# Cape York vs ACT — 2021 Census comparison

Indigenous Region comparison · about 2,443 km apart

Cape York and ACT are two very different environments. Cape York is a car-dependent area where 54.4% of people speak a First Nations language, while ACT is very walkable and has a much lower share of First Nations language speakers at 7.5%. The gap in First Nations outcomes is stark; typical household income for First Nations people in ACT is $2,289, which is far higher than the $1,140 in Cape York. This is consistent with a much higher unemployment rate in Cape York (23.4%) compared to ACT (7.2%), and a higher Year 12 completion rate in ACT (58.8% versus 31.1%).

Since 2011, the two areas have tracked differently in their development and accessibility. Both areas have almost identical numbers of First Nations residents and a typical First Nations age of 24. However, the physical layouts remain opposites. In ACT, 97.6% of homes are within a 10 minute walk of public transport, whereas this is 0.0% in Cape York. The gap in walkability has remained wide, with ACT being very walkable and Cape York remaining car-dependent.

## First Nations

| Statistic | Cape York | ACT | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| First Nations people | 8,906 | 8,908 |  |  |
| Median age | 24 yrs | 24 yrs |  |  |
| Year 12 | 31.1% | 58.8% | 27.7 pts higher in ACT |  |
| Unemployment | 23.4% | 7.2% | 16.2 pts higher in Cape York |  |
| Median income | $402 | $1,004 | $602 higher in ACT |  |
| Household income | $1,140 | $2,289 | $1,149 higher in ACT |  |
| Indigenous language | 54.4% | 7.5% | 46.9 pts higher in Cape York |  |

## Walkability

| Statistic | Cape York | ACT | Gap | Trend |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Walk score | 1.8 | 6.9 | 5.1 higher in ACT |  |
| Types ≤15 min | 2.3 | 6.5 | 4.2 more in ACT |  |
| 15-min city | 20.1% | 81.9% | 61.8 pts higher in ACT |  |
| Walk to shops | 34.3% | 80.0% | 45.7 pts higher in ACT |  |
| Walk to transit | 0.0% | 97.6% | 97.6 pts higher in ACT |  |
| Walk to school | 49.1% | 85.4% | 36.2 pts higher in ACT |  |
| Walk to a park | 36.2% | 99.4% | 63.2 pts higher in ACT |  |
| Walk to health | 25.6% | 64.3% | 38.7 pts higher in ACT |  |
| Intersections/km² | 0 | 44 | 44 higher in ACT |  |
| Mean slope | 5.6% | 5.5% | 0.1 pts higher in Cape York |  |

Interactive comparison: https://censusatlas.au/compare/ireg/IREG303/cape-york/vs/IREG801/act