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Mer (Murray) Island vs Saibai Island

Urban Centre comparison ≈ 161 km apart · Mer (Murray) Island profile · Saibai Island profile

Mer (Murray) Island Saibai Island

Mer (Murray) Island (L) and Saibai Island (L) are two sparsely populated areas in the Torres Strait. Saibai Island (L) has a much younger population, with 37.9% of residents under 15 compared to 26.4% on Mer (Murray) Island (L). This is consistent with a higher share of one-parent families on Saibai Island (L) at 42.8%, while Mer (Murray) Island (L) sees far more people in de facto relationships at 36.8%. Job markets also differ sharply; Saibai Island (L) has a far higher unemployment rate of 43.1%, whereas the rate on Mer (Murray) Island (L) is 7.9%.

Both areas show a similar level of unpaid child care, with Mer (Murray) Island (L) at 26.0% and Saibai Island (L) at 42.6%, though only the former sits around the national figure. They share many other traits, including an almost identical share of people using another language at home. While the gap in typical weekly incomes has widened to $340 in favour of Mer (Murray) Island (L), the difference in the share of renters has narrowed since 2011.

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Where they differ most

One-parent: 26.3 pts higher in Saibai Island PT commute: 9.9 pts higher in Mer (Murray) Island Unemployment: 35.2 pts higher in Saibai Island De facto: 20.9 pts higher in Mer (Murray) Island Volunteering: 17.8 pts higher in Saibai Island

Demographics & Identity

Population in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +66 larger in Mer (Murray) Island gap narrowing
406 27th pct 340 20th pct
Median age in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +2 yrs older in Mer (Murray) Island gap narrowing
27 yrs 2nd pct 25 yrs 0th pct
First Nations in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +5.1 pts higher in Mer (Murray) Island gap narrowing
90.6% 100th pct 85.6% 99th pct
Aged 65+ in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +5.1 pts higher in Mer (Murray) Island gap narrowing
10.1% 12th pct 5.0% 4th pct
Under 15 in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +11.6 pts higher in Saibai Island gap widening
26.4% 92nd pct 37.9% 100th pct
De facto in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +20.9 pts higher in Mer (Murray) Island gap widening
36.8% 100th pct 15.8% 75th pct

Age structure

26.4% Children (0–14) +11.6 pts ▸ 37.9%
25.6% Young adults (25–44) +1.7 pts ▸ 27.4%
21.2% Youth (15–24) ◂ +8.8 pts 12.4%
20.4% Older adults (45–64) ◂ +4.6 pts 15.9%
10.1% Seniors (65+) ◂ +5.1 pts 5.0%

Marital status

74.7% Never married ◂ +8.6 pts 66.0%
17.1% Married +10.2 pts ▸ 27.3%
4.9% Widowed ◂ +2.5 pts 2.4%
3.0% Separated ◂ +0.6 pts 2.4%
1.0% Divorced ◂ +1.0 pts 0.0%

Age & sex structure

Mer (Murray) Island Saibai Island

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

Ancestry & Birthplace

Born overseas in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +9.4 pts higher in Saibai Island gap widening
1.5% 1st pct 10.9% 50th pct

Country of birth

92.6% Australia ◂ +11.4 pts 81.2%
0.0% England even 0.0%
0.0% India even 0.0%
0.0% China even 0.0%
0.0% New Zealand 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

0.0% English +2.1 pts ▸ 2.1%
1.2% Australian ◂ +1.2 pts 0.0%
0.7% Scottish ◂ +0.7 pts 0.0%
0.0% Irish even 0.0%
0.0% Chinese even 0.0%
0.0% Italian even 0.0%
0.0% German even 0.0%
0.0% Indian even 0.0%
0.0% Greek even 0.0%
0.0% Dutch even 0.0%
0.0% Filipino even 0.0%
0.0% Vietnamese even 0.0%

Language

Other language in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +0.9 pts higher in Saibai Island gap narrowing
87.9% 100th pct 88.8% 100th pct
Limited English in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +9.1 pts higher in Mer (Murray) Island gap widening
21.2% 100th pct 12.1% 100th pct

Language used at home

6.4% English only +0.1 pts ▸ 6.5%
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 Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +1.1 pts higher in Saibai Island gap narrowing
10.1% 0th pct 11.2% 0th pct

Religious affiliation

84.7% Christianity ◂ +14.1 pts 70.6%
5.4% Not stated +11.1 pts ▸ 16.5%
10.1% No religion +1.1 pts ▸ 11.2%
0.0% Islam even 0.0%
0.0% Hinduism even 0.0%
0.0% Buddhism even 0.0%
0.0% Judaism even 0.0%
0.0% Other religions even 0.0%

Education & Qualifications

Year 12 in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +7.0 pts higher in Saibai Island gap narrowing
40.7% 57th pct 47.7% 75th pct
Bachelor+ in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +0.8 pts higher in Saibai Island gap steady
4.9% 10th pct 5.7% 13th pct

Highest year of school

40.7% Year 12 +7.0 pts ▸ 47.7%
20.7% Year 10 ◂ +4.9 pts 15.7%
14.9% Year 9 or below +3.4 pts ▸ 18.3%
14.6% Year 11 ◂ +4.9 pts 9.6%

Highest qualification level

43.9% Certificate III / IV ◂ +14.2 pts 29.7%
7.3% Advanced diploma / diploma +7.1 pts ▸ 14.4%
8.1% Bachelor degree +2.0 pts ▸ 10.2%
7.3% Certificate I / II +1.2 pts ▸ 8.5%
4.1% Graduate diploma / certificate ◂ +4.1 pts 0.0%
0.0% Postgraduate degree even 0.0%

Field of qualification

15.4% Management & commerce ◂ +5.3 pts 10.2%
13.0% Education ◂ +2.0 pts 11.0%
10.6% Engineering & related ◂ +6.3 pts 4.2%
7.3% Society & culture +1.2 pts ▸ 8.5%
8.1% Architecture & building ◂ +0.5 pts 7.6%
6.5% Health +1.1 pts ▸ 7.6%
6.5% Food, hospitality & personal services ◂ +4.0 pts 2.5%
4.9% Creative arts ◂ +4.9 pts 0.0%
0.0% Natural & physical sciences even 0.0%
0.0% Information technology even 0.0%
0.0% Agriculture & environment even 0.0%

Income

Personal income in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +$54 higher in Saibai Island gap widening
$351 5th pct $405 9th pct
Household income in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +$340 higher in Mer (Murray) Island gap widening
$1,262 50th pct $922 15th pct
Family income in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +$94 higher in Mer (Murray) Island gap narrowing
$906 6th pct $812 3rd pct
High earners in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +0.1 pts higher in Mer (Murray) Island gap steady
2.0% 10th pct 1.9% 9th pct
High-income homes in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island even gap narrowing
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct

Household income distribution

31.0% $650–$1,499 +14.4 pts ▸ 45.5%
35.6% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +25.2 pts 10.4%
18.4% Under $650 +6.3 pts ▸ 24.7%
0.0% $3,000–$3,999 even 0.0%
0.0% $4,000 or more even 0.0%

Personal income distribution

75.3% Under $650 ◂ +7.4 pts 67.9%
13.5% $650–$1,499 +5.7 pts ▸ 19.1%
3.0% $1,500–$2,999 ◂ +1.0 pts 1.9%
0.0% $3,000 or more even 0.0%

Health & Disability

Health condition in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +5.1 pts higher in Mer (Murray) Island
19.0% 7th pct 13.8% 1st pct
Mental health in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +0.3 pts higher in Mer (Murray) Island
1.2% 0th pct 0.9% 0th pct
Needs assistance in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +1.5 pts higher in Saibai Island gap steady
4.7% 29th pct 6.2% 49th pct

Long-term health conditions reported

12.1% Diabetes ◂ +2.4 pts 9.7%
3.9% Asthma +0.2 pts ▸ 4.1%
3.9% Arthritis ◂ +3.9 pts 0.0%
3.0% Other condition ◂ +0.3 pts 2.6%
2.5% Heart disease ◂ +2.5 pts 0.0%
0.0% Cancer +1.8 pts ▸ 1.8%
1.2% Mental health ◂ +0.3 pts 0.9%
0.0% Dementia even 0.0%
0.0% Lung condition even 0.0%
0.0% Stroke even 0.0%

Number of long-term health conditions

74.1% None ◂ +5.0 pts 69.1%
15.8% One condition ◂ +3.1 pts 12.6%
3.9% Two conditions ◂ +3.1 pts 0.9%
0.0% Three or more +1.8 pts ▸ 1.8%

Community Participation

Volunteering in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +17.8 pts higher in Saibai Island gap widening
6.6% 5th pct 24.4% 86th pct
Unpaid carers in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +3.5 pts higher in Saibai Island gap steady
10.9% 23rd pct 14.4% 69th pct
Unpaid child care in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +16.6 pts higher in Saibai Island gap widening
26.0% 59th pct 42.6% 92nd pct
Defence service in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +1.1 pts higher in Mer (Murray) Island
7.5% 94th pct 6.4% 89th pct
Housework 15h+ in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +12.2 pts higher in Saibai Island gap narrowing
2.6% 0th pct 14.8% 10th pct

Family & Households

Household size in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +0.3 larger in Mer (Murray) Island gap narrowing
3.9 96th pct 3.6 93rd pct
One-parent in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +26.3 pts higher in Saibai Island gap widening
16.5% 59th pct 42.8% 100th pct
Living alone in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +7.3 pts higher in Saibai Island gap widening
16.1% 14th pct 23.4% 31st pct

Family composition

63.9% Couples with children ◂ +12.0 pts 51.9%
16.5% One-parent families +26.3 pts ▸ 42.8%
15.0% Couples without children ◂ +11.1 pts 3.9%
2.4% Other families ◂ +2.4 pts 0.0%

Household size

27.6% 6 or more ◂ +1.6 pts 26.0%
16.1% 1 person +7.3 pts ▸ 23.4%
10.3% 3 people +11.7 pts ▸ 22.1%
17.2% 2 people ◂ +6.9 pts 10.4%
5.7% 4 people +9.8 pts ▸ 15.6%
9.2% 5 people +1.2 pts ▸ 10.4%

Housing & Dwellings

Rent in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +$35 higher in Mer (Murray) Island gap narrowing
$150 11th pct $115 6th pct
Mortgage in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island
$1,084 29th pct —
People / bedroom in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +0.10 higher in Mer (Murray) Island gap steady
1.10 92nd pct 1.00 90th pct
Renting in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +8.0 pts higher in Saibai Island gap narrowing
92.0% 100th pct 100.0% 100th pct
Owned outright in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island even gap narrowing
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Separate houses in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +1.0 pts higher in Mer (Murray) Island gap narrowing
92.0% 42nd pct 90.9% 37th pct
3+ bedrooms in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +0.8 pts higher in Mer (Murray) Island gap narrowing
83.9% 72nd pct 83.1% 70th pct

How homes are owned or rented

92.0% Rented +10.6 pts ▸ 102.6%
6.9% Other tenure ◂ +6.9 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

92.0% Separate house ◂ +1.0 pts 90.9%
0.0% Townhouse / semi-detached +7.8 pts ▸ 7.8%
0.0% Flat or apartment even 0.0%
0.0% Other dwelling even 0.0%

Bedrooms per home

37.9% 4 bedrooms +10.1 pts ▸ 48.1%
20.7% 3 bedrooms +5.3 pts ▸ 26.0%
25.3% 5 or more ◂ +16.2 pts 9.1%
12.6% 2 bedrooms ◂ +8.7 pts 3.9%
0.0% Studio / none even 0.0%
0.0% 1 bedroom even 0.0%

Weekly rent distribution

92.5% Under $200 +7.5 pts ▸ 100.0%
0.0% $200–$349 even 0.0%
0.0% $350–$549 even 0.0%
0.0% $550–$749 even 0.0%
0.0% $750 or more even 0.0%

Transport & Vehicles

No car in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +5.1 pts higher in Saibai Island gap narrowing
48.2% 97th pct 53.3% 99th pct
Work from home in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island even gap narrowing
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
PT commute in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +9.9 pts higher in Mer (Murray) Island gap widening
9.9% 100th pct 0.0% 0th pct

How people get to work

30.8% Walked +6.4 pts ▸ 37.2%
31.9% Car (driver) +3.0 pts ▸ 34.9%
23.1% Car (passenger) ◂ +6.8 pts 16.3%
9.9% Bus ◂ +9.9 pts 0.0%
0.0% Train even 0.0%
0.0% Bicycle even 0.0%
0.0% Worked at home even 0.0%

Motor vehicles per home

48.2% No vehicle +5.1 pts ▸ 53.3%
41.0% 1 vehicle ◂ +11.6 pts 29.3%
14.5% 2 vehicles ◂ +9.1 pts 5.3%
0.0% 3 vehicles +4.0 pts ▸ 4.0%
0.0% 4 or more even 0.0%

Migration & Movement

Recent movers in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +12.8 pts higher in Mer (Murray) Island gap steady
22.8% 10th pct 10.0% 0th pct
Recent arrivals in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island
— 0.0% 0th pct

Jobs & Industry

Unemployment in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +35.2 pts higher in Saibai Island gap widening
7.9% 80th pct 43.1% 100th pct
Participation in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +5.5 pts higher in Mer (Murray) Island gap narrowing
33.2% 7th pct 27.8% 1st pct
Full-time in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +13.2 pts higher in Saibai Island gap narrowing
47.3% 12th pct 60.5% 72nd pct

Industries people work in

41.8% Public administration & safety ◂ +20.8 pts 20.9%
16.5% Education & training +6.8 pts ▸ 23.3%
14.3% Retail trade +4.3 pts ▸ 18.6%
6.6% Health care & social assistance +2.7 pts ▸ 9.3%
7.7% Administrative & support ◂ +7.7 pts 0.0%
5.5% Agriculture, forestry & fishing ◂ +5.5 pts 0.0%
4.4% Construction ◂ +4.4 pts 0.0%
3.3% Electricity, gas & water ◂ +3.3 pts 0.0%
0.0% Mining even 0.0%
0.0% Manufacturing even 0.0%
0.0% Wholesale trade even 0.0%
0.0% Accommodation & food even 0.0%

Occupations people work in

24.2% Professionals +1.4 pts ▸ 25.6%
16.5% Community & personal service +2.1 pts ▸ 18.6%
16.5% Clerical & administrative ◂ +16.5 pts 0.0%
16.5% Labourers ◂ +16.5 pts 0.0%
7.7% Managers +3.9 pts ▸ 11.6%
8.8% Sales workers +2.8 pts ▸ 11.6%
11.0% Technicians & trades ◂ +11.0 pts 0.0%
0.0% Machinery operators & drivers even 0.0%

Walkability

Walk score in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +1.0 higher in Saibai Island
0.0 0th pct 1.0 10th pct
Types ≤15 min in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +1.5 more in Saibai Island
0.0 0th pct 1.5 13th pct
15-min city in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to shops in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to transit in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to school in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island even
0.0% 0th pct 0.0% 0th pct
Walk to a park in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +80.4 pts higher in Saibai Island
0.0% 0th pct 80.4% 30th pct
Walk to health in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +66.0 pts higher in Saibai Island
0.0% 0th pct 66.0% 72nd pct
Amenities/1k in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +5.5 more in Mer (Murray) Island
17.2 46th pct 11.8 28th pct
Intersections/km² in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +6 higher in Mer (Murray) Island
6 8th pct 0 0th pct
Mean slope in Mer (Murray) Islandin Saibai Island +8.7 pts higher in Mer (Murray) Island
11.1% 93rd pct 2.4% 8th pct

Compare Mer (Murray) Island with nearby areas

Erub (Darnley) Island Yorke Island Warraber Island Iama (Yam) Island Saibai Island Dauan Island St Pauls Mabuiag Island

Compare Saibai Island with nearby areas

Dauan Island Boigu Island Iama (Yam) Island Mabuiag Island Yorke Island Warraber Island St Pauls Badu Island

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Mer (Murray) Island vs Saibai Island [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/compare/ucl/UCL322077/mer-island/vs/UCL322102/saibai-island