Population

The Blue Mountains region of NSW is home to a diverse community of around 78,000 residents, according to the 2021 census. The population has a median age of 45 years, which is noticeably higher than the median for Greater Sydney and NSW overall, reflecting a stable, family-oriented, and older demographic profile.​ Age and Family Structure Children aged 0–14 make up around 18% of the population, while adults aged 70 and over comprise about 12%.​ The average household size is 2.5 persons, and many residents are families or retirees attracted by the region's lifestyle and environment.​ Cultural Background Approximately 79% of residents were born in Australia, far higher than the NSW average, with England, New Zealand, and Germany being the next most common countries of birth.​ The most common ancestries are English, Australian, Irish, and Scottish. The proportion of residents with both parents born overseas is about 23%, significantly lower than the state average.​ English is spoken in over 90% of homes, with other languages like Spanish, German, and Mandarin spoken by a small minority.​ Indigenous Population and Cultural Diversity Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up around 3.7% of the Nepean Blue Mountains District’s population, slightly higher than the NSW average.​ Residents with a culturally and linguistically diverse background account for about 18%, lower than Greater Sydney overall.​ Religion Nearly half of local residents (46%) report no religious affiliation, reflecting broader national trends, while Catholic and Anglican faiths remain the next most common religious groups.​ The Blue Mountains are noted for a relatively older, English-speaking, and culturally Australian population, with smaller multicultural and Indigenous communities adding to the local identity.