There is a difficulty in obtaining accurate statistics and demographic data for the Snowy River Shire

This is due to the fact that the Census (which is the major source of data for a whole range of publications and constructs such as the Index for Social and Economic Disadvantage) is undertaken during the ski season when there are a large number of visitors in the area. Unadjusted Census figures therefore do not reflect the population numbers of the resident population. Nor do they reflect the levels of income, spread of occupations, educational levels, ethnic background, levels of home ownership or any of the myriad other characteristics of a community which the Census delivers to most other local government areas in the country.

Accepting raw Census data for Snowy River shire without a full understanding of the context can lead to quite misleading conclusions. This was acknowledged by the Department of Education in 2001-2 when researching the need for a secondary school in Jindabyne. The Department eventually undertook its own demographic study, drawing on statistics provided by council as well as other sources, rather than relying on Census data

The actual number of people resident in Snowy River shire is far less than that indicated by the Census count. ABS Usual Resident Population tables indicate a pattern whereby the shire has a usual resident population of approximately 11,000 less than that counted on Census night.

Even the ABS data which is based on place of usual residence (ie: local community) rather than place of enumeration (ie: local community plus visitors plus seasonal workers) does not present a true picture for all characteristics. For instance Census data indicates that most local people are employed and earning average or above average income. While this may true on Census night, they may well be unemployed or under-employed for most of the year outside the ski season.