Revealed: Australia’s nappy valleys and tombstone towns
It might boast the perfect beach lifestyle but this Aussie town has picked up a morbid title, new data shows.
Australia’s Nappy Valleys and Tombstone Towns have been revealed, with ABS data painting an insightful picture of our booming family-friendly regions and retiree hotspots.
Analysis firm KPMG’s investigation of Australian Bureau of Statistics data of 2023 births and deaths by area show if you’re looking to put down roots surrounded by other young, growing families, Victoria is the place to be.
It dominated the state’s top 10 list for Nappy Valleys – those family-friendly areas where births far outstrip deaths.
The data simply compares birth and death rates and does not factor in population growth through movement in and out of a suburb.
The national top 10 for Tombstone Towns – those where deaths far outstrip births – was a mixed bag, with four from New South Wales, two from Queensland, two from Victoria and two from South Australia.
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Bribie Island in Queensland claimed top spot, with 303 deaths in 2023 and just 84 births – a difference of 219.
Erina – Green Point in New South Wales weren’t far behind, with 320 deaths and 106 births – a difference of 214.
Mr Rawnsley said while the data can highlight retiree hotspots, and potential buying opportunities for families due to the pipeline of supply, these areas may lack the services needed to offer a fulfilling lifestyle for younger buyers.
“More recently natural increase data is highlighting areas where younger families have been priced out due to limited housing stock,” he said.
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“This demographic imbalance affects community vitality and sustainability, as fewer births mean fewer children in schools, resulting in pressure on local schools.
“Smaller communities may struggle to maintain essential services, such as local businesses and recreational activities, diminishing the area’s appeal to new residents.”
The national top 10 for Nappy Valleys was headlined by the statistical area of Mickleham in Victoria – Yuroke recorded 783 births for the year, but just 31 deaths, a disparity of 752.
Rockbank – Mount Cottrell was also a hit with families, with the area recording 652 more births than deaths.
Here there were 680 births, compared to just 28 deaths.
The News South Wales area of Schofields – East came in third place, with 563 births and 29 deaths – a difference of 534, while Wollert, Clyde North – South, and Werribee – West took out spots four through six with 533, 489 and 467 more births than deaths respectively.
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KPMG’s urban economist Terry Rawnsley said the data painted an interesting picture of the demographics of Australia’s suburbs.
“Population growth is driven by natural increase (births minus deaths) and migration,” he said.
“Looking at just the natural increase component provides insights into the demographic dynamics at play in specific local areas.”
Looking at the states and territories, Queensland’s top Nappy Valleys were Redbank Plains, Ripley, Murrumba Downs – Griffin, Springfield Lakes and Boronia Heights – Park Ridge, with Redbank Plains topping the list, recording some 542 births and 86 deaths.
Its top Tombstone towns were Bribie Island, Rothwell – Kippa-Ring, Maryborough, Cleveland and Torquay – Scarness – Kawungan.
Schofields – East, Marsden Park – Shanes Park, Wentworth Point – Sydney Olympic Park, Oran Park and Leppington – Catherine Field were New South Wales’ most family friendly, with Schofields – East recording 563 births and just 29 deaths in 2023.
Conversely there were 214 more deaths than births in Erina – Green Point, with Castle Hill – East, Ballina, Laurieton – Bonny Hills and Nelson Bay Peninsula rounding out the top five.
As mentioned earlier, Mickleham – Yuroke was Victoria’s strongest Nappy Valley area, with 752 more births than deaths in 2023, followed by Rockbank – Mount Cottrell, Wollert, Clyde North – South and Werribee – West.
At the other end of the spectrum, there were 172 more deaths than births in Rosebud – McCrae, with Wheelers Hill, Moe – Newborough, Templestowe and Avondale Heights rounding out the top five.
Munno Para West – Angle Vale was identified as SA’s most family-friendly area, with 334 more births than deaths, closely followed by Davoren Park, Enfield – Blair Athol, Mount Barker and Windsor Gardens who rounded out the top five Nappy Valleys.
Meanwhile the perennial retiree favourites of Victor Harbor, Unley – Parkside, Toorak Gardens, Goolwa – Port Elliot and Morphettville made Adelaide’s top five Tombstone Towns, with Victor Harbor recording 152 more deaths than births.
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