Torres Strait vs Jervis Bay

Torres Strait and Jervis Bay are two very different regions located nearly 3,000km apart. Torres Strait has a much larger First Nations population of 6,093 people compared to 186 in Jervis Bay. Cultural differences are stark; 82.4% of people in Torres Strait speak a First Nations language, which is far higher than the 7.0% in Jervis Bay. Educational outcomes also differ, with Year 12 completion for First Nations people far higher in Torres Strait at 52.8% compared to 21.4% in Jervis Bay.

Since 2011, these two areas have tracked differently across most measures. For example, the typical First Nations resident in Torres Strait is far younger at 25, while in Jervis Bay they are far older at 42. Both areas are largely car-dependent, and neither has any homes within a 10-minute walk of public transport. However, Torres Strait is generally more walkable, with far more homes within a 15-minute walk of health services and a higher walkability score of 2.1 compared to 0.9 in Jervis Bay.