45,110
Higher than 86% of capital city areas.
The number of people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
Rest of WA · Capital City
First Nations in Rest of WA
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.
Over 45,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live in the Rest of WA, making it one of the highest populations of First Nations people across similar areas. This region stands out for its strong cultural ties, with a very high proportion of people still speaking traditional languages.
45,110
- 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 WA — higher than 86% of areas.
| Rest of WA | 45,110 |
|---|---|
| Western Australia | 88,693 |
Population & age
How many people identify as First Nations, and the typical age.
The First Nations population is 45,110, which is much higher than most areas at this level. The typical age of these residents is 25, which is a little older than the figure for Western Australia and the rest of the country.
25 yrs
Younger than 57% 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.
Year 12 completion for First Nations people is 27.4%. This is around the middle for similar areas, but it is well below the state figure of 32.5% and the national average of 37%.
27.4%
Lower than 57% 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.
The unemployment rate for First Nations people is 16.6%. This is about the same as the Western Australian figure, but it is well above the national rate of 12.3%.
16.6%
Higher than 56% 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 household income for First Nations people is $1,298, which is much lower than most similar areas. Personal income is also lower than most areas, sitting at $426, which is well below the national figure of $540.
$426
Lower than 67% of capital city areas.
Median total personal income per week for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15+.
$1,298
Lower than 75% 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.
A high 23.8% of First Nations people speak a traditional language. This is among the highest rates for similar areas and is far above the national figure of 12.3%.
23.8%
Higher than 88% 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 WA
Cite this page
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). First Nations in Rest of WA [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/gccsa/5RWAU/rest-of-wa/topic/first-nations