Indigenous Area · Area profile

Cooktown

24 km²

Tucked into the far north of Queensland, Cooktown is a small coastal settlement with a strong cultural identity. It is a place where 35.8% of First Nations people speak a traditional language, a figure far above the national average. While the community maintains deep cultural ties, many residents face significant economic challenges. The town is mostly car-dependent and spread across a sloping landscape, making it less walkable than typical Queensland towns.

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📍 Cooktown, Indigenous Area

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First Nations

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First Nations residents are far more likely to speak a traditional language than people across the state, but they face steep hurdles, with a 22.8% unemployment rate that is far above the national figure. Incomes are also well below the state and national averages, with typical household earnings at $1,113.

416 First Nations people

24 yrs Median age Here 24 yrs Qld 23 yrs Aus 24 yrs

32.9% Year 12 Here 32.9% Qld 43.6% Aus 37.0%

22.8% Unemployment Here 22.8% Qld 13.3% Aus 12.3%

$470 Median income Here $470 Qld $563 Aus $540

$1,113 Household income Here $1,113 Qld $1,517 Aus $1,507

Walkability

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Walking is difficult here due to the sloping terrain and a lack of public transport, leaving the area mostly car-dependent. While 65.3% of homes are within a 15-minute walk of health services—far above the state average—access to schools and groceries is much lower than in other Queensland areas.

3.2 Walk score

3.8 Types ≤15 min