New England and North-West Aboriginal population growing

20 May 2009

The Aboriginal population in New England and North-West is forecast to increase by 26 percent over the next 12 years according to new data.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Paul Lynch said the population was projected to increase from 15,846 this year to 19,919 in 2021.

The population data is contained in Aboriginal Population Projections NSW 2006 to 2021, published by the Department of Aboriginal Affairs.

The Illawarra region comprises the local government areas of Armidale- Dumaresq, Glenn Innes-Severn, Gunnedah, Guyra, Gwydir, Inverell, Liverpool Plains, Moree Plains, Narrabri, Tamworth, Tenterfield, Uralla and Walcha.

Mr Lynch said the data was vital to help the NSW Government target resources to help close the gap in outcomes in a range of areas, particularly in health, housing, education and job creation.

Overall, the State's Aboriginal population will increase from 162,871 to 210,659 in 2021.

According to the data, between 2006 and 2021:

• the average age of the State's Aboriginal population will increase from 21 years to 23 years

• the proportion of people aged under 15 years will decrease to 34% from 39%

• the proportion of people aged 15 to 29 years will increase from 26% to 28%

• the proportion of people aged 60 years and over will increase from 5% to 8%

• about 18% of Aboriginal people in NSW will be living in Western and South-West Sydney

• about 14.5% of people will be living on the North Coast and 12% in the Hunter

• the lowest proportion will be living in the State's South-East (3.6%)

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew Williams 0408 602 936

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