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Cooktown vs Laura

Urban Centre comparison ≈ 87 km apart · Cooktown profile · Laura profile

Cooktown Laura

Cooktown and Laura (L) (Qld) are two distinct Queensland areas separated by about 87 km. Laura (L) (Qld) is sparsely populated and has a much stronger Indigenous presence, with 75.2% of its population identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander compared to 22.4% in Cooktown. Children under 15 are also far more common in Laura (L) (Qld) at 29.7%, while Cooktown has a higher share of people born overseas (13.2%) and more adults with a bachelor degree or higher (16.6%).

Both areas share a similar weekly typical family income of around $1,600 and are mostly car-dependent for travel. While they share these basics, the gap in the number of people identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander has narrowed since 2011. At the same time, the difference in schooling has grown, with Year 12 completion now 28.6 percentage points higher in Cooktown.

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Where they differ most

First Nations: 52.8 pts higher in Laura Year 12: 28.6 pts higher in Cooktown Renting: 41.6 pts higher in Laura No car: 32.4 pts higher in Laura No religion: 24.7 pts higher in Cooktown

Demographics & Identity

Population in Cooktownin Laura +1,696 larger in Cooktown gap widening
1,797 70th pct 101 5th pct
Median age in Cooktownin Laura +4 yrs older in Cooktown gap narrowing
43 yrs 43rd pct 39 yrs 29th pct
First Nations in Cooktownin Laura +52.8 pts higher in Laura gap narrowing
22.4% 87th pct 75.2% 97th pct
Aged 65+ in Cooktownin Laura +5.0 pts higher in Laura gap narrowing
18.8% 37th pct 23.8% 55th pct
Under 15 in Cooktownin Laura +10.1 pts higher in Laura gap widening
19.6% 65th pct 29.7% 98th pct
De facto in Cooktownin Laura +21.1 pts higher in Laura gap widening
20.8% 90th pct 41.9% 100th pct

Age structure

19.6% Children (0–14) +10.1 pts ▸ 29.7%
28.1% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +4.3 pts 23.8%
22.5% Young adults (25–44) +3.2 pts ▸ 25.7%
18.8% Seniors (65+) +5.0 pts ▸ 23.8%
10.7% Youth (15–24) ◂ +1.8 pts 8.9%

Marital status

45.8% Never married +21.7 pts ▸ 67.4%
33.1% Married ◂ +12.1 pts 20.9%
12.6% Divorced ◂ +6.8 pts 5.8%
5.3% Widowed ◂ +5.3 pts 0.0%
2.9% Separated +0.6 pts ▸ 3.5%

Age & sex structure

Cooktown Laura

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Born overseas in Cooktownin Laura +13.2 pts higher in Cooktown gap widening
13.2% 66th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Country of birth

72.8% Australia +14.3 pts ▸ 87.1%
2.9% New Zealand ◂ +2.9 pts 0.0%
2.6% England ◂ +2.6 pts 0.0%
0.7% Philippines ◂ +0.7 pts 0.0%
0.4% India ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%
0.4% South Africa ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%
0.3% Italy ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%
0.2% China ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%
0.0% Vietnam even 0.0%
0.0% Nepal even 0.0%

Ancestry

32.5% Australian ◂ +1.8 pts 30.7%
30.1% English ◂ +23.2 pts 6.9%
10.1% Irish ◂ +3.2 pts 6.9%
8.7% Scottish ◂ +8.7 pts 0.0%
4.7% German ◂ +4.7 pts 0.0%
1.4% Italian ◂ +1.4 pts 0.0%
1.3% Filipino ◂ +1.3 pts 0.0%
1.2% Dutch ◂ +1.2 pts 0.0%
0.9% Chinese ◂ +0.9 pts 0.0%
0.6% Indian ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%
0.0% Greek even 0.0%
0.0% Vietnamese even 0.0%

Language

Other language in Cooktownin Laura +11.5 pts higher in Cooktown gap narrowing
11.5% 86th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Limited English in Cooktownin Laura +0.4 pts higher in Cooktown gap steady
0.4% 58th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Language used at home

74.3% English only +15.8 pts ▸ 90.1%
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 Cooktownin Laura +24.7 pts higher in Cooktown gap widening
40.5% 43rd pct 15.8% 3rd pct

Religious affiliation

15.6% Not stated +34.9 pts ▸ 50.5%
42.4% Christianity ◂ +9.7 pts 32.7%
40.5% No religion ◂ +24.7 pts 15.8%
0.7% Hinduism ◂ +0.7 pts 0.0%
0.6% Buddhism ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%
0.3% Islam ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%
0.3% Other religions ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%
0.0% Judaism even 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Cooktownin Laura +28.6 pts higher in Cooktown gap widening
42.2% 61st pct 13.6% 0th pct
Bachelor+ in Cooktownin Laura +16.6 pts higher in Cooktown gap widening
16.6% 73rd pct 0.0% 0th pct

Highest year of school

42.2% Year 12 ◂ +28.6 pts 13.6%
22.9% Year 10 +10.4 pts ▸ 33.3%
9.8% Year 9 or below +1.3 pts ▸ 11.1%
9.2% Year 11 +0.7 pts ▸ 9.9%

Highest qualification level

30.8% Certificate III / IV ◂ +7.7 pts 23.1%
17.4% Bachelor degree ◂ +17.4 pts 0.0%
10.9% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +10.9 pts 0.0%
4.2% Postgraduate degree ◂ +4.2 pts 0.0%
4.0% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +4.0 pts 0.0%
2.9% Certificate I / II ◂ +2.9 pts 0.0%

Field of qualification

12.0% Engineering & related ◂ +12.0 pts 0.0%
11.9% Health ◂ +4.2 pts 7.7%
9.9% Education ◂ +9.9 pts 0.0%
9.9% Society & culture ◂ +9.9 pts 0.0%
8.8% Management & commerce ◂ +8.8 pts 0.0%
4.7% Architecture & building +3.0 pts ▸ 7.7%
5.3% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +5.3 pts 0.0%
3.2% Agriculture & environment ◂ +3.2 pts 0.0%
2.7% Creative arts ◂ +2.7 pts 0.0%
1.8% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +1.8 pts 0.0%
0.6% Information technology ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%

Income

Personal income in Cooktownin Laura +$204 higher in Cooktown gap narrowing
$697 57th pct $493 15th pct
Household income in Cooktownin Laura +$435 higher in Laura gap narrowing
$1,252 49th pct $1,687 75th pct
Family income in Cooktownin Laura +$58 higher in Laura gap narrowing
$1,567 49th pct $1,625 53rd pct
High earners in Cooktownin Laura +1.1 pts higher in Cooktown gap narrowing
8.1% 64th pct 7.0% 56th pct
High-income homes in Cooktownin Laura +5.5 pts higher in Laura gap narrowing
13.0% 60th pct 18.5% 77th pct

Household income distribution

24.2% $1,500–$2,999 +16.6 pts ▸ 40.7%
27.2% $650–$1,499 ◂ +27.2 pts 0.0%
22.8% Under $650 ◂ +11.7 pts 11.1%
6.3% $4,000 or more +12.2 pts ▸ 18.5%
6.7% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +6.7 pts 0.0%

Personal income distribution

39.2% Under $650 ◂ +5.4 pts 33.7%
28.0% $650–$1,499 ◂ +14.0 pts 14.0%
13.5% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +10.0 pts 3.5%
2.8% $3,000 or more +0.7 pts ▸ 3.5%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Cooktownin Laura +13.1 pts higher in Cooktown
23.0% 13th pct 9.9% 0th pct
Mental health in Cooktownin Laura +2.2 pts higher in Cooktown
6.1% 14th pct 4.0% 8th pct
Needs assistance in Cooktownin Laura +4.9 pts higher in Cooktown gap widening
4.9% 32nd pct 0.0% 0th pct

Long-term health conditions reported

4.4% Diabetes +4.5 pts ▸ 8.9%
7.6% Arthritis ◂ +7.6 pts 0.0%
6.1% Mental health ◂ +2.2 pts 4.0%
5.6% Other condition ◂ +1.7 pts 4.0%
4.8% Asthma ◂ +4.8 pts 0.0%
3.4% Heart disease ◂ +0.4 pts 3.0%
2.7% Cancer ◂ +2.7 pts 0.0%
1.6% Lung condition ◂ +1.6 pts 0.0%
0.7% Dementia ◂ +0.7 pts 0.0%
0.6% Stroke ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%

Number of long-term health conditions

62.4% None ◂ +16.8 pts 45.5%
16.0% One condition ◂ +5.1 pts 10.9%
4.4% Two conditions ◂ +0.4 pts 4.0%
2.5% Three or more ◂ +2.5 pts 0.0%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Cooktownin Laura +12.2 pts higher in Cooktown gap widening
18.0% 56th pct 5.8% 3rd pct
Unpaid carers in Cooktownin Laura +8.6 pts higher in Cooktown gap steady
8.6% 11th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Unpaid child care in Cooktownin Laura +0.1 pts higher in Cooktown gap narrowing
21.0% 32nd pct 20.9% 32nd pct
Defence service in Cooktownin Laura +4.9 pts higher in Cooktown
4.9% 76th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Housework 15h+ in Cooktownin Laura +12.8 pts higher in Cooktown gap widening
17.5% 12th pct 4.7% 0th pct

Family & Households

Household size in Cooktownin Laura +0.7 larger in Laura gap narrowing
2.3 43rd pct 3.0 87th pct
One-parent in Cooktownin Laura +3.9 pts higher in Laura gap narrowing
19.7% 75th pct 23.6% 86th pct
Living alone in Cooktownin Laura +9.7 pts higher in Cooktown gap steady
35.6% 74th pct 25.9% 39th pct

Family composition

48.1% Couples with children ◂ +16.2 pts 31.9%
30.4% Couples without children ◂ +6.8 pts 23.6%
19.7% One-parent families +3.9 pts ▸ 23.6%
1.2% Other families +3.0 pts ▸ 4.2%

Household size

35.6% 1 person ◂ +9.7 pts 25.9%
32.4% 2 people ◂ +2.8 pts 29.6%
13.0% 3 people +5.5 pts ▸ 18.5%
3.7% 6 or more +14.8 pts ▸ 18.5%
10.9% 4 people +0.3 pts ▸ 11.1%
4.4% 5 people ◂ +4.4 pts 0.0%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Cooktownin Laura +$100 higher in Cooktown gap narrowing
$220 29th pct $120 7th pct
Mortgage in Cooktownin Laura
$1,200 36th pct —
People / bedroom in Cooktownin Laura +0.30 higher in Laura gap steady
0.90 88th pct 1.20 94th pct
Renting in Cooktownin Laura +41.6 pts higher in Laura gap narrowing
47.2% 88th pct 88.9% 100th pct
Owned outright in Cooktownin Laura +4.2 pts higher in Cooktown gap narrowing
26.5% 18th pct 22.2% 13th pct
Separate houses in Cooktownin Laura +18.5 pts higher in Laura gap narrowing
81.5% 13th pct 100.0% 100th pct
3+ bedrooms in Cooktownin Laura +3.0 pts higher in Laura gap narrowing
52.6% 3rd pct 55.6% 6th pct

How homes are owned or rented

47.2% Rented +41.6 pts ▸ 88.9%
26.5% Owned outright ◂ +4.2 pts 22.2%
16.4% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +16.4 pts 0.0%
4.0% Other tenure ◂ +4.0 pts 0.0%
4.0% Not stated ◂ +4.0 pts 0.0%

Types of homes

81.5% Separate house +29.6 pts ▸ 111.1%
12.5% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +12.5 pts 0.0%
4.1% Other dwelling ◂ +4.1 pts 0.0%
1.1% Flat or apartment ◂ +1.1 pts 0.0%

Bedrooms per home

37.3% 3 bedrooms +18.2 pts ▸ 55.6%
28.9% 2 bedrooms ◂ +14.1 pts 14.8%
10.9% 1 bedroom +4.0 pts ▸ 14.8%
12.5% 4 bedrooms ◂ +12.5 pts 0.0%
3.5% Studio / none ◂ +3.5 pts 0.0%
2.8% 5 or more ◂ +2.8 pts 0.0%

Weekly rent distribution

36.9% Under $200 +46.4 pts ▸ 83.3%
34.0% $200–$349 ◂ +34.0 pts 0.0%
17.5% $350–$549 ◂ +17.5 pts 0.0%
1.6% $550–$749 ◂ +1.6 pts 0.0%
0.0% $750 or more even 0.0%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Cooktownin Laura +32.4 pts higher in Laura gap narrowing
9.3% 86th pct 41.7% 95th pct
Work from home in Cooktownin Laura +6.4 pts higher in Cooktown gap widening
6.4% 39th pct 0.0% 0th pct
PT commute in Cooktownin Laura +0.6 pts higher in Cooktown gap narrowing
0.6% 69th pct 0.0% 0th pct

How people get to work

11.1% Walked +67.1 pts ▸ 78.3%
57.6% Car (driver) ◂ +40.2 pts 17.4%
9.3% Car (passenger) ◂ +9.3 pts 0.0%
6.4% Worked at home ◂ +6.4 pts 0.0%
1.0% Bicycle ◂ +1.0 pts 0.0%
0.6% Bus ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%
0.0% Train even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

46.0% 1 vehicle ◂ +8.5 pts 37.5%
9.3% No vehicle +32.4 pts ▸ 41.7%
31.1% 2 vehicles ◂ +14.4 pts 16.7%
10.4% 3 vehicles +6.2 pts ▸ 16.7%
3.8% 4 or more ◂ +3.8 pts 0.0%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Cooktownin Laura +5.9 pts higher in Cooktown gap narrowing
45.3% 88th pct 39.4% 70th pct
Recent arrivals in Cooktownin Laura
10.1% 71st pct —

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Cooktownin Laura +6.7 pts higher in Cooktown gap widening
6.7% 73rd pct 0.0% 0th pct
Participation in Cooktownin Laura +19.7 pts higher in Cooktown gap widening
52.3% 47th pct 32.6% 6th pct
Full-time in Cooktownin Laura +4.8 pts higher in Cooktown gap narrowing
61.3% 76th pct 56.5% 52nd pct

Industries people work in

2.6% Administrative & support +36.6 pts ▸ 39.1%
20.4% Health care & social assistance +14.4 pts ▸ 34.8%
11.8% Accommodation & food +14.2 pts ▸ 26.1%
11.8% Education & training +5.6 pts ▸ 17.4%
14.0% Public administration & safety ◂ +14.0 pts 0.0%
11.6% Retail trade ◂ +11.6 pts 0.0%
8.1% Construction ◂ +8.1 pts 0.0%
3.4% Other services ◂ +3.4 pts 0.0%
2.6% Agriculture, forestry & fishing ◂ +2.6 pts 0.0%
2.4% Transport & warehousing ◂ +2.4 pts 0.0%
2.4% Rental & real estate ◂ +2.4 pts 0.0%
2.3% Professional & technical ◂ +2.3 pts 0.0%

Occupations people work in

12.1% Managers +31.4 pts ▸ 43.5%
23.8% Professionals +15.3 pts ▸ 39.1%
11.0% Labourers +6.4 pts ▸ 17.4%
15.4% Community & personal service ◂ +2.4 pts 13.0%
10.7% Technicians & trades +2.3 pts ▸ 13.0%
12.6% Clerical & administrative ◂ +12.6 pts 0.0%
9.0% Sales workers ◂ +9.0 pts 0.0%
5.0% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +5.0 pts 0.0%

Walkability

Walk score in Cooktownin Laura +0.3 higher in Cooktown
3.6 39th pct 3.3 34th pct
Types ≤15 min in Cooktownin Laura +0.2 more in Laura
4.2 44th pct 4.4 47th pct
15-min city in Cooktownin Laura +10.4 pts higher in Laura
61.0% 52nd pct 71.4% 61st pct
Walk to shops in Cooktownin Laura +19.0 pts higher in Laura
56.3% 48th pct 75.2% 65th pct
Walk to transit in Cooktownin Laura even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to school in Cooktownin Laura +28.3 pts higher in Laura
35.5% 29th pct 63.8% 45th pct
Walk to a park in Cooktownin Laura +84.2 pts higher in Cooktown
84.2% 35th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to health in Cooktownin Laura even
73.2% 77th pct 73.3% 77th pct
Amenities/1k in Cooktownin Laura +52.6 more in Laura
16.7 45th pct 69.3 95th pct
Intersections/km² in Cooktownin Laura +19 higher in Cooktown
24 38th pct 5 6th pct
Mean slope in Cooktownin Laura +5.4 pts higher in Cooktown
9.3% 89th pct 3.9% 39th pct

Compare Cooktown with nearby areas

Hope Vale Wujal Wujal Daintree Laura Wonga Beach Newell Cooya Beach Mossman

Compare Laura with nearby areas

Hope Vale Cooktown Wujal Wujal Daintree Wonga Beach Newell Mossman Cooya Beach

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Cooktown vs Laura [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/ucl/UCL315024/cooktown/vs/UCL322071/laura