Cairns - West vs Mantaka

Cairns - West and Mantaka are two nearby Queensland areas with very different layouts and populations. Cairns - West is a somewhat walkable area where many people have easy access to shops, health services, and parks. In contrast, Mantaka is car-dependent. First Nations people make up a much larger part of the population in Cairns - West, where the typical First Nations person earns $622 and 55.1% finished Year 12. In Mantaka, the typical First Nations person earns $336 and 44% finished Year 12.

The gap in First Nations household income is widening, with the difference between the two areas now sitting at $504. Both places share a similar landscape, with a mean terrain slope of around 8% to 9%. While Mantaka is more car-dependent, it does have a higher share of homes within a 15-minute walk of a school, at 80.8% compared to 62.3% in Cairns - West.