Council (LGA) · Area profile
Carnarvon
46,575 km²
A far higher proportion of people identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in Carnarvon than in the rest of the state. This community in Western Australia has seen its population shrink by 9.3% since 2011. It is a place where many people live in rented homes and a high number of residents live alone. The area is distinctive for its mix of a significant First Nations population and a growing number of recent overseas arrivals.
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The typical resident is 40, making the area a little older than the national figure. While the population shrank by 536 people since 2011, the number of seniors rose by 4.0 points over the same period.
People born overseas make up 18.4% of the community, which is higher than most areas but well below the state average. Those born in Australia, England, and Vietnam are the most common birthplaces.
More people here use a language other than English at home compared to most areas, though this is still well below the national figure. Vietnamese is the most common non-English language spoken.
Christianity is the most common religion at 40.2%, while 37.3% of people report no religion. The share of people with no religion rose by 14 points since 2011.
Education levels are far below the state and national figures, with only 10.7% of adults holding a bachelor degree and 35.0% completing Year 12. Qualification trends are improving, as Year 12 completion rose by 5.0 points since 2011.
Typical weekly household income is $1,401, which is well below the state figure. However, typical personal income of $793 is about the same as the national average.
Residents here report much lower rates of long-term health conditions and mental health conditions than most areas. Only 4.0% of people need help with daily activities.
Volunteering is slightly more common here than in the rest of the state. However, fewer people provide unpaid care for children or do housework compared to most other areas.
First Nations residents are noticeably older than those in the state, with a typical age of 30. This group faces significant challenges, with a 24.7% unemployment rate and a typical weekly income of $422, both of which are much lower than most areas.
One-parent families are much more common here than in most areas. A high 33.3% of people live alone, a figure that has risen since 2011.
Renting is far more common here than in the state, with 41.7% of households renting. Typical weekly rent of $209 is far below the national figure, and homes generally have fewer bedrooms than most areas.
While 9.0% of homes have no motor vehicle, public transport stops are among the most numerous for its level. Still, only 2.9% of people use public transport to get to work.
Recent arrivals from overseas make up 16.4% of the population, which is a little above the national figure. About 34.8% of people moved into the area in the last five years.
Full-time employment is well above the national average at 65.6%. Agriculture, forestry, and fishing are the most common industries, followed by health care and social assistance.
The area is ranked lower than most areas for overall advantage and access to resources. Population growth since 2021 has been 2.4%, which is well below the state rate.
Carnarvon is very warm, with average minimum temperatures that are a little above the state average. Annual rainfall is among the lowest for its level.
The area is somewhat walkable, and residents have a higher number of walkable amenities per 1,000 people than the state average. Most homes are within a 15-minute walk of a park or groceries.