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Regional Profile
Central Coast Demographics
The Central Coast region is situated approximately 90km north of Sydney and covers an area of 1853km2. The region consists of two Local Government Areas: Gosford City (1,025km2) and Wyong Shire (827km2).
The Central Coast is a region known for its broad geographic spread, its diversity of population density and high industrial growth. Featuring an abundance of natural wonders including pristine beaches, National Parks, lakes and waterways and a range of attrations including restaurants, cafes, markets, shopping centres, art galleries and boutiques, the Central Coast truly is a great place to live.
Population Profile (ABS 2006)
The Cetral Coast has one of the fastest growing regions in NSW. The 2006 Census data indicated the Central Coast population to be 297,958 (estimated residential population used for planning purposes is 304,741). Approximately 52% of the population reside in the Gosford LGA. The population overall has increased by 4.1% between the 2001 and 2006 period and 13.3% increase over the last ten years. The estimated residential population as at June 2008 is 315,562.
| Population |
Numbers |
Percentage CC |
Percentage NSW |
| Total population |
297,956 |
|
|
| Aged 65 and over |
54,314 |
18.2% |
13.8% |
| Under 25 years of age |
96,918 |
32.5% |
33.1% |
| Indigenous population |
6,453 |
2.2% |
2.2% |
| Australian born |
237,261 |
79.6% |
69.0% |
| Unemployed |
9,246 |
7.1% |
5.9% |
In Gosford-Wyong (Statistical Region), the median weekly household income was $856, compared with $1,027 in Australia. The median weekly family income was $1,081, compared with $1,171 in Australia.
Health Indicators
The socio-economic status of the Central Coast population is lower than the NSW average. The median age of death on the Central Coast is also three years below that of our Northern Sydney sectors which form the Central Coast part of the Northern Sydney Central Coast Health (NSCCH). Based on the Chief Health Officers Report (2006):
- Our residents on the coast experience poorer health, have higher mortality rates and high rates of behavioural health-risk factors such as smoking and obesity, and have poorer access to GPs, primary care, and diagnostic and specialist health care than the rest of the NSCCH population
- While 63% of the population of NSCCH has private health insurance, only 38.2% of Wyong LGA residents do - they are thus more reliant on access to the public health system. Public housing rates are higher on the Central Coast than elsewhere in the Area. There is also a relatively higher number of single parent households on the Central Coast.
- The majority of the areas's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) population reside on the Central Coast. This includes a higher proportion of children and a relatively small proportion of older people.
- Smoking levels amongst Central Coast residents is approximately one in four males and one in five females - twice as high as for Hornsby Ku-ring-gai or North Shore Ryde residents, and well above the NSW average.
- Exercise rates are below state averages for males and females on the Central Coast, and for males in Hornsby Ku-ring-gai.
- Risk-drinking behaviour amongst residents of NSCCH are above the NSW average particularly amongst young people (15-24 years) and females.
- The burden of chronic disease and avoidable acute conditions is increasing across NSCCH.
For more information go to www.visitcentralcoast.com.au
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