Merredin vs Brookton

Merredin and Brookton are two rural Western Australian areas with distinct profiles for their First Nations populations. First Nations residents in Merredin are far younger, with a typical age of 22 compared to 36 in Brookton. This younger group in Merredin also has better outcomes, with a far higher Year 12 completion rate of 30.7% and a well higher typical household income of $1,190. In contrast, Brookton has a much higher First Nations unemployment rate of 38.6% and a much lower typical personal income of $347.

Both areas are very similar in how many homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries, at about 43%. They are also almost identical in the share of homes with a 15-minute-city walkshed. While both are mostly car-dependent, Merredin has far better access to health services and parks within a 15-minute walk, whereas Brookton has a far higher share of homes near public transport.