Council (LGA) · Area profile
Murchison
45,046 km²
A First Nations population of 37.6% makes Murchison one of the most culturally distinct areas in the state. This sparsely populated community of 101 people is notably young, with children under 15 making up 32.7% of the population. The area is characterized by a strong presence of families and a workforce heavily tied to the land. It remains a remote setting where traditional connections and a young age structure define the local character.
Despite high local incomes, the area's schools serve a less advantaged intake.
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The community is far younger than the national figure, with a typical age of 36 and a high proportion of children. This is reflected in the family structure, where 16.7% of residents are in de facto relationships, which is well above the Australian average.
Most residents were born in Australia, and the proportion of people born overseas is far below the state and national figures. Australian, English, German, and Scottish are the most common ancestries reported.
English is the main language for 82.2% of people. While the proportion of people using another language at home is higher than in most similar areas, it remains well below the Western Australian and national figures.
About 41.6% of the community report no religion, which is a little above the national figure. This represents a significant increase since 2011, when the figure was 27.2%.
The area has a low proportion of adults with a bachelor's degree compared to most areas. However, Year 12 completion rose to 47.9% since 2011, though this remains far below the national average.
Typical weekly household incomes are $1,649, which is higher than most similar areas but a little below the state figure. There are no households earning $3,000 or more per week, a figure that fell from 9.1% in 2011.
Health profiles are roughly in line with national trends, with 24.8% of people living with a long-term health condition. This is a little below the figures for both Western Australia and Australia.
Local participation is high, with 25% of people volunteering, which is far above the national figure. A high proportion of residents also provide unpaid housework or care for children.
First Nations people make up a large part of the community, and 18.4% speak a First Nations language, which is well above the national figure. Typical personal incomes for this group are much lower than in most other areas.
Homes tend to be larger, with an average of 2.6 people per dwelling. One-parent families are very common at 26.6%, a figure that is far above the state and national averages.
Rental properties are common, with 50% of households renting, which is far above the national average. Typical weekly rent is much lower than most areas at just $139, and very few homes are owned outright.
The area is heavily car-dependent, with zero use of public transport for commuting. Interestingly, 37.5% of people work from home, which is far above the state figure.
The population is quite mobile, with 41.3% of people having moved house in the last five years. This is a little above the Western Australian average.
Full-time employment is very high at 82.5%, far above the national figure, and the unemployment rate is 0.0%. Half of the workforce is employed in agriculture, forestry, and fishing.
The area is ranked as having very low overall advantage and limited access to money and resources. Despite this, residents are noted for having high levels of education and job skills relative to other similar areas.
The climate is hot and dry, with an average maximum temperature of 31.5°C. This is much higher than most other areas, though it is about the same as the state average.
The area is entirely car-dependent, with a walkability score of 0.5. No homes are within a 15-minute walk of groceries, health services, or public transport.