# First Nations — Forbes

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.

Area: Forbes (Indigenous Area)

A much lower unemployment rate of 8.2% marks the First Nations experience in Forbes. This community is notably young, with a typical age of 23, though it faces significant gaps in school completion compared to the rest of the state.

There are 1,233 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Forbes. The typical resident in this group is 23, which is a little younger than the national figure of 24.

School leaving is a challenge here, with Year 12 completion at 28.8%. This is well below both the New South Wales figure of 35.0% and the Australian average of 37.0%.

Job prospects are strong, as the unemployment rate of 8.2% is much lower than in most similar areas and well below the national figure of 12.3%.

Typical personal income is $640, which is a little above the national figure of $540. However, typical household incomes of $1,257 are lower than most areas and a little below the state average.

Only 1.1% of First Nations people here speak a First Nations language. This is among the lowest rates for similar areas and far below the national figure of 12.3%.

## Statistics

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people | 1,233 | — |
| First Nations median age | 23 yrs | — |
| First Nations Year 12 completion | 28.8% | — |
| First Nations unemployment rate | 8.2% | — |
| First Nations median personal income | $640 | — |
| First Nations household income | $1,257 | — |
| Speaks a First Nations language | 1.1% | — |

Interactive: https://censusatlas.au/region/iare/IARE105011/forbes/topic/first-nations