Authored by Associate Professor Roger Wilkins, the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics Survey (HILDA) is the most comprehensive of its kind in the country, questioning almost 20,000 people about their happiness and its factors.

One thing the survey did not delve into deeply is the reasons behind these above-average levels of happiness found in the rural lifestyle.

The town of Candelo, just 20 minutes from Bega with a population of just over 400, is popular with market goers, artists and farmers alike, and sits scenically split down the middle by Candelo Creek.

It may be visually beautiful, but why do locals think small town living and the lifestyle it brings makes them statistically happier than the rest of Australia?

“For me there’s less stress here,” Candelo resident Kristy Cummings said while enjoying a sun-drenched morning with friend Stacey Donohue.

“I moved here from Gerringong about four years ago and I think around here and especially Candelo everyone is really laid back,” she said.

“When we moved here we had people come around inviting us for barbecues, which I’ve never had before.

“We know everyone in our street and I don’t have to be a helicopter mum because I know everyone is watching them constantly, which makes me feel safe.

“Small communities are more supportive,” Ms Cummings said.

Ms Donohue who lives just to the west of Candelo agreed that the added safety and the feeling of security in small rural towns was likely a reason for the researchers’ findings.

“I like the fact our kids can play safely and have the freedom to play,” she said.

“I’ve lived in rural communities for 15 years now and you actually get to know people outside your social circles, which does not happen in the city.”

Owners of Two Blokes Food café - on the popular strip of William St - father and son team Ross and Luke Morgan of Tura Beach also felt that people in closely knit towns feel safer and are more involved in the community, leading to increased levels of happiness.

“I think people feel a bit more unique, which would help,” Ross said.

“A lot of people are moving away from the city and they’re really good at what they do and they just love it here.

“Small communities all know each other and it’s really easy to get people to be involved, so that could be a factor.”

Luke echoed his father’s sentiments and said that even though the business has only been running since January this year, they already feel at home in Candelo.

“Smaller communities are definitely stronger communities,” he said.

“I have actually noticed that in bigger towns like Merimbula people in hospitality don’t seem as happy.

“We’re so surprised at how happy people are - they’re really honest and genuine people.

“For example we have people drop off bags of lemons they have in excess at no charge, it’s amazing,” he said.

AUTHOR of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics Survey (HILDA), Associate Professor Roger Wilkins from the University of Melbourne said he was pleased to see something positive come from his research regarding rural areas.

“It’s nice to find that people in smaller centres are happier than those in the city centres,” he said.

“Usually you only hear about lower earnings and less job opportunities, so the findings are a nice counterpoint.

“It shows that there is more to life than just the economic factors politicians generally speak about.”

Professor Wilkins felt that a lack of traffic congestion and a stronger attachment to community were also factors.

“It is easier to achieve connectedness in a smaller community,” he said.

“There are both positives and negatives to living in a rural area, but it seems on balance that the positives outweigh the negatives.

“The results are, on reflection, explicable and sensible and interesting,” he said.