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Meekatharra vs Sandstone

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

Council (LGA) comparison ≈ 371 km apart · Meekatharra profile · Sandstone profile

Meekatharra Sandstone

Meekatharra and Sandstone are two remote Western Australian areas with very different populations. Meekatharra is much younger and more diverse, with 37.4% of residents identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and a typical age of 34. In contrast, Sandstone is sparsely populated and much older, with a typical age of 60 and 28.4% of people aged 65 and over. These differences extend to the home; Meekatharra has a far higher share of renters at 49.6%, while 41.9% of Sandstone homes are owned outright.

Both areas are similar in that about 14% of their residents were born overseas, and they share almost identical unemployment rates. While they track closely on some measures, the gaps between them are often widening. For example, the difference in typical age has grown to 26 years, and the gap in the share of people working from home has increased since 2011.

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Where they differ most

Median age: 26 yrs older in Sandstone First Nations: 37.4 pts higher in Meekatharra One-parent: 29.3 pts higher in Meekatharra Mortgage: $867 higher in Sandstone Renting: 42.7 pts higher in Meekatharra

Demographics & Identity

Population in Meekatharra in Sandstone +1,091 larger in Meekatharra gap narrowing

1,200 15th pct 109 2nd pct

Median age in Meekatharra in Sandstone +26 yrs older in Sandstone gap widening

34 yrs 12th pct 60 yrs 100th pct

Age structure

26.1% Older adults (45–64) +12.4 pts ▸ 38.5%

36.5% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +11.7 pts 24.8%

8.7% Seniors (65+) +19.8 pts ▸ 28.4%

14.7% Children (0–14) ◂ +14.7 pts 0.0%

13.8% Youth (15–24) ◂ +10.1 pts 3.7%

Marital status

56.0% Never married ◂ +21.5 pts 34.5%

27.8% Married +4.0 pts ▸ 31.9%

7.7% Divorced +5.6 pts ▸ 13.3%

3.0% Widowed +4.1 pts ▸ 7.1%

5.4% Separated +1.7 pts ▸ 7.1%

Age & sex structure

Meekatharra Sandstone

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Country of birth

61.0% Australia ◂ +10.5 pts 50.5%

2.8% New Zealand +0.8 pts ▸ 3.7%

2.1% England +0.7 pts ▸ 2.8%

1.3% Philippines ◂ +1.3 pts 0.0%

0.8% India ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%

0.8% China ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%

0.4% South Africa ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%

0.3% Italy ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%

0.0% Vietnam even 0.0%

0.0% Nepal even 0.0%

Ancestry

19.7% English +11.5 pts ▸ 31.2%

17.4% Australian +11.9 pts ▸ 29.4%

5.0% Irish +6.0 pts ▸ 11.0%

4.4% Scottish +3.8 pts ▸ 8.3%

2.6% German ◂ +2.6 pts 0.0%

1.7% Chinese ◂ +1.7 pts 0.0%

1.5% Filipino ◂ +1.5 pts 0.0%

1.1% Italian ◂ +1.1 pts 0.0%

0.7% Indian ◂ +0.7 pts 0.0%

0.3% Greek ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%

0.3% Dutch ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%

0.0% Vietnamese even 0.0%

Language

Language used at home

60.9% English only +0.6 pts ▸ 61.5%

0.9% Mandarin ◂ +0.9 pts 0.0%

0.5% Tagalog ◂ +0.5 pts 0.0%

0.3% Cantonese ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%

0.3% Italian ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%

0.0% Arabic even 0.0%

0.0% Vietnamese even 0.0%

0.0% Punjabi even 0.0%

0.0% Greek even 0.0%

0.0% Hindi even 0.0%

Religion

Religious affiliation

37.0% No religion ◂ +5.8 pts 31.2%

30.4% Not stated +6.3 pts ▸ 36.7%

30.8% Christianity +2.2 pts ▸ 33.0%

1.1% Other religions ◂ +1.1 pts 0.0%

0.6% Buddhism ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%

0.3% Islam ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%

0.3% Hinduism ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%

0.0% Judaism even 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Schools in Meekatharra in Sandstone

3 21st pct —

Schools/1k kids in Meekatharra in Sandstone

17.05 92nd pct —

Students in Meekatharra in Sandstone

154 14th pct —

Avg size in Meekatharra in Sandstone

51 8th pct —

ICSEA in Meekatharra in Sandstone

628 0th pct —

Highest year of school

29.9% Year 12 ◂ +4.2 pts 25.7%

22.6% Year 10 ◂ +4.0 pts 18.6%

10.1% Year 11 ◂ +3.0 pts 7.1%

9.6% Year 9 or below ◂ +5.1 pts 4.4%

Highest qualification level

23.9% Certificate III / IV ◂ +1.5 pts 22.4%

11.0% Bachelor degree +0.9 pts ▸ 11.8%

6.8% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +1.5 pts 5.3%

2.6% Postgraduate degree ◂ +2.6 pts 0.0%

2.1% Certificate I / II ◂ +2.1 pts 0.0%

0.6% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%

Field of qualification

14.7% Engineering & related +2.4 pts ▸ 17.1%

2.3% Agriculture & environment +9.6 pts ▸ 11.8%

3.1% Health +4.8 pts ▸ 7.9%

6.1% Management & commerce +0.4 pts ▸ 6.6%

5.5% Society & culture ◂ +5.5 pts 0.0%

4.8% Education +0.4 pts ▸ 5.3%

4.0% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +4.0 pts 0.0%

2.6% Architecture & building ◂ +2.6 pts 0.0%

2.1% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +2.1 pts 0.0%

1.8% Creative arts ◂ +1.8 pts 0.0%

0.8% Information technology ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%

Income

Personal income in Meekatharra in Sandstone +$335 higher in Meekatharra gap narrowing

$1,010 86th pct $675 33rd pct

Household income in Meekatharra in Sandstone +$294 higher in Meekatharra gap widening

$1,243 30th pct $949 6th pct

Family income in Meekatharra in Sandstone +$541 higher in Sandstone gap narrowing

$1,292 12th pct $1,833 54th pct

Household income distribution

27.5% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +11.3 pts 16.3%

25.7% $650–$1,499 ◂ +2.5 pts 23.3%

22.1% Under $650 ◂ +1.2 pts 20.9%

5.1% $3,000–$3,999 +1.9 pts ▸ 7.0%

2.5% $4,000 or more ◂ +2.5 pts 0.0%

Personal income distribution

27.4% Under $650 +6.2 pts ▸ 33.6%

18.6% $650–$1,499 +8.0 pts ▸ 26.5%

19.4% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +12.3 pts 7.1%

4.2% $3,000 or more ◂ +4.2 pts 0.0%

Health & Disability

Long-term health conditions reported

3.6% Arthritis +7.4 pts ▸ 11.0%

4.3% Heart disease +4.9 pts ▸ 9.2%

6.3% Diabetes +2.0 pts ▸ 8.3%

4.7% Asthma ◂ +0.1 pts 4.6%

1.8% Lung condition +2.8 pts ▸ 4.6%

4.4% Mental health ◂ +0.7 pts 3.7%

3.3% Other condition ◂ +3.3 pts 0.0%

1.3% Cancer ◂ +1.3 pts 0.0%

0.5% Stroke ◂ +0.5 pts 0.0%

0.4% Dementia ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%

Number of long-term health conditions

56.0% None ◂ +11.0 pts 45.0%

12.6% One condition ◂ +1.6 pts 11.0%

3.1% Two conditions +6.1 pts ▸ 9.2%

2.4% Three or more +0.3 pts ▸ 2.8%

Community Participation

First Nations

First Nations people in Meekatharra in Sandstone +449 larger in Meekatharra

449 46th pct 0 0th pct

Median age in Meekatharra in Sandstone +19 yrs older in Meekatharra

25 yrs 50th pct 6 yrs 0th pct

Median income in Meekatharra in Sandstone

$379 10th pct —

Household income in Meekatharra in Sandstone

$1,010 14th pct —

Family & Households

Household size in Meekatharra in Sandstone +0.9 larger in Meekatharra gap widening

2.4 43rd pct 1.5 0th pct

Family composition

26.5% Couples without children +73.5 pts ▸ 100.0%

39.0% Couples with children ◂ +39.0 pts 0.0%

29.3% One-parent families ◂ +29.3 pts 0.0%

4.8% Other families ◂ +4.8 pts 0.0%

Household size

37.3% 1 person +13.8 pts ▸ 51.2%

28.6% 2 people +6.3 pts ▸ 34.9%

14.9% 3 people ◂ +14.9 pts 0.0%

8.0% 4 people ◂ +8.0 pts 0.0%

6.9% 6 or more ◂ +6.9 pts 0.0%

5.1% 5 people ◂ +5.1 pts 0.0%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Meekatharra in Sandstone +$45 higher in Meekatharra

$115 7th pct $70 0th pct

Mortgage in Meekatharra in Sandstone +$867 higher in Sandstone gap narrowing

$650 5th pct $1,517 57th pct

People / bedroom in Meekatharra in Sandstone +0.30 higher in Meekatharra gap widening

0.90 86th pct 0.60 0th pct

How homes are owned or rented

49.6% Rented ◂ +42.7 pts 7.0%

25.7% Owned outright +16.1 pts ▸ 41.9%

11.6% Other tenure +11.7 pts ▸ 23.3%

8.3% Not stated ◂ +1.4 pts 7.0%

5.1% Owned with a mortgage +1.9 pts ▸ 7.0%

Types of homes

78.6% Separate house +0.4 pts ▸ 79.1%

3.6% Other dwelling +12.7 pts ▸ 16.3%

6.5% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +6.5 pts 0.0%

4.0% Flat or apartment ◂ +4.0 pts 0.0%

Bedrooms per home

50.7% 3 bedrooms ◂ +6.5 pts 44.2%

13.0% 2 bedrooms +14.9 pts ▸ 27.9%

9.4% 1 bedroom +9.2 pts ▸ 18.6%

15.6% 4 bedrooms ◂ +8.6 pts 7.0%

3.6% 5 or more ◂ +3.6 pts 0.0%

1.8% Studio / none ◂ +1.8 pts 0.0%

Weekly rent distribution

67.2% Under $200 ◂ +67.2 pts 0.0%

10.9% $200–$349 ◂ +10.9 pts 0.0%

0.0% $350–$549 even 0.0%

0.0% $550–$749 even 0.0%

0.0% $750 or more even 0.0%

Monthly mortgage distribution

71.4% Under $1,000 ◂ +71.4 pts 0.0%

0.0% $1,000–$1,799 even 0.0%

0.0% $1,800–$2,999 even 0.0%

0.0% $3,000 or more even 0.0%

Transport & Vehicles

PT stops in Meekatharra in Sandstone +2 more in Meekatharra

2 24th pct 0 0th pct

Stops/1k in Meekatharra in Sandstone +1.67 more in Meekatharra

1.67 35th pct 0.00 0th pct

Departures/1k in Meekatharra in Sandstone +3.3 more in Meekatharra

3.3 20th pct 0.0 0th pct

PT routes in Meekatharra in Sandstone +1 more in Meekatharra

1 29th pct 0 0th pct

How people get to work

36.2% Car (driver) ◂ +15.8 pts 20.5%

18.6% Walked +1.8 pts ▸ 20.5%

5.4% Worked at home +15.1 pts ▸ 20.5%

9.7% Bus ◂ +9.7 pts 0.0%

0.0% Bicycle +9.1 pts ▸ 9.1%

6.4% Car (passenger) ◂ +6.4 pts 0.0%

0.0% Train even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

23.6% 2 vehicles +28.9 pts ▸ 52.5%

40.6% 1 vehicle ◂ +8.1 pts 32.5%

8.7% 4 or more +13.8 pts ▸ 22.5%

18.1% No vehicle ◂ +18.1 pts 0.0%

7.5% 3 vehicles +2.5 pts ▸ 10.0%

Migration & Movement

Jobs & Industry

Industries people work in

5.8% Public administration & safety +32.8 pts ▸ 38.6%

30.4% Mining ◂ +19.1 pts 11.4%

9.1% Agriculture, forestry & fishing +20.4 pts ▸ 29.5%

3.7% Construction +9.9 pts ▸ 13.6%

13.5% Education & training ◂ +13.5 pts 0.0%

11.8% Accommodation & food ◂ +11.8 pts 0.0%

7.0% Health care & social assistance ◂ +7.0 pts 0.0%

6.4% Retail trade ◂ +6.4 pts 0.0%

3.3% Transport & warehousing ◂ +3.3 pts 0.0%

2.5% Administrative & support ◂ +2.5 pts 0.0%

2.1% Other services ◂ +2.1 pts 0.0%

1.0% Professional & technical ◂ +1.0 pts 0.0%

Occupations people work in

15.5% Managers +7.2 pts ▸ 22.7%

18.0% Machinery operators & drivers +0.2 pts ▸ 18.2%

12.4% Labourers +5.8 pts ▸ 18.2%

17.6% Technicians & trades ◂ +10.8 pts 6.8%

12.4% Professionals ◂ +12.4 pts 0.0%

9.7% Community & personal service +1.6 pts ▸ 11.4%

7.9% Clerical & administrative ◂ +1.0 pts 6.8%

3.7% Sales workers ◂ +3.7 pts 0.0%

Economy & Advantage

IRSAD decile in Meekatharra in Sandstone +1 higher in Sandstone

1 0th pct 2 14th pct

IRSD decile in Meekatharra in Sandstone +3 higher in Sandstone

1 0th pct 4 36th pct

IER decile in Meekatharra in Sandstone +2 higher in Sandstone

1 0th pct 3 29th pct

IEO decile in Meekatharra in Sandstone +1 higher in Meekatharra

2 14th pct 1 0th pct

IRSAD score in Meekatharra in Sandstone +35 higher in Sandstone

871 12th pct 906 19th pct

ERP in Meekatharra in Sandstone +1,174 higher in Meekatharra

1,292 15th pct 118 0th pct

Growth in Meekatharra in Sandstone

0.4% 17th pct —

Businesses in Meekatharra in Sandstone +38 higher in Meekatharra

52 5th pct 14 1st pct

Approvals in Meekatharra in Sandstone +1 higher in Sandstone

0 0th pct 1 7th pct

Environment & Climate

Rainfall in Meekatharra in Sandstone +4 higher in Sandstone

188 1st pct 192 2nd pct

Max temp in Meekatharra in Sandstone +2.8 higher in Meekatharra

32.3 92nd pct 29.5 83rd pct

Min temp in Meekatharra in Sandstone +2.7 higher in Meekatharra

16.6 87th pct 14.0 75th pct

Walkability

Walk score in Meekatharra in Sandstone +2.5 higher in Meekatharra

3.2 34th pct 0.6 1st pct

Types ≤15 min in Meekatharra in Sandstone +3.1 more in Meekatharra

3.9 47th pct 0.7 0th pct

15-min city in Meekatharra in Sandstone +52.5 pts higher in Meekatharra

52.5% 57th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Walk to shops in Meekatharra in Sandstone +77.0 pts higher in Meekatharra

77.0% 82nd pct 0.0% 0th pct

Walk to transit in Meekatharra in Sandstone +37.6 pts higher in Meekatharra

37.6% 45th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Walk to school in Meekatharra in Sandstone +52.7 pts higher in Meekatharra

52.7% 46th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Walk to a park in Meekatharra in Sandstone +48.1 pts higher in Meekatharra

72.1% 54th pct 24.0% 8th pct

Walk to health in Meekatharra in Sandstone +52.4 pts higher in Meekatharra

52.4% 73rd pct 0.0% 0th pct

Amenities/1k in Meekatharra in Sandstone +37.6 more in Sandstone

26.7 69th pct 64.2 91st pct

Intersections/km² in Meekatharra in Sandstone even

0 0th pct 0 0th pct

Mean slope in Meekatharra in Sandstone +1.1 pts higher in Sandstone

3.0% 17th pct 4.1% 40th pct

Compare Meekatharra with nearby areas

Cue Upper Gascoyne Murchison Wiluna Mount Magnet Sandstone Ashburton Leonora

Compare Sandstone with nearby areas

Mount Magnet Cue Leonora Mount Marshall Mukinbudin Yalgoo Westonia Koorda

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Meekatharra vs Sandstone [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/lga/LGA55250/meekatharra/vs/LGA57630/sandstone