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Aurukun vs Torres Strait Island

Council (LGA) comparison ≈ 382 km apart · Aurukun profile · Torres Strait Island profile

Aurukun Torres Strait Island

Torres Strait Island and Aurukun are two remote Queensland areas with very different social profiles. Education levels are far higher in Torres Strait Island, where 47.7% of people finished Year 12 compared to just 13.8% in Aurukun. Employment and community engagement also differ, with working or looking for work far higher in Torres Strait Island at 41.1%, while 17.7% of residents volunteer. In contrast, Aurukun has a much higher rate of recorded offences, and it is far more common for people to have no religion, at 31.0% compared to 12.2% in Torres Strait Island.

Both areas are almost identical in their use of First Nations languages, with over 92% of people speaking one. This shared cultural bond exists alongside similar challenges, as both areas sit at the lowest level for overall advantage and access to resources. Over time, some gaps have grown; for example, the difference in Year 12 completion and the number of homes without a car have both widened since 2011.

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Where they differ most

Population: 3,023 larger in Torres Strait Island Year 12: 33.9 pts higher in Torres Strait Island Participation: 19.5 pts higher in Torres Strait Island No religion: 18.7 pts higher in Aurukun Recent movers: 17.0 pts higher in Aurukun

Demographics & Identity

Population in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +3,023 larger in Torres Strait Island gap steady
1,101 15th pct 4,124 31st pct
Median age in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +2 yrs older in Aurukun gap steady
29 yrs 3rd pct 27 yrs 0th pct
First Nations in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +1.9 pts higher in Torres Strait Island gap steady
88.7% 100th pct 90.6% 100th pct
Aged 65+ in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +2.5 pts higher in Torres Strait Island gap widening
4.5% 2nd pct 7.0% 7th pct
Under 15 in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +8.6 pts higher in Torres Strait Island gap widening
23.8% 91st pct 32.3% 100th pct
De facto in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +8.5 pts higher in Aurukun gap widening
36.0% 100th pct 27.5% 98th pct

Age structure

23.8% Children (0–14) +8.6 pts ▸ 32.3%
30.2% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +2.0 pts 28.2%
23.3% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +4.5 pts 18.9%
17.3% Youth (15–24) ◂ +3.7 pts 13.6%
4.5% Seniors (65+) +2.5 pts ▸ 7.0%

Marital status

91.0% Never married ◂ +21.8 pts 69.3%
4.7% Married +17.7 pts ▸ 22.4%
1.4% Widowed +3.1 pts ▸ 4.5%
1.6% Divorced +0.6 pts ▸ 2.1%
0.6% Separated +1.0 pts ▸ 1.6%

Age & sex structure

Aurukun Torres Strait Island

Bars show the share of each area's own population, so differently sized areas stay comparable.

Ancestry & Birthplace

Born overseas in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +1.8 pts higher in Torres Strait Island gap widening
1.5% 0th pct 3.3% 4th pct

Country of birth

92.9% Australia ◂ +2.1 pts 90.8%
0.6% England ◂ +0.5 pts 0.2%
0.3% New Zealand even 0.2%
0.0% India even 0.0%
0.0% China even 0.0%
0.0% Philippines even 0.0%
0.0% Vietnam even 0.0%
0.0% Nepal even 0.0%
0.0% Italy even 0.0%
0.0% South Africa even 0.0%

Ancestry

2.2% Australian +0.1 pts ▸ 2.3%
1.5% English +0.3 pts ▸ 1.8%
1.2% Irish ◂ +0.7 pts 0.4%
0.7% Scottish +0.1 pts ▸ 0.8%
0.8% Dutch ◂ +0.6 pts 0.2%
0.5% German ◂ +0.2 pts 0.4%
0.4% Chinese ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%
0.0% Filipino +0.2 pts ▸ 0.2%
0.0% Italian even 0.0%
0.0% Indian even 0.0%
0.0% Greek even 0.0%
0.0% Vietnamese even 0.0%

Language

Other language in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +3.0 pts higher in Torres Strait Island gap narrowing
83.2% 100th pct 86.2% 100th pct
Limited English in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +3.5 pts higher in Aurukun gap narrowing
20.0% 100th pct 16.4% 100th pct

Language used at home

9.3% English only ◂ +2.9 pts 6.4%
0.0% Greek +0.1 pts ▸ 0.1%
0.0% Mandarin even 0.0%
0.0% Arabic even 0.0%
0.0% Vietnamese even 0.0%
0.0% Cantonese even 0.0%
0.0% Punjabi even 0.0%
0.0% Italian even 0.0%
0.0% Hindi even 0.0%
0.0% Tagalog even 0.0%

Religion

No religion in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +18.7 pts higher in Aurukun gap widening
31.0% 20th pct 12.2% 0th pct

Religious affiliation

61.8% Christianity +15.5 pts ▸ 77.3%
31.0% No religion ◂ +18.7 pts 12.2%
7.4% Not stated +2.9 pts ▸ 10.3%
0.0% Other religions +0.2 pts ▸ 0.2%
0.0% Islam even 0.0%
0.0% Hinduism even 0.0%
0.0% Buddhism even 0.0%
0.0% Judaism even 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +33.9 pts higher in Torres Strait Island gap widening
13.8% 0th pct 47.7% 67th pct
Bachelor+ in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +1.0 pts higher in Torres Strait Island gap steady
2.9% 0th pct 3.9% 0th pct
Schools in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island
1 0th pct —
Schools/1k kids in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island
3.82 50th pct —
Students in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island
227 17th pct —
Avg size in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island
227 50th pct —
ICSEA in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island
694 3rd pct —

Highest year of school

13.8% Year 12 +33.9 pts ▸ 47.7%
39.3% Year 10 ◂ +22.2 pts 17.1%
33.0% Year 9 or below ◂ +17.8 pts 15.1%
5.0% Year 11 +6.5 pts ▸ 11.4%

Highest qualification level

18.3% Certificate III / IV +25.3 pts ▸ 43.6%
2.0% Certificate I / II +10.8 pts ▸ 12.8%
10.7% Bachelor degree ◂ +5.8 pts 4.9%
8.6% Advanced diploma / diploma +0.8 pts ▸ 9.4%
1.5% Graduate diploma / certificate +0.4 pts ▸ 2.0%
0.0% Postgraduate degree +0.5 pts ▸ 0.5%

Field of qualification

5.6% Management & commerce +10.1 pts ▸ 15.7%
11.2% Education ◂ +0.2 pts 11.0%
3.0% Engineering & related +8.0 pts ▸ 11.0%
2.0% Architecture & building +8.4 pts ▸ 10.4%
8.6% Society & culture +0.9 pts ▸ 9.5%
4.1% Health +3.8 pts ▸ 7.8%
0.0% Food, hospitality & personal services +4.0 pts ▸ 4.0%
0.0% Creative arts +2.8 pts ▸ 2.8%
2.0% Agriculture & environment +0.5 pts ▸ 2.6%
0.0% Natural & physical sciences +0.3 pts ▸ 0.3%
0.0% Information technology +0.2 pts ▸ 0.2%

Income

Personal income in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +$80 higher in Torres Strait Island gap widening
$331 0th pct $411 4th pct
Household income in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +$93 higher in Aurukun gap narrowing
$1,069 12th pct $976 7th pct
Family income in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +$138 higher in Torres Strait Island gap narrowing
$785 0th pct $923 4th pct
High earners in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +0.1 pts higher in Aurukun gap steady
2.3% 0th pct 2.2% 0th pct
High-income homes in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +0.7 pts higher in Torres Strait Island gap steady
4.2% 0th pct 4.9% 1st pct

Household income distribution

43.6% $650–$1,499 ◂ +5.8 pts 37.8%
19.9% Under $650 +7.5 pts ▸ 27.4%
15.3% $1,500–$2,999 +6.0 pts ▸ 21.2%
2.1% $3,000–$3,999 +1.0 pts ▸ 3.2%
2.1% $4,000 or more ◂ +0.3 pts 1.8%

Personal income distribution

78.0% Under $650 ◂ +12.7 pts 65.3%
8.5% $650–$1,499 +11.6 pts ▸ 20.1%
3.3% $1,500–$2,999 +1.4 pts ▸ 4.8%
0.4% $3,000 or more +0.4 pts ▸ 0.7%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +9.5 pts higher in Torres Strait Island
7.0% 0th pct 16.5% 6th pct
Mental health in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +0.9 pts higher in Aurukun
1.7% 0th pct 0.8% 0th pct
Needs assistance in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +1.4 pts higher in Aurukun gap steady
4.8% 38th pct 3.4% 15th pct

Long-term health conditions reported

10.2% Other condition ◂ +7.2 pts 3.0%
3.0% Diabetes +6.0 pts ▸ 8.9%
1.2% Asthma +2.5 pts ▸ 3.6%
0.3% Heart disease +2.5 pts ▸ 2.8%
0.4% Arthritis +1.7 pts ▸ 2.1%
1.7% Mental health ◂ +0.9 pts 0.8%
0.5% Stroke ◂ +0.1 pts 0.3%
0.0% Cancer +0.4 pts ▸ 0.4%
0.3% Lung condition +0.1 pts ▸ 0.4%
0.3% Dementia even 0.3%

Number of long-term health conditions

77.5% None ◂ +2.4 pts 75.1%
6.4% One condition +7.1 pts ▸ 13.5%
0.8% Two conditions +1.5 pts ▸ 2.3%
0.3% Three or more +0.4 pts ▸ 0.7%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +11.4 pts higher in Torres Strait Island gap widening
6.3% 3rd pct 17.7% 51st pct
Unpaid carers in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +2.0 pts higher in Aurukun gap narrowing
14.4% 88th pct 12.4% 53rd pct
Unpaid child care in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +6.5 pts higher in Aurukun gap widening
42.5% 100th pct 36.0% 93rd pct
Defence service in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +4.7 pts higher in Torres Strait Island
2.0% 22nd pct 6.7% 100th pct
Housework 15h+ in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +15.4 pts higher in Torres Strait Island gap widening
2.6% 0th pct 18.0% 22nd pct

First Nations

First Nations people in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +2,760 larger in Torres Strait Island
977 62nd pct 3,737 86th pct
Median age in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +1 yrs older in Aurukun
27 yrs 64th pct 26 yrs 57th pct
Year 12 in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +40.5 pts higher in Torres Strait Island
10.2% 0th pct 50.7% 87th pct
Unemployment in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +8.4 pts higher in Aurukun
20.6% 86th pct 12.2% 54th pct
Median income in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +$96 higher in Torres Strait Island
$310 3rd pct $406 12th pct
Household income in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +$42 higher in Aurukun
$1,005 14th pct $963 12th pct
Indigenous language in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +0.5 pts higher in Torres Strait Island
92.3% 100th pct 92.8% 100th pct

Family & Households

Household size in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +0.4 larger in Aurukun gap narrowing
3.9 100th pct 3.5 97th pct
One-parent in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +2.0 pts higher in Aurukun gap narrowing
35.2% 100th pct 33.3% 98th pct
Living alone in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +4.7 pts higher in Torres Strait Island gap narrowing
16.5% 2nd pct 21.2% 13th pct

Family composition

45.9% Couples with children +9.7 pts ▸ 55.6%
35.2% One-parent families ◂ +2.0 pts 33.3%
13.7% Couples without children ◂ +4.1 pts 9.7%
5.1% Other families ◂ +3.6 pts 1.5%

Household size

25.8% 6 or more ◂ +6.8 pts 19.1%
16.5% 1 person +4.7 pts ▸ 21.2%
21.2% 3 people ◂ +6.8 pts 14.4%
16.1% 2 people +4.5 pts ▸ 20.6%
11.4% 4 people +2.6 pts ▸ 14.0%
8.1% 5 people +2.9 pts ▸ 11.0%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +$5 higher in Torres Strait Island gap narrowing
$125 9th pct $130 10th pct
People / bedroom in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +0.20 higher in Aurukun gap narrowing
1.20 96th pct 1.00 89th pct
Renting in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +2.9 pts higher in Aurukun gap narrowing
92.4% 100th pct 89.4% 100th pct
Owned outright in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +6.2 pts higher in Torres Strait Island gap widening
0.0% 0th pct 6.2% 3rd pct
Separate houses in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +3.2 pts higher in Torres Strait Island gap narrowing
91.1% 58th pct 94.3% 77th pct
3+ bedrooms in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +7.8 pts higher in Torres Strait Island gap widening
76.7% 48th pct 84.5% 88th pct

How homes are owned or rented

92.4% Rented ◂ +2.9 pts 89.4%
0.0% Owned outright +6.2 pts ▸ 6.2%
5.5% Not stated ◂ +3.7 pts 1.8%
2.5% Other tenure +0.2 pts ▸ 2.8%
0.0% Owned with a mortgage +0.3 pts ▸ 0.3%

Types of homes

91.1% Separate house +3.2 pts ▸ 94.3%
3.4% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +0.2 pts 3.2%
2.1% Flat or apartment ◂ +1.6 pts 0.5%
0.0% Other dwelling +0.5 pts ▸ 0.5%

Bedrooms per home

52.1% 3 bedrooms ◂ +21.4 pts 30.7%
24.6% 4 bedrooms +6.6 pts ▸ 31.2%
0.0% 5 or more +22.6 pts ▸ 22.6%
18.6% 2 bedrooms ◂ +6.5 pts 12.1%
2.1% 1 bedroom ◂ +0.2 pts 1.9%
0.0% Studio / none +0.7 pts ▸ 0.7%

Weekly rent distribution

83.5% Under $200 +9.8 pts ▸ 93.3%
1.8% $200–$349 +1.3 pts ▸ 3.1%
0.0% $350–$549 even 0.0%
0.0% $550–$749 even 0.0%
0.0% $750 or more even 0.0%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +11.1 pts higher in Aurukun gap widening
64.8% 100th pct 53.7% 100th pct
Work from home in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +2.1 pts higher in Torres Strait Island gap steady
0.0% 0th pct 2.1% 3rd pct
PT commute in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +1.2 pts higher in Torres Strait Island gap steady
0.0% 0th pct 1.2% 54th pct
PT stops in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island even
0 0th pct 0 0th pct
Stops/1k in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island even
0.00 0th pct 0.00 0th pct
Departures/1k in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island even
0.0 0th pct 0.0 0th pct
PT routes in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island even
0 0th pct 0 0th pct

How people get to work

61.2% Walked ◂ +15.5 pts 45.7%
11.2% Car (driver) +13.8 pts ▸ 25.0%
6.6% Car (passenger) +3.5 pts ▸ 10.0%
5.3% Bicycle ◂ +4.5 pts 0.8%
0.0% Worked at home +2.1 pts ▸ 2.1%
0.0% Bus +1.2 pts ▸ 1.2%
0.0% Train even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

64.8% No vehicle ◂ +11.1 pts 53.7%
30.0% 1 vehicle +3.6 pts ▸ 33.6%
9.0% 2 vehicles +0.8 pts ▸ 9.8%
0.0% 3 vehicles +2.4 pts ▸ 2.4%
0.0% 4 or more +0.6 pts ▸ 0.6%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +17.0 pts higher in Aurukun gap widening
37.1% 62nd pct 20.1% 5th pct
Recent arrivals in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island
— 5.1% 16th pct

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +5.4 pts higher in Aurukun gap narrowing
17.1% 93rd pct 11.7% 89th pct
Participation in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +19.5 pts higher in Torres Strait Island gap narrowing
21.7% 0th pct 41.1% 9th pct
Full-time in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +8.9 pts higher in Torres Strait Island gap narrowing
44.7% 0th pct 53.6% 13th pct

Industries people work in

37.5% Public administration & safety ◂ +3.4 pts 34.1%
19.1% Education & training +1.5 pts ▸ 20.6%
7.2% Health care & social assistance +4.7 pts ▸ 11.9%
9.2% Retail trade ◂ +0.3 pts 8.9%
5.9% Administrative & support ◂ +3.9 pts 2.1%
5.9% Arts & recreation ◂ +2.3 pts 3.6%
4.6% Construction +0.3 pts ▸ 4.9%
3.9% Accommodation & food ◂ +1.3 pts 2.7%
3.9% Transport & warehousing ◂ +2.3 pts 1.7%
2.6% Finance & insurance ◂ +2.6 pts 0.0%
2.0% Mining ◂ +1.5 pts 0.5%
0.0% Agriculture, forestry & fishing +2.0 pts ▸ 2.0%

Occupations people work in

23.0% Community & personal service ◂ +5.0 pts 18.0%
18.4% Professionals +2.2 pts ▸ 20.6%
17.1% Managers ◂ +4.9 pts 12.2%
9.9% Labourers +5.1 pts ▸ 15.0%
9.2% Clerical & administrative +2.5 pts ▸ 11.7%
7.9% Technicians & trades +0.2 pts ▸ 8.1%
4.6% Sales workers +3.5 pts ▸ 8.1%
6.6% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +3.8 pts 2.8%

Economy & Advantage

IRSAD decile in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island even
1 0th pct 1 0th pct
IRSD decile in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island even
1 0th pct 1 0th pct
IER decile in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island even
1 0th pct 1 0th pct
IEO decile in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +1 higher in Torres Strait Island
1 0th pct 2 14th pct
IRSAD score in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +77 higher in Torres Strait Island
700 0th pct 777 6th pct
ERP in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +3,133 higher in Torres Strait Island
1,165 14th pct 4,298 30th pct
Growth in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +3.0 pts higher in Aurukun
3.1% 44th pct 0.1% 14th pct
Businesses in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +55 higher in Torres Strait Island
18 2nd pct 73 7th pct
Approvals in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +17 higher in Aurukun
17 33rd pct 0 0th pct

Environment & Climate

Rainfall in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +172 higher in Aurukun
1,634 93rd pct 1,461 90th pct
Max temp in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +2.1 higher in Aurukun
33.3 95th pct 31.2 89th pct
Min temp in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +3.3 higher in Torres Strait Island
22.0 99th pct 25.3 100th pct

Crime & Safety

Crime rate in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +178,597 higher in Aurukun
187,738 100th pct 9,142 55th pct
Assault/100k in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +51,120 higher in Aurukun
53,860 100th pct 2,740 86th pct
Sexual/100k in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +436 higher in Aurukun
727 94th pct 291 57th pct
Robbery/100k in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island
908 100th pct —
Burglary/100k in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +3,972 higher in Aurukun
4,360 100th pct 388 35th pct
Theft/100k in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +2,761 higher in Aurukun
3,270 92nd pct 509 11th pct
Vehicle theft/100k in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +2,428 higher in Aurukun
2,452 100th pct 24 0th pct
Property damage/100k in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +9,621 higher in Aurukun
10,445 100th pct 824 58th pct
Drugs/100k in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +3,917 higher in Aurukun
4,450 98th pct 533 55th pct
5-yr change in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +34.3 pts higher in Aurukun
74.4% 95th pct 40.1% 86th pct

Walkability

Walk score in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +2.8 higher in Aurukun
3.8 53rd pct 1.0 3rd pct
Types ≤15 min in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +3.7 more in Aurukun
4.9 72nd pct 1.2 4th pct
15-min city in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +95.3 pts higher in Aurukun
95.3% 96th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to shops in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +82.4 pts higher in Aurukun
97.9% 99th pct 15.5% 9th pct
Walk to transit in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to school in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +98.5 pts higher in Aurukun
98.5% 98th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to a park in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +46.2 pts higher in Aurukun
96.6% 83rd pct 50.4% 21st pct
Walk to health in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +91.0 pts higher in Aurukun
98.5% 100th pct 7.6% 6th pct
Amenities/1k in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +1.9 more in Torres Strait Island
6.4 0th pct 8.2 5th pct
Intersections/km² in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +1 higher in Torres Strait Island
0 4th pct 1 54th pct
Mean slope in Aurukunin Torres Strait Island +1.6 pts higher in Torres Strait Island
4.2% 41st pct 5.8% 66th pct

Compare Aurukun with nearby areas

Weipa Pormpuraaw Napranum Cook Mapoon Lockhart River Kowanyama Northern Peninsula Area

Compare Torres Strait Island with nearby areas

Torres Northern Peninsula Area Mapoon Napranum Weipa Lockhart River Aurukun Cook

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Aurukun vs Torres Strait Island [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/lga/LGA30250/aurukun/vs/LGA36960/torres-strait-island