Cherbourg vs Western Downs

Cherbourg and Western Downs are two Queensland areas with very different layouts and economic profiles. Cherbourg is much more compact, with 93.3% of homes within a 15-minute walk of health services and a walkability score of 3.5 (mostly car-dependent). Western Downs is more spread out and car-dependent, with only 22.7% of homes near health services. However, Western Downs has a stronger economic standing for First Nations people; typical personal income is $535 compared to $374 in Cherbourg, while the unemployment rate is well higher in Cherbourg at 20.6%.

Both areas are nearly identical in the share of people who speak a First Nations language, at around 2.3% to 2.4%. They also share a lack of easy access to public transport, with no homes within a 10-minute walk of a stop in either place. While Cherbourg has more homes within walking distance of schools and parks, Western Downs has a larger First Nations population and a higher rate of Year 12 completion at 32.8%.