185,873
Higher than 99% of capital city areas.
The number of people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
Rest of NSW · Capital City
First Nations in Rest of NSW
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities — how many people identify as First Nations, and how they fare on age, schooling, work, income and language. From the ABS 2021 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Profile; the ABS notes these counts are an undercount.
A significant gap exists between the Rest of NSW and the rest of the country, with only 3.6% of First Nations people speaking a traditional language compared to 12.3% nationally. This vast region is home to 185,873 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who are notably younger than the general population.
185,873
- 1–2: 7 areas
- 2–2: 0 areas
- 2–4: 0 areas
- 4–6: 1 area
- 6–9: 0 areas
- 9–13: 2 areas
- 13–21: 0 areas
- 21–32: 0 areas
- 32–49: 1 area
- 49–76: 0 areas
- 76–118: 0 areas
- 118–181: 1 area
- 181–280: 1 area
- 280–431: 1 area
- 431–665: 1 area
- 665–1,026: 0 areas
- 1,026–1,582: 4 areas
- 1,582–2,440: 0 areas
- 2,440–3,763: 0 areas
- 3,763–5,804: 0 areas
- 5,804–8,952: 1 area
- 8,952–13,807: 1 area
- 13,807–21,295: 3 areas
- 21,295–32,845: 2 areas
- 32,845–50,659: 4 areas
- 50,659–78,135: 1 area
- 78,135–120,512: 1 area
- 120,512–185,873: 2 areas
All capital city areas, 2021. The marker is Rest of NSW — higher than 99% of areas.
| Rest of NSW | 185,873 |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | 278,043 |
Population & age
How many people identify as First Nations, and the typical age.
The First Nations population here is among the highest for its level. The typical resident is 23 years old, which is much lower than most similar areas and a little younger than the national figure of 24.
23 yrs
Younger than 99% of capital city areas.
Median age of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people — half are older, half younger.
Education
School completion among First Nations people.
School completion rates are lower here than in other parts of the country. Only 31.8% of First Nations people finished Year 12, which is well below the state figure of 35% and the national figure of 37%.
31.8%
Higher than 51% of capital city areas.
Share of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people whose highest year of school is Year 12 or equivalent.
Work
Engagement with the labour force.
Unemployment for First Nations people is 10.6%, which is much lower than most similar areas. This is about the same as the New South Wales figure and a little below the Australian average of 12.3%.
10.6%
Lower than 76% of capital city areas.
Unemployed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as a share of the First Nations labour force (aged 15+).
Income
Personal and household incomes.
Typical weekly household income is $1,460, which is about the same as the state and national figures. Personal income is $570, which is higher than most similar areas and slightly above the national figure of $540.
$570
Higher than 58% of capital city areas.
Median total personal income per week for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15+.
$1,460
Lower than 51% of capital city areas.
Median total weekly income for households with one or more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members.
Language & culture
Use of an Australian Indigenous language at home.
Only 3.6% of First Nations people speak a traditional language. This is about the same as the New South Wales figure, but well below the Australian average of 12.3%.
3.6%
Lower than 78% of capital city areas.
Share of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who use an Australian Indigenous language at home.
Sources
- Census of Population and Housing — Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021 (CC BY 4.0).
More for Rest of NSW
Cite this page
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). First Nations in Rest of NSW [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/gccsa/1RNSW/rest-of-nsw/topic/first-nations