# Demographics & Identity — Torres Strait Island

Who lives here — how many people, how old they are, and how communities identify.

Area: Torres Strait Island (Council (LGA))

More than 90% of people in Torres Strait Island identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. This is a very young community where the typical resident is just 27, which is 11 years younger than the national figure.

The total population is 4,124 people, which is smaller than about 68% of similar areas. This number shrank by 2.9% since 2011, losing around 124 people.

About 90.6% of residents identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, a figure that has barely changed since 2011. De facto relationships are also far more common here than elsewhere, accounting for 27.5% of the population.

The area has one of the highest proportions of children under 15 at 32.3%, which is 14 points above the national figure. In contrast, seniors aged 65 and over make up only 7.0% of the population, far below the 17.2% seen across Australia.

## Statistics

| Statistic | Value | Change since |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total population | 4,124 | -2.9% since 2011 |
| Median age | 27 yrs | +17.4% since 2011 |
| Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander population | 90.6% | -0.2% since 2011 |
| People aged 65 and over | 7.0% | +45.3% since 2011 |
| Children under 15 | 32.3% | -10.8% since 2011 |
| People in a de facto relationship | 27.5% | +3.4% since 2011 |

**Age structure** — Children (0–14) 32.3%, Young adults (25–44) 28.2%, Older adults (45–64) 18.9%, Youth (15–24) 13.6%, Seniors (65+) 7.0%

**Marital status** — Never married 69.3%, Married 22.4%, Widowed 4.5%, Divorced 2.1%, Separated 1.6%

Interactive: https://censusatlas.au/region/lga/LGA36960/torres-strait-island/topic/demographics-identity