Our poverty rate 25 per cent more than NSW - NCOSS
The Peninsula has a poverty rate of around 17 per cent, about 25 per cent higher than the State figure, according to a report released by the NSW Council of Social Service.
It has increased about three per cent in the five years to 2021, according to research conducted by the University of Canberra.
The rate in the Woy Woy statistical area of 17.7 per cent and in the Umina area of 16.6 per cent compares to the NSW figure of 13.4 per cent.
The greatest differences in poverty rates between the Peninsula and Greater Sydney were in the 25-64 years age group, in lone person households, with private renters and with the unemployed.
In the 25-64 years age group, Woy Woy had a poverty rate of 18.3 per cent and Umina 16.8 per cent compared to the Sydney figure of 11.9 per cent.
Lone person households had a poverty rate of 32.2 per cent in Woy Woy and 29.2 per cent in Umina where the Sydney figure was 22.5 per cent.
Private renters in Woy Woy had a 28.4 per cent poverty rate and in Umina 28.9 per cent compared to the Sydney figure of 19.4 per cent.
The unemployed in Woy Woy had a poverty rate of 35.0 per cent and in Umina 35.8 per cent where the Sydney figure was 20.9 per cent.
The report defined the "poverty line" as 50 per cent of median household income, adjusted for household composition and housing costs.
This resulted, for example, in a poverty line in 2021 after tax and housing costs of $504 for a single person, $757 for a couple and $656 for a single person with one child.
SOURCE:
Media release, 27 Apr 2023
Joanna Quilty, NCOSS