Karalundi vs Reedy

Karalundi and Reedy are both sparsely populated areas of Western Australia. Karalundi is a smaller residential hub with 65 people, while Reedy is largely non-residential with only 4 people. The two areas differ sharply in their demographics and wealth. The typical resident in Reedy is far older at 66, while in Karalundi they are 34. Income is also far higher in Karalundi, where typical personal weekly earnings are $1,028 compared to $450 in Reedy. Karalundi also has a larger Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, with 28 people.

Both areas are car-dependent, as neither has a 15-minute-city walkshed or homes within a 15-minute walk of health services. This shared reliance on cars persists even as some differences between the two places remain stark. While Karalundi has more schools and parks, Reedy has far more public transport stops and departures per 1,000 people. These gaps in infrastructure and age profiles highlight two very different ways of living in the remote West.