The proof is in the polling

Graph showing current comparison ethnic brake-down. Source: www.id.com.au

Figures released by the Bureau of Statistics that coincide with the launch of Ku-ring-gai Council's 'profile.id' database described by Mayor Malicki as a "one stop shop for information about Ku-ring-gai's population" have proven what many have suspected for years; Ku-ring-gai is not only an ideal place to live, it's the best in Sydney.

'Profile.id' is a new database accessible from the Ku-ring-gai Council's website which gives a demographic profile of the area, with statistics on population, wealth and ethnicity. When compared with Bureau of Statistics figures, it becomes clear that Ku-ring-gai has a demographic which closely resembles the nationwide figures on ethnic spread and paints a very rosy picture of this area.

According to the Bureau of Statistics 24 per cent of the 20 million Australian citizens were born overseas, in Ku-Ring-Gai 31.4 per cent were born overseas, which puts to bed the stereotype of the North Shore consisting of insular Anglo-Saxon Australians.

For example, around Australia, 6 per cent of residents were born in Great Britain, in Ku-Ring-Gai 6.8 per cent of people hail from the 'mother country' and New Zealand natives make up 2 per cent of the nation's population and 2.2 per cent of Ku-ring-gai.

While these two groups are predominantly an Anglo-Saxon culture, the close statistical match ups run right through the ethnical breakdown of Ku-ring-gai including Italian and Chinese migrants.

New Mayor, Cr Elaine Malicki was enthusiastic about the findings claiming; "Like throughout Australia generally, people from so many different backgrounds live and interact harmoniously with each other in Ku-ring-gai. In this respect, we are a very good model for Australian culture and spirit."

In fact, the only area that Ku-ring-gai is under represented in is the faster growing nationalities such as Afghanistan and Iraq. Cr Malicki believes that "as the size of these ethnic communities increases, so too will their representation in Ku-ring-gai."

Interestingly the Sydney wide ethnic make up is quite different compared to Ku-ring-gai in some of the largest demographics of English and South Africa, which could explain where the stereotype of the suburb being predominantly Anglo-Saxon originates.

However, the third largest migrant population group in Ku-ring-gai is from Hong Kong, which makes up just under 3 per cent of Ku-ring-gai's population. When compared to the Sydney wide figure of less than 0.5 per cent it becomes clear that the insular North Shore tag is unfounded.

Further proof that Ku-ring-gai is an ideal place to live is demonstrated in the Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) 'index of disadvantage', which is also found on 'profile.id'. The

list which takes into consideration socio-economic disadvantages such as low income, unemployment and education levels uses the statistics to decipher which area has the best conditions and opportunities.

Out of all the council regions in Sydney, Ku-ring-gai rated number one. Edging out close competitors Mosman, North Sydney and Woollahra, Ku-ring-gai received the highest score, which means "the area has few families of low income and few people with little training and in unskilled occupations."

While many would be quick to boast the achievement of being the least disadvantaged region in Sydney, Cr Malicki played it down.

"Ku-ring-gai is indeed an affluent community and a great place to live, but as with all statistics the picture is often hidden. Ku-ring-gai has its share of social problems such as family breakdown, divorce and drug and alcohol abuse."