CensusAtlas

Indicator

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people

The number of people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

Australia over time

812,728 in 2021

Not directly comparable across censuses — shown per year only.

Explore on the map

See how first nations people varies across Australia.

By statistical area 2 (sa2) By council (lga) By sub-region (sa3) By region (sa4) By capital city By state / territory By australia By suburb / locality By remoteness area By indigenous location By indigenous area By indigenous region

Highest areas

SA2 areas with the highest first nations people (2021 Census).

  1. East Arnhem 6,359
  2. West Arnhem 4,729
  3. Derby - West Kimberley 4,238
  4. Mount Isa 3,919
  5. Torres Strait Islands 3,737
  6. Cape York 3,678

Related indicators

First Nations median age View → First Nations Year 12 completion View → First Nations unemployment rate View → First Nations median personal income View → First Nations household income View → Speaks a First Nations language View →

Frequently asked questions

What is Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in Australia?

At the 2021 Census, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people across Australia was 812,728. It is a straight count for the area, so larger places record larger numbers.

How is Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people measured?

The number of people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. It is a count, so larger areas naturally record larger totals — compare it against population or area for a fair read.

How does Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people vary across Australia?

Across the 2,472 SA2 areas with data, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people ranges from 0 to 6,359, with a typical (median) area at 172. Most areas cluster toward the lower end, with a smaller number of much higher areas stretching the range.

Can Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people be compared across censuses?

Not directly — definitions or boundaries changed between censuses, so year-to-year changes in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people should be read with caution.

Where can I see Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people for my area?

Use the interactive map to compare Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people down to statistical area 2 (sa2) and council (lga) level, or search any suburb, postcode or council area to see its value in context against state and national figures.

Cite this page

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/indicator/indigenous-population