Meekathara - Karalundi vs Port Hedland

Meekathara - Karalundi and Port Hedland are distant regional areas in Western Australia with very different outcomes for First Nations people. In Port Hedland, First Nations household income is far higher at $2,080, compared to $1,010 in Meekathara - Karalundi. This gap extends to education and jobs; First Nations Year 12 completion is far higher in Port Hedland at 31.7%, while the First Nations unemployment rate is far higher in Meekathara - Karalundi at 24.7%.

Both areas share a similar First Nations median age of 25 and a nearly identical proportion of people who speak a First Nations language. While they are similar in this way, their layouts differ. Port Hedland is somewhat walkable, with far more homes within 15 minutes of public transport. In contrast, Meekathara - Karalundi is mostly car-dependent, though it has a far higher share of homes within a short walk of groceries and health services.