• Population 44,334, 8% of the North Coast population. Projected to increase by 3% by 2031 (5% increase North Coast).
• Population density: 34 residents per km2 (17 per km2 North Coast).
• 6% identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (6% North Coast).
• In the 2021 census, 2 in 10 people were aged 65 years or older. This is expected to increase by 22 (18% increase North Coast and 29% NSW).

• Nearly 1 in 4 children in Lismore LGA were assessed as vulnerable in one or more areas of early childhood development.

Fully immunised children rates:

• 90% of 1-year-old children (94% in NSW and Australia)
• 85% of 2-year-old children (92% NSW and Australia)
• 93% of 5-year-old children (94% NSW and Australia).

Opportunity: Work in partnership to understand reasons for low immunisation rates and work with community and healthcare providers on improvement strategies. Continue to partner to improve education, support, community and peer-based services for children and families. 

• 57% of people aged 65 or over have at least one long-term health condition.
• 2% live with dementia. Expected to increase as the 65 years and over population increases.
• 59% of survey respondents found accessing services for older people difficult. Challenges included a lack of services and difficulty in organising them.

Did you know: Care finders is a free service. It exists to support vulnerable people who have no one else who can support them to learn about, apply for and set up support services. Learn more about Care Finders 

Opportunity: Increase support and education regarding available services for people as they age and for ageing relatives or people in their care.

Healthy North Coast works in partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal peoples, families and communities. Rekindling the Spirit provides a number of culturally safe and appropriate health and wellbeing programs for Aboriginal communities in the Lismore LGA. These include allied health services, general practice, maternal and child health, women’s and men’s groups, youth programs and social and emotional wellbeing support.

• 28% of people had an Aboriginal health check in Richmond Valley Hinterland SA3. (Highest in the North Coast).
  

Connection to country and culture is key for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples social and emotional wellbeing. Programs that Aboriginal peoples identified to help keep Aboriginal communities healthy and strong:

• Exercise and fitness
• Women’s health
• Support with daily living / personal care
• Employment programs
• Community health education events

• 71 per 1,000 people need assistance due to age or severe disability (75 per 1,000 North Coast, 58 per 1,000 NSW). Highest in North Coast.
• 1 per 200 residents experienced domestic and family violence. Decreased 12% from 2021.
• Median total weekly personal income $685 ($652 North Coast, NSW $813).
• Index of Relative Socio-Economic Disadvantage (IRSD) score of 966. Indicates greater disadvantage compared to the Australian average (1,000).

• Adequate access to affordable housing is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. There is limited availability of affordable housing in the Lismore LGA. Of the 67 rental properties available in the Lismore area:
  • none were affordable to singles or couples on Jobseeker or Youth Allowance
  • 8 were affordable by a couple with 2 children on minimum wage and receiving family tax benefits (FTB) A and B
  • 2 were affordable by a single person on minimum wage
  • 3 were affordable by a couple on Age Pension
  • 2 were affordable by a single person on Age Pension
    
    
• 5 in 1000 people experience homelessness (4 in 1000 in North Coast and NSW, 9 in 1000 in Australia).
• 5 in 1000 people at risk of homelessness (4 in 1000 in North Coast, NSW and 7 in 1000 in Australia). 
• More than two years on from the 2022 floods, as of September 2024 approximately 830 people remained in emergency and temporary accommodation sites. Further numbers of those displaced, homeless or experiencing flood-related housing insecurity are not currently known. 24% of survey respondents expressed concern about climate change, highlighting its growing impact on community resilience and housing stability.

Opportunity: Partner with community organisations and government departments to successfully plan for, respond to and recover from environmental disasters.