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Poruma Island vs Saibai Island

Suburb / Locality comparison ≈ 84 km apart · Poruma Island profile · Saibai Island profile

Poruma Island Saibai Island

Saibai Island and Poruma Island are two distinct communities in the Torres Strait. Saibai Island is much younger, with 37.9% of its people under 15, compared to 23.8% in Poruma Island. There are also significant differences in employment; the unemployment rate is far higher in Saibai Island at 43.1%, while it is just 4.4% in Poruma Island. Poruma Island sees more people completing Year 12 (57.9% versus 47.7%) and has a higher typical weekly household income of $1,399, which is well higher than the $922 seen in Saibai Island.

Both islands have tracked similarly since 2011, remaining as small, residential areas where very few people work from home or use public transport. They are alike in their strong First Nations presence and the prevalence of people using other languages at home. Both areas also sit far below the national figure for typical household incomes and the number of homes owned outright.

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Where they differ most

Population: 176 larger in Saibai Island Housework 15h+: 38.4 pts higher in Poruma Island Unemployment: 38.7 pts higher in Saibai Island Participation: 27.1 pts higher in Poruma Island 3+ bedrooms: 16.9 pts higher in Poruma Island

Demographics & Identity

Population in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +176 larger in Saibai Island gap narrowing
164 49th pct 340 60th pct
Median age in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +6 yrs older in Poruma Island gap widening
31 yrs 7th pct 25 yrs 0th pct
First Nations in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +8.3 pts higher in Poruma Island gap narrowing
93.9% 100th pct 85.6% 100th pct
Aged 65+ in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +0.7 pts higher in Saibai Island gap narrowing
4.3% 6th pct 5.0% 8th pct
Under 15 in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +14.2 pts higher in Saibai Island gap widening
23.8% 86th pct 37.9% 100th pct
De facto in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +8.5 pts higher in Poruma Island gap steady
24.3% 93rd pct 15.8% 74th pct

Age structure

42.7% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +15.3 pts 27.4%
23.8% Children (0–14) +14.2 pts ▸ 37.9%
12.2% Older adults (45–64) +3.7 pts ▸ 15.9%
10.4% Youth (15–24) +2.0 pts ▸ 12.4%
4.3% Seniors (65+) +0.7 pts ▸ 5.0%

Marital status

75.8% Never married ◂ +9.8 pts 66.0%
19.4% Married +7.9 pts ▸ 27.3%
3.2% Divorced ◂ +3.2 pts 0.0%
3.2% Widowed ◂ +0.8 pts 2.4%
0.0% Separated +2.4 pts ▸ 2.4%

Age & sex structure

Poruma Island Saibai Island

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Born overseas in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +10.9 pts higher in Saibai Island gap widening
0.0% 0th pct 10.9% 48th pct

Country of birth

98.8% Australia ◂ +17.6 pts 81.2%
0.0% England even 0.0%
0.0% India even 0.0%
0.0% China even 0.0%
0.0% New Zealand 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

6.7% Scottish ◂ +6.7 pts 0.0%
2.4% Irish ◂ +2.4 pts 0.0%
1.8% English +0.2 pts ▸ 2.1%
0.0% Australian even 0.0%
0.0% Chinese even 0.0%
0.0% Italian even 0.0%
0.0% German even 0.0%
0.0% Indian even 0.0%
0.0% Greek even 0.0%
0.0% Dutch even 0.0%
0.0% Filipino even 0.0%
0.0% Vietnamese even 0.0%

Language

Other language in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +4.5 pts higher in Poruma Island gap narrowing
93.3% 100th pct 88.8% 100th pct
Limited English in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +1.1 pts higher in Saibai Island gap narrowing
11.0% 100th pct 12.1% 100th pct

Language used at home

3.0% English only +3.4 pts ▸ 6.5%
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% Greek 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 Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +11.2 pts higher in Saibai Island gap widening
0.0% 0th pct 11.2% 1st pct

Religious affiliation

98.2% Christianity ◂ +27.6 pts 70.6%
3.7% Not stated +12.8 pts ▸ 16.5%
0.0% No religion +11.2 pts ▸ 11.2%
0.0% Islam even 0.0%
0.0% Hinduism even 0.0%
0.0% Buddhism even 0.0%
0.0% Judaism even 0.0%
0.0% Other religions even 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +10.1 pts higher in Poruma Island gap narrowing
57.9% 76th pct 47.7% 57th pct
Bachelor+ in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +0.9 pts higher in Saibai Island gap narrowing
4.8% 11th pct 5.7% 14th pct
Schools ≤3 km in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island even
0 0th pct 0 0th pct

Highest year of school

57.9% Year 12 ◂ +10.1 pts 47.7%
10.7% Year 9 or below +7.5 pts ▸ 18.3%
14.9% Year 10 +0.9 pts ▸ 15.7%
9.9% Year 11 ◂ +0.3 pts 9.6%

Highest qualification level

58.6% Certificate III / IV ◂ +29.0 pts 29.7%
14.9% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +0.5 pts 14.4%
10.3% Certificate I / II ◂ +1.9 pts 8.5%
3.4% Bachelor degree +6.7 pts ▸ 10.2%
3.4% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +3.4 pts 0.0%
0.0% Postgraduate degree even 0.0%

Field of qualification

23.0% Education ◂ +12.0 pts 11.0%
19.5% Management & commerce ◂ +9.4 pts 10.2%
14.9% Architecture & building ◂ +7.3 pts 7.6%
11.5% Engineering & related ◂ +7.3 pts 4.2%
3.4% Society & culture +5.0 pts ▸ 8.5%
8.0% Health ◂ +0.4 pts 7.6%
3.4% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +0.9 pts 2.5%
0.0% Natural & physical sciences even 0.0%
0.0% Information technology even 0.0%
0.0% Agriculture & environment even 0.0%
0.0% Creative arts even 0.0%

Income

Personal income in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +$154 higher in Poruma Island gap widening
$559 19th pct $405 4th pct
Household income in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +$477 higher in Poruma Island gap widening
$1,399 40th pct $922 10th pct
Family income in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +$480 higher in Poruma Island gap widening
$1,292 14th pct $812 1st pct
High earners in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +2.9 pts higher in Poruma Island gap widening
4.8% 30th pct 1.9% 20th pct
High-income homes in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island even gap steady
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Household income distribution

44.4% $650–$1,499 +1.0 pts ▸ 45.5%
28.9% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +18.5 pts 10.4%
20.0% Under $650 +4.7 pts ▸ 24.7%
0.0% $3,000–$3,999 even 0.0%
0.0% $4,000 or more even 0.0%

Personal income distribution

53.2% Under $650 +14.7 pts ▸ 67.9%
29.8% $650–$1,499 ◂ +10.7 pts 19.1%
4.8% $3,000 or more ◂ +4.8 pts 0.0%
3.2% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +1.3 pts 1.9%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +3.2 pts higher in Poruma Island
17.1% 10th pct 13.8% 6th pct
Mental health in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +0.9 pts higher in Saibai Island
0.0% 0th pct 0.9% 5th pct
Needs assistance in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +6.2 pts higher in Saibai Island gap widening
0.0% 0th pct 6.2% 67th pct

Long-term health conditions reported

10.4% Diabetes ◂ +0.7 pts 9.7%
4.3% Heart disease ◂ +4.3 pts 0.0%
3.0% Asthma +1.1 pts ▸ 4.1%
3.7% Arthritis ◂ +3.7 pts 0.0%
0.0% Other condition +2.6 pts ▸ 2.6%
0.0% Cancer +1.8 pts ▸ 1.8%
0.0% Mental health +0.9 pts ▸ 0.9%
0.0% Dementia even 0.0%
0.0% Lung condition even 0.0%
0.0% Stroke even 0.0%

Number of long-term health conditions

81.7% None ◂ +12.6 pts 69.1%
14.0% One condition ◂ +1.4 pts 12.6%
5.5% Two conditions ◂ +4.6 pts 0.9%
0.0% Three or more +1.8 pts ▸ 1.8%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +1.8 pts higher in Saibai Island gap narrowing
22.6% 69th pct 24.4% 74th pct
Unpaid carers in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +0.2 pts higher in Poruma Island gap narrowing
14.5% 69th pct 14.4% 67th pct
Unpaid child care in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +7.4 pts higher in Poruma Island gap widening
50.0% 100th pct 42.6% 96th pct
Defence service in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +5.0 pts higher in Poruma Island
11.5% 99th pct 6.4% 88th pct
Housework 15h+ in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +38.4 pts higher in Poruma Island gap widening
53.2% 100th pct 14.8% 12th pct

First Nations

First Nations people in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +137 larger in Saibai Island
154 86th pct 291 86th pct
Median age in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +11 yrs older in Poruma Island
31 yrs 66th pct 20 yrs 25th pct
Year 12 in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +5.6 pts higher in Poruma Island
56.5% 82nd pct 50.9% 73rd pct
Unemployment in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +35.5 pts higher in Saibai Island
4.5% 26th pct 40.0% 100th pct
Median income in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +$145 higher in Poruma Island
$555 40th pct $410 18th pct
Household income in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +$464 higher in Poruma Island
$1,375 35th pct $911 15th pct
Indigenous language in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +4.0 pts higher in Poruma Island
96.1% 100th pct 92.1% 100th pct

Family & Households

Household size in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +0.3 larger in Saibai Island gap narrowing
3.3 91st pct 3.6 96th pct
One-parent in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +2.1 pts higher in Saibai Island gap narrowing
40.7% 100th pct 42.8% 100th pct
Living alone in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +5.5 pts higher in Poruma Island gap widening
28.9% 68th pct 23.4% 49th pct

Family composition

42.9% Couples with children +9.1 pts ▸ 51.9%
40.7% One-parent families +2.1 pts ▸ 42.8%
10.0% Couples without children ◂ +6.1 pts 3.9%
2.1% Other families ◂ +2.1 pts 0.0%

Household size

28.9% 1 person ◂ +5.5 pts 23.4%
28.9% 4 people ◂ +13.3 pts 15.6%
20.0% 6 or more +6.0 pts ▸ 26.0%
24.4% 3 people ◂ +2.4 pts 22.1%
13.3% 2 people ◂ +2.9 pts 10.4%
11.1% 5 people ◂ +0.7 pts 10.4%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +$15 higher in Poruma Island gap widening
$130 10th pct $115 8th pct
People / bedroom in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +0.10 higher in Saibai Island gap steady
0.90 86th pct 1.00 89th pct
Renting in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +8.9 pts higher in Saibai Island gap narrowing
91.1% 100th pct 100.0% 100th pct
Owned outright in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +11.1 pts higher in Poruma Island gap widening
11.1% 3rd pct 0.0% 0th pct
Separate houses in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +9.1 pts higher in Poruma Island gap widening
100.0% 100th pct 90.9% 34th pct
3+ bedrooms in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +16.9 pts higher in Poruma Island gap widening
100.0% 100th pct 83.1% 60th pct

How homes are owned or rented

91.1% Rented +11.5 pts ▸ 102.6%
11.1% Owned outright ◂ +11.1 pts 0.0%
0.0% Owned with a mortgage even 0.0%
0.0% Other tenure even 0.0%
0.0% Not stated even 0.0%

Types of homes

100.0% Separate house ◂ +9.1 pts 90.9%
0.0% Townhouse / semi-detached +7.8 pts ▸ 7.8%
0.0% Flat or apartment even 0.0%
0.0% Other dwelling even 0.0%

Bedrooms per home

26.7% 4 bedrooms +21.4 pts ▸ 48.1%
46.7% 3 bedrooms ◂ +20.7 pts 26.0%
26.7% 5 or more ◂ +17.6 pts 9.1%
8.9% 2 bedrooms ◂ +5.0 pts 3.9%
0.0% Studio / none even 0.0%
0.0% 1 bedroom even 0.0%

Weekly rent distribution

85.4% Under $200 +14.6 pts ▸ 100.0%
0.0% $200–$349 even 0.0%
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 Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +2.2 pts higher in Saibai Island gap narrowing
51.1% 100th pct 53.3% 100th pct
Work from home in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island even gap steady
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
PT commute in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island even gap steady
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
PT stops in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island even
0 0th pct 0 0th pct
Stops/1k in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island even
0.00 0th pct 0.00 0th pct
Departures/1k in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island even
0.0 0th pct 0.0 0th pct
PT routes in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island even
0 0th pct 0 0th pct

How people get to work

83.3% Walked ◂ +46.1 pts 37.2%
12.1% Car (driver) +22.8 pts ▸ 34.9%
0.0% Car (passenger) +16.3 pts ▸ 16.3%
0.0% Train even 0.0%
0.0% Bus even 0.0%
0.0% Bicycle even 0.0%
0.0% Worked at home even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

51.1% No vehicle +2.2 pts ▸ 53.3%
51.1% 1 vehicle ◂ +21.8 pts 29.3%
0.0% 2 vehicles +5.3 pts ▸ 5.3%
0.0% 3 vehicles +4.0 pts ▸ 4.0%
0.0% 4 or more even 0.0%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +4.1 pts higher in Poruma Island gap widening
14.1% 9th pct 10.0% 4th pct
Recent arrivals in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island
— 0.0% 0th pct

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +38.7 pts higher in Saibai Island gap widening
4.4% 62nd pct 43.1% 100th pct
Participation in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +27.1 pts higher in Poruma Island gap widening
54.8% 32nd pct 27.8% 0th pct
Full-time in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +1.4 pts higher in Saibai Island gap narrowing
59.1% 55th pct 60.5% 62nd pct

Industries people work in

43.9% Public administration & safety ◂ +23.0 pts 20.9%
15.2% Education & training +8.1 pts ▸ 23.3%
19.7% Health care & social assistance ◂ +10.4 pts 9.3%
7.6% Retail trade +11.0 pts ▸ 18.6%
4.5% Construction ◂ +4.5 pts 0.0%
4.5% Arts & recreation ◂ +4.5 pts 0.0%
0.0% Agriculture, forestry & fishing even 0.0%
0.0% Mining even 0.0%
0.0% Manufacturing even 0.0%
0.0% Electricity, gas & water even 0.0%
0.0% Wholesale trade even 0.0%
0.0% Accommodation & food even 0.0%

Occupations people work in

13.6% Professionals +11.9 pts ▸ 25.6%
16.7% Community & personal service +1.9 pts ▸ 18.6%
18.2% Managers ◂ +6.6 pts 11.6%
18.2% Clerical & administrative ◂ +18.2 pts 0.0%
18.2% Labourers ◂ +18.2 pts 0.0%
10.6% Sales workers +1.0 pts ▸ 11.6%
6.1% Technicians & trades ◂ +6.1 pts 0.0%
0.0% Machinery operators & drivers even 0.0%

Walkability

Walk score in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +0.4 higher in Saibai Island
0.6 54th pct 1.0 59th pct
Types ≤15 min in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +0.5 more in Saibai Island
1.0 59th pct 1.5 62nd pct
15-min city in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to shops in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to transit in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to school in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to a park in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +80.4 pts higher in Saibai Island
0.0% 0th pct 80.4% 74th pct
Walk to health in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +66.0 pts higher in Saibai Island
0.0% 0th pct 66.0% 89th pct
Amenities/1k in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +5.7 more in Saibai Island
6.1 32nd pct 11.8 46th pct
Intersections/km² in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +62 higher in Poruma Island
62 80th pct 0 34th pct
Mean slope in Poruma Islandin Saibai Island +0.2 pts higher in Poruma Island
2.6% 6th pct 2.4% 3rd pct

Compare Poruma Island with nearby areas

Burrar Islet Warraber Islet Guijar Islet Iama Island Masig Island Ugar Island Saibai Island Moa Island

Compare Saibai Island with nearby areas

Dauan Island Torres Strait Boigu Island Iama Island Mabuiag Island Poruma Island Burrar Islet Masig Island

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Poruma Island vs Saibai Island [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sal/SAL32355/poruma-island/vs/SAL32503/saibai-island