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Tanami vs Lake Mackay

Suburb / Locality comparison ≈ 275 km apart · Tanami profile · Lake Mackay profile

Tanami Lake Mackay

Tanami (WA) and Lake Mackay are both remote areas, but they differ sharply in their demographics and economies. Tanami (WA) is much younger, with a typical resident aged 28 and 24.2% of people being children, compared to no children in Lake Mackay, where the typical resident is 36. First Nations people make up a far higher share of the population in Tanami (WA) at 88.5%, and 87.3% of residents use a language other than English at home. In contrast, Lake Mackay has a more qualified workforce, with 20.8% of adults holding a bachelor degree or higher and a typical weekly family income that is far higher at $2,249, compared to $746 in Tanami (WA).

While both areas have similar typical household incomes and are entirely car-dependent, the gap in educational attainment has widened since 2011. This trend is seen in the school completion rates, with Year 12 completion far higher in Lake Mackay at 54.2% compared to 22.2% in Tanami (WA). Life in Tanami (WA) also involves more unpaid work, with far more people providing unpaid care, doing housework, or looking after children.

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Where they differ most

First Nations: 36.5 pts higher in Tanami Other language: 43.3 pts higher in Tanami No religion: 29.5 pts higher in Lake Mackay Year 12: 32.0 pts higher in Lake Mackay Family income: $1,503 higher in Lake Mackay

Demographics & Identity

Population in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +462 larger in Tanami gap steady
487 64th pct 25 17th pct
Median age in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +8 yrs older in Lake Mackay gap widening
28 yrs 2nd pct 36 yrs 17th pct
First Nations in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +36.5 pts higher in Tanami gap widening
88.5% 100th pct 52.0% 100th pct
Aged 65+ in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +5.1 pts higher in Tanami gap widening
5.1% 8th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Under 15 in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +24.2 pts higher in Tanami gap widening
24.2% 87th pct 0.0% 0th pct
De facto in Tanamiin Lake Mackay
26.8% 96th pct —

Age structure

34.1% Young adults (25–44) +17.9 pts ▸ 52.0%
24.2% Children (0–14) ◂ +24.2 pts 0.0%
19.1% Youth (15–24) +0.9 pts ▸ 20.0%
16.6% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +4.6 pts 12.0%
5.1% Seniors (65+) ◂ +5.1 pts 0.0%

Marital status

66.6% Never married ◂ +12.4 pts 54.2%
23.9% Married ◂ +7.2 pts 16.7%
3.8% Widowed +8.7 pts ▸ 12.5%
4.6% Divorced ◂ +4.6 pts 0.0%
2.7% Separated ◂ +2.7 pts 0.0%

Age & sex structure

Tanami Lake Mackay

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Born overseas in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +13.1 pts higher in Lake Mackay gap widening
2.9% 13th pct 16.0% 68th pct

Country of birth

92.8% Australia ◂ +20.8 pts 72.0%
0.8% New Zealand ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%
0.6% England ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%
0.0% India even 0.0%
0.0% China 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

3.3% English +12.7 pts ▸ 16.0%
1.8% Australian +10.2 pts ▸ 12.0%
2.3% Irish ◂ +2.3 pts 0.0%
0.8% Scottish ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%
0.8% Italian ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%
0.6% German ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%
0.6% Dutch ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%
0.0% Chinese even 0.0%
0.0% Indian even 0.0%
0.0% Greek even 0.0%
0.0% Filipino even 0.0%
0.0% Vietnamese even 0.0%

Language

Other language in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +43.3 pts higher in Tanami gap widening
87.3% 100th pct 44.0% 95th pct
Limited English in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +8.4 pts higher in Tanami
8.4% 97th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Language used at home

8.0% English only +44.0 pts ▸ 52.0%
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 Tanamiin Lake Mackay +29.5 pts higher in Lake Mackay gap widening
10.5% 0th pct 40.0% 48th pct

Religious affiliation

75.2% Christianity ◂ +31.2 pts 44.0%
10.5% No religion +29.5 pts ▸ 40.0%
7.2% Not stated +4.8 pts ▸ 12.0%
6.0% Other religions ◂ +6.0 pts 0.0%
0.0% Islam even 0.0%
0.0% Hinduism even 0.0%
0.0% Buddhism even 0.0%
0.0% Judaism even 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +32.0 pts higher in Lake Mackay gap widening
22.2% 4th pct 54.2% 71st pct
Bachelor+ in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +14.3 pts higher in Lake Mackay gap widening
6.5% 16th pct 20.8% 70th pct
Schools/1k kids in Tanamiin Lake Mackay
8.47 72nd pct —
Schools ≤3 km in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +1 more in Lake Mackay
1 43rd pct 2 62nd pct
Avg size in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +24 larger in Tanami
63 19th pct 40 14th pct
ICSEA in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +140 higher in Tanami
676 0th pct 536 0th pct

Highest year of school

22.2% Year 12 +32.0 pts ▸ 54.2%
21.9% Year 9 or below +19.8 pts ▸ 41.7%
27.7% Year 10 ◂ +27.7 pts 0.0%
20.5% Year 11 ◂ +20.5 pts 0.0%

Highest qualification level

7.6% Postgraduate degree +42.4 pts ▸ 50.0%
12.4% Bachelor degree ◂ +12.4 pts 0.0%
12.4% Certificate III / IV ◂ +12.4 pts 0.0%
3.8% Certificate I / II ◂ +3.8 pts 0.0%
2.9% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +2.9 pts 0.0%
2.9% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +2.9 pts 0.0%

Field of qualification

0.0% Natural & physical sciences +80.0 pts ▸ 80.0%
15.2% Education ◂ +15.2 pts 0.0%
13.3% Society & culture ◂ +13.3 pts 0.0%
9.5% Architecture & building ◂ +9.5 pts 0.0%
8.6% Engineering & related ◂ +8.6 pts 0.0%
8.6% Health ◂ +8.6 pts 0.0%
3.8% Management & commerce ◂ +3.8 pts 0.0%
0.0% Information technology even 0.0%
0.0% Agriculture & environment even 0.0%
0.0% Creative arts even 0.0%
0.0% Food, hospitality & personal services even 0.0%

Income

Personal income in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +$259 higher in Lake Mackay gap widening
$315 0th pct $574 21st pct
Household income in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +$25 higher in Tanami gap narrowing
$1,212 26th pct $1,187 24th pct
Family income in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +$1,503 higher in Lake Mackay gap widening
$746 0th pct $2,249 71st pct
High earners in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +3.5 pts higher in Tanami
3.5% 25th pct 0.0% 0th pct
High-income homes in Tanamiin Lake Mackay
3.0% 9th pct —

Household income distribution

49.0% $650–$1,499 ◂ +9.0 pts 40.0%
26.0% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +26.0 pts 0.0%
9.0% Under $650 ◂ +9.0 pts 0.0%
3.0% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +3.0 pts 0.0%
0.0% $4,000 or more even 0.0%

Personal income distribution

81.5% Under $650 ◂ +64.9 pts 16.7%
6.0% $650–$1,499 +27.4 pts ▸ 33.3%
4.3% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +4.3 pts 0.0%
0.8% $3,000 or more ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +12.0 pts higher in Lake Mackay
16.0% 9th pct 28.0% 46th pct
Mental health in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +3.3 pts higher in Tanami
3.3% 18th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Needs assistance in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +6.3 pts higher in Lake Mackay gap steady
5.7% 63rd pct 12.0% 94th pct

Long-term health conditions reported

5.5% Other condition +14.5 pts ▸ 20.0%
6.0% Diabetes +6.0 pts ▸ 12.0%
3.7% Heart disease +8.3 pts ▸ 12.0%
3.5% Asthma ◂ +3.5 pts 0.0%
3.3% Mental health ◂ +3.3 pts 0.0%
1.6% Arthritis ◂ +1.6 pts 0.0%
1.0% Cancer ◂ +1.0 pts 0.0%
0.8% Lung condition ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%
0.0% Dementia even 0.0%
0.0% Stroke even 0.0%

Number of long-term health conditions

57.1% None +2.9 pts ▸ 60.0%
11.1% One condition +12.9 pts ▸ 24.0%
3.9% Two conditions ◂ +3.9 pts 0.0%
1.2% Three or more ◂ +1.2 pts 0.0%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +34.1 pts higher in Lake Mackay
11.7% 19th pct 45.8% 98th pct
Unpaid carers in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +31.5 pts higher in Tanami
31.5% 100th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Unpaid child care in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +29.9 pts higher in Tanami gap narrowing
54.9% 100th pct 25.0% 48th pct
Defence service in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +0.8 pts higher in Tanami
0.8% 31st pct 0.0% 0th pct
Housework 15h+ in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +25.8 pts higher in Tanami
38.3% 93rd pct 12.5% 10th pct

First Nations

First Nations people in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +418 larger in Tanami
431 86th pct 13 62nd pct
Median age in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +31 yrs older in Lake Mackay
27 yrs 54th pct 58 yrs 93rd pct
Year 12 in Tanamiin Lake Mackay
13.7% 5th pct —
Unemployment in Tanamiin Lake Mackay
66.7% 100th pct —
Median income in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +$65 higher in Lake Mackay
$297 7th pct $362 12th pct
Household income in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +$1,236 higher in Lake Mackay
$1,014 19th pct $2,250 71st pct
Indigenous language in Tanamiin Lake Mackay
94.9% 100th pct —

Family & Households

Household size in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +1.8 larger in Tanami gap widening
4.2 100th pct 2.4 43rd pct
One-parent in Tanamiin Lake Mackay
21.8% 89th pct —
Living alone in Tanamiin Lake Mackay
16.0% 22nd pct —

Family composition

64.9% Couples with children ◂ +31.6 pts 33.3%
8.7% Couples without children +35.7 pts ▸ 44.4%
3.9% Other families +29.5 pts ▸ 33.3%
21.8% One-parent families ◂ +21.8 pts 0.0%

Household size

16.0% 1 person +24.0 pts ▸ 40.0%
16.0% 5 people +14.0 pts ▸ 30.0%
29.0% 6 or more ◂ +29.0 pts 0.0%
13.0% 2 people ◂ +13.0 pts 0.0%
13.0% 3 people ◂ +13.0 pts 0.0%
12.0% 4 people ◂ +12.0 pts 0.0%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Tanamiin Lake Mackay
$60 0th pct —
People / bedroom in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +0.40 higher in Tanami gap widening
1.50 100th pct 1.10 93rd pct
Renting in Tanamiin Lake Mackay
81.0% 100th pct —
Owned outright in Tanamiin Lake Mackay
0.0% 0th pct —
Separate houses in Tanamiin Lake Mackay
94.0% 42nd pct —
3+ bedrooms in Tanamiin Lake Mackay
73.0% 34th pct —

How homes are owned or rented

15.0% Other tenure +85.0 pts ▸ 100.0%
81.0% Rented ◂ +81.0 pts 0.0%
0.0% Owned outright even 0.0%
0.0% Owned with a mortgage even 0.0%
0.0% Not stated even 0.0%

Types of homes

94.0% Separate house ◂ +14.0 pts 80.0%
0.0% Other dwelling +40.0 pts ▸ 40.0%
4.0% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +4.0 pts 0.0%
0.0% Flat or apartment even 0.0%

Bedrooms per home

52.0% 3 bedrooms ◂ +52.0 pts 0.0%
16.0% 2 bedrooms ◂ +16.0 pts 0.0%
16.0% 4 bedrooms ◂ +16.0 pts 0.0%
13.0% 1 bedroom ◂ +13.0 pts 0.0%
5.0% 5 or more ◂ +5.0 pts 0.0%
0.0% Studio / none even 0.0%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Tanamiin Lake Mackay
61.0% 100th pct —
Work from home in Tanamiin Lake Mackay
0.0% 0th pct —
PT commute in Tanamiin Lake Mackay
0.0% 0th pct —
PT stops in Tanamiin Lake Mackay even
0 0th pct 0 0th pct
Stops/1k in Tanamiin Lake Mackay even
0.00 0th pct 0.00 0th pct
Departures/1k in Tanamiin Lake Mackay even
0.0 0th pct 0.0 0th pct
PT routes in Tanamiin Lake Mackay even
0 0th pct 0 0th pct

How people get to work

51.9% Walked ◂ +14.4 pts 37.5%
24.1% Car (driver) ◂ +5.3 pts 18.8%
6.3% Car (passenger) +12.4 pts ▸ 18.8%
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

28.0% 1 vehicle +59.5 pts ▸ 87.5%
61.0% No vehicle ◂ +61.0 pts 0.0%
4.0% 2 vehicles ◂ +4.0 pts 0.0%
0.0% 3 vehicles even 0.0%
0.0% 4 or more even 0.0%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +9.7 pts higher in Tanami gap narrowing
22.2% 21st pct 12.5% 7th pct

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Tanamiin Lake Mackay
49.1% 100th pct —
Participation in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +23.5 pts higher in Lake Mackay gap widening
43.2% 12th pct 66.7% 72nd pct
Full-time in Tanamiin Lake Mackay
54.4% 31st pct —

Industries people work in

10.1% Arts & recreation +83.6 pts ▸ 93.8%
34.2% Education & training ◂ +34.2 pts 0.0%
0.0% Agriculture, forestry & fishing +31.3 pts ▸ 31.3%
13.9% Health care & social assistance ◂ +13.9 pts 0.0%
12.7% Retail trade ◂ +12.7 pts 0.0%
5.1% Other services ◂ +5.1 pts 0.0%
3.8% Public administration & safety ◂ +3.8 pts 0.0%
0.0% Mining even 0.0%
0.0% Manufacturing even 0.0%
0.0% Electricity, gas & water even 0.0%
0.0% Construction even 0.0%
0.0% Wholesale trade even 0.0%

Occupations people work in

0.0% Clerical & administrative +37.5 pts ▸ 37.5%
27.8% Professionals ◂ +9.1 pts 18.8%
17.7% Community & personal service ◂ +17.7 pts 0.0%
11.4% Labourers ◂ +11.4 pts 0.0%
8.9% Managers ◂ +8.9 pts 0.0%
7.6% Technicians & trades ◂ +7.6 pts 0.0%
7.6% Sales workers ◂ +7.6 pts 0.0%
3.8% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +3.8 pts 0.0%

Walkability

Walk score in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +0.3 higher in Tanami
0.3 47th pct 0.0 0th pct
Types ≤15 min in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +0.4 more in Tanami
0.4 48th pct 0.0 0th pct
15-min city in Tanamiin Lake Mackay even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to shops in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +8.9 pts higher in Tanami
8.9% 64th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to transit in Tanamiin Lake Mackay even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to school in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +8.9 pts higher in Tanami
8.9% 60th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to a park in Tanamiin Lake Mackay even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to health in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +8.9 pts higher in Tanami
8.9% 74th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Amenities/1k in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +25.6 more in Lake Mackay
14.4 52nd pct 40.0 77th pct
Intersections/km² in Tanamiin Lake Mackay even
0 0th pct 0 1st pct
Mean slope in Tanamiin Lake Mackay +0.6 pts higher in Tanami
4.8% 40th pct 4.2% 32nd pct

Compare Tanami with nearby areas

Sturt Creek Kundat Djaru Kupartiya Gibson Desert North McBeath Halls Creek Tanami Lake Mackay

Compare Lake Mackay with nearby areas

Nyirripi Kintore Mount Liebig Kunparrka Chilla Well Yuendumu Tjukurla Papunya

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Tanami vs Lake Mackay [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/sal/SAL51433/tanami/vs/SAL70154/lake-mackay