15,728
Higher than 95% of indigenous area areas.
The number of people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
Cairns · Indigenous Area
First Nations in Cairns
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.
Cultural heritage and strong family ties shape daily life for the 15,728 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Cairns. This is one of the largest First Nations populations for an area of its size. The community is notably young and maintains a deep connection to traditional languages.
15,728
- 1–1: 8 areas
- 1–2: 0 areas
- 2–3: 0 areas
- 3–4: 1 area
- 4–6: 1 area
- 6–9: 0 areas
- 9–12: 3 areas
- 12–18: 0 areas
- 18–25: 1 area
- 25–36: 0 areas
- 36–52: 1 area
- 52–74: 0 areas
- 74–106: 0 areas
- 106–151: 5 areas
- 151–217: 5 areas
- 217–310: 9 areas
- 310–444: 33 areas
- 444–636: 49 areas
- 636–910: 60 areas
- 910–1,302: 78 areas
- 1,302–1,864: 44 areas
- 1,864–2,668: 53 areas
- 2,668–3,819: 28 areas
- 3,819–5,466: 23 areas
- 5,466–7,823: 15 areas
- 7,823–11,198: 6 areas
- 11,198–16,027: 6 areas
- 16,027–22,940: 1 area
All indigenous area areas, 2021. The marker is Cairns — higher than 95% of areas.
| Cairns | 15,728 |
|---|---|
| Queensland | 237,303 |
Population & age
How many people identify as First Nations, and the typical age.
The typical First Nations resident is 23 years old. This is a little younger than the national figure of 24, and about the same as the Queensland average.
23 yrs
Younger than 71% of indigenous area areas.
Median age of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people — half are older, half younger.
Education
School completion among First Nations people.
School completion is a highlight here, with 49.3% of First Nations people finishing Year 12. This is far above the Australian figure of 37.0% and well above the state average.
49.3%
Higher than 88% of indigenous area 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.
Finding work is more challenging in this area, as the First Nations unemployment rate is 16.4%. This is higher than most similar areas and well above both the state and national figures.
16.4%
Higher than 72% of indigenous area 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 personal income is $579, which is higher than most areas and slightly above the national figure. Household income sits at $1,434, which is about the same as the Queensland and Australian averages.
$579
Higher than 63% of indigenous area areas.
Median total personal income per week for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15+.
$1,434
Higher than 58% of indigenous area 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.
Traditional culture remains strong, with 21.5% of First Nations people speaking a First Nations language. This is much higher than most areas and well above the rates seen across Queensland and Australia.
21.5%
Higher than 74% of indigenous area 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 Cairns
Cite this page
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2021). First Nations in Cairns [Census of Population and Housing]. CensusAtlas, used under CC BY 4.0. https://censusatlas.au/region/iare/IARE309002/cairns/topic/first-nations