Council (LGA) · Area profile
Doomadgee
1,828 km²
The population of Doomadgee has grown by 7.6% since 2011, reaching 1,387 people. This is a very young community where the typical resident is just 25, and nearly 90% of people are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. Most homes are large, with an average of 4.2 people per household, reflecting a high proportion of families with children. It is a small, remote town in Queensland where many residents rent their homes and face significant economic challenges.
Doomadgee has many young families but fewer schools per child than most areas.
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This is an exceptionally young community; 31.4% of people are children under 15, and the typical age is just 25. People aged 65 and over make up only 2.6%, which is far below the national figure of 17.2%.
The vast majority of residents were born in Australia, with only 2.7% born overseas, a figure far below the national average.
English is the main language used at home for 93.0% of people. Very few residents speak little or no English, at just 0.4%.
About 47.1% of residents have no religion, a figure that has risen by 31 points since 2011 and is well above the national figure.
Schooling levels are much lower than the state average, with only 17.4% of people completing Year 12. Just 7.1% of adults hold a bachelor degree or higher.
Typical weekly personal income is $354, which is far below the national figure of $805. Only 8.8% of households earn $3,000 or more a week.
Reporting of long-term health conditions is much lower than elsewhere, with only 12.5% of people having one, compared to 27.7% nationally.
Unpaid care for children is very common here, at 40.9%, which is far above the national figure. However, volunteering is among the lowest at this level, at 4.6%.
First Nations people make up the bulk of the community, though only 2.1% speak a First Nations language. This group faces high unemployment at 26.1% and a typical personal income of $332.
Homes are typically large, with 4.2 people per home, and one-parent families make up 24.8% of households, which is far above the national average.
Rental properties dominate the market at 90.9%, and no homes are owned outright. Rent is very low, with a typical weekly payment of $120.
Many residents lack a car, with 35.5% of homes having no motor vehicle. Because there are no public transport stops or routes, 42.3% of people walk to work.
Recent arrivals from overseas make up 45.9% of the population, which is far above the national figure. However, 22.8% of people have moved in the last five years, which is far below the national rate.
Only 29.2% of adults are working or looking for work, far below the national figure of 61.1%. The unemployment rate is very high at 17.6%.
Doomadgee is among the most disadvantaged areas in the country, ranking 1 out of 10 for overall advantage, access to resources, and job skills.
The area is hot and wet, with average annual rainfall of 787mm, which is far above the Queensland average.
Recorded offences are among the highest at this level, with assault, burglary, and drug offences being particularly common.
While the town is mostly car-dependent, nearly all residents live within a 15-minute walk of a park, school, or health service.