Meekatharra vs Reedy

Meekatharra and Reedy are two very different Western Australian areas. Meekatharra has a population of 849 and is much younger, with a typical resident aged 33. Reedy is sparsely populated with only 4 people, and the typical resident there is far older at 66. Weekly incomes are far higher in Meekatharra, where the usual household earns $1,273 compared to $450 in Reedy. Meekatharra also has far more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and a higher number of people per home.

Both areas are similarly situated on the land, with nearly identical terrain slopes and the same number of public transport routes and stops. While they share these basic traits, the way people move is different. Meekatharra is mostly car-dependent but has far more homes within a 15-minute walk of schools, parks and groceries. In contrast, Reedy is car-dependent and lacks these walkable amenities entirely, though it has far more public transport departures per person.