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Black River vs Bluewater

Urban Centre comparison ≈ 10 km apart · Black River profile · Bluewater profile

Black River Bluewater

Bluewater (L) and Black River (L) are nearby areas in Townsville with distinct profiles. Black River (L) has a younger population, with a typical resident aged 34 compared to 41 in Bluewater (L). It also has more people working or looking for work (71.1% vs 58.5%) and a higher typical weekly personal income of $1,023, compared to $810 in Bluewater (L). In contrast, Bluewater (L) is more walkable, with a higher number of amenities and parks within a 15-minute walk. It also has a far higher share of homes owned outright at 32.2%, while Black River (L) is at 22.2%.

Both areas are very similar when it comes to housing costs and stability, with identical typical monthly mortgage payments of $1,700 and nearly the same share of renters. Over time, some gaps have shifted; for example, the share of people aged 65 and over is now well higher in Bluewater (L), although the lead was opposite in 2011. Similarly, the gap in home ownership has flipped since then, and the difference in people living alone has narrowed.

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Where they differ most

PT commute: 1.3 pts higher in Bluewater Participation: 12.6 pts higher in Black River Median age: 7 yrs older in Bluewater Needs assistance: 3.4 pts higher in Bluewater Owned outright: 10.0 pts higher in Bluewater

Demographics & Identity

Population in Black Riverin Bluewater +188 larger in Bluewater gap narrowing
527 35th pct 715 45th pct
Median age in Black Riverin Bluewater +7 yrs older in Bluewater gap steady
34 yrs 13th pct 41 yrs 36th pct
First Nations in Black Riverin Bluewater +5.6 pts higher in Black River gap widening
9.5% 76th pct 3.9% 45th pct
Aged 65+ in Black Riverin Bluewater +7.2 pts higher in Bluewater gap narrowing
8.9% 10th pct 16.1% 28th pct
Under 15 in Black Riverin Bluewater +2.0 pts higher in Black River gap narrowing
25.2% 89th pct 23.2% 86th pct
De facto in Black Riverin Bluewater +1.0 pts higher in Bluewater gap narrowing
18.8% 87th pct 19.8% 89th pct

Age structure

32.4% Young adults (25–44) ◂ +6.3 pts 26.2%
24.1% Older adults (45–64) +1.8 pts ▸ 25.9%
25.2% Children (0–14) ◂ +2.0 pts 23.2%
8.9% Seniors (65+) +7.2 pts ▸ 16.1%
8.7% Youth (15–24) ◂ +1.5 pts 7.3%

Marital status

46.5% Married ◂ +1.1 pts 45.4%
36.1% Never married ◂ +3.7 pts 32.4%
9.0% Divorced +5.0 pts ▸ 14.0%
4.6% Widowed +0.2 pts ▸ 4.8%
4.1% Separated ◂ +0.4 pts 3.7%

Age & sex structure

Black River Bluewater

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Born overseas in Black Riverin Bluewater +1.2 pts higher in Bluewater gap narrowing
8.2% 31st pct 9.4% 39th pct

Country of birth

86.0% Australia ◂ +2.7 pts 83.2%
1.7% England +1.6 pts ▸ 3.4%
1.3% New Zealand +0.4 pts ▸ 1.7%
0.9% Philippines ◂ +0.9 pts 0.0%
0.0% Italy +0.6 pts ▸ 0.6%
0.0% India even 0.0%
0.0% China even 0.0%
0.0% Vietnam even 0.0%
0.0% Nepal even 0.0%
0.0% South Africa even 0.0%

Ancestry

48.6% English ◂ +4.2 pts 44.3%
45.7% Australian ◂ +2.7 pts 43.1%
13.1% Irish ◂ +3.0 pts 10.1%
8.9% Scottish +3.1 pts ▸ 12.0%
4.9% German +1.1 pts ▸ 6.0%
5.1% Italian ◂ +1.1 pts 4.1%
0.6% Dutch +1.9 pts ▸ 2.5%
0.0% Chinese +1.4 pts ▸ 1.4%
0.6% Filipino ◂ +0.6 pts 0.0%
0.0% Indian +0.4 pts ▸ 0.4%
0.0% Greek even 0.0%
0.0% Vietnamese even 0.0%

Language

Other language in Black Riverin Bluewater +0.9 pts higher in Bluewater gap steady
1.3% 11th pct 2.2% 25th pct
Limited English in Black Riverin Bluewater even gap steady
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Language used at home

93.0% English only ◂ +1.5 pts 91.5%
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 Black Riverin Bluewater +5.1 pts higher in Bluewater gap narrowing
41.9% 48th pct 47.0% 67th pct

Religious affiliation

48.2% Christianity ◂ +6.4 pts 41.8%
41.9% No religion +5.1 pts ▸ 47.0%
7.4% Not stated +1.1 pts ▸ 8.5%
1.7% Buddhism ◂ +0.9 pts 0.8%
1.1% Other religions ◂ +0.2 pts 1.0%
0.0% Islam even 0.0%
0.0% Hinduism even 0.0%
0.0% Judaism even 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Black Riverin Bluewater +4.5 pts higher in Black River gap narrowing
45.8% 71st pct 41.3% 59th pct
Bachelor+ in Black Riverin Bluewater +2.4 pts higher in Bluewater gap steady
8.4% 28th pct 10.8% 46th pct

Highest year of school

45.8% Year 12 ◂ +4.5 pts 41.3%
31.6% Year 10 ◂ +2.6 pts 29.0%
6.6% Year 9 or below +6.0 pts ▸ 12.6%
7.9% Year 11 +0.5 pts ▸ 8.4%

Highest qualification level

51.7% Certificate III / IV ◂ +3.3 pts 48.5%
10.7% Advanced diploma / diploma +3.8 pts ▸ 14.5%
11.1% Bachelor degree +1.9 pts ▸ 13.0%
4.3% Certificate I / II ◂ +1.5 pts 2.8%
1.3% Graduate diploma / certificate +1.5 pts ▸ 2.8%
1.7% Postgraduate degree +0.8 pts ▸ 2.5%

Field of qualification

26.1% Engineering & related ◂ +3.5 pts 22.5%
18.4% Management & commerce ◂ +5.1 pts 13.3%
5.1% Health +10.6 pts ▸ 15.7%
8.5% Education ◂ +2.4 pts 6.2%
8.5% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +2.7 pts 5.9%
8.1% Architecture & building ◂ +1.6 pts 6.5%
7.7% Society & culture even 7.7%
0.0% Agriculture & environment +3.1 pts ▸ 3.1%
2.1% Natural & physical sciences ◂ +2.1 pts 0.0%
1.3% Creative arts +0.6 pts ▸ 1.9%
0.0% Information technology even 0.0%

Income

Personal income in Black Riverin Bluewater +$213 higher in Black River gap narrowing
$1,023 91st pct $810 77th pct
Household income in Black Riverin Bluewater +$299 higher in Black River gap narrowing
$2,144 89th pct $1,845 82nd pct
Family income in Black Riverin Bluewater +$313 higher in Black River gap narrowing
$2,297 87th pct $1,984 75th pct
High earners in Black Riverin Bluewater +3.1 pts higher in Black River gap steady
11.0% 80th pct 7.9% 63rd pct
High-income homes in Black Riverin Bluewater +8.6 pts higher in Black River gap widening
23.3% 87th pct 14.7% 66th pct

Household income distribution

36.7% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +3.2 pts 33.5%
17.8% $650–$1,499 +4.3 pts ▸ 22.0%
16.1% $3,000–$3,999 ◂ +8.4 pts 7.8%
11.7% Under $650 +2.2 pts ▸ 13.9%
7.2% $4,000 or more ◂ +0.3 pts 6.9%

Personal income distribution

34.3% Under $650 +5.3 pts ▸ 39.5%
34.5% $650–$1,499 +1.7 pts ▸ 36.2%
24.6% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +8.0 pts 16.5%
2.0% $3,000 or more even 2.0%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Black Riverin Bluewater +5.4 pts higher in Bluewater
25.2% 17th pct 30.6% 37th pct
Mental health in Black Riverin Bluewater +2.8 pts higher in Bluewater
8.3% 33rd pct 11.2% 68th pct
Needs assistance in Black Riverin Bluewater +3.4 pts higher in Bluewater gap steady
4.7% 30th pct 8.1% 72nd pct

Long-term health conditions reported

6.8% Arthritis +5.1 pts ▸ 11.9%
8.3% Mental health +2.8 pts ▸ 11.2%
7.0% Other condition +2.2 pts ▸ 9.2%
6.3% Asthma +1.3 pts ▸ 7.6%
4.4% Diabetes +2.8 pts ▸ 7.1%
3.4% Heart disease +2.0 pts ▸ 5.5%
2.5% Cancer +0.3 pts ▸ 2.8%
1.5% Lung condition +0.9 pts ▸ 2.4%
1.5% Stroke ◂ +0.3 pts 1.3%
0.0% Dementia even 0.0%

Number of long-term health conditions

65.1% None ◂ +6.6 pts 58.5%
18.0% One condition +0.4 pts ▸ 18.5%
4.9% Two conditions +2.8 pts ▸ 7.7%
1.9% Three or more +2.7 pts ▸ 4.6%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Black Riverin Bluewater +0.4 pts higher in Bluewater gap narrowing
9.2% 10th pct 9.6% 11th pct
Unpaid carers in Black Riverin Bluewater +4.8 pts higher in Bluewater gap widening
13.6% 56th pct 18.4% 95th pct
Unpaid child care in Black Riverin Bluewater +1.5 pts higher in Black River gap narrowing
36.1% 88th pct 34.6% 87th pct
Defence service in Black Riverin Bluewater +1.2 pts higher in Bluewater
7.9% 97th pct 9.2% 100th pct
Housework 15h+ in Black Riverin Bluewater +0.9 pts higher in Black River gap narrowing
27.4% 77th pct 26.5% 71st pct

Family & Households

Household size in Black Riverin Bluewater even gap narrowing
2.8 81st pct 2.8 81st pct
One-parent in Black Riverin Bluewater +3.4 pts higher in Black River gap steady
14.7% 47th pct 11.3% 27th pct
Living alone in Black Riverin Bluewater +6.7 pts higher in Bluewater gap narrowing
13.3% 9th pct 20.0% 23rd pct

Family composition

60.9% Couples with children ◂ +0.6 pts 60.3%
22.6% Couples without children +4.6 pts ▸ 27.1%
14.7% One-parent families ◂ +3.4 pts 11.3%
1.6% Other families +0.2 pts ▸ 1.7%

Household size

31.7% 2 people +7.5 pts ▸ 39.2%
20.6% 3 people ◂ +14.0 pts 6.5%
20.6% 4 people ◂ +4.6 pts 15.9%
13.3% 1 person +6.7 pts ▸ 20.0%
5.6% 5 people +2.6 pts ▸ 8.2%
3.9% 6 or more +3.0 pts ▸ 6.9%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Black Riverin Bluewater +$30 higher in Black River gap narrowing
$350 75th pct $320 66th pct
Mortgage in Black Riverin Bluewater even gap narrowing
$1,700 75th pct $1,700 75th pct
People / bedroom in Black Riverin Bluewater even gap steady
0.80 57th pct 0.80 57th pct
Renting in Black Riverin Bluewater +0.8 pts higher in Bluewater gap narrowing
12.2% 20th pct 13.1% 23rd pct
Owned outright in Black Riverin Bluewater +10.0 pts higher in Bluewater gap narrowing
22.2% 13th pct 32.2% 29th pct
Separate houses in Black Riverin Bluewater +2.8 pts higher in Black River gap narrowing
98.3% 78th pct 95.5% 61st pct
3+ bedrooms in Black Riverin Bluewater +3.4 pts higher in Black River gap narrowing
86.7% 79th pct 83.3% 70th pct

How homes are owned or rented

63.9% Owned with a mortgage ◂ +10.0 pts 53.9%
22.2% Owned outright +10.0 pts ▸ 32.2%
12.2% Rented +0.8 pts ▸ 13.1%
1.7% Other tenure ◂ +1.7 pts 0.0%
0.0% Not stated even 0.0%

Types of homes

98.3% Separate house ◂ +2.8 pts 95.5%
0.0% Townhouse / semi-detached +2.0 pts ▸ 2.0%
0.0% Other dwelling +1.2 pts ▸ 1.2%
0.0% Flat or apartment even 0.0%

Bedrooms per home

38.9% 3 bedrooms +4.4 pts ▸ 43.3%
39.4% 4 bedrooms ◂ +11.3 pts 28.2%
13.9% 2 bedrooms ◂ +0.8 pts 13.1%
8.3% 5 or more +3.5 pts ▸ 11.8%
0.0% 1 bedroom +3.3 pts ▸ 3.3%
0.0% Studio / none even 0.0%

Weekly rent distribution

59.1% $200–$349 ◂ +18.5 pts 40.6%
45.5% $350–$549 ◂ +4.8 pts 40.6%
0.0% Under $200 even 0.0%
0.0% $550–$749 even 0.0%
0.0% $750 or more even 0.0%

Monthly mortgage distribution

45.2% $1,000–$1,799 ◂ +7.3 pts 37.9%
28.7% $1,800–$2,999 +6.9 pts ▸ 35.6%
10.4% Under $1,000 +1.7 pts ▸ 12.1%
3.5% $3,000 or more ◂ +3.5 pts 0.0%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Black Riverin Bluewater +2.1 pts higher in Bluewater gap narrowing
0.0% 0th pct 2.1% 31st pct
Work from home in Black Riverin Bluewater +1.5 pts higher in Bluewater gap steady
3.4% 15th pct 4.9% 27th pct
PT commute in Black Riverin Bluewater +1.3 pts higher in Bluewater gap steady
0.0% 0th pct 1.3% 80th pct

How people get to work

75.1% Car (driver) ◂ +5.8 pts 69.3%
3.0% Car (passenger) +1.8 pts ▸ 4.9%
3.4% Worked at home +1.5 pts ▸ 4.9%
0.0% Bus +1.3 pts ▸ 1.3%
0.0% Walked +1.0 pts ▸ 1.0%
0.0% Train even 0.0%
0.0% Bicycle even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

43.9% 2 vehicles +0.1 pts ▸ 44.0%
21.7% 1 vehicle +1.6 pts ▸ 23.2%
18.3% 3 vehicles ◂ +1.7 pts 16.6%
16.7% 4 or more ◂ +4.2 pts 12.4%
0.0% No vehicle +2.1 pts ▸ 2.1%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Black Riverin Bluewater +0.9 pts higher in Bluewater gap steady
35.1% 51st pct 35.9% 55th pct
Recent arrivals in Black Riverin Bluewater even gap narrowing
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Black Riverin Bluewater +1.3 pts higher in Black River gap widening
5.4% 60th pct 4.1% 40th pct
Participation in Black Riverin Bluewater +12.6 pts higher in Black River gap widening
71.1% 94th pct 58.5% 66th pct
Full-time in Black Riverin Bluewater +7.7 pts higher in Black River gap narrowing
65.7% 89th pct 57.9% 60th pct

Industries people work in

17.4% Construction ◂ +1.2 pts 16.2%
10.2% Health care & social assistance +4.7 pts ▸ 14.9%
10.9% Education & training ◂ +2.5 pts 8.4%
10.2% Retail trade ◂ +4.7 pts 5.5%
7.9% Manufacturing +0.2 pts ▸ 8.1%
7.5% Public administration & safety ◂ +1.7 pts 5.8%
7.2% Other services ◂ +3.3 pts 3.9%
4.5% Transport & warehousing +2.3 pts ▸ 6.8%
6.4% Mining ◂ +0.6 pts 5.8%
4.9% Professional & technical ◂ +1.7 pts 3.2%
4.5% Electricity, gas & water ◂ +2.3 pts 2.3%
3.8% Accommodation & food ◂ +1.2 pts 2.6%

Occupations people work in

21.1% Technicians & trades +1.2 pts ▸ 22.3%
15.1% Clerical & administrative ◂ +0.5 pts 14.6%
9.1% Managers +4.9 pts ▸ 13.9%
13.6% Machinery operators & drivers ◂ +1.9 pts 11.7%
10.9% Labourers +1.4 pts ▸ 12.3%
11.7% Community & personal service +0.3 pts ▸ 12.0%
11.3% Professionals ◂ +1.3 pts 10.0%
5.3% Sales workers +0.2 pts ▸ 5.5%

Walkability

Walk score in Black Riverin Bluewater +0.6 higher in Bluewater
0.0 0th pct 0.6 6th pct
Types ≤15 min in Black Riverin Bluewater +0.8 more in Bluewater
0.0 0th pct 0.8 7th pct
15-min city in Black Riverin Bluewater even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to shops in Black Riverin Bluewater even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to transit in Black Riverin Bluewater even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to school in Black Riverin Bluewater +21.6 pts higher in Bluewater
0.0% 0th pct 21.6% 23rd pct
Walk to a park in Black Riverin Bluewater +24.7 pts higher in Bluewater
0.0% 0th pct 24.7% 8th pct
Walk to health in Black Riverin Bluewater even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Amenities/1k in Black Riverin Bluewater +7.0 more in Bluewater
0.0 0th pct 7.0 15th pct
Intersections/km² in Black Riverin Bluewater +3 higher in Bluewater
8 12th pct 11 16th pct
Mean slope in Black Riverin Bluewater +0.4 pts higher in Bluewater
2.4% 8th pct 2.8% 16th pct

Compare Black River with nearby areas

Rangewood Yabulu Saunders Beach Alice River Bluewater Toolakea Bluewater Park Townsville

Compare Bluewater with nearby areas

Yabulu Toolakea Bluewater Park Saunders Beach Black River Toomulla Rangewood Alice River

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Black River vs Bluewater [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/ucl/UCL321014/black-river/vs/UCL321018/bluewater