Compare
Cape York vs Torres Strait Islands
Statistical Area 2 (SA2) comparison ≈ 482 km apart · Cape York profile · Torres Strait Islands profile
Cape York Torres Strait Islands
Torres Strait Islands and Cape York are two distant parts of Queensland with very different social profiles. Torres Strait Islands is far more likely to be First Nations, with 90.6% of the population compared to 47.1% in Cape York. It is also a much younger place, with a typical resident aged 27 and a far higher share of children under 15 (32.3% against 22.0% in Cape York). Language diversity is also much more common in Torres Strait Islands, where 86.2% of people use another language at home, compared to 24.0% in Cape York.
Both areas share a very similar typical weekly rent of $130 and an unemployment rate around 11.8%. While they are alike in these areas, other gaps are shifting. The difference in the number of people using another language at home has widened since 2011, as has the gap in those who own their homes outright, which is far higher in Cape York. In contrast, the gap in the typical age of residents has narrowed over the same period.
Where they differ most
Demographics & Identity
Population
in Cape Yorkin Torres Strait Islands
7,803
39th pct
4,124
17th pct
- First area, 2011: 7,054
- First area, 2016: 7,513
- First area, 2021: 7,803
- Second area, 2011: 4,248
- Second area, 2016: 4,514
- Second area, 2021: 4,124
Median age
in Cape Yorkin Torres Strait Islands
35 yrs
21st pct
27 yrs
0th pct
- First area, 2011: 33 yrs
- First area, 2016: 34 yrs
- First area, 2021: 35 yrs
- Second area, 2011: 23 yrs
- Second area, 2016: 24 yrs
- Second area, 2021: 27 yrs
Age structure
22.0%
Children (0–14)
+10.4 pts ▸
32.3%
26.7%
Young adults (25–44)
+1.5 pts ▸
28.2%
26.0%
Older adults (45–64)
◂ +7.1 pts
18.9%
12.0%
Youth (15–24)
+1.6 pts ▸
13.6%
13.3%
Seniors (65+)
◂ +6.3 pts
7.0%
Marital status
59.3%
Never married
+9.9 pts ▸
69.3%
24.8%
Married
◂ +2.5 pts
22.4%
8.9%
Divorced
◂ +6.8 pts
2.1%
3.9%
Widowed
+0.6 pts ▸
4.5%
3.0%
Separated
◂ +1.5 pts
1.6%
Age & sex structure
Cape York
Torres Strait Islands
Bars show the share of each area's own population, so differently sized areas stay comparable.
- 85+ in Cape York: 0.2% males, 0.3% females; 85+ in Torres Strait Islands: 0.1% males, 0.1% females
- 80–84 in Cape York: 0.8% males, 0.4% females; 80–84 in Torres Strait Islands: 0.2% males, 0.2% females
- 75–79 in Cape York: 1.4% males, 0.9% females; 75–79 in Torres Strait Islands: 0.5% males, 0.6% females
- 70–74 in Cape York: 2.6% males, 1.6% females; 70–74 in Torres Strait Islands: 0.9% males, 0.9% females
- 65–69 in Cape York: 2.7% males, 2.5% females; 65–69 in Torres Strait Islands: 1.3% males, 1.6% females
- 60–64 in Cape York: 3.4% males, 3.5% females; 60–64 in Torres Strait Islands: 2.0% males, 2.1% females
- 55–59 in Cape York: 3.5% males, 2.7% females; 55–59 in Torres Strait Islands: 2.2% males, 2.3% females
- 50–54 in Cape York: 3.7% males, 3.3% females; 50–54 in Torres Strait Islands: 3.0% males, 2.3% females
- 45–49 in Cape York: 3.0% males, 2.8% females; 45–49 in Torres Strait Islands: 2.4% males, 2.5% females
- 40–44 in Cape York: 3.5% males, 2.8% females; 40–44 in Torres Strait Islands: 3.3% males, 3.2% females
- 35–39 in Cape York: 2.9% males, 3.0% females; 35–39 in Torres Strait Islands: 3.1% males, 3.2% females
- 30–34 in Cape York: 3.7% males, 4.0% females; 30–34 in Torres Strait Islands: 3.3% males, 4.1% females
- 25–29 in Cape York: 3.5% males, 3.3% females; 25–29 in Torres Strait Islands: 3.7% males, 4.6% females
- 20–24 in Cape York: 3.0% males, 2.9% females; 20–24 in Torres Strait Islands: 3.3% males, 3.9% females
- 15–19 in Cape York: 2.9% males, 3.1% females; 15–19 in Torres Strait Islands: 3.7% males, 2.9% females
- 10–14 in Cape York: 3.5% males, 3.4% females; 10–14 in Torres Strait Islands: 4.8% males, 4.1% females
- 5–9 in Cape York: 4.4% males, 3.8% females; 5–9 in Torres Strait Islands: 6.3% males, 6.2% females
- 0–4 in Cape York: 3.5% males, 3.5% females; 0–4 in Torres Strait Islands: 5.4% males, 5.5% females
Ancestry & Birthplace
Country of birth
75.8%
Australia
+14.9 pts ▸
90.8%
1.6%
England
◂ +1.4 pts
0.2%
1.5%
New Zealand
◂ +1.3 pts
0.2%
0.4%
South Africa
◂ +0.4 pts
0.0%
0.3%
Philippines
◂ +0.3 pts
0.0%
0.2%
Vietnam
◂ +0.2 pts
0.0%
0.1%
India
◂ +0.1 pts
0.0%
0.1%
Italy
◂ +0.1 pts
0.0%
0.1%
China
◂ +0.1 pts
0.0%
0.0%
Nepal
even
0.0%
Ancestry
18.5%
Australian
◂ +16.3 pts
2.3%
18.3%
English
◂ +16.5 pts
1.8%
5.4%
Irish
◂ +4.9 pts
0.4%
4.6%
Scottish
◂ +3.8 pts
0.8%
3.1%
German
◂ +2.8 pts
0.4%
1.1%
Italian
◂ +1.1 pts
0.0%
0.8%
Dutch
◂ +0.6 pts
0.2%
0.8%
Filipino
◂ +0.6 pts
0.2%
0.5%
Chinese
◂ +0.5 pts
0.0%
0.2%
Indian
◂ +0.2 pts
0.0%
0.1%
Vietnamese
◂ +0.1 pts
0.0%
0.0%
Greek
even
0.0%
Language
Language used at home
60.7%
English only
◂ +54.3 pts
6.4%
0.2%
Mandarin
◂ +0.2 pts
0.0%
0.2%
Vietnamese
◂ +0.2 pts
0.0%
0.2%
Italian
◂ +0.2 pts
0.0%
0.0%
Greek
+0.1 pts ▸
0.1%
0.1%
Tagalog
◂ +0.1 pts
0.0%
0.0%
Arabic
even
0.0%
0.0%
Cantonese
even
0.0%
0.0%
Punjabi
even
0.0%
0.0%
Hindi
even
0.0%
Religion
Religious affiliation
46.7%
Christianity
+30.6 pts ▸
77.3%
33.6%
No religion
◂ +21.4 pts
12.2%
18.3%
Not stated
◂ +8.1 pts
10.3%
0.5%
Other religions
◂ +0.3 pts
0.2%
0.4%
Buddhism
◂ +0.4 pts
0.0%
0.1%
Hinduism
◂ +0.1 pts
0.0%
0.1%
Islam
◂ +0.1 pts
0.0%
0.0%
Judaism
even
0.0%
Education & Qualifications
Highest year of school
33.4%
Year 12
+14.3 pts ▸
47.7%
23.6%
Year 10
◂ +6.6 pts
17.1%
13.6%
Year 9 or below
+1.6 pts ▸
15.1%
10.5%
Year 11
+0.9 pts ▸
11.4%
Highest qualification level
32.1%
Certificate III / IV
+11.5 pts ▸
43.6%
4.3%
Certificate I / II
+8.5 pts ▸
12.8%
11.0%
Bachelor degree
◂ +6.1 pts
4.9%
9.4%
Advanced diploma / diploma
even
9.4%
2.3%
Postgraduate degree
◂ +1.8 pts
0.5%
2.1%
Graduate diploma / certificate
◂ +0.2 pts
2.0%
Field of qualification
8.1%
Management & commerce
+7.6 pts ▸
15.7%
12.6%
Engineering & related
◂ +1.6 pts
11.0%
7.5%
Education
+3.5 pts ▸
11.0%
6.1%
Architecture & building
+4.3 pts ▸
10.4%
7.4%
Society & culture
+2.1 pts ▸
9.5%
7.6%
Health
+0.2 pts ▸
7.8%
4.5%
Agriculture & environment
◂ +1.9 pts
2.6%
4.1%
Food, hospitality & personal services
◂ +0.1 pts
4.0%
1.8%
Creative arts
+1.1 pts ▸
2.8%
1.5%
Natural & physical sciences
◂ +1.3 pts
0.3%
0.5%
Information technology
◂ +0.3 pts
0.2%
Income
Personal income
in Cape Yorkin Torres Strait Islands
$520
5th pct
$411
0th pct
- First area, 2011: $371
- First area, 2016: $447
- First area, 2021: $520
- Second area, 2011: $313
- Second area, 2016: $373
- Second area, 2021: $411
Household income
in Cape Yorkin Torres Strait Islands
$1,063
6th pct
$976
2nd pct
- First area, 2011: $867
- First area, 2016: $961
- First area, 2021: $1,063
- Second area, 2011: $853
- Second area, 2016: $929
- Second area, 2021: $976
Family income
in Cape Yorkin Torres Strait Islands
$1,253
4th pct
$923
0th pct
- First area, 2011: $906
- First area, 2016: $1,055
- First area, 2021: $1,253
- Second area, 2011: $785
- Second area, 2016: $856
- Second area, 2021: $923
Household income distribution
29.9%
$650–$1,499
+7.9 pts ▸
37.8%
25.6%
Under $650
+1.8 pts ▸
27.4%
21.2%
$1,500–$2,999
even
21.2%
5.1%
$3,000–$3,999
◂ +1.9 pts
3.2%
3.7%
$4,000 or more
◂ +1.9 pts
1.8%
Personal income distribution
45.4%
Under $650
+19.9 pts ▸
65.3%
21.9%
$650–$1,499
◂ +1.8 pts
20.1%
9.3%
$1,500–$2,999
◂ +4.6 pts
4.8%
1.6%
$3,000 or more
◂ +0.9 pts
0.7%
Health & Disability
Long-term health conditions reported
5.8%
Diabetes
+3.2 pts ▸
8.9%
4.6%
Other condition
◂ +1.6 pts
3.0%
4.5%
Arthritis
◂ +2.4 pts
2.1%
3.9%
Mental health
◂ +3.1 pts
0.8%
3.8%
Asthma
◂ +0.2 pts
3.6%
3.5%
Heart disease
◂ +0.7 pts
2.8%
1.7%
Cancer
◂ +1.3 pts
0.4%
1.4%
Lung condition
◂ +1.0 pts
0.4%
0.7%
Stroke
◂ +0.4 pts
0.3%
0.3%
Dementia
◂ +0.1 pts
0.3%
Number of long-term health conditions
62.0%
None
+13.1 pts ▸
75.1%
13.7%
One condition
◂ +0.2 pts
13.5%
3.4%
Two conditions
◂ +1.1 pts
2.3%
1.7%
Three or more
◂ +1.0 pts
0.7%
Community Participation
First Nations
Family & Households
Household size
in Cape Yorkin Torres Strait Islands
2.7
71st pct
3.5
100th pct
- First area, 2011: 2.8
- First area, 2016: 2.8
- First area, 2021: 2.7
- Second area, 2011: 3.7
- Second area, 2016: 3.8
- Second area, 2021: 3.5
Family composition
49.1%
Couples with children
+6.5 pts ▸
55.6%
26.1%
One-parent families
+7.2 pts ▸
33.3%
21.5%
Couples without children
◂ +11.8 pts
9.7%
3.2%
Other families
◂ +1.7 pts
1.5%
Household size
30.9%
1 person
◂ +9.6 pts
21.2%
28.5%
2 people
◂ +7.9 pts
20.6%
8.2%
6 or more
+10.8 pts ▸
19.1%
14.1%
3 people
+0.3 pts ▸
14.4%
11.6%
4 people
+2.5 pts ▸
14.0%
7.3%
5 people
+3.7 pts ▸
11.0%
Housing & Dwellings
$130
0th pct
$130
0th pct
- First area, 2011: $100
- First area, 2016: $120
- First area, 2021: $130
- Second area, 2011: $60
- Second area, 2016: $115
- Second area, 2021: $130
Mortgage
in Cape Yorkin Torres Strait Islands
$1,286
14th pct
—
- First area, 2011: $1,047
- First area, 2016: $1,247
- First area, 2021: $1,286
People / bedroom
in Cape Yorkin Torres Strait Islands
1.10
95th pct
1.00
90th pct
- First area, 2011: 1.30
- First area, 2016: 1.10
- First area, 2021: 1.10
- Second area, 2011: 1.30
- Second area, 2016: 1.10
- Second area, 2021: 1.00
How homes are owned or rented
51.9%
Rented
+37.5 pts ▸
89.4%
24.6%
Owned outright
◂ +18.4 pts
6.2%
12.5%
Owned with a mortgage
◂ +12.2 pts
0.3%
5.8%
Other tenure
◂ +3.0 pts
2.8%
5.4%
Not stated
◂ +3.7 pts
1.8%
Types of homes
85.1%
Separate house
+9.2 pts ▸
94.3%
6.1%
Other dwelling
◂ +5.6 pts
0.5%
5.2%
Townhouse / semi-detached
◂ +2.1 pts
3.2%
2.0%
Flat or apartment
◂ +1.5 pts
0.5%
Bedrooms per home
34.5%
3 bedrooms
◂ +3.8 pts
30.7%
16.0%
4 bedrooms
+15.1 pts ▸
31.2%
24.9%
2 bedrooms
◂ +12.8 pts
12.1%
3.1%
5 or more
+19.5 pts ▸
22.6%
12.4%
1 bedroom
◂ +10.5 pts
1.9%
4.2%
Studio / none
◂ +3.5 pts
0.7%
Weekly rent distribution
69.9%
Under $200
+23.3 pts ▸
93.3%
13.9%
$200–$349
◂ +10.8 pts
3.1%
6.1%
$350–$549
◂ +6.1 pts
0.0%
0.6%
$750 or more
◂ +0.6 pts
0.0%
0.4%
$550–$749
◂ +0.4 pts
0.0%
Monthly mortgage distribution
33.1%
$1,000–$1,799
◂ +33.1 pts
0.0%
31.4%
Under $1,000
◂ +31.4 pts
0.0%
18.8%
$1,800–$2,999
◂ +18.8 pts
0.0%
3.1%
$3,000 or more
◂ +3.1 pts
0.0%
Transport & Vehicles
How people get to work
48.7%
Car (driver)
◂ +23.7 pts
25.0%
16.1%
Walked
+29.6 pts ▸
45.7%
9.1%
Car (passenger)
+1.0 pts ▸
10.0%
7.1%
Worked at home
◂ +5.1 pts
2.1%
2.8%
Bus
◂ +1.6 pts
1.2%
0.5%
Bicycle
+0.3 pts ▸
0.8%
0.0%
Train
even
0.0%
Motor vehicles per home
17.4%
No vehicle
+36.3 pts ▸
53.7%
40.7%
1 vehicle
◂ +7.1 pts
33.6%
27.5%
2 vehicles
◂ +17.7 pts
9.8%
9.3%
3 vehicles
◂ +6.9 pts
2.4%
5.0%
4 or more
◂ +4.4 pts
0.6%
Migration & Movement
Jobs & Industry
Industries people work in
17.8%
Public administration & safety
+16.2 pts ▸
34.1%
9.5%
Education & training
+11.1 pts ▸
20.6%
13.4%
Health care & social assistance
◂ +1.5 pts
11.9%
10.5%
Agriculture, forestry & fishing
◂ +8.6 pts
2.0%
9.3%
Accommodation & food
◂ +6.6 pts
2.7%
6.6%
Retail trade
+2.3 pts ▸
8.9%
7.9%
Construction
◂ +2.9 pts
4.9%
3.9%
Mining
◂ +3.4 pts
0.5%
2.7%
Arts & recreation
+1.0 pts ▸
3.6%
3.1%
Administrative & support
◂ +1.1 pts
2.1%
3.1%
Other services
◂ +3.1 pts
0.0%
1.9%
Professional & technical
◂ +1.0 pts
0.9%
Occupations people work in
17.7%
Professionals
+2.9 pts ▸
20.6%
13.8%
Community & personal service
+4.2 pts ▸
18.0%
14.3%
Labourers
+0.7 pts ▸
15.0%
14.9%
Managers
◂ +2.7 pts
12.2%
10.5%
Clerical & administrative
+1.3 pts ▸
11.7%
10.6%
Technicians & trades
◂ +2.5 pts
8.1%
8.3%
Machinery operators & drivers
◂ +5.5 pts
2.8%
5.2%
Sales workers
+2.9 pts ▸
8.1%
Economy & Advantage
Environment & Climate
Walkability
Compare Cape York with nearby areas
Compare Torres Strait Islands with nearby areas
Cite this page
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Cape York vs Torres Strait Islands [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sa2/315011396/cape-york/vs/315011402/torres-strait-islands