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River Heads vs Fraser Island

Urban Centre comparison ≈ 13 km apart · River Heads profile · Fraser Island profile

River Heads Fraser Island

River Heads and Fraser Island (L) are two nearby areas with very different profiles. River Heads is an older community where the typical resident is 54 and 26.7% are aged 65 or over. In contrast, Fraser Island (L) is sparsely populated and much younger, with a typical age of 32 and no residents under 15 or over 65. Fraser Island (L) also sees much higher levels of wealth, with a typical weekly personal income of $1,131 compared to $543 in River Heads.

Since 2011, the gap between these two places has widened or flipped across most measures. They have moved in opposite directions, with River Heads becoming older and Fraser Island (L) seeing a surge in overseas arrivals, who now make up 37.3% of its people. Both areas are similarly car-dependent, as virtually no homes in either place are within a 15-minute walk of a school or public transport.

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Where they differ most

Median age: 22 yrs older in River Heads Aged 65+: 26.7 pts higher in River Heads Personal income: $588 higher in Fraser Island Housework 15h+: 27.1 pts higher in River Heads Mortgage: $2,350 higher in Fraser Island

Demographics & Identity

Population in River Headsin Fraser Island +1,977 larger in River Heads gap widening
2,044 72nd pct 67 3rd pct
Median age in River Headsin Fraser Island +22 yrs older in River Heads gap widening
54 yrs 80th pct 32 yrs 10th pct
First Nations in River Headsin Fraser Island +1.1 pts higher in River Heads gap narrowing
5.5% 59th pct 4.5% 51st pct
Aged 65+ in River Headsin Fraser Island +26.7 pts higher in River Heads gap widening
26.7% 65th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Under 15 in River Headsin Fraser Island +13.1 pts higher in River Heads gap widening
13.1% 19th pct 0.0% 0th pct
De facto in River Headsin Fraser Island +12.7 pts higher in River Heads gap widening
12.7% 46th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Age structure

16.7% Young adults (25–44) +22.1 pts ▸ 38.8%
35.6% Older adults (45–64) +0.3 pts ▸ 35.8%
8.5% Youth (15–24) +18.4 pts ▸ 26.9%
26.7% Seniors (65+) ◂ +26.7 pts 0.0%
13.1% Children (0–14) ◂ +13.1 pts 0.0%

Marital status

24.7% Never married +32.0 pts ▸ 56.7%
54.3% Married ◂ +30.4 pts 23.9%
12.2% Divorced +1.2 pts ▸ 13.4%
4.2% Separated +9.2 pts ▸ 13.4%
4.4% Widowed ◂ +4.4 pts 0.0%

Age & sex structure

River Heads Fraser Island

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Born overseas in River Headsin Fraser Island +19.5 pts higher in Fraser Island gap widening
17.9% 86th pct 37.3% 100th pct

Country of birth

78.0% Australia ◂ +34.7 pts 43.3%
4.5% New Zealand +3.0 pts ▸ 7.5%
1.0% Philippines +6.4 pts ▸ 7.5%
5.6% England +0.3 pts ▸ 6.0%
0.0% India +6.0 pts ▸ 6.0%
0.7% South Africa ◂ +0.7 pts 0.0%
0.3% China ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%
0.0% Vietnam even 0.0%
0.0% Nepal even 0.0%
0.0% Italy even 0.0%

Ancestry

48.0% English ◂ +7.7 pts 40.3%
38.1% Australian ◂ +18.7 pts 19.4%
12.4% Scottish +1.0 pts ▸ 13.4%
11.5% Irish ◂ +5.6 pts 6.0%
1.6% Filipino +5.8 pts ▸ 7.5%
6.8% German ◂ +0.8 pts 6.0%
0.2% Indian +5.7 pts ▸ 6.0%
1.9% Italian +2.6 pts ▸ 4.5%
2.7% Dutch ◂ +2.7 pts 0.0%
0.5% Chinese ◂ +0.5 pts 0.0%
0.4% Greek ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%
0.0% Vietnamese even 0.0%

Language

Other language in River Headsin Fraser Island +23.5 pts higher in Fraser Island gap widening
3.4% 45th pct 26.9% 89th pct
Limited English in River Headsin Fraser Island +0.3 pts higher in River Heads gap steady
0.3% 56th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Language used at home

93.6% English only ◂ +33.9 pts 59.7%
0.0% Hindi +10.4 pts ▸ 10.4%
0.3% Mandarin ◂ +0.3 pts 0.0%
0.2% Tagalog ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%
0.1% Greek ◂ +0.1 pts 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% Italian even 0.0%

Religion

No religion in River Headsin Fraser Island +7.6 pts higher in River Heads gap widening
44.9% 59th pct 37.3% 31st pct

Religious affiliation

48.8% Christianity ◂ +22.0 pts 26.9%
44.9% No religion ◂ +7.6 pts 37.3%
5.3% Not stated +8.1 pts ▸ 13.4%
0.0% Hinduism +9.0 pts ▸ 9.0%
0.6% Buddhism ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%
0.5% Other religions ◂ +0.5 pts 0.0%
0.0% Islam even 0.0%
0.0% Judaism even 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in River Headsin Fraser Island +17.7 pts higher in Fraser Island gap widening
39.0% 51st pct 56.7% 90th pct
Bachelor+ in River Headsin Fraser Island +7.7 pts higher in Fraser Island gap widening
11.7% 52nd pct 19.4% 80th pct

Highest year of school

39.0% Year 12 +17.7 pts ▸ 56.7%
34.0% Year 10 ◂ +22.1 pts 11.9%
12.7% Year 9 or below ◂ +8.2 pts 4.5%
9.4% Year 11 ◂ +3.5 pts 6.0%

Highest qualification level

48.2% Certificate III / IV ◂ +30.2 pts 18.0%
11.6% Bachelor degree +14.4 pts ▸ 26.0%
14.4% Advanced diploma / diploma ◂ +4.4 pts 10.0%
4.2% Postgraduate degree ◂ +4.2 pts 0.0%
3.5% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +3.5 pts 0.0%
2.5% Certificate I / II ◂ +2.5 pts 0.0%

Field of qualification

6.5% Food, hospitality & personal services +25.5 pts ▸ 32.0%
15.0% Management & commerce +13.0 pts ▸ 28.0%
19.5% Engineering & related ◂ +13.5 pts 6.0%
12.2% Health ◂ +12.2 pts 0.0%
12.1% Society & culture ◂ +12.1 pts 0.0%
2.3% Creative arts +7.7 pts ▸ 10.0%
8.1% Education ◂ +8.1 pts 0.0%
8.1% Architecture & building ◂ +8.1 pts 0.0%
2.2% Agriculture & environment ◂ +2.2 pts 0.0%
1.7% Information technology ◂ +1.7 pts 0.0%
0.8% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%

Income

Personal income in River Headsin Fraser Island +$588 higher in Fraser Island gap widening
$543 25th pct $1,131 95th pct
Household income in River Headsin Fraser Island +$30 higher in River Heads gap narrowing
$1,243 48th pct $1,213 45th pct
Family income in River Headsin Fraser Island +$1,152 higher in Fraser Island gap widening
$1,347 29th pct $2,499 90th pct
High earners in River Headsin Fraser Island +4.6 pts higher in River Heads gap widening
4.6% 32nd pct 0.0% 0th pct
High-income homes in River Headsin Fraser Island gap steady
8.4% 37th pct —

Household income distribution

36.4% $650–$1,499 ◂ +4.8 pts 31.6%
28.3% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +28.3 pts 0.0%
19.3% Under $650 ◂ +3.5 pts 15.8%
4.9% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +4.9 pts 0.0%
3.4% $4,000 or more ◂ +3.4 pts 0.0%

Personal income distribution

54.5% Under $650 ◂ +45.6 pts 9.0%
29.7% $650–$1,499 +21.0 pts ▸ 50.7%
10.2% $1,500–$2,999 +3.3 pts ▸ 13.4%
1.9% $3,000 or more ◂ +1.9 pts 0.0%

Health & Disability

Health condition in River Headsin Fraser Island +19.3 pts higher in River Heads
43.2% 91st pct 23.9% 14th pct
Mental health in River Headsin Fraser Island +10.0 pts higher in River Heads
15.9% 98th pct 6.0% 13th pct
Needs assistance in River Headsin Fraser Island +10.4 pts higher in River Heads gap widening
10.4% 87th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Long-term health conditions reported

16.6% Arthritis ◂ +16.6 pts 0.0%
15.9% Mental health ◂ +10.0 pts 6.0%
12.3% Other condition ◂ +12.3 pts 0.0%
10.7% Asthma ◂ +4.7 pts 6.0%
7.4% Heart disease ◂ +7.4 pts 0.0%
6.8% Diabetes ◂ +6.8 pts 0.0%
5.2% Cancer ◂ +5.2 pts 0.0%
4.7% Lung condition ◂ +4.7 pts 0.0%
1.7% Stroke ◂ +1.7 pts 0.0%
0.7% Dementia ◂ +0.7 pts 0.0%

Number of long-term health conditions

51.0% None +8.7 pts ▸ 59.7%
25.6% One condition ◂ +4.7 pts 20.9%
10.7% Two conditions ◂ +10.7 pts 0.0%
6.9% Three or more ◂ +6.9 pts 0.0%

Community Participation

Volunteering in River Headsin Fraser Island +12.6 pts higher in River Heads gap widening
12.6% 21st pct 0.0% 0th pct
Unpaid carers in River Headsin Fraser Island +15.4 pts higher in River Heads gap widening
15.4% 80th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Unpaid child care in River Headsin Fraser Island +17.9 pts higher in River Heads gap widening
17.9% 18th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Defence service in River Headsin Fraser Island +6.7 pts higher in River Heads
6.7% 91st pct 0.0% 0th pct
Housework 15h+ in River Headsin Fraser Island +27.1 pts higher in River Heads gap widening
27.1% 75th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Family & Households

Household size in River Headsin Fraser Island +1.2 larger in River Heads gap widening
2.4 57th pct 1.2 0th pct
One-parent in River Headsin Fraser Island gap narrowing
13.4% 39th pct —
Living alone in River Headsin Fraser Island gap narrowing
19.1% 21st pct —

Family composition

48.8% Couples without children +51.2 pts ▸ 100.0%
37.9% Couples with children ◂ +37.9 pts 0.0%
13.4% One-parent families ◂ +13.4 pts 0.0%
0.2% Other families ◂ +0.2 pts 0.0%

Household size

19.1% 1 person +65.1 pts ▸ 84.2%
51.6% 2 people ◂ +35.8 pts 15.8%
13.3% 3 people ◂ +13.3 pts 0.0%
8.6% 4 people ◂ +8.6 pts 0.0%
4.9% 5 people ◂ +4.9 pts 0.0%
3.0% 6 or more ◂ +3.0 pts 0.0%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in River Headsin Fraser Island +$302 higher in River Heads gap widening
$350 75th pct $48 0th pct
Mortgage in River Headsin Fraser Island +$2,350 higher in Fraser Island gap widening
$1,400 53rd pct $3,750 100th pct
People / bedroom in River Headsin Fraser Island even gap steady
0.80 57th pct 0.80 57th pct
Renting in River Headsin Fraser Island gap narrowing
16.2% 33rd pct —
Owned outright in River Headsin Fraser Island gap widening
47.1% 74th pct —
Separate houses in River Headsin Fraser Island gap narrowing
97.2% 71st pct —
3+ bedrooms in River Headsin Fraser Island gap steady
80.9% 63rd pct —

How homes are owned or rented

47.1% Owned outright ◂ +47.1 pts 0.0%
16.2% Rented +20.6 pts ▸ 36.8%
1.4% Other tenure +35.4 pts ▸ 36.8%
35.2% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +19.4 pts 15.8%
1.4% Not stated ◂ +1.4 pts 0.0%

Types of homes

97.2% Separate house ◂ +18.3 pts 78.9%
0.8% Townhouse / semi-detached ◂ +0.8 pts 0.0%
0.5% Other dwelling ◂ +0.5 pts 0.0%
0.0% Flat or apartment even 0.0%

Bedrooms per home

2.9% 1 bedroom +44.5 pts ▸ 47.4%
42.0% 3 bedrooms ◂ +42.0 pts 0.0%
34.2% 4 bedrooms ◂ +34.2 pts 0.0%
14.2% 2 bedrooms +17.4 pts ▸ 31.6%
4.7% 5 or more +21.6 pts ▸ 26.3%
0.4% Studio / none ◂ +0.4 pts 0.0%

Weekly rent distribution

0.0% Under $200 +128.6 pts ▸ 128.6%
40.6% $200–$349 ◂ +40.6 pts 0.0%
39.8% $350–$549 ◂ +39.8 pts 0.0%
5.5% $550–$749 ◂ +5.5 pts 0.0%
0.0% $750 or more even 0.0%

Monthly mortgage distribution

42.8% $1,000–$1,799 ◂ +42.8 pts 0.0%
24.5% $1,800–$2,999 ◂ +24.5 pts 0.0%
23.0% Under $1,000 ◂ +23.0 pts 0.0%
3.6% $3,000 or more ◂ +3.6 pts 0.0%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in River Headsin Fraser Island gap steady
0.6% 19th pct —
Work from home in River Headsin Fraser Island +11.1 pts higher in River Heads gap widening
11.1% 67th pct 0.0% 0th pct
PT commute in River Headsin Fraser Island +11.0 pts higher in Fraser Island gap widening
0.5% 67th pct 11.5% 100th pct

How people get to work

65.0% Car (driver) ◂ +40.0 pts 25.0%
1.4% Walked +42.8 pts ▸ 44.2%
0.5% Bus +11.0 pts ▸ 11.5%
11.1% Worked at home ◂ +11.1 pts 0.0%
4.7% Car (passenger) ◂ +4.7 pts 0.0%
0.0% Train even 0.0%
0.0% Bicycle even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

27.9% 1 vehicle +24.7 pts ▸ 52.6%
42.7% 2 vehicles ◂ +16.4 pts 26.3%
0.6% No vehicle +41.5 pts ▸ 42.1%
18.5% 3 vehicles ◂ +18.5 pts 0.0%
10.1% 4 or more ◂ +10.1 pts 0.0%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in River Headsin Fraser Island +15.6 pts higher in Fraser Island gap widening
54.5% 99th pct 70.1% 100th pct
Recent arrivals in River Headsin Fraser Island +37.0 pts higher in Fraser Island gap widening
3.0% 41st pct 40.0% 100th pct

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in River Headsin Fraser Island +9.5 pts higher in River Heads gap widening
9.5% 86th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Participation in River Headsin Fraser Island +26.0 pts higher in Fraser Island gap widening
48.6% 37th pct 74.6% 99th pct
Full-time in River Headsin Fraser Island +31.8 pts higher in Fraser Island gap widening
52.8% 32nd pct 84.6% 100th pct

Industries people work in

7.9% Accommodation & food +78.7 pts ▸ 86.5%
21.8% Health care & social assistance ◂ +21.8 pts 0.0%
12.7% Retail trade ◂ +12.7 pts 0.0%
9.3% Construction ◂ +9.3 pts 0.0%
3.1% Administrative & support +4.6 pts ▸ 7.7%
6.9% Education & training ◂ +6.9 pts 0.0%
6.4% Public administration & safety ◂ +6.4 pts 0.0%
5.0% Transport & warehousing ◂ +5.0 pts 0.0%
4.7% Manufacturing ◂ +4.7 pts 0.0%
4.5% Other services ◂ +4.5 pts 0.0%
3.8% Professional & technical ◂ +3.8 pts 0.0%
2.0% Mining ◂ +2.0 pts 0.0%

Occupations people work in

7.9% Managers +28.7 pts ▸ 36.5%
14.0% Technicians & trades +11.0 pts ▸ 25.0%
17.3% Community & personal service even 17.3%
14.1% Professionals ◂ +14.1 pts 0.0%
13.6% Labourers ◂ +7.8 pts 5.8%
11.2% Clerical & administrative ◂ +5.4 pts 5.8%
9.9% Sales workers ◂ +9.9 pts 0.0%
9.7% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +9.7 pts 0.0%

Walkability

Walk score in River Headsin Fraser Island +1.9 higher in Fraser Island
0.8 8th pct 2.7 27th pct
Types ≤15 min in River Headsin Fraser Island +1.7 more in Fraser Island
0.7 7th pct 2.4 23rd pct
15-min city in River Headsin Fraser Island even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to shops in River Headsin Fraser Island +54.9 pts higher in Fraser Island
16.2% 33rd pct 71.1% 61st pct
Walk to transit in River Headsin Fraser Island even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to school in River Headsin Fraser Island even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to a park in River Headsin Fraser Island +62.4 pts higher in Fraser Island
8.4% 3rd pct 70.7% 25th pct
Walk to health in River Headsin Fraser Island +16.3 pts higher in River Heads
16.3% 48th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Amenities/1k in River Headsin Fraser Island +86.6 more in Fraser Island
2.9 6th pct 89.6 100th pct
Intersections/km² in River Headsin Fraser Island +39 higher in Fraser Island
17 26th pct 56 77th pct
Mean slope in River Headsin Fraser Island +12.4 pts higher in Fraser Island
7.7% 82nd pct 20.1% 100th pct

Compare River Heads with nearby areas

Booral Fraser Island Sunshine Acres Hervey Bay Maaroom Maryborough Aldershot Toogoom

Compare Fraser Island with nearby areas

River Heads Booral Hervey Bay Sunshine Acres Maaroom Boonooroo - Tuan Poona Maryborough

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). River Heads vs Fraser Island [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/ucl/UCL315084/river-heads/vs/UCL322047/fraser-island