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Karratha vs Murchison

Name: Karratha vs Murchison — 2021 Census comparison
Creator: Australian Bureau of Statistics
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Council (LGA) comparison ≈ 628 km apart · Karratha profile · Murchison profile

Karratha Murchison

Karratha and Murchison are two very different parts of Western Australia. Karratha is a larger hub with high typical weekly family incomes of $3,462 and a higher share of people born overseas (18.6%). In contrast, Murchison is sparsely populated and much more remote, with a far higher Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population at 37.6% and a typical weekly family income of $1,674. While Karratha has larger schools with an average of 472 students, Murchison's schools are tiny, averaging just 11 students.

Since 2016, the gap in typical incomes between the two areas has widened, though the difference in the share of overseas-born residents has narrowed slightly. Both areas share a similar percentage of people who have completed Year 12 (around 48%) and a similar proportion of people using another language at home. They also experience similar heat, with typical maximum temperatures around 32 to 34 degrees.

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Where they differ most

First Nations: 25.9 pts higher in Murchison 3+ bedrooms: 28.2 pts higher in Karratha Work from home: 35.0 pts higher in Murchison Population: 22,098 larger in Karratha Separate houses: 22.2 pts higher in Karratha

Demographics & Identity

Population in Karratha in Murchison +22,098 larger in Karratha gap steady

22,199 61st pct 101 1st pct

Median age in Karratha in Murchison +4 yrs older in Murchison gap narrowing

32 yrs 9th pct 36 yrs 19th pct

Age structure

38.1% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +4.5 pts 33.7%

25.4% Children (0–14) +7.3 pts ▸ 32.7%

22.5% Older adults (45–64) +4.2 pts ▸ 26.7%

10.7% Youth (15–24) ◂ +10.7 pts 0.0%

3.2% Seniors (65+) +4.7 pts ▸ 7.9%

Marital status

44.9% Married +7.9 pts ▸ 52.8%

43.8% Never married ◂ +11.9 pts 31.9%

3.5% Separated +4.8 pts ▸ 8.3%

6.6% Divorced ◂ +1.0 pts 5.6%

1.2% Widowed ◂ +1.2 pts 0.0%

Age & sex structure

Karratha Murchison

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Country of birth

65.5% Australia +20.6 pts ▸ 86.1%

4.0% New Zealand ◂ +4.0 pts 0.0%

1.1% South Africa +2.8 pts ▸ 4.0%

2.5% England ◂ +2.5 pts 0.0%

2.1% Philippines ◂ +2.1 pts 0.0%

1.2% India ◂ +1.2 pts 0.0%

0.5% China ◂ +0.5 pts 0.0%

0.2% Vietnam ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%

0.2% Nepal ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%

0.1% Italy ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

Ancestry

32.8% Australian ◂ +0.1 pts 32.7%

30.5% English ◂ +4.8 pts 25.7%

3.1% German +4.8 pts ▸ 7.9%

7.3% Irish ◂ +1.4 pts 5.9%

7.2% Scottish ◂ +0.3 pts 6.9%

2.7% Italian +0.2 pts ▸ 3.0%

2.7% Filipino ◂ +2.7 pts 0.0%

1.6% Dutch ◂ +1.6 pts 0.0%

1.6% Indian ◂ +1.6 pts 0.0%

1.4% Chinese ◂ +1.4 pts 0.0%

0.3% Greek ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%

0.2% Vietnamese ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%

Language

Language used at home

70.2% English only +12.0 pts ▸ 82.2%

1.1% Tagalog ◂ +1.1 pts 0.0%

0.7% Mandarin ◂ +0.7 pts 0.0%

0.4% Hindi ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%

0.3% Punjabi ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%

0.2% Vietnamese ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%

0.2% Cantonese ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%

0.1% Italian ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

0.1% Greek ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

0.1% Arabic ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

Religion

Religious affiliation

47.1% No religion ◂ +5.5 pts 41.6%

28.9% Christianity +12.6 pts ▸ 41.6%

19.2% Not stated ◂ +2.4 pts 16.8%

0.7% Other religions +2.2 pts ▸ 3.0%

1.5% Buddhism ◂ +1.5 pts 0.0%

1.4% Hinduism ◂ +1.4 pts 0.0%

1.0% Islam ◂ +1.0 pts 0.0%

0.1% Judaism ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Schools in Karratha in Murchison +10 more in Karratha

11 54th pct 1 0th pct

Schools/1k kids in Karratha in Murchison +28.35 more in Murchison

1.95 19th pct 30.30 100th pct

Students in Karratha in Murchison +5,180 more in Karratha

5,191 65th pct 11 1st pct

Avg size in Karratha in Murchison +461 larger in Karratha

472 80th pct 11 0th pct

ICSEA in Karratha in Murchison +349 higher in Karratha

943 32nd pct 594 0th pct

Highest year of school

47.8% Year 12 +0.2 pts ▸ 47.9%

18.9% Year 10 +4.4 pts ▸ 23.3%

10.8% Year 11 +2.9 pts ▸ 13.7%

4.5% Year 9 or below +5.1 pts ▸ 9.6%

Highest qualification level

35.3% Certificate III / IV ◂ +4.7 pts 30.6%

10.8% Advanced diploma / diploma +5.9 pts ▸ 16.7%

15.4% Bachelor degree ◂ +7.1 pts 8.3%

2.6% Graduate diploma / certificate +8.5 pts ▸ 11.1%

3.6% Postgraduate degree ◂ +3.6 pts 0.0%

3.1% Certificate I / II ◂ +3.1 pts 0.0%

Field of qualification

24.6% Engineering & related +0.4 pts ▸ 25.0%

13.2% Management & commerce +9.1 pts ▸ 22.2%

6.5% Society & culture +15.7 pts ▸ 22.2%

6.4% Health +1.9 pts ▸ 8.3%

6.8% Education ◂ +6.8 pts 0.0%

4.5% Architecture & building ◂ +4.5 pts 0.0%

4.2% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +4.2 pts 0.0%

1.5% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +1.5 pts 0.0%

1.4% Creative arts ◂ +1.4 pts 0.0%

1.4% Agriculture & environment ◂ +1.4 pts 0.0%

0.8% Information technology ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%

Income

Personal income in Karratha in Murchison +$712 higher in Karratha gap narrowing

$1,545 99th pct $833 71st pct

Household income in Karratha in Murchison +$1,509 higher in Karratha gap widening

$3,158 100th pct $1,649 69th pct

Family income in Karratha in Murchison +$1,788 higher in Karratha gap widening

$3,462 100th pct $1,674 40th pct

Household income distribution

28.0% $1,500–$2,999 +25.1 pts ▸ 53.1%

31.0% $4,000 or more ◂ +31.0 pts 0.0%

17.2% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +17.2 pts 0.0%

9.0% $650–$1,499 +6.6 pts ▸ 15.6%

4.4% Under $650 +5.0 pts ▸ 9.4%

Personal income distribution

19.5% Under $650 +18.0 pts ▸ 37.5%

19.9% $650–$1,499 +14.8 pts ▸ 34.7%

27.8% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +12.5 pts 15.3%

13.9% $3,000 or more ◂ +13.9 pts 0.0%

Health & Disability

Long-term health conditions reported

5.4% Asthma +4.5 pts ▸ 9.9%

4.9% Mental health +4.0 pts ▸ 8.9%

1.0% Cancer +5.9 pts ▸ 6.9%

4.0% Other condition +1.0 pts ▸ 5.0%

2.5% Diabetes +0.4 pts ▸ 3.0%

2.8% Arthritis ◂ +2.8 pts 0.0%

1.1% Heart disease ◂ +1.1 pts 0.0%

0.5% Lung condition ◂ +0.5 pts 0.0%

0.2% Stroke ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%

0.1% Dementia ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

Number of long-term health conditions

65.6% None ◂ +2.3 pts 63.4%

12.0% One condition +7.8 pts ▸ 19.8%

2.2% Two conditions +1.7 pts ▸ 4.0%

0.7% Three or more ◂ +0.7 pts 0.0%

Community Participation

First Nations

First Nations people in Karratha in Murchison +2,556 larger in Karratha

2,594 85th pct 38 9th pct

Median age in Karratha in Murchison +2 yrs older in Murchison

25 yrs 50th pct 27 yrs 64th pct

Median income in Karratha in Murchison +$121 higher in Karratha

$570 54th pct $449 20th pct

Household income in Karratha in Murchison +$1,008 higher in Karratha

$2,133 90th pct $1,125 24th pct

Family & Households

Household size in Karratha in Murchison +0.2 larger in Karratha gap widening

2.8 87th pct 2.6 79th pct

Family composition

69.8% Couples with children ◂ +33.1 pts 36.7%

20.6% Couples without children +9.8 pts ▸ 30.4%

8.9% One-parent families +17.7 pts ▸ 26.6%

0.7% Other families +4.3 pts ▸ 5.1%

Household size

21.6% 1 person +9.7 pts ▸ 31.3%

28.3% 2 people +3.0 pts ▸ 31.3%

20.4% 4 people ◂ +11.1 pts 9.4%

3.6% 6 or more +15.1 pts ▸ 18.8%

16.5% 3 people ◂ +0.9 pts 15.6%

9.5% 5 people +6.1 pts ▸ 15.6%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Karratha in Murchison +$146 higher in Karratha gap narrowing

$285 59th pct $139 12th pct

Mortgage in Karratha in Murchison +$200 higher in Karratha

$2,000 82nd pct $1,800 74th pct

People / bedroom in Karratha in Murchison even gap steady

0.90 86th pct 0.90 86th pct

How homes are owned or rented

60.7% Rented ◂ +10.7 pts 50.0%

6.2% Other tenure +34.5 pts ▸ 40.6%

24.1% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +11.6 pts 12.5%

7.1% Owned outright +2.3 pts ▸ 9.4%

2.0% Not stated ◂ +2.0 pts 0.0%

Types of homes

78.5% Separate house ◂ +22.2 pts 56.3%

1.5% Other dwelling +20.3 pts ▸ 21.9%

14.2% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +4.8 pts 9.4%

5.2% Flat or apartment ◂ +5.2 pts 0.0%

Bedrooms per home

39.0% 3 bedrooms ◂ +4.6 pts 34.4%

38.4% 4 bedrooms ◂ +19.6 pts 18.8%

11.2% 2 bedrooms +16.9 pts ▸ 28.1%

4.9% 1 bedroom +4.4 pts ▸ 9.4%

4.0% 5 or more ◂ +4.0 pts 0.0%

0.5% Studio / none ◂ +0.5 pts 0.0%

Weekly rent distribution

31.7% Under $200 +5.8 pts ▸ 37.5%

21.5% $200–$349 ◂ +21.5 pts 0.0%

16.0% $350–$549 ◂ +16.0 pts 0.0%

11.1% $550–$749 ◂ +11.1 pts 0.0%

11.1% $750 or more ◂ +11.1 pts 0.0%

Monthly mortgage distribution

35.3% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +35.3 pts 0.0%

29.8% $1,000–$1,799 ◂ +29.8 pts 0.0%

20.3% $3,000 or more ◂ +20.3 pts 0.0%

9.4% Under $1,000 ◂ +9.4 pts 0.0%

Transport & Vehicles

PT stops in Karratha in Murchison +20 more in Karratha

20 45th pct 0 0th pct

Stops/1k in Karratha in Murchison +0.90 more in Karratha

0.90 28th pct 0.00 0th pct

Departures/1k in Karratha in Murchison +14.8 more in Karratha

14.8 34th pct 0.0 0th pct

PT routes in Karratha in Murchison +2 more in Karratha

2 33rd pct 0 0th pct

How people get to work

67.2% Car (driver) ◂ +49.7 pts 17.5%

3.4% Walked +36.6 pts ▸ 40.0%

2.5% Worked at home +35.0 pts ▸ 37.5%

6.8% Car (passenger) ◂ +6.8 pts 0.0%

3.2% Bus ◂ +3.2 pts 0.0%

0.6% Bicycle ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%

0.1% Train ◂ +0.1 pts 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

44.8% 2 vehicles ◂ +20.6 pts 24.1%

25.3% 1 vehicle +2.3 pts ▸ 27.6%

17.6% 3 vehicles ◂ +7.2 pts 10.3%

3.4% No vehicle +6.9 pts ▸ 10.3%

8.9% 4 or more +1.4 pts ▸ 10.3%

Migration & Movement

Jobs & Industry

Industries people work in

0.2% Agriculture, forestry & fishing +49.8 pts ▸ 50.0%

6.3% Public administration & safety +21.2 pts ▸ 27.5%

25.3% Mining ◂ +25.3 pts 0.0%

8.0% Education & training +7.0 pts ▸ 15.0%

5.6% Accommodation & food +6.9 pts ▸ 12.5%

10.1% Construction ◂ +10.1 pts 0.0%

7.5% Health care & social assistance ◂ +7.5 pts 0.0%

6.1% Retail trade ◂ +6.1 pts 0.0%

5.6% Transport & warehousing ◂ +5.6 pts 0.0%

4.4% Administrative & support ◂ +4.4 pts 0.0%

3.6% Other services ◂ +3.6 pts 0.0%

2.8% Manufacturing ◂ +2.8 pts 0.0%

Occupations people work in

10.6% Managers +41.9 pts ▸ 52.5%

25.6% Technicians & trades ◂ +18.1 pts 7.5%

10.1% Labourers +12.4 pts ▸ 22.5%

14.7% Professionals ◂ +14.7 pts 0.0%

11.2% Clerical & administrative ◂ +11.2 pts 0.0%

10.9% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +10.9 pts 0.0%

9.2% Community & personal service +0.8 pts ▸ 10.0%

5.4% Sales workers ◂ +5.4 pts 0.0%

Economy & Advantage

IRSAD decile in Karratha in Murchison +7 higher in Karratha

9 86th pct 2 14th pct

IRSD decile in Karratha in Murchison +9 higher in Karratha

10 100th pct 1 0th pct

IER decile in Karratha in Murchison +8 higher in Karratha

9 86th pct 1 0th pct

IEO decile in Karratha in Murchison +3 higher in Murchison

6 57th pct 9 86th pct

IRSAD score in Karratha in Murchison +150 higher in Karratha

1,035 86th pct 885 13th pct

ERP in Karratha in Murchison +25,318 higher in Karratha

25,429 61st pct 111 0th pct

Growth in Karratha in Murchison

8.6% 84th pct —

Businesses in Karratha in Murchison +1,323 higher in Karratha

1,329 49th pct 6 1st pct

Approvals in Karratha in Murchison +60 higher in Karratha

60 52nd pct 0 0th pct

Environment & Climate

Rainfall in Karratha in Murchison +81 higher in Karratha

273 10th pct 192 2nd pct

Max temp in Karratha in Murchison +2.4 higher in Karratha

34.0 97th pct 31.5 90th pct

Min temp in Karratha in Murchison +5.5 higher in Karratha

20.6 95th pct 15.1 81st pct

Walkability

Walk score in Karratha in Murchison +3.3 higher in Karratha

3.8 51st pct 0.5 0th pct

Types ≤15 min in Karratha in Murchison +3.3 more in Karratha

4.1 55th pct 0.8 0th pct

15-min city in Karratha in Murchison +40.1 pts higher in Karratha

40.1% 36th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Walk to shops in Karratha in Murchison +37.0 pts higher in Karratha

37.0% 30th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Walk to transit in Karratha in Murchison +53.5 pts higher in Karratha

53.5% 56th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Walk to school in Karratha in Murchison +72.7 pts higher in Karratha

72.7% 75th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Walk to a park in Karratha in Murchison +85.5 pts higher in Karratha

85.5% 69th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Walk to health in Karratha in Murchison +29.2 pts higher in Karratha

29.2% 33rd pct 0.0% 0th pct

Amenities/1k in Karratha in Murchison +1.2 more in Murchison

38.4 80th pct 39.6 80th pct

Intersections/km² in Karratha in Murchison even

0 31st pct 0 0th pct

Mean slope in Karratha in Murchison +0.2 pts higher in Murchison

2.9% 14th pct 3.1% 20th pct

Compare Karratha with nearby areas

Ashburton Port Hedland Exmouth Upper Gascoyne Carnarvon Meekatharra Murchison Shark Bay

Compare Murchison with nearby areas

Shark Bay Yalgoo Upper Gascoyne Cue Northampton Greater Geraldton Chapman Valley Mount Magnet

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Karratha vs Murchison [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/lga/LGA54310/karratha/vs/LGA56160/murchison