
If they rent they’re paying $270 per week, while if they own their own home $1473 is going towards mortgage repayments per month.
Dubbo’s average resident is much similar to the average Australian.
According to the Census data, the typical Aussie is a 38-year-old female, who is married with two children.
They have completed year 12 and live in a three bedroom house with two motor vehicles.
The average Aussie was born in Australia and speaks English at home.
When it comes to those from across the seas, the typical Australia migrant was born in England and is 44-years-old.